Aisha Bowden

I remember the day I first learned of El Sistema.

It was during a normal meeting of music teachers in D.C. when Ben Hall (Director of Music for D.C. Public Schools) mentioned an amazing music program in Venezuela that was taking the world by storm. He told us how this system of Venezuelan youth orchestras and choirs was achieving social change through musical excellence – and I was immediately sold on the idea! Fast forward to Fall 2010, which found me still teaching music in public schools, but this time just outside of Atlanta, GA. Imagine my delight when I received an email announcing the need for a choir Director (interest peaked)…for a new music program in Southwest Atlanta…(eyebrows raised)…that uses music as a tool for social justice…(now on the edge of my seat)…and is modeled after Venezuela’s “El Sistema“! Ding! Ding! Ding! We’ve got a winner! I could hardly control my fingers as they flew over the keys typing a reply! I would have never guessed that sending that email would bring me to where I am now.

2011-2012 Abreu Fellows

As you can imagine, serving as Choral Teaching Artist for the Atlanta Music Project was an experience comparable to none. I was drawn in by all aspects of the program. I found the leadership of Executive Director, Dantes Rameau, to be refreshing and inspiring. He set clear, high expectations but gave me creative control in which to meet them. I belonged to a group of Teaching Artists that worked as a team from Day One. Our students were zealous learners and our parents supported the program fully. My experience there reignited my dream of communities being transformed through music. Check out videos of our very first concert as a performing ensemble.

It is because of Dantes Rameau and AMP that I am an Abreu Fellow today. How appropriate that my fourth and final week of our Fall Internship be spent here in Atlanta where it all began! I’ve already had a great time shadowing Dantes. It was a proud moment for me when AMP was represented at Monday’s Board Meeting of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Dantes spoke and AMP 4th grader, Chantania spoke and performed. She was such a little lady! I worked with Chantania in Choir last year and let me tell you, her talents are not restricted to violin!

Chantania represents AMP at the ASO Board Meeting

She is just one of many extraordinarily gifted students that visit the Gilbert House and Coan Recreational Center every day. From our “seasoned” students, to beginners on xylophone, I am proud of the work I see here in Atlanta. Thank you for reading! Follow me as I follow the music

What a whirlwind! After weeks and weeks of discussions, workshops and seemingly endless days together – the Abreu Fellows have parted ways to see El Sistema in action. We have been given four weeks to conduct research and get hands on training in existing U.S. programs.

I can’t tell you how excited I was to plan my internship. Devote four weeks of my life to visiting programs and working with their children? Don’t mind if I do! I began in a city dear to my heart – Baltimore, MD. I spent two weeks going between Baltimore and Washington,DC (my home away from home). In Baltimore I interned with Dan Trahey of OrchKids (an initiative of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra) and in DC I met with various organizations that support arts education. For the first week, I traveled with Abreu Fellows Jennifer Kessler and Jose Luis Hernandez – what a team we were!

My time in Baltimore was full of activity. This year, OrchKids will serve FOUR sites and we visited each one! The first site – Lockerman-Bundy Elementary School, is where we spent most of our time. I was touched by the level of commitment the students, parents and staff showed to this program. OrchKids is truly uplifting community in West Baltimore! I was also thrilled to work as a clarinet teacher and guest conductor for the choir. Directing the younger choir brought me special joy as I really miss teaching little ones!

For week 3 I ventured to Philadelphia,PA – home of Stanford Thompson’s program, Play, On Philly! What a treat! My first day was spent on a field trip to Temple University for TedX Philly. Stanford spoke about his program and the Play On Philly! Orchestra performed. They received a standing ovation and rightfully so! The next few days were spent in meetings and rehearsals. Again, I was honored to work with the choral group as they prepared for a holiday program. Way to go, Stan!

From my 3 weeks in the field, I have learned that our programs may seem different from each other at first glance, but that they all possess attributes that make them distinctly El Sistema. These attributes – community building, musical excellence, high expectations, peer teaching, joyous music making, frequent performances – are found throughout the US in our programs. I look forward to visiting many more programs this year as I gain knowledge on what El Sistema looks like at home and abroad!

Stay tuned for updates from my last week of internship – the Atlanta Music Project. That’s right! I saved the best for last

On October 6, 2011, the Abreu Fellows made their first overnight trip together – and what better place to venture than the Big Apple! We had a wonderful time – presenting at the Change Influencers Conference and spending time with friends of the field. And we received a special invitation from the Saatchi & Saatchi! , along with the New York Times and the British Council, to present at “Change,” as part of the Influencer Conference which took place simultaneously in Berlin, London, and New York. “Change” is dedicated to empower creative Influencers who leverage their own specific expertise to make an unmediated impact to better the world and to collaborate with influencers from other domains to accelerate this process.This conference afforded me the opportunity to speak publicly – a skill I am developing as an Abreu Fellow! Here we are explaining what El Sistema is…enjoy the clip of my very talented children of Atlanta Music Project at the beginning of the speech!

Later that evening we had a lovely time with the one and only Jamie Bernstein

On October 6, 2011, the Abreu Fellows made their first overnight trip together – and what better place to venture than the Big Apple! We had a wonderful time – presenting at the Change Influencers Conference and spending time with friends of the field. And we received a special invitation from the Saatchi & Saatchi! , along with the New York Times and the British Council, to present at “Change,” as part of the Influencer Conference which took place simultaneously in Berlin, London, and New York. “Change” is dedicated to empower creative Influencers who leverage their own specific expertise to make an unmediated impact to better the world  and to collaborate with influencers from other domains to accelerate this process.This conference afforded me the opportunity to speak publicly – a skill I am developing as an Abreu Fellow! Here we are explaining what El Sistema is…enjoy the clip of my very talented children of Atlanta Music Project at the beginning of the speech!

Later that evening we had a lovely time with the one and only Jamie Bernstein

And we’re off! The Abreu Fellows Program has gotten off to a dynamic start! We have had almost two months of fun filled learning in Boston and our knowledge of El Sistema is expanding rapidly. There are four main components of El Sistema that we often highlight in presentations: fun, excellence, performance and community building, so I will use them to share with you what life is like as an Abreu Fellow!

Fun!
Oh the fun we have as Abreu Fellows! Our days are filled with mind blowing seminars and conversations on El Sistema – what it is, what it looks like in the US, what contributions we will make to the field, etc. Our nights are filled with food, fellowship and yes, more great conversations. We spend an insane amount of time together, but we love every second of it!

Excellence!
A standard of excellence is the order of the day with the Fellows. Sessions are led by the brightest minds our country has to offer and the fellows themselves are simply amazing! It is comforting to know that together we have the power to bring great social change to our country through music. W.E. B DuBois wrote of the “Talented Tenth” of society to lead the people through education and social change.
The leaders of El Sistema are a Talented Tenth of sorts and I am proud to join in their efforts. Who knows where it will take me…

Performance!
My favorite part of being a Fellow is having the opportunity to visit and teach various ensembles in the area. The Conservatory Lab Charter School in Brighton is doing great things and I was honored to recently assist in preparing their choir for an upcoming performance. I can’t wait to go back and see how they’re doing!

Community Building!
As I learn more about El Sistema, I see it as less of a program or organization, but more of a family. Those of you that know me know that I love being adopted into new families! But this family is not exclusive to musicians or die-hard art enthusiasts. After all, implementing social change means bringing along the masses.
Here we are at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, introducing the future policy makers of America to El Sistema and the power of creative thinking. We thought, what better way to present El Sistema to these students than to have them actually experience the joy of ensemble. I was delighted to direct the class/choir in singing partner songs. It took some creativity on our part as well – room not big enough? No problem – move to the atrium! Can’t see the group you’re directing? No problem – stand in a chair! Working with non-musicians? No problem – meet them where they are! I’m a choir director that believes in equal opportunity! It turned out to be a beautiful evening. Special love to the inspiration behind this presentation – Lorrie Heagy

Last Wednesday November 2, 2011, the Community Foundation For Greater Atlanta invited our students to perform at the Grassroots Grantmakers Conference in downtown Atlanta. Led by Jessica Sherer, our Flute Teaching Artist and Gilbert House Site Manager, 11 of our more advanced students from our Gilbert House site quickly put together a medley of tunes for small ensemble and set forth for the Loudermilk Center in a “tour” bus like the rock stars that they are! They performed admirably (video below), receiving a standing ovation from the 50 or so attendees.

For helping to make this field trip happen I wish to thank: the Community Foundation For Greater Atlanta, Shirlene Anderson, the staff at the City Of Atlanta’s Office Of Cultural Affairs, Ray Anderson at the Gilbert House and the AMP@Gilbert House parents for chaperoning and for their support. Thank you all!

Here’s some footage below from the field trip:

On the bus to the Loudermilk Center!

AMP@Gilbert House wind students perform Twinkle Variations. Led by Jessica Sherer, AMP Flute Teaching Artist and Site Manager:

AMP@Gilbert House students perform Beethoven’s Ode To Joy (string variation, wind variation then strings and winds together). Led by Jessica Sherer, AMP Flute Teaching Artist and Site Manager.

Celebrating, post-performance!

Proud grandmother and granddaughter/clarinetist, Kayla, back on the "tour" bus!

Jessica and Makeda, one of our outstanding viola students.

Rock stars! Bassist Alex, and violist Nyajah.

Violinists Tobias and Kamali. Kamali was last year's concertmaster.

Jessica and I on the bus back to the Gilbert House.

Check out this video of one of our Coan Rec Center students. This video was taken by our one of our Viola Teaching Artists, Dr. William Johnston, who is also Principal Viola of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra.

And we’re off! The Abreu Fellows Program has gotten off to a dynamic start!  We have had almost two months of fun filled learning in Boston and our knowledge of El Sistema is expanding rapidly. There are four main components of El Sistema that we often highlight in presentations: fun, excellence, performance and community building, so I will use them to share with you what life is like as an Abreu Fellow!

Fun!

Oh the fun we have as Abreu Fellows! Our days are filled with mind blowing seminars and conversations on El Sistema – what it is, what it looks like in the US, what contributions we will make to the field, etc. Our nights are filled with food, fellowship and yes, more great conversations. We spend an insane amount of time together, but we love every second of it!

Here is our Central Park tribute to Benjamin Zander and the art of "possibility".

Excellence!

A standard of excellence is the order of the day with the Fellows. Sessions are led by the brightest minds our country has to offer and the fellows themselves are simply amazing! It is comforting to know that together we have the power to bring great social change to our country through music. W.E. B DuBois wrote of the “Talented Tenth” of society  to lead the people through education and social change.

The leaders of El Sistema are a Talented Tenth of sorts and I am proud to join in their efforts. Who knows where it will take me…

Performance!

My favorite part of being a Fellow is having the opportunity to visit and teach various ensembles in the area. The Conservatory Lab Charter School in Brighton is doing great things and I was honored to recently assist in preparing their choir for an upcoming performance. I can’t wait to go back and see how they’re doing!

Community Building!

As I learn more about El Sistema, I see it as less of a program or organization, but more of a family. Those of you that know me know that I love being adopted into new families! But this family is not exclusive to musicians or die-hard art enthusiasts. After all, implementing social change means bringing along the masses.

Here we are at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, introducing the future policy makers of America to El Sistema and the power of creative thinking. We thought, what better way to present El Sistema to these students  than to have them actually experience the joy of ensemble. I was delighted to direct the class/choir in singing partner songs. It took some creativity on our part as well – room not big enough? No problem – move to the atrium! Can’t see the group you’re directing? No problem – stand in a chair! Working with non-musicians? No problem – meet them where they are! I’m a choir director that believes in equal opportunity! It turned out to be a beautiful evening. Special love to the inspiration behind this presentation – Lorrie Heagy

Our Presentation at Harvard!

Last Friday, the Atlanta Music Project was a finalist for the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) 2011 Excalibur Awards! TAG is Georgia’s  leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia’s technology industry. TAG’s annual Excalibur Awards recognize Georgia-based companies for their high-tech innovations based on the complexity of the problem that was solved technologically, the creativity of the solution, and the return on investment (ROI). For those of you who backed our Kickstarter campaign…we think you may have a lot to do with this nomination! With our Kickstarter campainn we raised over $19,000 to launch AMP. Today we’re serving close to 75 students. Pretty good ROI!

In the end we didn’t win, but we still our got our name out to some 400 companies that were in the audience.

Thank you to Premier Logic, who sponsored our table at the awards ceremony. Premier Logic, a software development company in Atlanta and Philadelphia, is an ongoing supporter of AMP. Here we are last Friday, L to R: John Hamon (Creative Director), Chad Osgood (CEO/Managing Partner), me, Jessica Black (Sales/Marketing Director):

Premier Logic and AMP at 2011 TAG Excalibur Awards

AMP Launches Second Program Site

We’re thrilled to announce that this past Monday October 3, we launched our second program site in the Edgewood neighborhood! With The Zeist Foundation providing major seed funding, our second AMP site will serve 60 students in grades 1-8. AMP classes are taking place 5-days-a-week at the City of Atlanta’s Coan Recreation Center. During this opening week our new students will get their first chance to try orchestral instruments. In addition to daily group lessons on their instrument, the students will take choir, musicianship and African drum and dance classes. Many concerts are planned for AMP@Coan Rec Center students this year, so please keep checking our website performance dates. We’d love to see you in the audience! Read the press release.

AMP Students Dazzle in African Drum and Dance Concert

AMP students from our Gilbert House site recently performed their first concert of the 2011-2012 season! Led by Teaching Artists Christan and Mark Poret and special guest Weedie Braimah, the students brought the “tent” down with the sounds of West African drumming and dancing.

Held on the grounds of the Office Of Cultural Affairs’ Gilbert House, the concert was attended by almost 100 people, bringing the neighborhood together around music and youth. AMP wishes to thank the Woodruff Art Center ‘s Enterprise Education for their support of our African drum and dance residency.

Instrument Donation Drive Fosters Community Support

This past summer, we held a three-week instrument donation drive to collect instruments for our students. The drive proved very successful as we were able to collect: 16 violins, 2 cellos, 1 viola, 1 bass, and dozens of flutes, clarinets, trumpets, french horns and trombones. Appraisals and tax receipts for instrument donors will be mailed out over the next two months. AMP wishes to acknowledge our community collaborators that served as drop-off points for the drive: Emory University Center for Ethics, Office of Cultural Affairs’ Gilbert House,  Juravel & Company CPA, Ron Sachs Violins and the Woodruff Arts Center. Also to be recognized, the employees of the W Atlanta Midtown who volunteered their time to help with instrument collection. Thank you Atlanta for your support. AMP students are the big winners here!

AMP IT UP! A Cocktail to benefit AMP!

Join us for AMP IT UP! The Artmore Hotel and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra have partnered to hold a cocktail to benefit the Atlanta Music Project! This event takes place on Wednesday October 26 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at the beautiful Artmore Hotel (1302 West Peachtree Street Atlanta, GA 30309). 20% of all proceeds will go to AMP. At 7:45 there will be a special live performance by the Atlanta Music Project’s own Teaching Artists!

AMP Welcomes Talented
New Teaching Artists

With our expansion to two sites, AMP conducted an extensive search to augment our Teaching Artist roster. Our search was successful and we are proud to be able to say that our Teaching Artist roster includes graduates from all of the country’s top music schools. On November 4, the AMP Teaching Artists will perform at TEDxPeachtree in Atlanta. Stay tuned for other upcoming AMP Teaching Artist concerts! To learn more about who they are, please click here.

AMP Partners With Local Flavor To Raise Funds

Do you eat in Atlanta restaurants? If so, you can support AMP simply by signing up with Local Flavor and eating at any of their partner restaurants around Metropolitan Atlanta! There are over 50 restaurants to choose from. Simply visit LocalFlavor.com, register and pick the option to have your “CashWards” donated directly to AMP. For more detailed info see this announcement or go to www.localflavor.com. Local Flavor says it best: “Eat Local. Give Local.”

AMP Nominated as Finalist For 2011 TAG Excalibur Awards

This week we received the exciting news that we’ve been selected as a finalist for the 2011 Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Excalibur Awards in the small company category! TAG is Georgia’s  leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia’s technology industry. TAG’s annual Excalibur Awards recognize Georgia-based companies for their high-tech innovations based on the complexity of the problem that was solved technologically, the creativity of the solution, and the return on investment (ROI). Winners will be announced on October 21. For those of you who backed our Kickstarter campaign…we think you may have a lot to do with this nomination, so thank you again!

Support Music For Social Change! Donate to the Atlanta Music Project

Click here to make an online donation to the Atlanta Music Project. Donations can also be mailed to:
Atlanta Music Project 1280 Peachtree Street NE Suite 4074, Atlanta, GA 30309
The Atlanta Music Project is a 501(c)3, tax-exempt non-profit.

All photos (except photo of van) courtesy of Carlton Mackey of My True Vision Photography.

This October, the Zeist Foundation ushers the ‘Music for Social Change’ after-school youth orchestra program into Atlanta’s Edgewood neighborhood for the launch of its second program site. Underserved kids grades 1- 8 expected to reap benefits.

The ‘Music for Social Change’ 501(c)3 organization, Atlanta Music Project (AMP), is not only changing the lives of Atlanta youth one music instrument at a time, but also injecting social change into one neighborhood at a time. On Monday, October 3, 2011, at 4:30 P.M., the Atlanta-based classical-music-inspired afterschool program will launch its second program site for sixty underserved youth at the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation’s Coan Park Recreation Center located 1530 Woodbine Avenue, SE Atlanta, Georgia 30317.

In alignment with its place-based philanthropy strategic plan for the Edgewood neighborhood, The Zeist Foundation provided the start-up funding necessary to expand AMP’s quality afterschool music program into the Edgewood neighborhood. Since 1994, The Zeist Foundation has partnered with other nonprofits to support school-based pediatric clinics, early learning programs and after school programs in the Edgewood community as part of its holistic approach to address the needs of at risk children, youth and families.

AMP’s first days of classes at Coan Park Recreation Center’s will begin with several instrument petting zoos which will introduce the students to the string instruments that the AMP Teaching Artists that will be teaching them.

“The Atlanta Music Project and its Teaching Artists are thrilled with this opportunity to serve the youth of the Edgewood neighborhood,” says Dantes Rameau, AMP’s 28-year-old Canadian-born bassoonist and Executive Director. “We look forward to working with our community partners at the Coan Recreation Center and the Zeist Foundation and thank the Foundation for their financial support of our second ‘Music For Social Change’ initiative.”

The Atlanta Music Project is based on El Sistema, the acclaimed Venezuelan National Youth Orchestra System that has transformed the lives of over one-million children through music and Rameau has a similar vision for Atlanta’s youth. Since the Atlanta Music Project piloted its afterschool program in 2010 at the historic Gilbert House in SW Atlanta in partnership with the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs’ “Culture Club: An After School Experience” umbrella, AMP has been presented with an official Proclamation from the Atlanta City Council for their successful efforts towards musical education and youth development and was recently awarded a $50,000 grant towards education and youth development by The Coca-Cola Foundation.

For More Information Contact:
Atlanta Music Project 1280 Peachtree Street NE Suite 4074 Atlanta, GA 30309
Email: info@atlantamusicproject.org
Phone: 678-235-4AMP (4267)

POST CREDIT:
Read original article Found on the ZDennis Media Group website.
By: Jen Farris

Aisha Bowden

When I was six years old, I joined my first choir. I marched into choir rehearsal as a skinny little girl with a big mouth (that part hasn’t changed much) and belted out every tune with all my heart. If you have ever seen the opening scene of What’s Love Got to Do With It, then you have an idea of the level of enthusiasm I displayed on that evening. Thankfully, our Choir Director did not throw me out, but instead had me sit next to her at the piano and sing my part there for a while. At that moment I realized that 1) I must have been singing pretty loud for her to stop the rehearsal and 2) although I really loved sitting and singing with the choir, her seat seemed even better! From that point on, my love for choirs – singing in them and especially directing them – grew and continues to grow.

Working with children within and outside of the public school system as an adult, I truly loved making music with them. We made beautiful music. We studied well, we practiced hard, we put on performances of a lifetime – we had some really good times. In addition to that, I had the pleasure of working alongside some of the hardest working and most amazingly talented music educators ever born. People that created masterpieces with little rehearsal time, fluctuating membership and uncertain support from administrators, families and community. These people simply made it happen…every single time.

This year of my life I dedicate to that effort. I dedicate it to those unsung heroes whose undying passion drives them to fight for quality music education and the children that make it all worthwhile. I also dedicate this year to the future of music education and youth ensembles in America. And I dedicate it to my former and future students – from those who showed up in rehearsal because they wanted to try something new, to those who have stated that they too want to be a choir director. This year I will study the art of creating music for social change – through the lens of a program that exists to do just that.

I am in Boston because of a program called “El Sistema”. To some it is a social movement, to others it is a music education program. It is primarily Venezuela’s nationwide system of youth orchestras and choirs, which has grown from 11 children in a parking garage in 1975 to serving over one million children throughout the nation. El Sistema is a wonder to music educators worldwide – a beacon of hope and an example of what we could do if we (teachers, students and community) were to join together in working towards the same goal. One feature that distinguishes the Venezuelans is that they are intentional about not just teaching music, but also changing the life trajectory of their youth through ensemble playing- and they succeed! Doing music for social change is impressive enough, but what blows people’s minds about this program is the quality of musicianship. Those children, some in small villages lacking the latest in music education technology, perform in a way that makes your hair stand on end. These kids can PLAY!

Three years ago, the founder of El Sistema, Jose Abreu won a TED grant. His wish to change the world was to create and document a special training program for gifted musicians that were passionate about both their art and social justice. The program, housed at New England Conservatory, cultivates these musicians into leaders of the El Sistema movement here in the United States. They are exposed to pedagogy, non-profit management and the magic behind El Sistema. There are only ten Fellows selected each year and I am very fortunate to have been chosen.

This fellowship is more than a dream come true – it is my destiny. From singing like little Tina Turner in that first rehearsal, to directing my first choir, then student teaching, volunteering with area choruses and teaching full time – everything I have ever done in my life has prepared me for this moment.

The Atlanta Music Project team

And on that note, my friend, consider us formally introduced. My name is Aisha. I love music, children and the two combined. I believe music ensembles allow us to create something greater than ourselves and I’m here to promote that cause. I believe I will have once in a lifetime experiences this year, and I would love for you to enjoy those moments with me. With that said – don’t be a stranger

After a rousing start to the school year at the Gilbert House with the African drum and dance concert (pictures and video coming!),  our AMP@Gilbert House students started their orchestral instruments lessons on Monday September 12.

On Thursday September 15, 2011, Danisha, new to the Atlanta Music Project, took her first stab at the clarinet with Teaching Artist Bryan Crumpler. Check out her first few notes in a video filmed by Mr. Crumpler himself.

When I was six years old, I joined my first choir. I marched into choir rehearsal as a skinny little girl with a big mouth (that part hasn’t changed much) and belted out every tune with all my heart. If you have ever seen the opening scene of What’s Love Got to Do With It, then you have an idea of the level of enthusiasm I displayed on that evening. Thankfully, our Choir Director did not throw me out, but instead had me sit next to her at the piano and sing my part there for a while. At that moment I realized that 1) I must have been singing pretty loud for her to stop the rehearsal and 2)although I really loved sitting and singing with the choir, her seat seemed even better! From that point on, my love for choirs – singing in them and especially directing them – grew and continues to grow.

Working with children within and outside of the public school system as an adult, I truly loved making music with them. We made beautiful music. We studied well, we practiced hard, we put on performances of a lifetime – we had some really good times. In addition to that, I had the pleasure of working alongside some of the hardest working and most amazingly talented music educators ever born. People that created masterpieces with little rehearsal time, fluctuating membership and uncertain support from administrators, families and community. These people simply made it happen…every single time.

This year of my life I dedicate to that effort. I dedicate it to those unsung heroes whose undying passion drives them to fight for quality music education and the children that make it all worthwhile. I also dedicate this year to the future of music education and youth ensembles in America. And I dedicate it to my former and future students – from those who showed up in rehearsal because they wanted to try something new, to those who have stated that they too want to be a choir director. This year I will study the art of creating music for social change – through the lens of a program that exists to do just that.

I am in Boston because of a program called “El Sistema”. To some it is a social movement, to others it is a music education program. It is primarily Venezuela’s nationwide system of youth orchestras and choirs, which has grown from 11 children in a parking garage in 1975 to serving over one million children throughout the nation. El Sistema is a wonder to music educators worldwide – a beacon of hope and an example of what we could do if we (teachers, students and community) were to join together in working towards the same goal.  One feature that distinguishes the Venezuelans is that they are intentional about not just teaching music, but also changing the life trajectory of their youth through ensemble playing- and they succeed! Doing music for social change is impressive enough, but what blows people’s minds about this program is the quality of musicianship. Those children, some in small villages lacking the latest in music education technology, perform in a way that makes your hair stand on end.  These kids can PLAY! 

Three years ago, the founder of El Sistema, Jose Abreu won a TED grant.  His wish to change the world was to create and document a special training program for gifted musicians that were passionate about both their art and social justice. The program, housed at New England Conservatory, cultivates these musicians into leaders of the El Sistema movement here in the United States. They are exposed to pedagogy, non-profit management and the magic behind El Sistema. There are only ten Fellows selected each year and I am very fortunate to have been chosen.

This fellowship is more than a dream come true – it is my destiny.  From singing like little Tina Turner in that first rehearsal, to directing my first choir, then student teaching, volunteering with area choruses and teaching full time – everything I have ever done in my life has prepared me for this moment.

And on that note, my friend, consider us formally introduced. My name is Aisha. I love music, children and the two combined. I believe music ensembles allow us to create something greater than ourselves and I’m here to promote that cause. I believe I will have once in a lifetime experiences this year, and I would love for you to enjoy those moments with me. With that said – don’t be a stranger

Here we go! The Atlanta Music Project is back at Gilbert House for year two! First four weeks: African Drum and Dance. Concert in four weeks. Stay tuned for dates and location.