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Home
Arts in EducationArtist in Residence Artists Roster: Music
The Copper Street Brass Quintet Double Play (Amy Ridings and Patrick Sciannella)
Double Play (Amy Ridings and Patrick Sciannella) Penny and Pals (Penny Andrist)
The overarching theme for Penny & Pals residency is “A Very Good Me”. Within this context, we focus on several general themes such as: Character education; Health and fitness; Lyrics and literacy; and Musical genres. Penny will lead group discussions regarding songwriting and positive messages promoted through lyrics. Each group working with Penny will learn at least one original song common to all grade levels as well as a song unique to their specific grade level. Students will do basic blocking, actions and creative movement. All groups are included in a culminating school-wide assembly where they perform with Penny and for one another. Penny and Pals (Penny Andrist)
In reference to her Artist and Residency Program she says: “It’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings!” Many students know this phrase, as well as other stereotypes, about opera, but what do your students really know about the actual art form? This interactive three-day to two-week residency for children in 3rd to 6th grades introduces a core group of about 30 students to opera through participation in a mimed version of an opera. In addition to the performers on stage, students can conduct, mime the orchestra, be ushers or the production crew. This is the full opera experience from the entrance of the conductor to the final curtain call. The students learn about operatic music and opera singers, sing in group voice lessons, and prepare their very own show (don’t forget to invite Mom and Dad). Additional sessions can be scheduled with elementary, middle school and high school students. Top off the residency with a fun recital by a “real” opera singer. Committed to developing the next generation of singers and music lovers, Louise offers voice lessons, masterclass and workshops for middle school students, high school students and adults. Residencies can include sessions for students of all levels including: private voice lessons, group voice lessons, vocal technique workshops, master classes, an introduction to opera, preparing for auditions and competitions and preparing for collegiate music study. Louise Pinkerton
Dr. Monte Selby
UMOJA MUSIC Sample Youth Workshop: The goal when playing music with young people is to create a participatory music experience where everyone shares the same song. Spirit teaches, through rhythm, the principles of community, creativity and cooperation. Umoja Music Youth Workshops encourage young people to experience three of life’s fundamental lessons:
Through the shared expression of music, young people can learn to strengthen connections between each other to create a healthier environment. All participants will be totally involved in the workshop, regardless of their level of musical ability. Drums, bells, shakers, sticks and other percussion instruments will be provided. Participants begin by discussing what is hoped to be accomplished in the workshop, as well as some basic principles and history of drumming. A simple rhythmic pattern is introduced and then voices are added in a call and response way. Through the interweaving of these rhythmic patterns and voices, participants experience the mind expanding power of music to break down social barriers of ethnicity, gender, age, physical or mental ability. This shared experience can also serve as a foundation to discuss, in the workshop or subsequently, such issues as the history of the drum, racism in America or other related topics. Through rhythm, we’re in time together. Through melody, we’re in tune together. Through harmony, we live and work in peace together. We are the song! Spirit
Chuck is excited about bringing his life/craft into the classroom, exposing students to how his art comes from and integrates with real life. Through deconstruction of his own compositions and stories of their origins, helping them through writing and editing processes, he opens students to the possibility of hearing and creating their own music. Chuck Suchy Willson and McKee (Ken Willson and Kim McKee)
Willson and McKee (Ken Willson and Kim McKee) |
The Copper Street Brass Quintet (CSBQ) represents the evolution of the brass quintet. Our mission is to use our youthful perspective and unique repertoire to engage communities, educate students, and enhance the lives of the many. The quintet is a performing and educating ensemble whose primary activities are two-fold: 1) to engage and enhance communities through their concerts, and 2) to educate diverse student groups about the significance and power of music. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2007, The CSBQ set up shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2008 where, through their inventive concerts, engaging classroom programs, and a host of original arrangements, they’ve transcended the brass quintet box and evolved into something fresh. As a full-time performing and educating ensemble, the group has performed countless concerts and classroom presentations from Massachusetts to Montana. The Copper Street Brass Quintet fulfills its mission by teaching students and performing for communities through their educational residencies. There are few opportunities in small towns around the Midwest to see performances of live brass music and fewer still to have sustained, indepth interactions with professional musicians. The CSBQ’s residencies are designed to bring an unparalleled, up-close musical experience to students and band programs.
This flute-tuba ensemble begin their residencies by acquainting students with the brass and woodwind instrument families and simple musical concepts. They also perform experiments utilizing senses other than sight (Patrick is legally blind) and learning about acoustics.
Penny Andrist has been aptly described as having a truly magical connection with children. A former public school educator, Penny has combined her educational background with her musical talent to form Penny & Pals – a performing group which has written and produced seven CDs of music and presented thousands of concerts at schools, festivals, fairs, conferences and community celebrations. The original music has received numerous national and international awards.
Louise Pinkerton, soprano, is an active performer in operas, musicals, oratorios, and recitals and has been named “one of North Dakota’s outstanding young singers.” She has sung a wide variety of roles, from Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte and Laurey in Oklahoma! to Cupid in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, plus several opera premieres including Irene in the American premiere of the Finnish opera House of the Sun at Opera in the Ozarks. Louise has performed lead roles with the Fargo-Moorhead Opera, Opera in the Ozarks, Crimson Creek Players, the Contemporary Opera Lab in Canada, the Rome Festival Opera, the UND Theater Arts Department and the UND Music Department. She has been a soloist with the Greater Grand Forks Symphony, with the Rome Festival Orchestra, at Mayville State University in Handel’s Messiah, and is a regular guest artist at state and national music conferences. A frequent competition winner, she has won the 2004 Vivian Menees Nelson Music Award sponsored by National Federation of Music Clubs and is a two-time Regional Finalist and North Dakota District Winner in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions. Louise has received additional state and regional awards through the Music Teachers National Association, National Federation of Music Clubs and the North Dakota Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Louise maintains a private voice studio in Grand Forks and teaches voice at Minnesota State University Moorhead and the University of North Dakota. She is an Artist-in-Residence for the North Dakota Council on the Arts and offers an “Opera Adventure Residency” for middle school and elementary school students. Her degrees are from the University of North Dakota and Indiana University. 
Monte Selby’s extraordinary work spans two decades and has impacted participants from North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. As a critically acclaimed songwriter/artist, he provides insightful music for children, parents, and educators. An award-winning teacher, principal, and professor, he is also a popular writer of articles and books for kids, teachers and school leaders. Monte comes from a family of hit songwriters and stand-out musicians, so it’s no surprise young audiences applaud his school assemblies, classroom writing sessions, and community concerts. Using contagious humor, engaging activities, skillful talent, and enormous bounding energy, Monte will captivate pre-schoolers to grandparents with an unforgettable musical experience.
After living in the Twin Cities, Spirit missed the land of North Dakota and returned to live in Jamestown. She has trained in multiple creative arts including hand drumming, dancing, Spring Forest Qigong, and television and film production. Through her company, Harmonious Living, Spirit integrates her talents to conduct classes, workshops, retreats, and residencies in Minnesota and North Dakota teaching UMOJA MUSIC (Hand Drumming & Percussion), SPIRIT DANCE (Creative Movement and Motion), and SPRING FOREST QIGONG (Traditional Chinese Healing). She believes in the ability to heal herself as well as the ability for people to heal themselves and each other through developing communication skills utilizing music, movement, quieting the mind, and healthy eating skills. In teaching UMOJA MUSIC she has witnessed wonderful improvements in student’s coordination, communication skills, left and right brain development, and overall performance.
Singer/songwriter Chuck Suchy (soo’key) is a working North Dakota farmer whose well-rooted universally-themed songs and stories have earned broad acclaim and esteemed venues including Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion.
With 6 children and 4 grandchildren Ken Willson and Kim McKee know kids!! A new 5-day residency from the pair combines their 17 years touring experience and their in-depth knowledge of kids into a marvelous mix of cultural information and education. The recipe starts with their own Celtic culture and includes Song, dance, storytelling, creative art and writing, hands on instruments, a great kilt demo (not to be missed!) Scottish bagpipes, cultural slide presentation and of course the famous “let’s talk like shrek” Broad Scotts language segment. Throw this all into the mix and by the end of the week you have educated, engaged and entertained kids participating in a Ceili (kay-lee: a Celtic celebration of music and dance) that your school will remember. The 2006-07 school year brought these energetic and fun performers to over 10,000 students, and the prestige of being the ‘most requested’ artists in several states. Please contact us for a residency packed with information and fun! |