From the Executive Director, September 2024
As we embark on a new school year at Brooklyn Music School(BMS), I'd like to first reflect upon the last few months within the organization. After arriving at a truly critical financial moment last spring, I am overjoyed to say that the outpouring of support from the community and beyond allowed BMS to continue offering our wide variety of programs through the summer months uninterrupted. On behalf of our staff, faculty and Board of Trustees, we want to sincerely thank each and every person that donated to our June fundraising campaign. With new administrative structures, approaches, and upcoming fundraising, we anticipate a much more stabilized year ahead. I would also like to congratulate all of the Summer Institute and Intensive students for their incredible work and performances throughout July and August.
In entering the Fall semester and beyond, we are excited to bring all of our historic programmatic offerings back once again to our students. I'd like to encourage the community to enjoy as many of our annual events at BMS as possible, some of which include the Halloween Fall Celebration, New York City Marathon outdoor concert, MLK Celebration concert, and many more. We also plan to usher in new happenings, performance opportunities, and special events in our Playhouse space and throughout the city. It is our honor and pleasure to serve such a beautiful community through the joy of the performing arts.
With gratitude,
Brian Adamczyk
Executive Director
Summer Memories
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Summer Memories
“I really like that I get to learn about different styles of dance and music, and I don’t have to stick to just one thing!”
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Summer Camp Programming: July 8th - August 23rd
Get ready for an unforgettable summer packed with creativity, exploration, and endless fun! Our Summer Camp, running from July 8th to August 23rd, we have something for everyone!
We've divided the Summer Camp programming into three two-week sessions, with the fourth session being one week long. Programming will alternate between sessions, allowing students to explore various arts disciplines!
Summer Institute (Ages 5-8)
Step into the exciting realm of music and dance with our Summer Institute, tailor-made for aspiring artists and beginners venturing into the arts! Your child will embark on a voyage, exploring an array of music and dance classes, including Piano, Ukulele, Musical Theatre, African Dance, World Percussion, and beyond. Each class is meticulously curated to ignite their passion and cultivate their creative flair, promising a summer filled with musical exploration and artistic blossoming!
Summer Intensives (Ages 9-12)
Is your child eager to push their artistic boundaries to new horizons? Our Summer Intensives offer the ideal platform for them to immerse themselves in their chosen discipline. Whether their passion lies in commanding the spotlight with show-stopping vocals, refining the complexities of jazz improvisation, or jamming with fellow musicians, we're here to support their journey! Explore a diverse range of artistic realms including Dance, Music Production & Songwriting, Orchestra, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Rock Bands.
IGNITE: Performing Arts Lab (Ages 13-18)
Designed for High School students with prior experience, this exciting new Summer Performing Arts Lab will take place August 19th - 23rd, 10:30 - 3:30pm. These offerings for teen musicians and artists provide the opportunity to explore more advanced concepts in the following areas of focus: Chamber Orchestra, Music Production & Recording, Musical Theatre Audition Workshop, Rock Band All-Stars, Indie Artist Workshop.
“Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August.”
Summer Memories…
From The Executive Director
As we forge into the spring, the Brooklyn Music School is taking calculated steps to better understand the populations we serve…
“As we forge into the spring, the Brooklyn Music School is taking calculated steps to better understand the populations we serve, areas that we hope to impact in the future, and how we can build an even more diverse team of administrative staff and teaching artist faculty.”
The Brooklyn Music School 2023-24 has already been filled with exciting new offerings within our Programming Department, while still featuring staples such as our MLK Celebration concert, monthly recitals, and Holiday Spectacular. We have seen incredible growth and increased impact with Adult Programming in particular, as well as Early Childhood and Musical Theater.
As we forge into the spring, the Brooklyn Music School is taking calculated steps to better understand the populations we serve, areas that we hope to impact in the future, and how we can build an even more diverse team of administrative staff and teaching artist faculty. Our organization has also recently completed some major upgrades to the facility, including more than 25 new classroom door replacements, ceiling improvements in the basement, and a better imagined layout of classroom configurations. BMS has also officially embarked on a major renovation of the Playhouse exterior through the support of the Department of Design and Construction. This critical repair to the roof and upper areas of the Playhouse is now slated to be completed in the coming years. We believe these upgrades will continue the advancement of how we can better improve the overall experience of delivering dozens upon dozens of performing arts programs to the broader community.
As always, BMS will be exploring several fundraising events between now and through the summer months, which will range in size, atmosphere and features. In order to uphold our core mission of providing affordable and accessible, quality programming, we hope to raise critical funds through upcoming events and artistic experiences for the community to support these efforts.
Spring Gala 2023
This season we will have many exciting happenings starting this month! With Women's History Month, BMS will celebrate many of the women who made profound contributions to the arts over the decades. Our annual Middle School Jazz Fest, Shredfest Rock Department concert, and Spring Spectacular are just some of the major performance opportunities on the horizon. We also hope your children will join us in one or more of our summer offerings, from Summer Institute and Summer Intensives, to private lessons, ensembles, and more.
On behalf of my esteemed colleagues and staff at the Brooklyn Music School, we proudly serve the community to continue providing as many artistic experiences to the public as we can. Have a wonderful and safe spring season, and we'll see you at the Brooklyn Music School soon!
Sounds of a Songbird- Molly Lewis visits Brooklyn Music School
A Whistler Comes to Town- Molly Lewis Visits BMS.
BMS Featured in the New Yorker
“She walked around the corner, to Brooklyn Music School. Through a parent she knew she agreed to give a lesson.”
Brooklyn Music School was recently delighted to host world-renowned whistler Molly Lewis for a lesson on, well, whistling of course. The Australian-born musician has worked with acts like Mark Ronson and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, scored a feature on the soundtrack of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, and is fresh on the heels of her first LP release “On the Lips”. Lewis joined BMS students giving them the unique opportunity to learn the art of whistling from someone who has captivated audiences worldwide with their extraordinary skill.
Sharing her techniques and insights, students eagerly absorbed her wisdom, practicing to infuse their whistling with emotion and intention. This unique and exciting experience was recently featured in the New Yorker Magazine which you can read by clicking the link below.
Private Lessons For All
Private lessons are perfect for working at your own pace!
Self Discovery
Private lessons are perfect for working at your own pace!
Enrolling in private music lessons offers so many benefits to a growing child, a developing teenager and a mature adult. BMS provides everything from string instruments to piano and anything in between. And signing up for a private lesson is a way to discover or rediscover a passion or a professional pursuit!
Three Benefits of Private Lessons:
1. Bespoke Lessons - BMS faculty understand that each student learns differently. Some understand music at their core and learn very quickly and some work best from reading the music which helps them to better understand the melody and rhythm. A private instructor will adapt their process to better serve the student, which means the student will learn at their own pace.
2. Perfecting Skills - Group and ensemble classes are for sure fun, but taking private lessons are also fun! Working one-on-one allows the student to master the skills needed to perfect their art, and this can only happen with a private instructor. Working with a private instructor also allows the student to learn important elements which inlcude: correct instrument handling, learning special (maybe more challenging) works, and tweaking their solo recital.
3. Personalized Feedback - Feedback is essential for learning. It allows students to develop good habits and fine-tune their skills. When students take private lessons they receive immediate feedback from a professional, and this allows the student to develop the skills that they hope to achieve.
Read more about the private lessons we offer here.
And click the button below to sign up for a private lesson, today!
Brooklyn Music School has been uniting people in harmony for over a century. As it was over 100 years ago, today children and adults meet at 126 St. Felix Street to experience harmony and unity through music and performing arts education and community events.
From The Executive Director
We have so many exciting things on the horizon for 2024, and it continues to be our honor to deliver unique, creative, and wide-ranging experiences to the community.
““We have so many exciting things on the horizon for 2024, and it continues to be our honor to deliver unique, creative, and wide-ranging experiences to the community. ”
”
The fall semester at Brooklyn Music School started with energized and robust offerings in September, ranging from special guest artist events, to historical and new programming opportunities. It is still our complete and dedicated focus to provide affordable, accessible instruction to all those that wish to receive it. As we find ourselves moving quickly through the school year, I'd like to highlight some of the most notable efforts our organization has delivered to the community.
While our core programmatic divisions continue to consist of Music, Dance, Musical Theater, and Music Therapy, new efforts have been put in place to foster growth in quality and variety within each curricula. We have generated a newly imagined Early Childhood class approach and welcomed Emma Simpson as Department Chair. We believe this more focused path will ensure students move more seamlessly through programming throughout the years.
Adult programming is on the rise, and our beloved Community Choir returned once again this year, presented as a free offering to participating students. We also made a calculated decision to cease any full time tenants during the daytime, allowing for the re-imagining of our historic facility to optimize BMS programming once again.
There are many ambitious projects that have either been realized this fall, or are in place for 2024. In October, we welcomed Grammy winner, and highly sought after pianist Robert Glasper to the BMS Playhouse for an unforgettable performance for the community. Additionally, we welcomed the premiere of a new composition entitled Moving Voices, written by BMS faculty member Alon Nechushtan on November 8th. The ensemble that toured the piece consisted of award winning vocalist Sara Serpa, as well as two prominent French musicians, Louis and Francois Moutin. The final performance culminated at the prestigious Le Baiser Salé jazz club in Paris. This was designed to compliment a budding partnership with a music school in France, as well as cultivating the facilitation of new music for our audiences.
Robert Glasper at BMS
Moving Voices (from top left to right bottom): Alon Nechustan, Francois Moutin, Sara Serpa, Louis Moutin
We have so many exciting things on the horizon for 2024, and it continues to be our honor to deliver unique, creative, and wide-ranging experiences to the community. I want to thank my incredible staff, faculty and Board of Trustees for their ongoing work and dedication to the mission statement. It is our pleasure to serve each and every person that walks through our doors, or experiences our offerings remotely. On behalf of the Brooklyn Music School, I'd like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and joyful holiday season.
Jon Batiste Visits BMS
Last month, the Brooklyn Music School welcomed a special guest who made a huge impact on students, faculty, and the entire community. Jon Batiste, the acclaimed artist with multiple Grammy and Oscar wins, brought his magic to the BMS Playhouse, creating a day that was all about musical inspiration and connecting with one another.
BMS Backstage
BMS Backstage is a series that takes our community behind the scenes and on a journey through BMS, the history, the community and by celebrating historical and contemporary aspects of music and the performing arts . Anika Rahman our brilliant marketing intern explores contemporary and historical subjects through the lens of the building, programming, events and our local and global community connections.
“With so many ways to communicate at our disposal, we must not forget the transformative power of a live music experience and genuine human exchange.”
Last month, the Brooklyn Music School welcomed a special guest who made a huge impact on students, faculty, and the entire community. Jon Batiste, the acclaimed artist with multiple Grammy and Oscar wins, brought his magic to the BMS Playhouse, creating a day that was all about musical inspiration and connecting with one another.
This event was a testament to the school's mission of using music to connect, inspire, and uplift. Thanks to a collaboration with the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra and Verve Records, our students came together to be part of an unforgettable musical experience.
As a surprise to the students, Jon invited BMS Summer Institute 7-8 year old groups to accompany him on his own original songs, as well as, a range of instrumentalists from BMS Jazz programming and Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra. The day culminated with a free public performance down Saint Felix Street, where everyone got to hear the songs rehearsed during the workshop.
Jon's genuine connection with the students was a highlight of the day. His words of encouragement and the moments he shared with the students were heartwarming and inspiring. It's moments like these that truly show the impact of music and the joy it can bring.
But the party only continued, thanks to CBS Mornings, who featured Jon Batiste and BMS student Chris Lee in a segment about the surprise event. Their discussion sheds light on how music enriches lives and shapes experiences, highlighting the importance of music education.
This surprise event exemplified the Brooklyn Music School's commitment to nurturing connections within the artistic community and providing enriching experiences for all, regardless of background or resources.
Jon Batiste's visit to the Brooklyn Music School was a true celebration of music's ability to transcend barriers and inspire hearts. The event echoed the school's mission of using music as a universal language to inspire and connect. As memories of Jon Batiste's visit linger, the Brooklyn Music School continues its mission, striving to host more events that foster creativity, community, and inclusivity.
From The Executive Director
As summer draws to a close, I would like to reflect on some of the incredible experiences that the Brooklyn Music School recently offered to the community.
““As summer draws to a close, I would like to reflect on some of the incredible experiences that the Brooklyn Music School recently offered to the community. ”
”
As summer draws to a close, I would like to reflect on some of the incredible experiences that the Brooklyn Music School recently offered to the community.
Our Summer Music and Dance Institute returned once again, allowing hundreds of children the opportunity to receive programming in music, dance, and musical theater. Field trips, culminating performances, and new friendships filled the 6 weeks of programming. A major highlight was welcoming multi-Grammy award winner Jon Batiste to the Playhouse for an afternoon of workshops with various BMS students of all ages. He ended the day by inviting those very students to sit in with him during a free concert for the community from the BMS Playhouse, a day none of us will ever forget.
Brooklyn Music School has also embarked on many new initiatives to improve, reorganize, and enhance our ability to deliver the best quality programming while keeping tuition rates well below market rate. Looking on to the 2023-24 school year, the community can expect all of the same historic BMS programmatic offerings such as lessons, ensembles, group classes, and robust performance experiences. In some more exciting news, BMS will also continue expanding its Music Therapy division after recently becoming an accredited institution.
This past school year also allowed me the pleasure of further developing our relationship with the acclaimed Ecole d'Art Musical in Paris, France. We are making strides to launch a student cultural exchange in the near future, an unprecedented opportunity for the students.
With so many new and creative initiatives in our upcoming planning, we are sure this will be the most exciting year at the Brooklyn Music School yet. We can't wait to see you here!
An Evening with Andrea + Gaia Del Principe
Music From the Heart features for the first time in New York, internationally acclaimed, platinum recording Italian tenor Andrea Del Principe!
Music From the Heart
LIVE FROM ITALY, ONE NIGHT ONLY
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2023
THE HISTORIC BMS PLAYHOUSE
DOORS OPEN AT 6.30pm
“Andrea gave us a great rendition of this extraordinary new song ‘Canto del Sole Inesauribile…”
BROOKLYN NEW YORK - (July 26, 2023) - Brooklyn Music School is proud to present a special international summer concert that celebrates, two cultures, two generations and two voices. Music From the Heart features for the first time in New York, internationally acclaimed, platinum recording Italian tenor Andrea Del Principe performing for the first time with his daughter Gaia Del Principe.
Italian + American Songs
Music From The Heart is a list of curated songs selected by Andrea and Gaia that will resonate with your heart. Timeless songs with a new twist, being performed for the first time in the newly renovated historic BMS Playhouse. The concert includes opera arias “Nessun Dorma”, “La donna e’ mobile” and “O Sole mio”, duets like the “Prayer” and international classics such as “All By Myself” and “I will Always Love You”, to name a just a few. This special concert is also a tribute to both Andrea Bocelli and Whitney Houston, two music legends who inspire Andrea and Gaia.
“I love to speak to people’s hearts…”
Andrea Del Principe
Andrea Del Principe is an internationally acclaimed, platinum recording Italian tenor and songwriter whose classical education and training allow hims to beautifully blend opera and pop. Del Principe’s special technique is seamless and as he states, “I love to speak to people’s hearts, choosing to interpret a song by changing the style of the sound according to the meaning of the words and music.” Celebrated around the world some memorable concerts have happened in Padova, Italy, Beijing China, Barcelona Spain, Hamburg Germany, Sydney Australia, and Palm Beach Florida. Andrea loves performing around the world but holds a special appreciation for America and though he has developed a substantial worldwide fan base, New York has always been a dream location. And the historic BMS Playhouse was selected because of its history, the organization’s mission and the intimate theatre setting.
Gaia Del Principe
“When our daughter was six we discovered a pure talent for singing.”, Andrea Del Principe. Ten years later since Gaia is on summer break she is joining her dad for a special summer concert series. This is the first time we will be performing together in America. Gaia’s voice is magical and this is a music experience that the entire family will enjoy.
About Brooklyn Music School (BMS Brooklyn)
BMS was founded in 1909 by a group of European immigrants who believed that music was an essential part of life and should be made accessible to all regardless of their economic means . Today, BMS preserves this heritage by providing high quality music, dance, musical theatre, and music therapy programming. The BMS community includes a diverse group of students who are interested in various genres and levels of the performing arts. The faculty and staff are committed to the mission of providing accessible and inclusive opportunities for all. Brooklyn Music School also believes that a healthy arts community contributes to the overall mental and physical well being of the borough and fosters strong community connections in Brooklyn and beyond. Located in Fort Greene BMS is part of the Brooklyn Academy of Music Historic District and is a long-standing member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.
# # #
Media Contacts
Cecily Ferguson | Marketing Director | cferguson@brooklynmusicschool.org
Andrea Del Principe | Tenor | andrea@andreadelprincipe.it
From The Executive Director
Spring is upon us at the Brooklyn Music School, and we are so excited to be offering the community so many experiences between now and the end of the school year.
From The Desk Of…
“We are here to serve, enrich and support the public through the performing arts.”
Hello Brooklyn Music School families, friends, and community!
Spring is upon us at the Brooklyn Music School, and we are so excited to be offering the community so many experiences between now and the end of the school year. Our Spring semester of programming and instruction is in full swing.
I would like to highlight two new performance opportunities created with the community in mind. Our first ever rock band event, Shred Fest 2023, took place on April 1st in the BMS Playhouse. The evening featured BMS Rock Bands of all ages and abilities. We also hosted a total of 19 bands, some of which were from outside organizations and our friends at Kids Rock for Kids. Also, the BMS Jazz Department will host our first dedicated jazz celebration event in May in the Playhouse (stay tuned for more info). All jazz ensembles, jazz faculty and a community jam session at the end will celebrate the wonderful offerings in this communal experience.
See More at #BMSRockFest
Looking ahead, please secure your spot in one or more of our 6 weeks of Summer Institute camp experiences, as well as any of the one week Intensives. We look forward to returning to our historic camp format that will include exciting field trips, performance opportunities and walks to Fort Greene Park. Programming ranges from Strings, Jazz, Musical Theater, Dance and Music Production. Private Lessons and group classes will also run all of July and August.
Follow #BMSSummerHeartBeats
The 2023 BMS Fundraising Gala will occur on May 23rd at Rule of Thirds, an incredible venue in the heart of Greenpoint. All ticket sales, donations and sponsorships will provide crucial revenue for BMS as a nonprofit. These funds will make it possible for BMS to continue offering the affordable, and at times, free, programming and scholarships to the community. Thank you in advance for your continued support, we couldn't do it without you!
Lastly, BMS is undoubtedly opening up a new chapter. Between new programmatic offerings, growth in enrollment, and fresh BMS administrative leadership, we have so many unique and meaningful experiences to offer the public. Stay tuned for many upcoming events, collaborations and experiences for summer and fall, to be announced in the coming newsletters.
Thank you for being part of the Brooklyn Music School community. We are here to serve, enrich and support the public through the performing arts. Our programs will always be available to any and all that wish to receive them, regardless of economic standing or resources. This year officially marks the 114th year of existence for BMS, and we can't wait to show you what's up next. Onward!
From the Executive Director
This summer was action packed with both returning and new programmatic efforts! Summer Music and Dance Institute ran from July through August, and ended with student performances. BMS also premiered the new community fundraiser, Beer & Beats that showcased adult students, faculty, and staff throughout local breweries. I also travelled to Paris to visit Ecole D’Art Musical, a music school with a similar feel to BMS. It is my intention to facilitate a cultural exchange program.
From the Desk of…
“ At BMS Brooklyn, the focus is providing quality, accessible performing arts programming to all those that wish to receive it and we believe that cultivating a healthy overall lifestyle is also paramount. ”
Running the streets of Paris!
This summer was action packed with both returning and new programmatic efforts! Summer Music and Dance Institute ran from July through August, and ended with student performances. BMS also premiered the new community fundraiser, Beer & Beats that showcased adult students, faculty, and staff throughout local breweries. I also travelled to Paris to visit Ecole D’Art Musical, a music school with a similar feel to BMS. It is my intention to facilitate a student exchange program.
Summer Institute 2022
Teaching in Paris.
We are excited about fall at BMS Brooklyn! With a new Curriculum Developer joining the staff in September the programming will evolve into effective and developmentally appropriate classes that align with our core values and state standards.
The BMS Artist in Residence program is hosting the second guest BMS’ own teaching artist, Emily Tepe, professionally known as IVA. BMS AIR allows our students a unique opportunity to experience a professional artist’s creative process and invites the community to make meaningful connections.
IVA: Summer 2021
Partnering with local organizations such as: Barclays Center, Bloomingdale School of Music, and Mark Morris Dance Group remains a priority. And renovations to this historic property are in always happening behind the scenes.
At BMS Brooklyn, are focus is providing quality, accessible performing arts programming to all those that wish to receive it and we believe that cultivating a healthy overall lifestyle is also paramount.
Interview: Pamela Martinez, Composer
I definitely think that having a team of Brooklyn creators and women creators working on original content for children is pretty awesome…
by Rachel Wilson
On Saturday June 23, the Brooklyn Music School’s Music Theatre Program will present the performance of “To Dream a World”. This unique performance features an original tale of how William Shakespeare imagined the characters for his works. As a boy, his dreams take him to magical worlds where he meets the characters that eventually end up in his plays.
Pamela Martinez is a voice, piano, violin, guitar, and harp instructor at Brooklyn Music School. I spoke with Pamela, who is one of the composers and lyricists for “To Dream a World,” and asked her about her work with the show and why it is unique and worth seeing.
Q: What do you think makes this production unique?
A: I definitely think that having a team of Brooklyn creators and women creators working on original content for children is pretty awesome. I feel like that can only happen in Brooklyn because there are so many creators here. Also, I think having this particular play is unique because it’s a Shakespearean focused play for children. It’s not one of his plays, so it’s not a watered-down version of his art, it’s a new piece that introduces children to the art and work of Shakespeare. Creating Will as a child so children will be interested in it, it’s a fictional biography of Will Shakespeare as a kid, which I can tell the children were connecting to.
Q: What was the inspiration behind the show/music?
A: We begin with a concept worth writing about and teaching about. We thought it was worth teaching about Shakespeare, we thought it was worth writing about the seasons. We usually base it on a myth, a fable, another opera or a character, a fictional or real life character. But we start with a teachable concept or concept we feel is worth teaching about, in this case it was William Shakespeare. In other cases, Greek or Roman mythology, or another composer we can teach about that inspired the work that we can completely recreate music for based on a character or myth.
Q: What is the overall process for putting together a show like this?
A: It’s a lot, a lot of work. Opera is the Italian word for WORK and they’re not kidding. The original intention was to create an original piece of art that was all of us together. I like working on this team, I like building a team that has like a lexicon, a library of experience to draw on. We’re growing together, it’s not 3 months at a time, it’s not a semester at a time, it’s growing over years. I’ve worked at BMS for 8 years and I’ve been writing for this project for two years.
Q: What is it like working with the students?
A: This season I didn’t work with the students directly. I have before. The best I can say is it’s best that the students work up to the task. We have professional, high level expectations. It’s not baby stuff. This is one that is pre-conservatory training, we have pretty high expectations for our performers. Not every student continues their studies but the ones that do, they flower and they blossom and they learn, so it’s the students growing as well as the writing and directing team. I’ve been writing music for like, 20 years, I started when I was a kid. I’ve mostly been seeing myself as a songwriter than a composer. I have a lot of experience recording, and I think this is the next step, taking the children into the studio, and teaching how music is passed along. I think that’s a big part of being a performer, learning how to share your work.
I have another project I work with called Whisper Lodge. It’s immersive theatre, it’s seasonal. We’ve had NY Times reviews, Buzz feed News reviews. A Netflix Documentary for the project comes out in July. That one I direct as well and work with the teens. I think there are very talented young people in Brooklyn. I mean all over, but luckily, they hear about Brooklyn Music School because we are at the heart of Brooklyn and we’ve been around for 100 years. We have a mentoring program for students who are under 18 who want to work for the school. I feel like that program has been centered towards rock students, for some reason. I would love to see more mentors brought in through the musical theater and dance programs. I don’t have a lot of harp students, there’s harp in the play and I‘m the harp instructor. I have two piano students that I’ve converted to harp, but I would love to find more harp students. I teach a lot of things but I would love more harp students!
Q: What do you think makes this show worth seeing?
A: The costumes are phenomenal! It’s worth seeing, it’s a very photographical play. Something unique about the costuming, which was done by Deborah Houston, is she used to run a Shakespeare company, so the costumes come from an authentic company. I would throw out the idea as far as parents who are looking for projects for their children. We’re studying content that is important and essential for a budding artist, studying some sort of literature or art.
Interview: Danielle Carroll, Playwright
Danielle Carroll is one of the playwrights for “To Dream a World”, and we spoke with her about what makes this show unique, the process behind it, and why you should attend the show …
by Rachel Wilson
On Saturday, June 23, the Brooklyn Music School’s Musical Theatre Program will present the performance of “To Dream a World”. This unique performance features an original, fictional tale of a young William Shakespeare and how he imagined the characters for his works. As a boy, his dreams take him to four magical worlds, which are represented by the four seasons. In these worlds, he meets the characters who will eventually end up in his famous plays.
Danielle Carroll is an actor, writer, and producer who has worked on original shows with BMS in the past. I spoke with Danielle, one of the playwrights for “To Dream a World”, and spoke with her about what makes this show unique, the process behind it, and why people should attend it.
Q: What do you think makes this production unique?
A: I think that this production is unique in that it incorporates Shakespeare’s greatest and lesser-known plays and sonnets into a cohesive tale. It is a fun look into the imagination of one of our greatest playwrights.
Q: What was the inspiration behind the show/music?
A: I remember being little and having this little pile of dirt right outside my bedroom window. I kept imagining a flower growing out of this pile. I would go to sleep looking out the window and imagine this beautiful flower. And I remember waking up one day and actually seeing a flower growing from this pile, almost as if I had willed it to happen. I still don’t know if I made it up or it was part of my dream. This image returns to me time and time again, and when we began exploring Shakespeare’s plays, I remembered this flower. I thought it would be a fun and imaginative way into Shakespeare’s worlds. The rest grew from that image.
Q: Why do you believe people should attend this show?
A: Shakespeare remains the greatest playwright because the themes he explores are timeless and his characters reflect human nature in its many forms. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is especially relevant in today’s climate, and to see something like this allows us to examine ourselves. I think we could all use the theater to guide us into worlds not so unlike our own. Sometimes our imaginations are more powerful than we know.
Q: What is the overall process for putting together a show like this?
A: Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration. It always starts with a small seed. The more you work with others, the more a concept grows and changes. Each layer adds something new to the story, and before you know it, the story has turned into something you could never have imagined. Working with Deborah on the text and her deep knowledge and love for Shakespeare was so essential in boiling down the key themes and creating this world. It comes from passion, and when you get so many talented people together who all bring something different to the table, magic can happen.
Q: What is it like working with the students?
A: Getting a group of 5-13-year-olds working on the same production is not an easy feat, but it is amazing to see the excitement and interest that they have and how they work together. Having the opportunity to introduce Shakespeare to a young group of students is so exciting and important, and these students really stepped up to take on the challenge. The language in the play isn’t easy, as a lot of it is taken straight from Shakespeare’s works, and they have done an excellent job of bringing that language to life.
Q: What was your favorite part of working on this production?
A: Seeing the students discover Shakespeare and these new worlds for the first time reminded me why I love the theater. I’m from a small town and the summer stock theater saved my life. I couldn’t believe that all of these different worlds could exist right down the street from me. This is why I moved to New York and continue to do what I do.
Q: Do you have any final thoughts or anything else you would like to add about the show?
A: I hope you enjoy it!
May 6: Struttin' with some BBQ
Brooklyn Music School (BMS) presents an afternoon of Burnin’ Jazz and Hot Barbecue, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, a fundraiser for the BMS Jazz Department, on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 3pm
Brooklyn Music School (BMS) presents an afternoon of Burnin’ Jazz and Hot Barbecue, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, a fundraiser for the BMS Jazz Department, on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 3pm at the Brooklyn Music School Playhouse, 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY. Tickets are $30 ($75 for family tickets)
Titled after a composition by Louis Armstrong and Lilian Hardin, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue will help support the rapidly blossoming Brooklyn Music School (BMS) Jazz Department. It’s a chance to enjoy the down-home feel of southern food, swinging music, and jazz community that will make anyone think they’ve been transported straight to New Orleans, all the while helping support Jazz at BMS.
The afternoon will feature performances by all three of the BMS Student Jazz Ensembles, the BMS Jazz Faculty Ensemble, and an appearance by the world-renowned jazz drummer and BMS Artistic Advisory Board Member Dr. Victor Lewis. Victor’s dynamic drumming style and musical personality have supported influential bandleaders from Dexter Gordon and Woody Shaw to David Sanborn. He co-leads the groundbreaking band “Horizon” with Bobby Watson and has been on faculty at Rutgers University Mason School of the Arts for over 14 years.
Like those New Orleans “Magnolias in bloom,” the BMS Jazz Department has undergone incredible growth over the last five years. Having added two student Jazz Ensembles and recently completed our fifth annual BMS Middle School Jazz Festival, we are looking forward to our third BMS Summer Jazz Workshop, our third FAB/BMS Fall Jazz Faculty series, and will include a Jazz Intensive as part of this year’s BMS Summer Institute.
Contributions will help the BMS Jazz Department by providing support for our Summer Jazz Workshop, the Middle School Jazz Festival, as well as scholarships for deserving students who would otherwise not be able to participate in our programs.
With influential musicians like Eric Dolphy and Gary Bartz once living down the street the Brooklyn Music School has long been surrounded by the sound of jazz in its location in the heart of Fort Greene. The great vocalist Betty Carter lived across the street and pianist Cecil Taylor is still living around the corner. Over the years BMS has been graced with their music as well as performances by saxophonists Jimmy Heath (an NEA Jazz Master), Dewey Redman, and Sherman Irby - trombonist Robin Eubanks, and most recently trumpeter Ingrid Jensen.
Don’t miss this wondrous opportunity to help support the BMS Jazz Community while having a HOT TIME! with a great meal. GUARANTEED!
INTERVIEW: Nels Cline
In anticipation of his upcoming sold-out Jimi Hendrix Tribute concert at BMS on February 24, 2018, we asked Nels Cline of Wilco, a few questions about what inspired him to join BMS's Artistic Advisory Board, and what Jimi Hendrix means to him.
This past Autumn, the Brooklyn Music School (BMS) welcomed several new members to its Artistic Advisory Board. Each member of the Artistic Advisory Board brings a unique perspective, insight, and experience that is sure to support the Brooklyn Music School as it continues to grow and offer inspiring programming for music and dance students of all ages.
In anticipation of his upcoming sold-out Jimi Hendrix Tribute concert with the Brooklyn Music School on February 24, 2018, we asked Nels Cline of Wilco, a few questions about what inspired him to join BMS's Artistic Advisory Board, and what Jimi Hendrix means to him.
Here's what he had to say.
Q: What about the Brooklyn Music School Inspired you to get involved?
Nels: I was approached through the gentlemen Seth Rosner, who run the excellent jazz record label Pi Recordings, to meet the school’s administrators about being on the advisory board, and as a fairly recent resident of Brooklyn and as one who is usually out of town playing, I thought that involvement on some level would offer the opportunity to contribute to my new community in some way. When I met with everyone and got a feel for what the school is about, I immediately loved it. The aim of providing music education for people of all ages and backgrounds is a noble one. I hope I can help in some way to make people aware of what the school is doing and to keep it thriving.
Q: What perspective or experience do you look forward to sharing with the Brooklyn Music School Community?
Nels: My musical background is not particularly academic, but my age (I am now 62!) and rather diverse stylistic impulses may make me an interesting voice to add to those already on staff at the school. My personal trajectory as a late-bloomer/late “success” could be a very encouraging story for musicians of all ages. It’s very hard to “make it” in music, and my consistent message has been to persevere and to try to follow one’s inner voice and not be deterred by disappointments and/or non-artistic pressures.
Q: What inspired you to want to do a Jimi Hendrix tribute?
Nels: Well, it was really the school’s idea! It was suggested because they knew that my decision at age twelve to play guitar for the rest of my life happened when I heard Jimi back then, in 1967. I agreed to the idea right away. I sure hope I can do the music justice!
Q: What significance does Jimi Hendrix have for you in your life?
Nels: See my previous answer. Beyond that statement, Jimi still embodies the most potent, colorful, innovative, personal, exciting aspects of music - for me and, quite obviously, for millions of others the world over. The work still gets me revved up and inspires not just guitar expression/histrionics but creativity at its most electrifying. And at the core of it all: the Blues...
Q: Do you have a fun fact to share about you or your instrument?
Nels: When I was young and thrilled by music and by Jimi, I never tried to play like him at all, thinking it was A) impossible, and B) almost sacrilege - Jimi seemed like pure magic, superhuman or something. I designed to be modest, un-flashy. Now, look what’s happened!
Jan 13: MLK Jr. Tribute ft. Lester Lynch
Brooklyn Music School is honored to present the 16th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute concert hosted by renowned baritone and BMS advisory board member Lester Lynch.
Brooklyn Music School presents
Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute: Spirit of Hope
Featuring Lester Lynch
Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 5 p.m.
Brooklyn Music School (BMS) presents Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute: Spirit of Hope on January 13th, 2018 at 5pm. BMS is located at 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn.
"Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of Hope" – Dr. King
Brooklyn Music School is honored to present the 16th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute concert hosted by renowned baritone and BMS advisory board member Lester Lynch. Inspired by Dr. King's legacy and message, the program will feature selections from Mr. Lynch's recent recording On My Journey Now: Spirituals & Hymns as well as performances by BMS faculty and students.
LESTER LYNCH, an established dramatic baritone, is making his mark in some of the world’s leading opera houses. Known for his charismatic portrayals and commanding voice, he is receiving rave reviews as he masters some of the most important baritone roles from Scarpia to Rigoletto to Count di Luna. Opera Today recently enthused, “It was booming baritone Lester Lynch who served notice that he is now in consideration for admittance to the Scarpia Preferred Pantheon - when he needed to pour it on he had the Puccinian fire power and the dramatic heat to raise the hair on the back of your neck.” The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote, “Lester Lynch made a superb Macbeth, delivering an authoritative performance with a firm, powerful voice and wonderfully communicating both tragedy and madness.”
His most recent performances include Lescaut in Puccini’s Manon Lescaut under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle with the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Crown in Porgy and Bess with the Opéra de Montréal, as Amonasro in Verdi’s Aida with Pittsburgh Opera, as Carbon in Cyrano de Begerac with San Francisco Opera, as Herald in Lohengrin with Lyric Opera of Chicago, as Gérald in Andrea Chénier with the Bregenzer Festspiele, as Nottingham in Roberto Devereaux and Count Di Luna in Il Trovatore with Minnesota Opera. His latest debuts include a back-to-back engagement with the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian in Portugal where he was featured as Iago in Verdi’s Otello and in the title role of Verdi’s Falstaff.
Upcoming performances include Nabucco with the Welsh National Opera, Amonasro with the Bergen National Opera in Norway, and Shylock in The Merchant of Venice with the Warsaw National Opera. Upcoming recordings include Iago in Verdi’s Otello, Porgy in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and a Verissimo French Aria CD to be recorded by Pentatone Classics.
Mr. Lynch has worked with some of the world’s most renowned conductors and directors. Under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic, he has sung the role of Crown in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, and the Bauer in Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder. He has also appeared with conductors Sir Andrew Davis, Placido Domingo, Larry Foster, Ulf Schirmer, and John DeMain, and performed under eminent directors Sir Richard Eyre, Christopher Alden and Francesca Zambello.
His performance of Crown with San Francisco Opera ‘s production of Porgy and Bess was recently released on DVD. Pentatone Classics has released his recordings of two operas by the contemporary composer Gordon Getty – the title role in Plumpjack, and Cauchon in Joan and the Bells. Another important release is a recording of Mahler’s Symphony No.8 conducted by JoAnn Falletta.
Mr. Lynch’s regular repertoire includes Amonasro in Verdi’s Aida, Marcello in Puccini’s La Boheme, Germont in Verdi’s La Traviata, Count DiLuna in Trovatore, the tile role of Rigoletto, Iago in Otello, the tile role in Verdi’s Falstaff, Guglielmo in Puccini’s Le Villi, Paolo in Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra, Flint in Britten’s Billy Budd, Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera, Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana, Tonio in I Pagliacci, Scarpia in Puccini’s Tosca and the title role in Verdi’s Macbeth.
An accomplished concert artist, Mr. Lynch has performed a wide and varied repertoire with orchestras across the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, and the American Symphony Orchestra. His recent Carnegie Hall solo debut of Karl A. Hartmann’s Gesangsszene with the American Symphony Orchestra received rave reviews.
Mr. Lynch has received many distinguished awards, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the George London Vocal Competition, and the Sullivan Awards. His work with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis earned him the Richard Gaddes Award.
His recent volunteer work includes two engagements with the Harare International Festival of Art in Zimbabwe in 2012 and 2013 where he produced a night of arias and ensembles with a group of his colleagues.
DECEMBER 15: Little Red Riding Hood
Presented by young musical theater performers, this imaginative production will feature the classic and original characters highlighting Little Red’s journey through the unfamiliar woods and her encounter with the clever trickster wolf.
Brooklyn Music School’s
Musical Theater Performance of
Little Red Riding Hood
Friday, December 15, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Tickets FREE for children ages 11 and under, $20 for adults
Brooklyn Music School (BMS) presents a Musical Theater Performance of Little Red Riding Hood on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 7 p.m. Tickets are FREE for children ages 11 and under, and $20 for adults ($10 for BMS students).
The classic transformative tale of Little Red Riding Hood will come alive in BMS Playhouse on December 15, 2017. Presented by young musical theater performers, this imaginative production will feature the classic and original characters highlighting Little Red’s journey through the unfamiliar woods and her encounter with the clever trickster wolf. As our young performers enact the evocative story and narrate the powerful lessons learned through their characters’ passage, audiences are reminded of the value of trust, kindness and the importance of community/family in times of hostility. In this exciting production, the creatures of the forest and trees come alive as the Mother's song echoes through the entire journey. Don't miss this original musical written and produced by the BMS faculty, proudly featuring the school’s youngest talent in music and theater.
Music and lyrics by Pamela Martinez, book by Danielle Carroll, stage direction and choreography by Marie Zvosec, costumes by Deborah Wright-Houston, lights and set design Ed Morrill.
BMS Presents: Lead Belly, Brooklyn!
Join us for a Community Celebration of Lead Belly’s Legacy at Brooklyn Music School. This unique event will feature Dan Zanes, Claudia Eliaza, and Pauline Jean performing a selection of Lead Belly’s music with the students of the Brooklyn Music School.
Brooklyn Music School (BMS) presents Lead Belly, Brooklyn!, an All-Ages Sensory-Friendly Event featuring Dan Zanes, Claudia Eliaza, Pauline Jean and students from BMS on Friday, November 17, 2017 at 7 p.m. BMS is located at 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn. Tickets are $5-15.
Join us for a Community Celebration of Lead Belly’s Legacy at Brooklyn Music School. This unique event will feature Dan Zanes, Claudia Eliaza, and Pauline Jean performing a selection of Lead Belly’s music with the students of the Brooklyn Music School.
“Lead Belly's music made me want to play as a 7-year-old, and I've been doing that ever since,” said Zanes. “Lead Belly was the reason I started making music, and Lead Belly was the template for everything I've done in family music. I consider him to be the father of modern family music.”
At the end of the event, audience members will also have the opportunity to participate in a music video with Dan Zanes for the song "Rock Island Line" from his most recent album: "Lead Belly, Baby!,” produced with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and the event will also be filmed for a future documentary on the legacy of Lead Belly.
Grammy Award-winner Dan Zanes occupies a unique place in American music where sea shanties, folk music, the spirit of early rock 'n' roll, and soulful originals collide. For over 15 years he has performed everywhere from thrift shop basements to Carnegie Hall, from Brooklyn to Bahrain and beyond, meanwhile releasing over a dozen children's albums and several DVDs reconnecting people to forgotten songs. Referred to as "the family-music genre's most outspoken and eloquent advocate" by TIME magazine, his widely acclaimed music has all been featured on Sesame Street, Playhouse Disney, Nickelodeon, HBO Family, and Sprout. Zanes recently finished “ Lead Belly, Baby!,” an album released on the Smithsonian/Folkways label celebrating the children's music of his main inspiration, Lead Belly (1889–1949), known as the King of the 12-String Guitar. Routinely performing with a large roster of friends, Zanes will be joined by Haitian-American jazz vocalists Claudia Eliaza and Pauline Jean, and other special guests.
The show will be sensory friendly. Zanes and his fiancée, Claudia Eliaza, are pioneers in the sensory-friendly performance movement. The Kennedy Center recently commissioned the two to create the first sensory-friendly folk opera, Night Train 57. “For me, the folk experience is about inclusion and participation -- welcoming people in,” Zanes said. “The spirit of Lead Belly's music that affected me as a 7-year-old drives me to want to create and present in a sensory-friendly atmosphere today.”
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Dan Zanes discovered Lead Belly's music on the day he got his first library card. On “Lead Belly, Baby!”, the GRAMMY-winning family music performer presents a fresh vision of Lead Belly's music for a new generation with a little help from his friends. Along with guests including Chuck D., Billy Bragg, Aloe Blacc, and Valerie June, Zanes brings the music of this American icon back full circle to its original home on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
For more information about the album, visit https://folkways.si.edu/dan-zanes-and-friends/lead-belly-baby.