Six teaching artists from Bridge Arts Ensemble brought their talents and knowledge to Schoharie on Jan. 23-25, visiting music classrooms and leading workshops, clinics, lessons and master classes for students in grades K-12. They also performed for students and staff.
“We were privileged to have a professional oboist, pianist, percussionist, cornet player and two vocalists in our midst for three days,” music teacher Carrie Styles said. “In addition to all of their teaching, these artists presented four different concerts that incorporated literacy and history.
“Bridge Arts Ensemble provided a fabulous chance for our students to experience professional musicians in their midst,” Styles continued. “The students have been talking non-stop about what they’ve learned and can’t wait to have this kind of opportunity again.”
Among the highlights of the teaching artists’ visit: a piano master class, jazz band improvisation workshop, choir clinic, middle school music workshop, bucket drumming session and artist concerts.
Bridge Arts Ensemble is a teaching artist organization that brings interactive concerts and workshops to more than 50 school districts in upstate New York and impacts more than 55,000 students annually. Activities are tailored to each school’s curriculum and arts education needs.
Ensemble teaching artists include a variety of diverse musicians who expose students to musical styles such as Broadway, classical, jazz and world music. They include members of Carnegie’s Ensemble Connect, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York Philharmonic Teaching Artists and current and former cast members of Broadway, off-Broadway and National Touring productions.
