Brandeis High School's String Ensemble Visits PS 48M's Percussion Studio for an Artist Share

24 Mar 2011, 10:24 AM by keith

Members of the String Ensemble at Brandeis HS recently visited the students in the Percussion Studio at PS 48M for an artist share.  Both groups performed pieces of music they have been working on, and everyone performed together.  Led by teaching artists Erika Kapin (String Ensemble) and Martin Urbach (Percussion Studio), it was an amazing opportunity for students to showcase their hard work and learn from one another.  Check out the video above to see and hear the performances, as well as to find out what students thought of participating in the artist share! 

Spoken Word Program at Choir Academy of Harlem

04 Mar 2011, 11:53 AM by keith

The students in the poetry and spoken word after school program at Choir Academy of Harlem have been working hard on preparing their original work for performance.  They wrote poems on topics of their choosing and have been rehearsing for one another to strengthen their performance skills.  Led by teaching artist Seren Brevigleiri, the students have developed into confident performers with the courage to share their powerful and poignant words.

Here's a video of Derrick and Raven rehearsing their collaborative piece: 

“We’re working on a group performance for the show. We wanted to put our creative minds together and see where it took us. We thought about the things around us and how every New Year, things are said, but nothing really changes. Being in the poetry club and seeing other people perform made me want to write in a way that was more performance-based.” – Derrick

“I worked hard on it. I feel like I can express how I feel about the world but in a subliminal way. I like showing people that I have a different state of mind. I like performing because it shows people who I really am. I like seeing words connect and tell a story, and make meaning.” – Raven

Here's Ashley rehearsing her solo piece:

“The piece I created is an emotional piece because it’s about what’s going on. A lot of people are going through what I went through. People see me smile, but I wanted to show the other side. I used to always write about how I feel, then rip it up. Poetry class helped me want to share it.” - Ashley

The students attended the Knicks Poetry Slam Finals event in February and were inspired by the performances by their fellow young people.

Students outside the theater following the Knicks Poetry Slam Finals

Derrick and Raven also performed their piece at Choir Academy of Harlem this week as part of a concert celebrating Black History Month.  They closed out the show to thunderous applause from the audience, and we can't wait to see what they create next!

Photography Program at Manhattan Academy for Arts and Language

11 Feb 2011, 1:06 PM by Lisa LH

In their Global History class at Manhattan Academy for Arts and Language, students are working with teaching artist Elise Rasmussen on various photography projects that relate to the academic content of the class.  The first semester focused on ancient civilizations.  In their Roman Times project, students created a newspaper incorporating photographs and written articles from Ancient Rome. 

Each group worked on a different section of the newspaper, highlighting important events and figures.  Sections included Politics, Life & Styles, Sports, Arts, and the newspaper's front page.

For the Real Estate section, Berlizth and Edwin acted as architects with their building plans.

See more photos here

Can you identify the different sections of the newspaper? 

HSMP 10th Grade Theater Advisory Class

21 Jan 2011, 5:09 PM by Nyoka

As students of the High School for Medical Professions, we began our semester with a project called Mapping the Body,which combines Anatomy, Personal Identity, and Visual Art with Theatre exercises and Team Building activities. Students answered the questions, What's in my Heart and What's in my Brain through color, pattern, and image. Then, using the image of Feet they answered the questions, Where Have I Been? and Where Would I Like to Go? and using the image of Hands they answered the question, What Would I Like to Create? They answered each question personally, then examined the similarities and differences of the group. In addition, they participated in interactive theatre games and movement activities on these topics. 

"What would I like to CREATE?" by Clarisha Joseph

"What's in my BRAIN?" by Shante Abel

Brandeis High School's "Good Lookin' Photo Club"

18 Jan 2011, 10:42 AM by keith