DEAR FRIENDS
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the Atlanta Music Project’s 16th season. For those of you who may not know, our first program, back in 2010, was a small but mighty after-school orchestra program at the Gilbert House, a City of Atlanta Recreation Center in Southwest Atlanta. We had 30 elementary school students attending five days per week, in class for two hours each day! I remember being so inspired by their enthusiasm and natural ability. I was also grateful for their parents, who had the courage to entrust their children to a brand new organization. The teaching artists we hired were not just absolute professionals, they were fully behind our mission to empower youth to realize their possibilities through music.
Sixteen years later, those three groups - students, families, and teaching artists - remain the heart of our success. If they are the heart, our donors are our lungs. Donors breathe life into our vision that music training can lead to life-changing outcomes for youth. Without our cherished donors, AMP would simply not exist. Therefore, they have our ever-lasting gratitude. Tonight’s concert represents all the best parts of AMP coming together. The young musicians of our current youth orchestras and choirs have taken on the repertoire and coachings of our faculty with remarkable courage and artistry. I’m excited to follow their progress throughout this season. Thank you to you all for your continued involvement and support. Cheers to 16!
With Gratitude,
Dantes Rameau, Co-Founder & CEO
Atlanta Music Project INSTITUTIONAL DONORS
Funding provided in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Department of Community Development.
Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
VANESSA HALL
VIOLIN LEVEL I
Vanessa Hall is an Instrumental Artist and Educator with over 25 years of professional experience specializing in violin performance and instruction. Within the last decade, she has expanded her musical expertise to the areas of music therapy and behavioral studies. Vanessa obtained her preliminary degree in Music Education from The University of Georgia. After which, she pursued graduate studies in Music Therapy at Florida State University and a collaborative graduate degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis at Georgia State University.
LATASHIA BRIDGES
VIOLIN LEVEL II & III
Ms. LaTashia S. Bridges, is a native of Atlanta, GA and a product of the Atlanta Public and Fulton County School systems. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA. As a violinist, she has performed with several well-known symphonies including Cobb Symphony Orchestra, Valdosta Symphony Orchestra and Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral Orchestra.
Ms. Bridges currently teaches Kindergarten in the Cobb County School System and has taught middle school and elementary orchestra in the Atlanta, Cobb and Fulton County Area Schools.
An accomplished violinist, Ms. Bridges teaches orchestra with the Atlanta Music Project and is an active instructor of the William Grant Still and African American Black Heritage Orchestras.
Ms. Bridges is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, the women’s professional music fraternity and the Tau Beta Sigma Sorority, as well as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She is also actively involved in music education organizations such as The National Association of Music Education (MENC) and American String Teachers Association (ASTA).
KERREN BERZ
VIOLIN LEVEL III
Kerren Berz’s talents span the musical spectrum. Currently Concertmaster of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, she has performed, recorded, and toured with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Harlem Festival Orchestra, and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. As a respected pop music performer and arranger, Kerren is featured on albums by Outkast, Goodie Mob, Pink, and on the hit “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child. In live performances, she has shared the stage with legends including Rod Stewart, Joni Mitchell, Tony Bennett, Johnny Cash, and Ray Charles. Her ensemble, Sonic Essence, performs weddings, recitals, and special events throughout the year. A passionate advocate for musicians, Kerren is an active member of the Atlanta Federation of Musicians and a voting member of the Recording Academy, participating in GRAMMY Awards nominating committees.
DR. LANA TEKO
VIOLA LEVEL I & II
Dr. Lana Teko is a freelance violist and teacher in the metropolitan Atlanta area. She is in demand for adjudication, clinics, and master classes in Metro Atlanta and beyond. An avid chamber musician and enthusiast, Dr. Teko coaches chamber music and Viola Choir for At First Sight Chamber Music Workshop each summer and has maintained a private teaching studio and performed in regional orchestras since 1998.
Began playing the violin as a sixth-grader in her school orchestra, Dr. Teko holds dear the encouragement of Kimbraly Grimes, her first significant teacher-mentor.
Dr. Teko holds music degrees from Florida State University, Georgia State University, and the University of Alabama where she obtained the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Under viola study with Dr. Susan Dubois of The University of North Texas, she became acquainted with Karen Tuttle’s ‘Coordination’ techniques; bringing profound insight to Lana’s teaching and performing style. Her other influential teacher-mentor include Karen Clarke and the late Dr. Michael Allen.
She currently resides in Decatur, Georgia with her two sons. When not teaching and performing, she is a homeschool mom to her sons and enjoys trail walking with her family.
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
Violin level I
Vanessa Hall | Conductor
D Major Scale & Arpeggio..................................................................Traditional
Star Song.......................................................Jacquelyn Dillon, James Kjelland, and John O’Reilly
Variations on the D Major Scale......................Jacquelyn Dillon, James Kjelland, and John O’Reilly
Andale Juana.................................................Jacquelyn Dillon, James Kjelland, and John O’Reilly
Ode to Joy....................Michael Allen, Robert Gillespie, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
Violin level II
LaTashia Bridges | Conductor
Rondeau ..........................................................Michael Allen, Robert Gillespie, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes
March From Peasant’s Cantana ........................Michael Allen, Robert Gillespie, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes
La Bamba .........................................................Michael Allen, Robert Gillespie, Pamela Tellejohn Hayes
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT SUMMER MUSIC CAMP Violin level II & VIOLA Level I
LaTashia Bridges | Conductor
The Red Sarafan.........................................................Larry Clark & Doris Gazda
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT SUMMER MUSIC CAMP Violin level III
Kerren Berz | Conductor
Pastorale..................................................................................arr. Doris Gazda
St. Anthony’s Chorale.......................................................................F.J. Hayden
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT SUMMER MUSIC CAMP ViolA LEVEL I
Dr. Lana Teko | Conductor
Monday’s Melody..............................................................................Traditional
Oh How Lovely is the Evening............................................................Traditional
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
Viola level I & II
Dr. Lana Teko | Conductor
Groovin for the First Time.......................................Bob Phillips & Randy Sabien
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT SUMMER MUSIC CAMP
Viola level III
Dr. Lana Teko | Conductor
Kookaburra..................................................................................Australian
Minuet..........................................................................Georg Philipp Telemann arr. Larry Clark &Dorris Gazda
Old Joe Clark.....................................................................................Traditional
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT SUMMER MUSIC CAMP VIOLINS & VIOLAS
VIOLIN LEVEL I
Tafari Bradford
Evynn Holloway
Amari Brown
Summer Price
Zalelew Norwood
Isaiah Pope
Elijah Pope
VIOLIN LEVEL II
Cymone Francis
Mercury Murchison
Lincoln Mobely
Drexel Malkoff
Elianna Michael
Emerie Forogo
Foster Kolts
Feruzi Tiya
Tymier Malloy
Mauro Zetina
VIOLIN LEVEL III
Aya Brown
Avery Joseph
Chloe Bell
VIOLA LEVEL I
Trinity Casey
Janae Ferrell
Ava Freeman
Ayden Jackson
Abigail Lawrence
Ethan Reynolds
VIOLA LEVEL II
Chloe Maddox
Janae Ferrell
Ethan Wake
the atlanta music project mission and history
Founded in 2010, the Atlanta Music Project (AMP) provides world-class music training and performance opportunities supporting youth growth and development. Operating in under-resourced communities, AMP’s mission is to empower youth to realize their possibilities through music.
AMP serves over 1,000 young musicians annually through band, orchestra, and choir programs, private lessons, and the annual month-long AMP Summer Series. The AMP Senior Youth Orchestras and Choirs perform and compete both nationally and internationally. Additionally, AMP houses a college and career program, supporting AMP high school students and alumni. Since 2021, AMP has awarded $545,000 in college scholarships to its alumni.
AMP music ensembles perform more than 60 concerts annually, performing in venues all across Atlanta, from community centers to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. AMP music ensembles have performed alongside international stars such as cellist Sterling Elliott, rapper Lecrae, operatic baritone Edward Parks, R&B singer Monica, The Piano Guys, the Harlem Quartet, electric violinist Lindsey Stirling, pianist Terrence Wilson, and the Imani Winds. AMP musicians can be seen performing with rapper T.I. on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series.
AMP’s young musicians have successfully auditioned for Georgia All-State ensembles, and performed with the Atlanta Opera, the Atlanta Ballet, and the Fox Theatre. AMP ensembles have concertized as far away as Los Angeles, Aspen, Mexico, Canada, and New Zealand. The AMP Senior Youth Choir was crowned winner of the Youth Choirs category at the Open Competition of the 2024 World Choirs Games.
AMP is the recipient of several prestigious awards: 2015 Local Community Service Award (Spelman College), 2016 Neighborhood Builder (Bank of America), 2016 & 2017 Top 50 Youth Arts Program (USA President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities), 2018 MLK Jr. Community Service Award (Emory University), 2019 Luminary Award for Arts Education (ArtsATL), and 2021 Infusion Award (Lewis Prize for Music).
AMP’s current major funders include the Chestnut Family Foundation, Intuit Mailchimp, the Abraham J. & Phyllis Katz Foundation, the Harland Charitable Foundation, the Arthur M. Blank Foundation, The Rich’s Foundation, the Sartain Lanier Foundation, the Luluma Foundation, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Fulton County Arts Council, Georgia Council for the Arts, Georgia Department of Education, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Delta Community Credit Union, the Next Generation Fund, and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
In 2024, AMP became the recipient of five Steinway pianos and was awarded the prestigious honor of being a Steinway Select School, making AMP one of eight schools in the country with this distinction.
AMP’s partners and collaborators include the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton State University, and the Chestnut Family Foundation.
AMP’s existence is a direct result of the 2009 TED Prize, which was awarded to Dr. Jose Antonio Abreu, founder of Venezuela’s El Sistema. AMP’s co-founders were members of the Sistema Fellows Program at the New England Conservatory in Boston. AMP is a member of “El Sistema USA,” the National Alliance of El Sistema Inspired Programs.
For more information visit http://www.atlantamusicproject.org
YOUNG MUSICIAN PATHWAYS
COLLEGE & CAREER
SCHOLARSHIPS, EMPLOYMENT, ADVISING
ADVANCED PROGRAMS
AMP SENIOR YOUTH ORCHESTRA & CHOIR
INTERNATIONAL TOURS & COMPETITIONS
COLLEGE & CAREER SERVICES
INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMS
AMP JUNIOR YOUTH ORCHESTRAS
AMP JUNIOR YOUTH CHOIRS
PREPARATORY PROGRAMS
AMP AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
AMP PREPARATORY SCHOOL
EMPOWERING YOUTH TO REALIZE THEIR POSSIBILITIES THROUGH MUSIC
