On Sunday, November 16, 2014 Strathmore, a leading multi disciplinary arts center in the Washington, DC region, announced its new affiliation with Young Artists of America, a non-profit organization providing talented young musicians with exceptional music education and performance opportunities. In tandem with the 10 year anniversary of its hallmark Music Center, Strathmore has launched a new Affiliate Program to form alliances with the best performing arts groups in the community. In just three years, Young Artists of America has quickly established itself as the premier collaborative music program in the region for youth interested in classical and theatrical repertoire. With this new affiliation, Young Artists of America will now make Strathmore its home and officially be called Young Artists of America at Strathmore.
This affiliation came about through an invitation to Rolando Sanz (Artistic Director), Kristofer Sanz (Music Director) and Jennifer Boudrye (Executive Director) of Young Artists of America from Eliot Pfanstiehl (CEO) and Monica Jeffries Hazangeles (President) of Strathmore, as a result of the high quality programming and music education initiatives of Young Artists of America. This affiliation will align Young Artists of America’s programs and mission with Strathmore’s larger artistic role in the region.
“Young Artists of America is an exemplary youth based musical performance organization, and a fantastic complement to our mission,” said Strathmore CEO Eliot Pfanstiehl. “Our new Affiliate Program will be an incubator that strengthens the local arts community through guidance and collaboration. We want to share our knowledge and resources. What’s been happening informally for years through projects like the Strathmore Children’s Chorus and relationships with Montgomery County Public Schools afterschool Latin Dance program is now more formalized to better serve growing organizations in our region.”
The two groups will remain separate non-profit organizations, but the affiliation will encourage them to work together in pursuit of exemplary arts education and performance services.
One example of this new affiliation is the upcoming performance on March 8, 2015 of West Side Story and Roméo et Juliette at the Music Center at Strathmore. Young Artists of America at Strathmore will collaborate with Strathmore education partner, the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras, for this semi-staged performance featuring selections from the musical theatre and opera scores performed by over 130 students and professional mentors, directed by Rick Davis of George Mason University. For tickets, please visit the Young Artists of America website.
The new alliance will also mean that Young Artists of America’s offices will be at Strathmore, and they will benefit from the expert mentorship of Strathmore staff. Young Artists of America at Strathmore participants will also have special access to Strathmore’s artists, allowing for master classes, workshops and talk backs with leading visiting and resident artists and ensembles.
“We are very pleased that Young Artists of America is such a natural fit into the educational model that Strathmore has spearheaded in the region. Guidance from Eliot and Monica and their experienced staff will provide YAA with much welcomed support as we continue to expand our arts initiatives,” says Rolando Sanz, Artistic Director of Young Artists of America at Strathmore.
Young Artists of America at Strathmore will continue its innovative musical and educational programming on the Strathmore campus, both in the Mansion and Music Center, as well as throughout the community.
With this announcement, Young Artists of America at Strathmore is initiating their organization’s end of year giving campaign called, YAA STEPS UP TO STRATHMORE. The campaign will help support the organization’s transition and growth at the beginning of this new partnership. The goal of the campaign is to raise $25,000 between November 16 and December 31, 2014. Three generous YAA donors have agreed to match any funds donated during that time, up to $25,000.
More information about donations to Young Artists of America at Strathmore can be made through its website.
Strathmore presents and produces exemplary visual and performing arts programs for diverse audiences; creates dynamic arts education experiences; and nurtures creative ideas and conversations that advance the future of the arts. The hallmark of the arts center is the Music Center at Strathmore, a 1,976 seat concert hall and education complex. The Music Center at Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda, MD, one half mile north of the Capital Beltway and immediately adjacent to the Grosvenor Strathmore station on Metro’s Red Line. For those attending a ticketed performance at the Music Center at Strathmore, parking in the Metro garage is complimentary with your ticket.
Young Artists of America, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non profit educational organization that was founded to provide aspiring and talented young musicians with exceptional opportunities to study, rehearse, perform with and be mentored by professional artists and educators. Students perform in fully orchestrated concerts including large scale works of opera, musical theatre, oratorio and dance.
LINKS
Read DCMetroTheaterArts’ coverage of Young Artists of America.
