UM Frost School of Music Presents Festival Miami’s 2014 Season

Dawn Upshaw and Maria Schneider

Presenting its 31st Season this October 10 through November 8, the University of Miami Frost School of Music’s acclaimed Festival Miami -- Florida’s premier live music festival –stages a stellar line-up of acclaimed performing artists in a diverse blend of styles and cultural backgrounds. World-class instrumentalists, orchestras, singers, songwriters, composers and other musical icons showcase their artistic prowess alongside astounding faculty artists and students from the Frost School of Music. More than 25 concerts and events are organized into four genre themes: Great Performances, Jazz and Beyond, Music of the Americas, and Creative American Music.

Festival Miami’s 31st season opens on October 10, 2014 as The Frost Symphony Orchestra presents Made in America featuring Thomas Sleeper conducting outstanding works by American composers Barber, Bernstein, Creston, Ives, and Ruggles. The concert promises to be a memorable evening featuring internationally acclaimed saxophonist Dale Underwood and virtuoso violinist Michael Ludwig. Opening weekend also features a blend of classical, jazz and more by the masterful trio Time for Three on October 12. Then, an inventive new chamber group Pulse explores appealing repertoire by composers from around the world on October 15.

Additional Festival Miami highlights include renowned opera star Dawn Upshaw and composer Maria Schneider in the Florida premiere of their three-time Grammy Award winning project Winter Morning Walks with the Frost School of Music’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra on October 25. The following night, Grammy nominated cellist Dave Eggar, National YoungArts alumnus and U.S. Presidential Scholar of the Arts, performs and hosts a National YoungArts Foundation Interdisciplinary Showcase with fellow YoungArts alumni on October 26. For more information about the National YoungArts Foundation, visit youngarts.org.

Vadym Kholodenko

Festival Miami’s annual free Emerging Composers concert takes place on October 27. Acclaimed piano duo Genova and Dimitrov performs two-piano favorites on October 29, and Gold Medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Vadym Kholodenko offers a thrilling solo piano recital on November 4. Also in early November, the Frost Wind Ensemble presents an all-Gershwin program under the direction of Gary Green featuring new arrangements by Grammy nominated pianist and dean of the Frost School of Music Shelly Berg and Grammy Award winning violinist and artist-in-residence Mark O’Connor.

For Festival Miami’s Jazz and Beyond offerings, virtuosic duo Bass Extremes featuring bassists Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten perform a high-intensity opening week concert on October 14; steel pan virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas brings his unique Caribbean, jazz and Latin musical blend to the festival stage on October 16; and The Jazz Cruise All-Stars tear it up on October 17. For big band lovers, beloved vocalist Patti Austin performs a vibrant, high-energy tribute to Ella Fitzgerald with the Frost Studio Jazz Band on October 22 and celebrated jazz bassist, composer, arranger, producer John Clayton performs and conducts the Frost Concert Jazz Band on October 30. Then, remarkable jazz singer Gretchen Parlato appears November 5 with the spectacular Frost Jazz Vocal 1 Ensemble directed by Kate Reid, and performs a special duo set with Shelly Berg.

Patti Austin

Guitar fans are treated to two amazing guitar gatherings at Festival Miami 2014. First, classical guitar buffs will enjoy the ever-popular Concierto de Aranjuez and other guitar masterworks of Joaquín Rodrigo featuring guitar virtuosi Rafael Padrón, Rene Izquierdo, Isaac Bustos and Federico Musgrove on October 21. The following week, Festival Miami offers an exclusive Jazz Guitar Summit featuring acclaimed recording artist John Hart, famed Brazilian jazz guitarist Diego Figueiredo, plus the fresh, cutting-edge New West Guitar Group on October 28.

Festival Miami is also pleased to once again present a children’s afternoon concert featuring Parents’ Choice Award winners In The Nick of Time, this year on October 19. Festival Miami’s annual Songwriters Showcase—one of the most anticipated popular events at Festival Miami each year—features songs composed and performed by Frost School of Music students enrolled in the Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music program, on October 23.

South Florida concertgoers will also be treated to an unforgettable evening with singer, guitarist and music legend Jorma Kaukonen, a founding member of Jefferson Airplane, on October 24. Emilio Estefan presents a sensational new singer-songwriter Fantine in a fabulous fusion of Latin and Soul on November 1. Then, Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno, recipient of a Latin Grammy Award last year as Best New Artist, lights up the stage on November 6 with hit songs in both Spanish and English. Additional popular artists will be announced soon.

Festival Miami’s closing weekend is presented in collaboration with two other respected arts presenting organizations: Seraphic Fire as they perform Vivaldi: Gloria with the New York-based period orchestra The Sebastians, at UM Gusman Concert Hall on November 7 (tickets are available through the Seraphic Fire box office at 305-285-9060 or online at http://www.seraphicfire.org); as well as Jazz Roots—A Larry Rosen Jazz Series with Jazz Roots: Georgia on My Mind—Celebrating Ray Charles, staged at the Adrienne Arsht Center, also on November 7. This spectacular tribute program features an all-star roster of special guest artists, with exclusive arrangements featuring the University of Miami Frost School of Music's Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. Tickets are available through the Arsht Center Box Office at 305-949-6722 or online at arshtcenter.org.

The closing night of Festival Miami 2014 features everybody’s favorite blues vocalist/guitarist Keb’ Mo’ on November 8. This Grammy Award winner and outstanding entertainer performs music from his latest album BLUESAmericana, plus hits from his illustrious 20-year career.

TICKET INFORMATION
Concerts are held in the intimate 600-seat UM Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, 1314 Miller Drive, on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus, unless otherwise indicated. Tickets start at $15 and several free events are also offered. Season packages will be available to the public starting July 21 and all individual tickets will be available to the public starting August 4th. For tickets and the full Festival Miami 2014 schedule, visit festivalmiami.com, or call 305-284-4940.

About Festival Miami
Festival Miami has set a precedent over the last three decades by providing a series that blends artistically and culturally diverse music with educational opportunities. The festival offers 20-30 concerts each season, providing for people of all ages the chance to be enriched by live musical performances. It is unrivaled in its scope of musical presentations and is known throughout South Florida, the U.S., and the international community for its cultural contributions while expanding academic opportunities and cultural enrichment to all of South Florida and its visitors.
The Festival’s concert series features the Frost School’s widely known artist-faculty and student ensembles, and an educational mission that includes children’s concerts, master classes, lectures, forums, and concerts that highlight historically significant events.
For a complete listing of concerts and to order tickets online visitfestivalmiami.com or email fmtickets@miami.edu for additional information. The Festival Miami Advance Ticket Sales Office phone number is (305) 284-4940. Hours are Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All performances are held at the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall, located at the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music, 1314 Miller Drive, on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables Campus (unless otherwise noted). 

Meet JADE Passion!

Penetrating the scene with unrelenting talent, Jade Passion is fueled by the desire to reveal great music. The fiery siren is a singer, rapper, and songwriter which are the suitable elements of a triple threat. Passion’s feminine style, melodious tone and vigorous delivery equates to her being an authentic musician. Born Jemima Alberic this Nassau, Bahamas native hails from a lineage of talent. “When I told my dad I wanted to sing he revealed to me that my mom was the singer in the family,” explains Jade. After the great revelation of her mom’s gift the zealous star pursued her birthright with force.

Influenced by human emotions Jade uses this motivation to create music that is relatable to the average. The young lyricist’s music is crafted to soothe the human soul while entertaining them simultaneously. Jade’s music is an emotional trigger that induces positive expression. Her prevailing style demonstrates her desire to make her music specifically for activating an effect. “I love to see the smiles on people’s faces”. Other people’s lives inspire the rising icon to make music that evokes smiles and aural satisfaction. “I can’t seem to write about myself, but when I see something in someone else’s life that touches me I get the urge to make a song.”

Her intense style caters to the everyday lives and experiences of women, men both young and old. The vocalist has developed her music to not only encourage the emotion of love, but also create an uprising towards self-esteem. Jade’s goal is to empower her fans domestic and international without boundaries. Through her music she is focused on giving hope and teaching self-respect. “The message I’m sending in my music is high self-esteem, confidence, empowerment, love and respect, and self-confidence,” explains the song-bird. The young star has received positive feedback and support from her fans, which she so affectionately refers to as her “Passionate Friends.” Passion’s followers are not just regional she has gained a loyal following throughout the world. Her positive impact on her fans circulates a reciprocal effect giving her gratification from their support. “My passionate friends are well appreciated and it feels great that their support extends throughout the world. Although the language barrier is there they still manage to tell me how much they appreciate me and that gives me joy.”

Delivering a sound reminiscent of the resilient and empowering manner of many female artists of the 80’s and 90’s; Jade Passion releases her romantic song “My Baby’s World” a slow ballad with a clever sample of the popular James Brown Classic “It's A Man's World”. The talented artist’s music has no limits none in her opinion is better than the other, “I favor all of my music that’s the only way I would release them,” The emerging diva has already gained the attention of many fans local and international needless to see she is well on her way to being an global superstar.


Here is a brief interview conducted recently with Jade Passion:

FML: How old were you when you realized that you wanted to sing?

JP: I was eight years old when I started to sing. I was in school in the Bahamas and got a chance to sing the national anthem and it went well. I went home and immediately told my dad about it and he encouraged me to continue singing. 

FML: Have you had any formal vocal or musical training?

JP: Not really. I was a part of my high school chorus which was a very popular chorus (Boynton Beach High School) and got the opportunity to travel and sing extensively.

FML: If a young, aspiring musician approached you for advice, what is the first step they should take?

JP: Whatever you do be sure you love this music thing. it’s a lot of work and not just a hobby. It drains your pockets. In the end if you really love what you are doing you will enjoy it.

FML: Is there something that you would have done differently if given the chance? 

JP: I would have started pushing myself earlier. I would have taken time and made an effort to start my music career earlier in my life.

FML: Is there a particular venue (place) where you dream of performing?

JP: I don’t really have a particular place, but I want to be able to perform in front of millions of people. The venue is not important as long as there are people who have come to hear me sing.

FML: You are releasing a new EP soon. Will it include new material, and if so are the songs different than your previous works? 

JP: The EP contains all new material. There are six songs total and it is actually finished. Right now I am deciding on promotion and distribution of the EP.  The music is very different from previous work as it contains pop music, and some Compas. This EP will display much more of what I can do musically.

FML: Is there a musical goal that you want to attain next?

JP: The very next thing I want to do is put out a video for one of the songs on the EP. I don’t just want one of those videos that people can see on MTV from unsigned artists locally. I want the video to go far so that more people can hear about me. 

A Visit to the New World Symphony

Publisher's Note: Recently I was able to visit the New World Center, home of Miami Beach, Florida’s own New World Symphony. Although I knew some things about the New World Symphony, my visit proved extremely educational. If you get an opportunity, make sure to visit the state of the art home for the phenomenal program for young musicians. 

The New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy (NWS), prepares graduates of distinguished Music programs for leadership roles in professional orchestras and ensembles. In the 26 years since its inception, NWS has helped launch the careers of more than 900 alumni worldwide.

A laboratory for the way music is taught, presented and experienced, the New World Symphony, under the artistic direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, consists of 87 young musicians who are granted fellowships lasting up to three years. Modeled after the demands of a professional orchestra, the program offers in­-depth exposure to traditional and modern repertoire, professional development training and personalized experiences working with leading guest conductors, soloists and visiting faculty. Relationships with these artists are extended through NWS’ pioneering experimentation with distance learning via the internet.

NWS Fellows take advantage of the innovative performance facilities and state-of-the­-art practice and ensemble rooms of the Frank Gehry­-designed New World Center, the campus of the New World Symphony.

In the hopes of joining NWS, more than 1500 recent music school and conservatory graduates compete for about 35 available fellowships each year. Fellows are selected for this highly competitive, prestigious opportunity based on their ability and their passion for the future of classical music.

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The New World Symphony’s fellowship program consists of an in­-depth course of instructional and performance activities designed to expand the musical and professional horizons of NWS Fellows beyond music school and conservatory training.

Master Classes, Coachings and Private Lessons

New World’s coaching program is unique in its depth and breadth, bringing internationally acclaimed conductors, soloists, and some 100 mentors from the world’s great orchestras to conduct an intensive schedule of master classes, private lessons and sectionals with New World Fellows.

Audition Training and Performance Psychology

The New World Symphony prepares each Fellow for the make­-or-break experience of the orchestral audition. Each year, NWS holds an intensive four-­-day audition training seminar with visiting coaches from major orchestras. NWS provides training by former Olympic sports psychologist Dr. Don Greene,who has been a pioneer in adapting the strategies of sports psychology to help musicians achieve optimal performance in high­-pressure settings. In addition, Fellows regularly hold mock auditions to help prepare for upcoming professional auditions.

Performance Opportunities

Performance opportunities include numerous full­-orchestra concerts, a chamber music series, new music series, small ensemble concerts, family series, and special festivals and recitals. The program also offers Fellows the opportunity to design and present their own concerts, which often feature seldom­-heard works or unusual instrumentation.

Communications Training

NWS emphasizes that musicians must be able to express themselves verbally as well as musically. To that end, Fellows receive training in communications and stage presence, the scope of which includes speaking to audiences from the stage and engaging in informal conversation with patrons and audience members, as well as media interview techniques.

Community Engagement Training

Training for community engagement is an essential part of the NWS program, with activities ranging from mentoring in local schools to free concerts in community centers, churches and synagogues. These activities provide real-­-life experience in establishing a direct artist­-to­-audience connection while sharpening presentation, speaking and teaching skills.

ALUMNI

The New World Symphony’s success may be measured in part by the more than 750 alumni who are active in the music profession worldwide. There is a New World Symphony presence in nearly all of America’s major orchestras, as well as symphonies and chamber orchestras in Europe, South America and the Far East. In addition, many New World Symphony musicians have chosen career paths in chamber music, music education and arts management.

INTERNET2 DISTANCE LEARNING

NWS has built global community of the world’s finest performers, educators and Composers who directly transfer their music knowledge and Insight to New World Symphony Fellows, both in Miami Beach and Via Internet2. Internet2, with its enormous bandwidth, speed and quality, Offers a medium perfectly suited to the rigorous demands of musical distance learning, making it possible for artists to address the subtlest aspects of technical and musical performance. In 2001, the National Endowment for the Arts awarded the New World Symphony $200,000 technology grant launching NWS’ Internet2 activities. Internet2 is now an integral part of NWS’ overall education mission.

NEW WORLD SYMPHONY/MEDELLÍN COLLABORATION

The New World Symphony is currently in the midst of year-long Support curriculum for a social service/music education program organized by the Orquestra Filarmónicade Medellín and EAFIT University in Medellín, Colombia. Colombian conductor Alejandro Posada (Principal Conductor Of the Orquesta Sinfónicade Castilla y León) leads this program, serving 5,000 children and teenagers in the Medellín metropolitan area, the majority from underprivileged circumstances. Like Venezuela’s El Sistema, this is a social program in nature, designed to use skill­-based musical instrument instruction to develop confidence and self­-expression in each and every young participant. The results of the El Sistema program in Venezuela are exemplary. Maestro Posada and his colleagues in the Orquestra Filarmónica and EAFIT University are applying lessons learned by the El Sistema program but tailoring it to the specific needs of youngsters in Medellín. To further his mission, Maestro Posada has invited New World Fellows to help train the 100 most talented students through master classes and individual lessons.

New World Symphony is uniquely suited for this work. The musical learning process requires consistent delivery of instruction. NWS Fellows deliver this training to students in Medellín over the internet on a weekly basis. Each practice and ensemble room in New World Center is wired for Internet transmission with remote teaching programs in mind. It is important to note, however, that in­-person interaction is required to maximize the educational benefit. Therefore, in addition to connecting with 100 of the most talented Medellín students over the Internet, a team of New World Fellows will travel to Medellín three times during the academic year for in­-person music lessons, and side­-by­-side full orchestra rehearsals and performances. Additionally, five of the finest Medellín students will come to Miami twice during the season for instruction and to be part of the New World Symphony family for week, participating in side­-by­-side chamber rehearsals and performances. These select and most talented Medellín students will directly benefit from this program. They will carry their new expertise and energy into the many youth orchestras of Medellín, extending the program to the 5,000 total participants. New World Symphony Fellows will observe the inner workings of this social­-service­-through­-classical­-music model, and gain valuable experience that they will bring to the communities in which they secure professional positions.

Orlando Based New Business Chosen as Outstanding Entrepreneur for Accelerator Program at the University of Central Florida

Orlando based LiveMusicTutor.com, the world’s first education eco-system specially created to support music education has been accepted by the Innovation Concourse of the Southeast at the University of Central Florida (UCF). The unique online music coaching platform engages students, music enthusiasts and fans with an exclusive experience that provides live real time, interactive online one-on-one and group instruction for all instruments and genres of music, along with voice lessons from trusted musicians worldwide. LiveMusicTutor.com has been chosen as one of the outstanding entrepreneurial companies to partake in the concourse. Innovation Concourse of the Southeast is a small business accelerator based out of the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization that supports technology based businesses with high growth opportunities. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDoL) and is designed to accelerate the strategic growth of the business and celebrate entrepreneurs with outstanding opportunities for the future.

LiveMusicTutor.com will have access to the unique opportunities offered by the Innovation Concourse of the Southeast including one-on-one business coaching, technology and investment development, introduction to the UCF Mentor Network, and strategic investors. The announcement will provide LiveMusicTutor.com the opportunity to continue to build and align its proprietary technology with dual music curriculum with music instructors and those that are interested in being music students globally.

“LiveMusicTutor.com continues to grow and offer our community a unique opportunity to learn music whether through our interactive curriculums or just to learn a song for a special occasion or person on their terms,” said Ted Gee, Chairman and CEO of LiveMusicTutor.com. “We have already seen outstanding recognition for our proprietary, fully interactive two-way video classrooms and are honored that we have been accepted into the Innovation Concourse of the Southeast. After all, innovation is what we are all about.”

LiveMusicTutor.com enables music students and enthusiasts to find music instructors teaching the instruments and styles of their choice from every corner of the globe. The decline in music education in our schools and geography are no longer a constraint in finding high quality music instruction that is convenient, affordable and in a safe environment anytime 24 hours a day. It also serves as a social networking environment that will allow anyone to create a complimentary profile and to be part of the LMT community, however only instructors and students will be participating in the classroom.

LiveMusicTutor.com developed a proprietary, unique point system where students earn points for taking lessons and classes as well as practice time, viewing videos and submitting their own performance videos. It categorizes instructors by experience levels, certifications, instruments and instruction capability. All instructors are screened and have had extensive background checks to insure the safety of all involved. Live instructors are based all over the world offering students a global learning experience.

ABOUT LIVEMUSICTUTOR.COM
LiveMusicTutor.com was founded in 2011 by Jason Goughnour, a life-long musician and Ted Gee, a business leader of Fortune 500 companies and best-selling author. LiveMusicTutor.com is a custom, fully interactive two-way video classroom loaded with features which gives instructors and student’s tools that will help promote a fun, unique and safe learning experience. Features for both private one-on-one lessons and multi-student group classes are available. The company’s motto is Learn, Play, Share and is representative of the global community offered to students with an emphasis on availability, ease and affordability. LiveMusicTutor.com is constantly updating the site and with new offerings to students and testimonials from students who have thrived from their personal instructions. It is led by a team of award-winning, high-level business leaders and music innovators and is based in Orlando, Florida. For more information go to
www.livemusictutor.com or
www.facebook.com/livemusictutor or
www.twitter.com/livemusictutor