By Jessica Baron | Executive Director
Hello Global Giving Friends,
Let's start out 2012 with some great news! This month, artist advocates Laurence Juber and John Cruz, both GRAMMY winners, are stepping into the spotlight, where....? On elementary school stages, to bring live acoustic artistry to students free of charge. With the drastic budget cuts to the arts in our schools, these performances are extremely precious gifts, and GITC is very fortunate to have the support of these great artists who are donating their time to bring the music to GITC schools.
Last week, in Brooklyn at PS 230, Laurence Juber gave two spellbinding performances to raptly attentive elementary students while he was in the city to perform at Iridium Jazz Club. He and GITC emisary Christiane Cook drove out to Brooklyn to spend the morning making music with the teachers and students at what is also known as Doris L. Cohen Elementary. GITC trainer Dan Loomis was on hand as well, in addition to James Williamson who was GITC's first passionate advocate for bringing our work to the public schools in NYC. This was a downright "tribal" event with teachers strumming along and everyone singing.
In case you are unfamiliar, Laurence Juber is not a sing-along artist. He is the premiere fingerstyle guitarist in our midst, formerly of Paul McCartney's band Wings, and his music, much to the delight of the children, is featured in a movie most have actually seen- The Muppet Movie. Please can check him out at the attached website link if you like. He helped me found GITC 12 years ago, and has been donating his time and talent ever since in so many ways from good advice to free benefit concerts and also these special school performances.
This week, Hawaiian artist John Cruz begins his California tour in San Diego and working his way up the coast. John, whose music has achieved huge fame in Hawaii and has made it to hit status on American airwaves, will be playing in elementary schools all along his route, from San Diego and Encinitas, north to Oxnard, Santa Cruz, Watsonville, and Oakland. His tireless efforts to reach out to children with his passion for making music and living creatively is certain to touch many hearts and inspire lots of creative thinking.
Thank you for supporting our work and making the programs in all these elementary schools possible. The teachers are excited to play with such accomplished artists, and when their students see them onstage with the likes of Laurence and John, their admiration for their teachers absolutely soars.
Laurence, at my behest, created a packet to distribute to students before his assemblies so they could learn about him and his career before hearing him play. He did such a fine job that I have attached it FYI. We are asking every GITC artist to do the same so children can learn about their geography and journey in the arts. This is real live music integration!
Wishing you all a splendid rest of the month, and thanks for reading and caring about this cause.
Blessings,
Jess
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