The Schwartz Center: Don’t Miss a Note!

The Schwartz Center for Performing Arts explores how the timeless art of classical music can transcend generations with its 2023–2024 season. Beginning with up-and-coming violist Jordan Bak and the Balourdet Quartet, the mostly classical series also features virtuoso Midori with Festival Strings Lucerne, National Symphony Orchestra Ukraine, and a recital concert from violin protégé Randall Goosby. Intergenerational connections continue with the pairing of the world’s most famous brass group, Canadian Brass, with select Emory University student brass musicians included on one of the evening’s works as part of a concert ranging from Baroque to Dixieland.

“This season embodies the spirit of the Candler Concert Series,” says Rachael Brightwell, Schwartz Center managing director. “Our students and audiences have the opportunity to experience artists who are inarguably masters of their instruments—Midori and her violin, for one—in the same series as intriguing young artists like Randall Goosby and Jordan Bak, who are really making their mark in classical music. This season’s lineup showcases the best performances across generations, and I’m thrilled to be able to bring such a dynamic series to Emory.”

The Schwartz Center is also proud to support new work as a commissioning partner for an ambitious, multi-composer project with Turtle Island Quartet, featuring compositions from jazz legend Terence Blanchard, MacArthur Genius Fellow Rhiannon Giddens, New Music USA Composerin-Residence Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, and Turtle Island Quartet founder David Balakrishnan. Additionally, contemporary works will be the focus of an orchestra of voices from the Grammy Award–winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer.

Along with the Candler Concert Series, audiences can enjoy the time-honored tradition of Emory Jazz Fest as part of the Center’s Schwartz Artist-in-Residence Program. The festival brings world-class jazz to the community with master classes, artist demonstrations, and concerts featuring the Gary Motley Trio, Emory Big Band, and a soon-to-be-announced featured guest artist. Subscription ticket packages are available to order now with selections from the Candler Concert Series and the Schwartz Artist-in-Residence Program. Single tickets to all concerts go on sale Tuesday, August 1. For more information visit schwartz.emory.edu or call 404.727.5050.

Trailblazing

By Terrie Ajile Axam

On June 18, 2022, the mayor of Macon, Georgia proclaimed Terrie Ajile Axam Day for being the first person to bring Modern-African dance to their town in 1980. I was totally surprised as I thought about the dancers that might have graced the stage of the historic Douglass Theatre when they hosted jazz and blues greats such as Bessie Smith, Otis Redding, James Brown, and more. I graciously accepted my proclamation. Later that evening, I began to reflect on my many awards and recognitions of “being the first.” In an Atlanta ShowGuide article in 2008, Pamela Turner stated that I was a “true pioneer.” I never intended to be a pioneer, but I realize I have been trailblazing for most of my life.

My biggest endeavor is my twenty years at the C.T. Martin Natatorium and Recreation Center. I was invited to create a pilot arts program tasked with bringing professional arts to the Adamsville Community. We presented classes, seminars, and workshops with a mission to train, produce, and present technical and creative dancers, performers, and educators.

Five years ago, the Atlanta City Council honored me as a prominent community leader, dance instructor, cultural arts entertainer, artistic director, and certified life coach for my commitment to serving the Atlanta community. They acknowledge me as a history maker as the first person to receive a teacher’s certificate in dance. I can still remember the conversation. The Georgia Department of Education representative said, “You are the first person ever to receive this dance certification . When you go for a job, most principals won’t even know this exist.” That was in 1983. I subsequently became the pioneer dance teacher for Tri-Cities Visual and Performing Arts Dance Program.

My favorite trailblazing moments are creation of Mojah technique and the creation of three wonderful children. I gave birth to Chuma my junior year at Princeton University in 1971, Makini my Senior year at Princeton in 1973 and Kikora my first year in graduate school at Rutgers University in 1976. Now at 71 years of age, I am asked the question when are you going to retire. I simply say, I have more trails to blaze.

Summer Theatre Classes with Georgia Ensemble Theatre Gives Kids New Friends and a Creative Outlet

Kids are creative beings, full of emotions and thoughts they’re learning to express. That’s what makes theatre training such a great option for every kid. Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s Education Director Laurel Crowe knows that first-hand—she was a student in the very first class offered by the theatre in 1992!

Now, Crowe has helped grow the Georgia Ensemble Theatre Studio in Roswell, offering classes all summer for students from pre-K to rising 12th grade. For those who are serious about acting, dancing, and singing in musicals, Triple Threat camp will teach the basics and help kids grow from wherever they start. Improv and Mash-Up classes suit kids who love to invent stories and find the funny. Performance and Production camps give kids an intensive experience in creating, rehearsing, producing, and performing an entire musical. (Oliver, Jr. is scheduled for July 2023!) Brand new in 2023 is Influencer Boot Camp — a class that hones students’ interest in content creation for social media and video platforms, teaching them performance skills and video/editing techniques — but also addressing online safety and mental health.

Crowe says, “The goal of these classes isn’t to turn every kid into a professional actor. If that’s an individual student’s goal, we will absolutely help them pursue it. But for a lot of kids, they take skills like improvisation and turn that into successful conversational skills. They take what they learn about using their voice expressively and turn that into successful business presentations. They take a class in lighting design and turn it into a career in science. They take the experience of mentoring younger students and turn it into a teaching career. And they take the teamwork and empathy that all theatre requires, and turn them into new friendships, stronger interpersonal relationships, and a sense of connectedness with the world around them.”

Students who spend a week or two — or even their whole summer — at GET Studio get to be around other creative kids like themselves all day. They’re forming new friendships with people outside of their schools, connecting with people who have shared interests. Summer camps at GET are educational and entertaining, led by professional actors and directors, supportive, inclusive, welcoming, accessible…but most of all, FUN!

GET Studio classes offer payment plans and financial aid. Students of differing abilities are welcome. Anyone with questions is urged to reach out to education@get.org or view the available camp sessions at get.org/classes.