January 2010 - Manna House Workshops

January 2010
A Night at the Museum
A Gala to Remember
All photos by Michael Simon, Jr.
Manna House Workshops held its 42nd Anniversary Gala
celebration at The Museum of the City of New York in East
Harlem. The event honored the Sam Ash Music Stores
Family and many professional Jazz artists joined in a Jazz
Jamboree.
*Manna HouseWorkshops*
Your center
for the performing arts
Gloria DeNard, Executive Director and Founder
* One -on-one Music instruction for all
* Ballet, Tap and Jazz Dance for kids
The above photo pictures Paul Ash, the oldest son of the
* Sight Singing classes for adults
legendary Sam Ash, holding a plaque he received that
* Swing Dance for Adults
night. Cobi Narita, Paul’s wife (not pictured), was also in
* Monthly Jazz Concerts
attendance. Mr. Ash stands next to Rob Crocker, host at
WBGO, one of the greatest Jazz stations. Mr. Crocker hosted * Monthly Cable Show
the event with his steady, silky voice. Next to Mr. Crocker is * Music Mondays an activity for toddlers to 2-year-olds
are exposed to music numbers, and letter readiness
Manna House Workshops’ founder Gloria DeNard.
guided by Elaine Cunningham, MS-Ed. For details call
For a “Kids-Eye View” of the evening’s performances, see the Elaine : 646.318.3399
“Gala Critique” written by piano student Jude Ali SteffersFor more information call 212.722.8223
Wilson in the “Kids Corner” section!
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“Scene” at the Gala
Clockwise from top left: Cooper
Moore, Nora Balaban and Kenwood Dennard form an impromptu trio, Valerie Capers and Emme
Kemp on keys, Angelo Martinez
sings “Imagine”, pianist Richard
Cummings, saxes Bill Saxton and
Nat Dixon, bassist Marissa Slocum,
guitarist Ethan Mann, drummer
Kenwood Dennard and percussionist Montego Joe play in the
Jazz Jamboree!
“Ms. D’s” Notes
I heard someone on TV say
the way to succeed in life was
to follow your passion. Never
give up, follow your passion.
Oh, I never give up, but follow
my passion? I had to ask myself: Have I been following my
passion? Or more importantly
– what is my passion?”
It’s kind of late to ask that
question and not to know the
answer. Then it came to me:
music is my passion. I loved
studying voice and piano at
Juilliard. European classical
music was my major. I studied
at VAMP Studios to learn Jazz
and singer’s choreography. I
loved it!
In 1967, I founded Manna
House to emphasize Jazz:
“America’s classical music”. I
felt the African-American’s
contribution to the world of
music needed to be emphasized, advertised and taught.
Forty-two years, 14 instructors, 160 students, 42 student
concerts, and145 MEEE Jazz
concerts later, I’m following
my passion in our very own
building for residents in East
Harlem and the Greater New
York area. Do you have a
passion? Determine what it is
and follow it for a joyous and
fulfilling life.
Reflections on Life
by former student
Herman Wright
Your life has the last laugh on
reckless living. Everyone remembers my father’s “I don’t
do drugs, I don’t drink alcohol,
just give me my Hawaiian
Punch!” He drank and ate this
daily from 1964 on, dying at
age 65.
My mother? She drank all
the time. I caught on to the
problem of drinking and bad
eating. (My father always
laughed at how Ms. DeNard
ate - and made jokes).
I caught on almost too late.
Now, with Diabetes, blood
pressure, cholesterol, back
injuries, and carpal tunnel,
each day is cautious, careful,
precious. To keep my mind
off of financial and medical
woes – I have music! Thanks
to Manna House!
Teachers and Students on the Move!
Enrique Hernandez, our
woodwinds instructor, has
been traveling with the
Duke Ellington Orchestra
internationally for several
concerts. In his absence,
the legendary Patience
Higgins will be teaching.
Former drum instructor, and now professor at
Berklee School of Music,
Kenwood Dennard, will
be performing on January
30 in Moscow Russia with
Stanley Jordan. Our piano
Instructor, Carlton Holmes, performed in Greece
this past March for 10 days.
Drummer Cindy Blackman
and bassist George Mitchell completed the trio.
Ms. D was honored at the
Plattduetsche Park restaurant. Other honorees in-
cluded the exceptional jazz
pianist Onaje Alan Gumbs.
Vocal student and Administrator Brenda Fair Alexander performs regularly at
Erawan Steak and Seafood,
a Thai restaurant in Bayside
and as a guest artist at venues throughout the city such
as Jules Bistro in the East
Village and as background
vocalist on the Doo-Wop
circuit with Arlene Smith, the
original lead vocalist for the
Chantels.
Up-and-coming vocalist Tyler Holloway, who
performed so wonderfully at
our 42nd anniversary Gala,
successfully auditioned for
The Apollo and will be appearing in April. Please vote
for Tyler!
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K IDS C ORNER
Christmas Time
Gala Critique
On Dec. 4, Ms. D put a question before the members of our chorus
ensemble: What does Christmas mean to you?
In response, Tatyana Hernandez and Angelo Martnez
composed the lyrics to their very own Christmas song. The melody
was written by Ms. DeNard and performed at our Christmas party
on December 19th. Here are the words.
By Jude Ali Steffers Wilson, 11 years-old.
Christmas time is a time to be happy
Christmas time is a time to dress snappy
Christmas time is a family time
Hanging with friends and havin’ a good time.
A ding ding, a ding ding Christmas! (repeat 3x)
Yeah Yeah Yeah!
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas
time ain’t time for no crimes
time is quality time
time is time for my mind
is giving time
A ding ding, a ding ding Christmas! (repeat 3x)
Yeah Yeah Yeah!
Last night, my mom and I went to a gala for my music
school, “Manna House Jazz Workshops”. At the gala, I
saw some Jazz pros, and a blind piano-playing woman
who was amazing! The Junior Band and Chorus was
good too. They scatted, danced and sang.
I remember a boy who made a joke in a song. He sang
“I hope some day you will join Obama … “ I laughed.
Just a little chuckle. Then I saw this guy on a saxophone, and I thought “Man, this guy must huff and
puff after every show!”
But the most amazing thing was this girl named
Tyler, and she sang like Beyonce and Alicia Keys put
together. After her song I was speechless. All I heard
in my head was the birds tweeting – tweet, tweet,
tweet – until the next person came on stage. She was
beautiful. And they closed with a Jazz Jamboree and I
was pumped and danced out!
From left: Carlton Homes, Angelo Martinez, Cassandra Johnson, Gloria DeNard, Tatyana Hernandez, Jeannine Carter, Brenda Fair
Alexander and Andrei Carriere perform at the Museum of the City of New York for Manna House Workshops’ 42nd Anniversary Gala.
Classes and Fees
We offer private classes for children and seniors, at $70 and $90 monthly. Classes are offered in Piano, Jazz Piano, Voice, Guitar, Woodwinds,
Brass, Cello, and Drums
We offer the following group classes: Sight Singing, Adult Vocal Ensemble, Jr. Jazz and Choral Ensemble, Theory, Ballet, Jazz and Tap.
Annual Registration Fee – Individual / Family
Children Group Lessons
Adult Group Lessons / Workshops
$40
$60 Monthly
$60 Monthly
INSTRUCTORS: BRASS: Omar Abdulkarim; GUITAR: Ethan Mann, SIGHT SINGING, ADULT VOCAL ENSEMBLE and GUITAR: Andrei
Carriere. DANCE: Children’s Chorus Choreographer, Diarra Cummings; Tap and Modern, Aubrey Davis; Ballet, Corrine Giddings; VOICE and
CHILDREN’S CHORUS: Gloria DeNard. PIANO: George Francois, Bertha Hope, Tony Melone, Kiyoko Yamaoka, Naoko Ono, PIANO ACCOMPANIST and CHI KUNG FACILITATOR, Carlton Holmes. DRUMS: Brandon Lewis, CELLO and JR. JAZZ ENSEMBLE: John Robinson;
WOODWINDS: Patience Higgins. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: Gloria DeNard, Executive Director; Brenda Fair Alexander, Administrator; Carlos
Prescod, Admin.Asst.; Lovie Manuel; Receptionist and Video Tech; Roy Villafane, Accountant, Clark Smith, Custodial Engineer.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of:
Transitions
George Blakely, a student and friend of Manna House for many years who will be remembered for his rich baritone voice, passed
away on October 21, 2009. “Ma Lewis,” the grandmother of our dance instructor Diarra Cummings, passed away on December 8,
2009, at the age of 99. Alberta Jennings, faithful board member, passed away on December 26, 2009.
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Don’t Miss
MEEE
2010!
(Music for Education Entertainment and
Enlightenment)
February 7 - The MEEE concert series will open with the legendary MAX “The Sax Man” LUCAS playing strong at 99 yearsold in honor of Black History Month. Come hear his trio play our
history through music. Mr. Lucas and his son can be seen at the Members of The Manna House Junior Jazz Band Ensemble,
Lenox Lounge on Wednesday evenings. The host of the evening Shanice, Ilan and Brian, perform at the Museum of the City of
New York with instructor John Robinson.
at Manna House will be Jazz pianist ONAJE ALAN GUMBS.
March 7th - The incomparable tenor saxophonist BILL
SAXTON, “King of Harlem Jazz,” will heat up the MannaMini
Theater. You can check him out on Fridays hosting Jazz sessions at his Jazz club “Bill’s Place” at 148 W. 133rd street (bet.
Lenox and 7th Ave.) in Harlem.
April 4th – We’ll have the soulful guitarist and vocalist
ANDREI CARRIERE serenading our audience.
May 2nd – Pianist BERTHA HOPE and her trio will unite
luscious harmonies to the delight of her audience
June 6th – In a reprise from her stellar performance at this
year’s gala, VALERIE CAPERS will close our exciting series
with her sensational voice, piano and rhythm section. This
prestigious pianist has received three honorary doctorates!
Concerts take place on the first Sunday of every month
beginning at 4 pm. As always there will be sensational
music, healthful “Family Cocktails” and a great evening
of fellowship with music lovers from all over NYC.
Thank You!!
MANNA HOUSE WORKSHOPS
would like to THANK the following for supporting our
performing arts program in East Harlem:
Volunteers:
Sy Demsky, Maria Perez, Marisa Steffers,
Isabelle Leighton, Ryan Frisk, Dale Sims
Funders:
Church of the Heavenly Rest
Brick Church
JP Morgan Chase
The New York State Council on the Arts
The Department of Cultural Affairs
Councilwoman. Melissa Mark Verito
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
Mike Simon, Sr.
Sy Demsky
and others ...
Manna House Workshops
338 E. 106th Street
New York, NY 10029
NuWinePress, Inc.: Newsletter design for small businesses and churches/Aimee Maude Sims, CEO/718.314.1541
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