PACO and Music in the Schools Foundation

Members of the Willow Oaks School Violin Class perform Twinkle Twinkle Variations

We cover 1 or 2 PACO (Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra) events events every year and this is the second time we have been to Costaño Elementary in East Palo Alto to cover this special benefit concert. Interspersed between the PACO performance something special happens, students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience music perform thanks to the Music in the Schools Foundation. After just a couple of months with their instruments, they performed in front of an audience with assistance from some of the more seasoned PACO members. To learn more about how you can help please visit their website. www.musicintheschools.org

TheatreWorks Conservatory 2011

For the last 3 years I have had the pleasure of photographing the TW Conservatory. It is a paid job but one that does not feel much like work since I get to see these young adults in preparation for their culminating performances that occur at the end of the 4 week program. For the second year, as a gift to the kids, Mark and I have shot the performance and we were once again blown away by these young and aspiring thespians. During their time at the conservatory they learn all about their craft but they also have the task of writing an original monologue that they each perform during the presentation. The theme this year was In Transit and each of them interpreted it in their own unique way, some with incredible ingenuity and others with heartbreaking honesty. All of them put themselves out there creatively and left me in tears, again. 

Thank you goes out to all the teaching artists associated with the Conservatory as well as the countless others helping kids in this way all across the country. I have repeatedly seen how important the arts are and what a difference they can make in a child’s life. Here are just a few images from the performance which was held outside.