A Night at the MuseumA Gala to Remember

January 2010

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*Manna House Workshops*Your center

for the performing artsGloria DeNard, Executive Director and Founder

* One -on-one Music instruction for all* Ballet, Tap and Jazz Dance for kids* Sight Singing classes for adults* Swing Dance for Adults* Monthly Jazz Concerts* Monthly Cable Show* Music Mondays an activity for toddlers to 2-year-olds are exposed to music numbers, and letter readiness guided by Elaine Cunningham, MS-Ed. For details call Elaine : 646.318.3399

For more information call 212.722.8223

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.

The above photo pictures Paul Ash, the oldest son of the legendary Sam Ash, holding a plaque he received that night. Cobi Narita, Paul’s wife (not pictured), was also in attendance. Mr. Ash stands next to Rob Crocker, host at WBGO, one of the greatest Jazz stations. Mr. Crocker hosted the event with his steady, silky voice. Next to Mr. Crocker is Manna House Workshops’ founder Gloria DeNard.

For a “Kids-Eye View” of the evening’s performances, see the “Gala Critique” written by piano student Jude Ali Ste!ers-Wilson in the “Kids Corner” section!

All photos by Michael Simon, Jr.

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 instruc-tor, 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 Hol-mes, performed in Greece this past March for 10 days. Drummer Cindy Blackman and bassist George Mitch-ell completed the trio.

Ms. D was honored at the Plattduetsche Park restau-rant. Other honorees in-

cluded the exceptional jazz pianist Onaje Alan Gumbs.

Vocal student and Admin-istrator Brenda Fair Alex-ander performs regularly at Erawan Steak and Seafood, a Thai restaurant in Bayside and as a guest artist at ven-ues 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 vocal-ist Tyler Holloway, who performed so wonderfully at our 42nd anniversary Gala, successfully auditioned for The Apollo and will be ap-pearing in April. Please vote for Tyler!

Teachers and Students on the Move!Re!ections on Lifeby former student

Herman Wright

Your life has the last laugh on reckless living. Everyone re-members 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 o! of "nancial and medical woes – I have music! Thanks to Manna House!

“Scene” at the GalaClockwise from top left: Cooper Moore, Nora Balaban and Ken-wood Dennard form an impromp-tu 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 percus-sionist Montego Joe play in the Jazz Jamboree!

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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 my-self: 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 empha-sized, advertised and taught.

Forty-two years, 14 instruc-tors, 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 ful"lling life.

“Ms. D’s” Notes

Christmas Time

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KIDS CORNER

By Jude Ali Ste"ers Wilson, 11 years-old.

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 saxo-phone, and I thought “Man, this guy must hu! and pu! 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!

Gala Critique

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 $40

Children Group Lessons $60 Monthly

Adult Group Lessons / Workshops $60 Monthly

Classes and Fees

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 AC-COMPANIST 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.

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.

TransitionsIt is with sadness that we announce the passing of:

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.

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.

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 time ain’t time for no crimes

Christmas time is quality time

Christmas time is time for my mind

Christmas is giving time

A ding ding, a ding ding Christmas! (repeat 3x)

Yeah Yeah Yeah!

February 7 - The MEEE concert series will open with the leg-endary MAX “The Sax Man” LUCAS playing strong at 99 years-old 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 Lenox Lounge on Wednesday evenings. The host of the evening 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 ses-sions 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 #rst 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.

Don’t Miss MEEE 2010!(Music for Education Entertainment and

Enlightenment)

MANNA HOUSE WORKSHOPSwould like to THANK the following for supporting our performing arts program in East Harlem:

Volunteers: Sy Demsky, Maria Perez, Marisa Ste"ers, Isabelle Leighton, Ryan Frisk, Dale Sims

Funders:Church of the Heavenly RestBrick ChurchJP Morgan ChaseThe New York State Council on the ArtsThe Department of Cultural A"airsCouncilwoman. Melissa Mark VeritoAdam Clayton Powell, Jr. Mike Simon, Sr. Sy Demsky and others . . .

Thank You!!

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Manna House Workshops338 E. 106th StreetNew York, NY 10029

Members of The Manna House Junior Jazz Band Ensemble, Shanice, Ilan and Brian, perform at the Museum of the City of New York with instructor John Robinson.

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