Event Title
I Am My Future: A Collaborative Residency in a Youth Detention Facility
Date of Publication
3-26-2021
Document Type
Paper
Abstract / Program Notes
“I Am My Future,” was a collaborative residency between Houston Grand Opera and DACAMERA to write, produce and perform an opera in partnership with incarcerated juvenile inmates in the GIFT program (Girls Inspiring Future Triumphs) at the Harris County Youth Village. Over a 15-session residency, the GIFT program residents created an opera based on what they envisioned their future to be. Emphasis was placed on social-emotional learning of the residents, as well as creating a positive learning environment. This presentation will discuss the methods, challenges, and outcomes of this project.
Biography
British saxophonist Ellie Parker is an active advocate of new music and creative collaboration. She is the recipient of the inaugural Laura Buss Sayavedra Award for Citizen Artistry in the city of Houston, and was a Da Camera Young Artist Fellow between 2018-2020. She is Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at Sam Houston State University where she teaches undergraduate music performance and music education majors and Instructor of Music Theory at Houston Community College. Ms. Parker achieved ABD in Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance with a minor in Musicology at the University of Houston where she studies with Dan Gelok in 2020. She also studied at Birmingham Conservatoire with Naomi Sullivan, and completed a Masters of Music at Sam Houston State University studying with Dr. Masahito Sugihara with additional study at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel through the Eurasmus Exchange.
Keywords
Girls Inspiring Future Triumphs, Houston Grand Opera, DACAMERA
I Am My Future: A Collaborative Residency in a Youth Detention Facility
“I Am My Future,” was a collaborative residency between Houston Grand Opera and DACAMERA to write, produce and perform an opera in partnership with incarcerated juvenile inmates in the GIFT program (Girls Inspiring Future Triumphs) at the Harris County Youth Village. Over a 15-session residency, the GIFT program residents created an opera based on what they envisioned their future to be. Emphasis was placed on social-emotional learning of the residents, as well as creating a positive learning environment. This presentation will discuss the methods, challenges, and outcomes of this project.