Artists in Conversation Festival: American Patriots
$25-$60 sliding scale
- Annie Sherman, voice
- Robert Wesley Mason, baritone
- Claire Forstman, piano
- Owen Broder, saxophone
- Kelly Gronli, oboe & English horn
- Eric Parchen, percussion
- Matthew Rowning, guitar
- Ryan Messling, double bass
- Aaron Kahn, trumpet
- Cecille Elliott, violin
Gala Flagello — Selected works
Danielle Jagelski — Selected works
Yaniv Segal — Selected works
"American Patriots," created by Samantha Rose Williams, is a new music-theater production that explores what it means to be American from four vastly different perspectives: African-American, Native American, New American, and white Working-Class American. Songs set to the verbatim text of interviews with Americans today, take an unflinching look at the day-to-day realities of American ideals. Featuring compositions by Regina Harris Baiocchi, Gala Flagello, Danielle Jagelski, and Yaniv Segal, the four composers; unique styles create a dynamic auditory experience that is at times classical, jazzy, broadway, funny, serious, and alarming but always engaging and unexpected. "American Patriots" asks audiences to actively examine the way they think about identity, unconscious bias, and who this country is for; and to foster meaningful connection with people they may not have previously identified with.
Artists in Conversation Schedule (all events take place at Historic Alberta House):
November 18th
3pm She Loves You Back
7pm American Patriots
November 19th
3pm American Patriots
7pm She Loves You Back
About Renegade Opera
Renegade Opera is committed to promoting institutional reform in the performing arts community through the creation of accessible and immersive opera. We strive to support local artists and center traditionally underrepresented voices through ethical producing practices. We curate a collective space for creation and discussion of opera's impact in Portland and beyond.
https://www.renegadeopera.org/About Annie Sherman, voice
About Robert Wesley Mason, baritone
About Claire Forstman, piano
About Owen Broder, saxophone
About Kelly Gronli, oboe & English horn
About Eric Parchen, percussion
Eric was born and raised in Richland, Washington where he started his musical career playing percussion in many school ensembles. He attended the University of Idaho where he studied with Dan Bukvich and received degrees in Percussion Performance and Music Education.
After graduating, he moved to Seattle to start his career as a freelance drummer and instructor. in addition to coaching drumlines and percussion sections at middle and high schools, he also has played with a wide variety of ensembles around Seattle. These include Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder drumline, Seattle Sounders Sound Wave band, Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra, Rainier Symphony, Seattle Musical Theater, Renton Civic Theater, and various large and small jazz ensembles.
About Matthew Rowning, guitar
About Ryan Messling, double bass
Ryan Messling has been playing bass for 16 years and started playing bass in fifth grade at Chester Elementary School. Ryan played bass all throughout Middle School and High School and performed in many ensembles including the Concert Choir, Jazz Choir, Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Jazz Band. As an active member of the Spokane Local 105 musicians union, Ryan performed in many theatres in the Spokane area including the Lakecity Playhouse and Christian Youth Theatre. After high school he attended the Lionel Hampton School of Music at the University of Idaho and got his undergraduate degree in Instrumental Music Education.
Since his undergrad Ryan has taught in both Vancouver Public Schools and Battle Ground Public Schools. Ryan student taught with Danielle Armstrong and Greg McKelvey in Battle Ground Public Schools. He is currently the band director at Prairie High School and has been since 2016. Jazz has always been one of Ryan's passion from a young age and how has the opportunity to direct his High School jazz band which has received high accolades. He is very excited to be in the Vanport Jazz Band and looks forward to giggin with the band in the future!