ELEMENTARY ENSEMBLES CONCERT
CONDUCTORS
LATASHIA BRIDGES
CHANELL CHILDERS
DOUGLAS ESCOBAR
JUNE 27, 2025 | 4PM
Atlanta
Music Project Board of Directors
Philip M. Juravel, CPA, Chair
Jennifer Dorian, Vice-Chair
Byron Gibbs, Treasurer
Racheal Woods, Secretary
Sarah Griesenauer-Barros, Ben Cherian, Anne Cross, Deva Hirsch, Valerie L. Holmes, James F. Lock III, Aaron C. Mitchell, Ceasar C. Mitchell Jr.,
Aisha Moody, Shawn Pacely, Andy D. Pittman, Dantes Rameau, John Sparrow
Atlanta Music Project Staff
Aisha Moody, Co-Founder & Chief Program Officer
Amber Taylor, Associate Director of AMP Academy
Breanna Johnson, Director of Choral Programs
Cruz Duhart, Operations Associate
Dantes Rameau, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Dennis Freeman, Van Driver
D’Laney Bowry, Development & Grants Manager
Durand Bailey, Senior Director of Operations
Isaiah Cuffey, Preparatory School Program Manager
Jack W. Wagner, Director of Grants
José L. Morales, Marketing & Graphic Design Associate
Lauren Jones, Program Operations Associate
Lauren Spence, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer
Liesl McWhorter, Youth Orchestras Program Manager
Lydia Falcon, After-School Programs Associate
Michael Crawford, Facilities Manager
Miriam Huppert, Director of College & Career Services
Nassareen Rahman, Van Driver
Ron Pace, Finance Manager
| AMP
AMP SUMMER SERIES INSTITUTIONAL DONORS
Funding provided in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Department of Community Development.
Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.
This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
LATASHIA BRIDGES | CONDUCTOR
AMP SUMMER SERIES ELEMENTARY ORCHESTRA
Ms. LaTashia S. Bridges, is a native of Atlanta, GA and a product of the Atlanta Public and Fulton County School systems. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA. As a violinist, she has performed with several well-known symphonies including Cobb Symphony Orchestra, Valdosta Symphony Orchestra and Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral Orchestra.
Ms. Bridges currently teaches Kindergarten in the Cobb County School System. In the past Ms. Bridges has taught middle school and elementary orchestra in the Atlanta, Cobb and Fulton County Area Schools.
An accomplished violinist, Ms. Bridges teaches orchestra with the Atlanta Music Project.
Ms. Bridges has also been an active instructor of the William Grant Still and African American Black Heritage Orchestras.
Ms. Bridges is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, the women’s professional music fraternity and the Tau Beta Sigma Sorority, as well as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Ms. Bridges is also actively involved in music education organizations such as The National Association of Music Education (MENC) and American String Teachers Association (ASTA).
CHANELL CHILDERS | CONDUCTOR
AMP SUMMER SERIES ELEMENTARY CHOIR
A Philadelphia native, Chanell Childers is a singer, teacher, musician, and a mentor. At a very young age, she was exposed to music of all genres by her parents. At six, Chanell started studying classical piano followed by three years of acting at Freedom Theater in Philadelphia, PA. While at Freedom Theater she discovered that she also had the gift of singing. She was told by many of her teachers that her voice was simply beyond her time. With this newfound talent, Chanell’s parents decided to have her study voice. While attending The Philadelphia High School for Girls, Chanell was the first student in school history to receive a standing ovation and an encore at the age of 14. With this confirmation from her peers, she decided from that day on that she would share her God-given talents with the world through music.
Chanell holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music (Voice) from Clark Atlanta University. At CAU she had the opportunity to study jazz with James Patterson, Director of the Clark Atlanta University Jazz Orchestra. Chanell’s experience with the CAU Jazz Orchestra gave her the chance to interact and perform with and open for legends like Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Kirk Whalum, Roberta Flack, Ramsey Lewis, Jon Faddis, James Moody, Ernestine Anderson, Nancy Wilson, Roy Hargrove, Lalah Hathaway, Take 6, Nnenna Freelon.
Chanell is the lead vocalist of the Clark Atlanta University Alumni Jazz Orchestra. She has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival (Montreux, Switzerland), Umbria Jazz Festival (Umbria, Italy), North Sea Jazz Festival (Den Haag, Netherlands), and the Jazz Vienne Festival (Vienne, France). She also has received a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from The University of Miami. Chanell currently gigs around town and is also an Elementary Music Teacher with the DeKalb County School District. She also teaches private voice andpiano lessons. This is Chanell’s tenth year teaching for Atlanta Music Project as the Choral Conductor of the Preparatory Chorus. Chanell believes that educating young people, both musicians and non-musicians, has propelled her advocacy for social change through their growth and development.
DOUGLAS ESCOBAR | CONDUCTOR
AMP SUMMER SERIES ELEMENTARY BAND
Douglas Escobar is a professional trumpet player based in Atlanta, GA. Born and raised in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Douglas’s love for trumpet developed at a very early age. After many years of honing his musical craft in Honduras, Douglas travelled to the United States to further his studies at Columbus State University, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Trumpet Performance in 2022.
Douglas continued his studies at Georgia State University, achieving his Master of Music in Orchestral Performance in 2024. When not performing at various gigs and local churches, Douglas enjoys teaching numerous music classes at AMP, as well as private trumpet lessons across the metro-Atlanta area.
CONCERT PROGRAM
AFRICAN DRUM & DANCE ENSEMBLE
Dr. Ramatu Afegbua-Sabbatt | Coordinator
Doudunba (Warriors Dance)
From Mali (Mandika Empire)
AMP SUMMER SERIES ELEMENTARY CHOIR
Chanell Childers | Conductor Tammy Harper | Collaborative Pianist
Sansa Kroma.............................................................Traditional African Folk Song arr. Michael Scott
A Symphony of the Heart.................................................................Rollo Dilworth
Birdland...........................................................................................Josef Zawinul arr. Tom Anderson
Seasons of Love..........................................................................Jonathan Larson from RENT arr. Tom Anderson
AMP SUMMER SERIES ELEMENTARY ORCHESTRA
LaTashia Bridges | Conductor Anthony Daniel | Electric Bass Corey Raymond | Drum Set
Kalimba Lullaby.........................................................................Lauren Bernofsky
Mystic Caravan.........................................................................Soon Hee Newbold At the Grasshopper Ball ..................................................................Richard Meyer
AMP SUMMER SERIES ELEMENTARY BAND
Douglas Escobar | Conductor Anthony Daniel | Electric Bass Corey Raymond | Drum Set
Sailor’s Song.........................................................................Traditional Folk Song
African Dances.........................................................................Robert E. Foster Jr.
As the Clock Strikes!...........................................................................Jerry Burns
Manga African Dance
DANCE TEACHERS
Ife Morris Butler
Nadia Trotter Walker
Aisha Hajara Mahmud
PERFORMERS
DRUM TEACHERS
Maimouna Jhamicia Hale
Fatima Yola Sabbatt
Jahbri Black
AMP SUMMER SERIES ELEMENTARY CHOIR
Alaina Harrison
Aminah Assad
Brayden Robinson
Cambri Franks
Demi McKee
Devon VanDyke
Drew Sturchio Jr.
Emerie Forogo
Emma Dudley
Genevieve DeCriscio
Jacare Jackson
Kamari Wilder
Kameron Lester
Kiyomi Jones
Kyliee Freeman
Layla Samy - Lyles
London Ewan
Matthew Futch
Mckenzie Rogers
Nivelle Parker
Reign Westbrook
NRobert Howard
Sovereign Pohl-Campbell
Tafari Bradford
Tarianna Rowland
Zahera Abdullah-Towns
AMP SUMMER SERIES ELEMENTARY ORCHESTRA
VIOLIN
Braelin Pittman
Aya Brown
Cymone Francis
Autumn Perry
Tymeir Malloy
VIOLIN II
Rebecca Fanning
Hunter Graves
Aniyah Neasman-Byfield
Melody Hayes
Kelly Felder
Lori Felder
Zoe Adams
VIOLA
Elyse Ezzard
Kylee James
Malaika Phillips
CELLO
Maaz Muhammad
Mahogany Williams
Abigail Lawrence
DOUBLE BASS
Terry Dent
Tye Dent
Sulaiman Abdul-Samaad
Maya Walton
Amora Rutland
Auriyah Johnson
London Watson
AMP SUMMER SERIES ELEMENTARY BAND
FLUTE
Naomi Lloyd
Nylah Lloyd
Ina - Simone Bowman
Zella Kolts
Gia Harris
JubaRose Dunnaville
FRENCH HORN
Ora Collier
Tyler Slaton
OBOE
Hunter Spear
CLARINET
Jeremiah Westover
Daniella Obuseh
Emmanuella Obuseh
Sathya Dunnaville
BASSOON
Parker Bowden
TRUMPET
Erica Peterson
Haidir Spear
TROMBONE
Hunter Wade
PERCUSSION
Hasim Spear
Noah Davis
Langston Rogers
Armaan Jones
Lyriq Sibille
the atlanta music project mission and history
Founded in 2010, the Atlanta Music Project (AMP) provides world-class music training and performance opportunities supporting youth growth and development. Operating in under-resourced communities, AMP’s mission is to empower youth to realize their possibilities through music.
AMP serves over 1,000 young musicians annually through band, orchestra, and choir programs, private lessons, and the annual month-long AMP Summer Series. The AMP Senior Youth Orchestras and Choirs perform and compete both nationally and internationally. Additionally, AMP houses a college and career program, supporting AMP high school students and alumni. Since 2021, AMP has awarded $545,000 in college scholarships to its alumni.
AMP music ensembles perform more than 60 concerts annually, performing in venues all across Atlanta, from community centers to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. AMP music ensembles have performed alongside international stars such as cellist Sterling Elliott, rapper Lecrae, operatic baritone Edward Parks, R&B singer Monica, The Piano Guys, the Harlem Quartet, electric violinist Lindsey Stirling, pianist Terrence Wilson, and the Imani Winds. AMP musicians can be seen performing with rapper T.I. on NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series.
AMP’s young musicians have successfully auditioned for Georgia All-State ensembles, and performed with the Atlanta Opera, the Atlanta Ballet, and the Fox Theatre. AMP ensembles have concertized as far away as Los Angeles, Aspen, Mexico, Canada, and New Zealand. The AMP Senior Youth Choir was crowned winner of the Youth Choirs category at the Open Competition of the 2024 World Choirs Games.
AMP is the recipient of several prestigious awards: 2015 Local Community Service Award (Spelman College), 2016 Neighborhood Builder (Bank of America), 2016 & 2017 Top 50 Youth Arts Program (USA President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities), 2018 MLK Jr. Community Service Award (Emory University), 2019 Luminary Award for Arts Education (ArtsATL), and 2021 Infusion Award (Lewis Prize for Music).
AMP’s current major funders include the Chestnut Family Foundation, Intuit Mailchimp, the Abraham J. & Phyllis Katz Foundation, the Harland Charitable Foundation, the Arthur M. Blank Foundation, The Rich’s Foundation, the Sartain Lanier Foundation, the Luluma Foundation, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Fulton County Arts Council, Georgia Council for the Arts, Georgia Department of Education, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Delta Community Credit Union, the Next Generation Fund, and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
In 2024, AMP became the recipient of five Steinway pianos and was awarded the prestigious honor of being a Steinway Select School, making AMP one of eight schools in the country with this distinction.
AMP’s partners and collaborators include the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, Atlanta Public Schools, Clayton State University, and the Chestnut Family Foundation.
AMP’s existence is a direct result of the 2009 TED Prize, which was awarded to Dr. Jose Antonio Abreu, founder of Venezuela’s El Sistema. AMP’s co-founders were members of the Sistema Fellows Program at the New England Conservatory in Boston. AMP is a member of “El Sistema USA,” the National Alliance of El Sistema Inspired Programs.
For more information visit http://www.atlantamusicproject.org
YOUNG MUSICIAN PATHWAYS
& CAREER SCHOLARSHIPS, EMPLOYMENT, ADVISING
ADVANCED PROGRAMS
AMP SENIOR YOUTH ORCHESTRA & CHOIR
INTERNATIONAL TOURS & COMPETITIONS
COLLEGE & CAREER SERVICES
INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMS
AMP JUNIOR YOUTH ORCHESTRAS
AMP JUNIOR YOUTH CHOIRS
PREPARATORY PROGRAMS
AMP AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
AMP PREPARATORY SCHOOL
EMPOWERING YOUTH TO REALIZE THEIR POSSIBILITIES THROUGH MUSIC
