DEAR FRIENDS
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the Atlanta Music Project’s 16th season. For those of you who may not know, our first program, back in 2010, was a small but mighty after-school orchestra program at the Gilbert House, a City of Atlanta Recreation Center in Southwest Atlanta. We had 30 elementary school students attending five days per week, in class for two hours each day! I remember being so inspired by their enthusiasm and natural ability. I was also grateful for their parents, who had the courage to entrust their children to a brand new organization. The teaching artists we hired were not just absolute professionals, they were fully behind our mission to empower youth to realize their possibilities through music.
Sixteen years later, those three groups - students, families, and teaching artists - remain the heart of our success. If they are the heart, our donors are our lungs. Donors breathe life into our vision that music training can lead to life-changing outcomes for youth. Without our cherished donors, AMP would simply not exist. Therefore, they have our ever-lasting gratitude. Tonight’s concert represents all the best parts of AMP coming together. The young musicians of our current youth orchestras and choirs have taken on the repertoire and coachings of our faculty with remarkable courage and artistry. I’m excited to follow their progress throughout this season. Thank you to you all for your continued involvement and support. Cheers to 16!
With Gratitude,
Dantes Rameau, Co-Founder & CEO
Atlanta Music Project 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.
KEEYEN MARTIN
AMP PREPARATORY CHOIR (1st-3rd)
Keeyen Martin, a dynamic Charlotte, NC native, has swiftly established himself as a captivating force in R&B, Pop, and Soul music. Recently celebrated as the “Electrifying R&B Prince,” Keeyen’s genre-blending style continues to inspire audiences worldwide, with performances that bridge generations and leave a lasting impact at every show.
Earning the prestigious Michael Jackson Scholarship to Morehouse College, Keeyen achieved his BA in Music and Spanish before going on to complete his Master’s in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University. His academic achievements are matched by an illustrious performance career: Keeyen has shared stages with industry legends including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Pharrell Williams, John Legend, Monica, Lil Wayne, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Teyana Taylor, Kanye West, Rick Ross, Keyshia Cole, Tweet, Michelle Williams, Mya, Keri Hilson, Raheem Devaughn, Peabo Bryson, KeKe Wyatt, PJ Morton, Common, Lalah Hathaway, and BeBe & CeCe Winans, among others.
Keeyen’s performance résumé spans major music platforms, from sold-out R&B tours and an extensive 25-city international tour across the UK and Europe, to high-profile appearances at The BET Awards, Roots Picnic, Red Bull Music Fest, Vh1 Save the Music, BET Music Matters, Sofar Sounds, Grammy Week events, TV One Trumpet Awards, and many more. His powerful presence has been felt on iconic stages such as the Vatican for Pharrell’s “Grace For The World” Concert and
renowned festivals, television events, and global tours.
Offstage, Keeyen is equally impactful as an educator and mentor. Through his involvement with The Atlanta Music Project and Inspire The Fire, he has guided over 1,000 youth—providing voice lessons, coaching, and artistic training to soloists, ensembles, and choirs of all ages. Most recently, he has begun teaching Artist Development at Morehouse College, Led instruction with The ABSYO Chorus in Antigua and Barbuda, and facilitated instruction and taught arrangements to a 25O voice choir in Rome, Italy. All of these endeavors readily pave the way for the launch of his own artist development agency.
Keeyen’s artistry is marked by chart-topping releases, with singles like “Scared To Love,” “You Should Know,” “Girl I’m on the Way,” and “Paradise” earning spots on the iTunes Top 100 and his debut EP “Neutral” amassing over a million streams. His music has received prominent placement on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, BET, Bravo, Fox, and in national films, further showcasing his reach and versatility. With each accolade and performance, Keeyen Martin redefines the sound and soul of contemporary R&B—proving himself an artist, mentor, and visionary to watch.
CHANELL CHILDERS
AMP PREPARATORY CHOIR (4th-5th)
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.
(1st-3rd)
Keeyen Martin | Conductor
Eli Manos | Collaborative Pianist
Do Re Mi.........................................................................Oscar Hammerstein II arr. Richard Rogers
On The Sunny Side of the Street.................................................Jimmy McHugh arr. Rosana Eckert
Lean on Me.....................................................................................Bill Withers Arr. Roger Emerson
Soloist
Anya Jones, Prince McCleary, & Bria Baker
Cripple Creek..............................................................................Emily Crocker ATLANTA MUSIC
(4th-5th)
Chanell Childers | Conductor
Eli Manos | Collaborative Pianist Lightning!........................................................................................Greg Gilpin
The Moon.........................................................................................Andy Beck
Tuxedo Junction...............................................Buddy Feyne, Erskine Hawkins, William Johnson, Julian Dash arr. Mac Huff
RESERVE YOUR TICKETS HERE
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT PREPARATORY CHOIR (1st-3rd)
Aiyanna Murray
Amir Moreland
Anya Jones
Aubrie Gibson
Brayden Robinson
Bria Baker
Elijah Pope
Emery Bonner
Emily Pope
Esmé Figueiredo
Grace Brown
Isaiah Pope Jett Thompson
Jovie Harris
Justice Moore
Lauryn Malmin
Leah Ward
Levi Wade
Lucas Sunkett
Meilani Thomas
Prince McCleary
Reign Major
Re’Ean Jackson
Samantha Graves
Sierra Griffin
Sydni Parker
Xander Sonubi
Zariah Burke
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT PREPARATORY CHOIR (4th-5th)
Alaina Harrison
Aminah Assad
Auriyah Johnson
Brylee Whetzel
Cambri Franks
Captain Cobb
Dalila Shields
Demi McKee
Drew Sturchio Jr.
Elyse Ezzard
Emerie Forogo
Genevieve Chitescu Weik
Isabella Jackson
Jeremiah Williams
Jisele Allen
Kameron Lester
Kiymoi Jones
Londyn Graves
Miracle Blakley
Niliyma Burke
Reign Pohl-Campbell
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT RHYTHM BAND
ELETRIC BASS
Ray Ransom
DRUMS
Corey Raymond
Tarianna Rowland
Zahera Abdullah-Towns
Zara Francois
Zariyah Ellison
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, Elijah Brown, 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
Kamyron Williams, Music Career Advisor
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
DEC 15 -16 | 5PM-8PM | AMP CENTER CLICK
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT YOUTH CHOIRS AUDITIONS
DEC 15 -16 | 5PM-8PM | AMP CENTER
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
COLLEGE & CAREER
SCHOLARSHIPS, EMPLOYMENT, ADVISING ALUMNI STATUS
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
