The 2024 Music of the African Diaspora Festival

Music Of The AfricAn DiAspora festivaL

Saturday, February 10, 2024

4:00pm

AMP Youth Orchestras

Friday, February 16, 2024

7:00pm

AMP After-School Orchestras

Sunday, February 11, 2024 4:00pm AMP Youth Choirs

Sunday, March 3, 2024

4:00pm

AMP Preparatory School

Special Guests Corner Children’s Choir

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, Lee Sheehan Templin

Atlanta Music Project Staff

Durand Bailey, Senior Director of Operations

D’Laney Bowry, Development & Grants Associate

Michael Crawford, Facilities Manager

Isaiah Cuffey, Preparatory School Program Manager

Lydia Falcon, After-School Programs Associate

Erin Fender, Marketing & Social Media Manager

Dennis Freeman, Van Driver

Miriam Huppert, Director of College & Career Services

Breanna Johnson, Director of Choral Programs

Jessica McCrary, Program Operations Associate

Liesl McWhorter, Interim Youth Orchestras Program Associate

Aisha Moody, Co-Founder & Chief Program Officer

Jose Morales, Interim Marketing & Development Assoicate

Ron Pace, Finance Manager

Nassareen Rahman, Van Driver

Dantes Rameau, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Amber Smith, Associate Director of AMP Academy

Lauren Spence, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer

Jack W. Wagner, Associate Director of Grants

history of the african diaspora

The history of the African Diaspora and its profound influence on the world’s music is a captivating narrative that spans centuries and continents. Originating in the vibrant and diverse musical traditions of Africa, the journey begins with rhythms and melodies that would later transcend geographical boundaries.

The brutal era of the transatlantic slave trade witnessed the forced displacement of millions, yet within the harsh conditions of enslavement, African captives preserved their cultural identity through music. Spirituals and work songs emerged, laying the groundwork for the rich tapestry of musical expressions that would follow.

In the Caribbean and South America, the rhythmic beats of the Diaspora became intrinsic to the development of musical genres such as reggae, salsa, and samba. Enslaved Africans played a pivotal role, infusing their cultural heritage into the music of these regions. The fusion of African rhythms with indigenous and European influences in Latin America gave birth to unique genres like Afro-Cuban jazz and bossa nova, reflecting a harmonious blending of diverse musical elements.

In North America, the African Diaspora played a pivotal role in shaping iconic musical genres. The soulful strains of blues, the improvisational spirit of jazz, and the uplifting sounds of gospel music were all born out of the African American experience. The struggles for civil rights and the urban experience found expression in the revolutionary rise of hip-hop and rap, marking a cultural turning point that resonates globally.

In the contemporary era, the influence of the African Diaspora on music remains vibrant. Artists continue to blend traditions, pushing the boundaries of genres and embracing innovation. The global fusion of styles reflects the interconnectedness of cultures, showcasing the enduring impact of the diaspora on the ever-evolving world of music.

Celebrating the diversity and unity forged through this musical journey is essential. The African Diaspora’s legacy is not merely a historical artifact but a living, breathing force that shapes the cultural landscape. As we immerse ourselves in the melodies and rhythms born from the diaspora, we honor resilient and creative people whose contributions echo through the corridors of time.

The history of the African Diaspora and music is a testament to the power of cultural exchange, the strength of the human spirit, and the ability of music to bridge gaps and unite hearts across the globe.

Atlanta Music Project

After-School Orchestras Program Partner

Mayor

The Honorable Andre Dickens

City Council

Doug Shipman, Council President

Jason Winston, District 1

Amir R. Farokhi, District 2

Byron Amos, District 3

Jason Dozier, District 4

Liliana Bakhtiari, District 5

Alex Wan, District 6

Howard Shook, District 7

Mary Norwood, District 8

Dustin R. Hillis, District 9

Andrea L. Boone, District 10

Marci Collier Overstreet, District 11

Antonio Lewis, District 12

Michael Julian Bond, Post 1

Matt Westmoreland, Post 2

Keisha Sean Waites, Post 3

City of Atlanta Office of Recreation and Youth Development

Justin Cutler, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner

Doug Voss, Deputy Commissioner

Ramondo Davidson, MBA,CPRP, Director of Recreation

Sonia Wimbish, Asistantant Director of Recreation

Charles Brown, II, MPA, Operations Director

Tiffani D. Bryant, Operations Director

Shelby Beverly, Recreation Program Supervisor

Perkerson Park Recreation Center

Terrence Boney, Senior Recreation Operations Assistant

Asia Jackson, Recreation Operations Assistant

Xavier Adams, Recreation Operations Assistant

South Bend Center for Arts & Culture

Akua Pippins, Community Facility Manager

Donna Wahl, Recreation Operations Assistant

Jalen Shields, Recreation Operations Assistant

Joshua Brown, Recreation Operations Assistant

Atlanta Music Project program sponsors

The Atlanta Music Project is grateful for the support of our major institutional donors

The Next Gen Fund | Anonymous Donation

Funding provided in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Department of Community Development.

Major funding for these organizations are provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. These programs are supported by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.

Atlanta Music Project junior youth orchestra I

Logan Souther, Conductor

The Banana Boat Song...........................................................................................Traditional

Kalimba Lullaby.....................................................................................................Traditional

Atlanta Music Project junior youth orchestra II

Logan Souther, Conductor

Bossa Verde...........................................................................................................Bert Ligon

Danse

Atlanta Music Project senior youth orchestra strings Pablo Zamora, Guest Conductor

saturday, February 10, 2024 at 4:00pm

Atlanta Music Project

Youth orchestra winds Logan Souther, Conductor

Day-O....................................................................................Irving Burgie & William Attaway arr. Sweeney

Ember Skies...........................................................................................................Kevin Day

Coming For To Carry Me Home...........................................................................Justin Harden

Atlanta Music Project

senior youth orchestra Winds

with guest musicians from local college music programs

Pablo Zamora, Guest Conductor

Caribana Afterparty..........................................................................................Omar Thomas

Michael Jackson Through The Years..........................................................arr. Michael Brown

sunday, February 11, 2024 at 4:00pm

Atlanta Music Project Preparatory choir I

Keeyen Martin, Conductor

Eli Manos, Collaborative Pianist

Siyahamba.................................................................................................African Folk Song arr. Brad Nix

One Love..............................................................................................................Bob Marley arr. Mark Brymer

Atlanta Music Project Preparatory choir II

Chanell Childers, Conductor

Eli Manos, Collaborative Pianist

It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)...........................Duke Ellington, Irving Mills arr. Roger Emerson

Wade in the Water, Children!....................................................................Traditional Spiritual arr. Ken Berg

Atlanta Music Project junior youth choir

Pamela Dillard, Conductor

Eli Manos, Collaborative Pianist

Everlasting Melody.......................................................................................Rollo A. Dilworth

Plena.................................................................................................................Diana V. Sáez

Beloved............................................................................................................Mark A. Miller I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray..........................................................................André J. Thomas

sunday, February 11, 2024 at 4:00pm

Atlanta Music Project Senior youth choir

B. E. Boykin, Conductor

Tammy Harper, Collaborative Pianist

The Word Was God.......................................................................................Rosephanye Powell

I Know I’ve Been Changed................................................................African-American Spiritual arr. Damon H. Dandridge

Mata del Anima Sola.........................................................................................Antonio Estévez

A Quiet Place.................................................................................................Ralph Carmichael arr. Jerry Rubino

That’s How the Good Lord Works...........Phyliss McKoy Joubert, Hezekiah Walker, David Frazier arr. Jason White, Philip Cornish

Atlanta Music Project combined choirs

Pamela Dillard, Conductor

Eli Manos, Collaborative Pianist

Lift Every Voice and Sing..................................................................John Rosamond Johnson arr. Allen Pote

Lift Every Voice and Sing

“Often referred to as “The Black National Anthem,” Lift Every Voice and Sing was a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900. His brother, John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954), composed the music for the lyrics. A choir of 500 schoolchildren at the segregated Stanton School, where James Weldon Johnson was principal, first performed the song in public in Jacksonville, Florida to celebrate President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.” -NAACP

Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise

High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us. Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,

Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet

Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;

Thou who hast by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand.

True to our God, True to our native land.

Siyahamba

African Folk Song arr. Brad Nix

We are marching in the light of God. We are marching in the light of God.

We are marching, we are marching, ooh, We are marching in the light of God.

Plena Diana V. Sáez

Plena, let’s dance the plena, Plena Puerto Rican, with lots of flavor.

It’s played with hand drum, with güiro, with drum. Let’s dance the plena with lots of flavor, Let’s dance the plena of my heart.

Plena, plena, is a rhythm good really, Plena, plena, is very good to dance.

Mata del Anima Sola

Antonio Estévez

Tree of the lonely soul, wide opening of the riverside— now you will be able to say: Here slept Cantaclaro.

With the whistle and the sting of the twisting wind, the dappled and violet dusk quietly entered the corral.

The night, tired mare, shakes her mane and black tail above the riverside; and, in its silence, your ghostly heart is filled with awe.

16,

friday, February 16, 2024 at 7:00pm

atlanta music project after-school orchestras perkerson park beginning strings

Meghan Yost, Conductor

Meguru for Beginning Strings......................................................................arr. Meghan Yost

We Shall Overcome......................................................................................arr. Meghan Yost

Diarro Loro Lora...........................................................................................arr. Meghan Yost

perkerson park string ensemble

Dr. Emily Boone, Conductor

D Scale Round.......................................................................................................Traditional

Banana Boat Song.................................................................................................Traditional

Frank J. Halferty

perkerson park combined strings

Meghan Yost, Conductor

Kalimba Lullaby.....................................................................................................Traditional

Lauren Bernofsky

sunday, march 3, 2024 at 4:00pm

sunday, march 3, 2024 at 4:00pm

preparatory school string orchestra II

Dr. Lana Teko, Conductor

Eli Manos, Collaborative Pianist

Carolina Breeze............................................................................................arr. John Higgins

Matthew’s March.........................................................................................arr. John Higgins

Hot Cross Buns ............................................................................................arr. John Higgins

D Major Scale Up...........................................................................................arr. John Higgins

Buckeye Salute............................................................................................arr. John Higgins

Kalimba Lullaby.....................................................................................................Traditional arr.Lauren Bernofsky

Special Guests corners children’s choir

Marianella Lopez, Conductor

Jen Weier, Collaborative Pianist

Hush, Hush, Somebody’s Calling My Name...............................................Traditional Spiritual

Bonse Aba ...................................................................................................Victor C. Johnson

Guantanamera...............................................................................................Roger Emerson

sunday, march 3, 2024 at 4:00pm

atlanta music project preparatory choir I

Keeyen Martin, Conductor

Eli Manos, Collaborative Pianist

Morning Song (Las Mananitas)..................................................................Mexican Folk Song

Siyahamba.........................................................................................................arr. Brad Nix

Ain’t-A That Good News ......................................................................................John Leavitt

One Love..............................................................................................................Bob Marley arr. Mark Brymer

atlanta music project preparatory choir II

Chanell Childers, Conductor

Eli Manos, Collaborative Pianist

It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got that Swing)...........................Duke Ellington, Irving Mills arr. Roger Emerson Wade in the Water, Children!..............................................................................arr. Ken Berg

Let it Shine on Me..................................................................................arr. Reginal S. Wright preparatory choirs & corner childern’s choir

Keeyen Martin, Conductor

Eli Manos, Collaborative Pianist

We Are the World....................................................................Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie

sunday, march 3, 2024 at 4:00pm

Atlanta Music Project

Keeyen Martin, Conductor

Eli Manos, Collaborative Pianist

Lift Every Voice and Sing.............................James Weldon Johnson, John Rosamond Johnson arr. Rollo A. Dilworth

preparatory band, orchestra, choirs & corner chirldern’s choir corner chirldern’s choir

Victor Avila

Elizabeth Bamidele

Nathaniel Bamidele

Noelia Orocio Cruz

Maria Delgado

Axel Diaz

Adrian Gamez

Arianna Gomez

Aleyna Lopez

Yatziri Lopez

Ginna Mejia

Axel Velasquez Miguel

Jesus Morales

Ashley Orellana

Anderson Ortiz

Brainer Paris

Emory Paris

Andrea Perez

Gracie Perez

Juan Perez

Astrid Pojoy

Santiago Pojoy

Juan Esteban Reyes

Katherine Umana

Adolfo Vasquez

Darolin Vasquez

atlanta music project conductors

B.E. Boykin

AMP Senior Youth Choir

B.E. (Brittney Elizabeth) Boykin is a native of Alexandria, Virginia and comes from a musical family. At the age of 7, she began piano lessons and continued her studies through high school under the tutelage of Mrs. Alma Sanford. Mrs. Sanford guided her through various competitions, such as the NAACP’s ACT-SO competition where she garnered 1st place for 3 consecutive years in the local competition, as well as being awarded The Washington Post “Music and Dance Award” in the spring of 2007.

Boykin then pursued her classical piano studies at Spelman College under the leadership of Dr. Rachel Chung. After graduating Spelman College in 2011 with a B.A. in Music, Boykin continued her studies at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. During her time at Westminster, she was awarded the R and R Young Composition Prize just a few months shy of graduating with her M.M. in Sacred Music with a concentration in choral studies in May, 2013.

Boykin’s choral piece, “We Sing as One,” was commissioned to celebrate Spelman College’s 133rd Anniversary of its founding at the 2014 Founders Day Convocation. She has also been featured as the conductor/composer-in-residence for the 2017 Harry T. Burleigh Commemorative Spiritual Festival at Tennessee State University. Boykin has been commissioned and collaborated with several organizations, including a number of ACDA divisions, the Minnesota Opera and the Kennedy Center. She obtained her Ph.D. from Georgia State University with an emphasis in Music Education and is currently an Assistant Professor of Music at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Pamela dillard AMP Junior Youth Choir

Mezzo-Soprano, Pamela Dillard, a native Atlantan, performs frequently on concert stages, recitals, oratorio, and operas in Atlanta, Augusta, and Florida. Pamela was a featured artist on the concert “Sisters in Song” performing with Atlanta’s leading female song stylists, celebrating America’s Jazz Divas. She is a Professor of Voice at Spelman College, a board member of Capitol City Opera Company of Atlanta, and a member of National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. where she serves as a national board member. Pamela made her debut with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky, returning the following year to sing the title role in Bizet’s Carmen. She has appeared on the stages of several American opera companies and orchestras including, Atlanta Opera, Opera Carolina, Opera Columbus, Tulsa Opera and Boston, Saint Louis, Colorado, New Haven, and Cobb Symphony Orchestras and The Brooklyn Philharmonic among others. Pamela performed internationally with L’Opéra-Comique of Paris, France as Lily Holmes in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess in Paris, Normandi, Luxembourg, and Spain. She has sung under the baton of many of the world’s greatest conductors, some of which are Robert Spano, Donald Runnicles, Keith Lockhart, Yoel Levi, John Williams, Wayne Marshall, and David Morrow.

Earning her B.F.A. from Newcomb College of Tulane University, Pamela was a recipient of the M.L. King Graduate Fellowship at Boston University where she received a Master of Music. Her recordings include, Watch and Pray, Spirituals and Art Songs by African American Women Composers and Grant Still’s Highway One both for Videmus. She is the featured artist on the Grammy nominated soundtrack to Stephen Spielberg’s Amistad.

atlanta music project conductors

Logan souther

AMP Junior Youth Orchestra

Logan Souther is quickly developing a reputation as an orchestra conductor and pianist of significant talent with a serious approach to music in Atlanta, Georgia. A gifted conductor of the operatic repertoire, Logan has served on the music staff of the Sarasota Opera, Atlanta Opera, OperaNEO (San Diego), The Harrower Summer Opera Workshop, The Augusta Opera Initiative, and for several years was the music director and principal conductor for the Georgia State University Opera Theatre. While leading the GSU Opera Theatre Logan consistently raised artistic standards among singers and instrumentalists alike while performing reperoite that ranged from Mozart to Stephen Paulus.

Logan has served as a recurring guest conductor with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and for two seasons was the assistant conductor for the Bellingham Festival of Music, the premiere orchestral festival of the Pacific Northwest. Logan is the associate conductor of The Hamptons Festival of Music, where he also serves as artistic director of the THFM Salon Series community outreach programs. In partnership with The Hamptons International Film Festival Logan conducted a free performance of Charlie Chaplin’s A Dogs Life with the original score to an audience of over 200 residents of East Hampton, NY. With a passionate commitment to outreach and education, Logan has worked closely with the Atlanta Music Project where he has taught music theory, coached chamber ensembles, accompanied recitals and conducted both of AMP’s symphonic orchestras. The Atlanta Music Project is an El Sistema based organization which reaches hundreds of students in underserved communities each year.

An engaging arts entrepreneur, at the age of 19 Logan founded the Gainesville Sinfonietta where he was fully responsible for all levels of production and successfully mobilized funding for the Sinfonietta each year. The Gainesville Sinfonietta was a fully professional orchestra which performed free concerts each year for the North Georgia community.

Logan began intensive studies in orchestral at the age of 15 with Michael Palmer with whom he went on to study with at Georgia State University completing a Master’s in Orchestral Conducting (2017) and a Bachelor’s in Piano Performance (2016.) Additional teacher’s include Dwight Oltman and David Effron.

Pablo zamora, Guest Conductor

AMP Senior Youth Orchestra

Pablo Zamora is an orchestra conductor and music educator. Originally from Costa Rica, Zamora now calls Atlanta his home. He currently works as a teaching artist for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. His conducting engagements include the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, the National Symphony Orchestra of Argentina, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the University of Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra. As an educator he has worked with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Atlanta Music Project, the National Honor Orchestras of the National System of Music Educationof Costa Rica, and Orquesta Humanidades of the University of Costa Rica.

He has worked in the teams of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra 2, the Encuentros Festival of the Dudamel Foundation, the YOLA National Festival of the LA Philharmonic,and the Carlos Miguel Prieto Fellowship of the O Academy. He has studied under Marianne Ploger, Sarah Ioannides, Molly Turner, Catherine Larsen-Maguire, and Marin Alsop.

Composers & Arrangers of the MUsic of the African Diaspora Festival

andrzej kabinski akin euba

bernie hanighen bert kaempfert bert ligon

Basile Jean Bares billy strayhorn

bob russell C. winfred douglas

charles h. gabriel Charlie smalls Civilla D. Martin carlos simon

cootie williams

damien sneed david E. robinson III

dizzy gillespie duke ellington edvard grieg

david Mckeown

florence price

frederick hall george & ira gershwin

george david weiss giancarlo ortiz hall johnson

george douglas

harry thacker burleigh

ignatius sancho james hansen james m. guthrie

jermaine dupri

john newton john w. work jr.

johnta austin jordan moore joseph kosma john rosamund johnson

juwon ogungbe

kenneth kafui kurt weill

manuel seal margaret bonds mariah carey

manny kurtz

matthew hagle

meghan yost milt gabler

moses hogan

Padre Jose Maurício Nunes Garcia

paul lauernce dunbar

Morakot Cherdchoo-ngarm

paul zukofsky

rachel barton pine Ramón “Mongo” Santamaría Rodríguez

raynor carroll robert l. morris

roberta flack ray parker

scott joplin

AMP’s 2024 GMEA All-state accolades

The Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) hosts a yearly All-State Festival for musicians throughout the State of Georgia. This festival is composed of young musicians who succesfully passed both rounds of the All-State audition process. It should be known that this process is competitive and requires a high level of musicianship and skill. For Returning AMP Academy Students, this opportunity is prioritized because we believe it contributes to our students’ development and musical growth. It is our belief that students who successfully pass and participate in GMEA’s All-State Festival are likely to be well prepared to audition for colleges and summer festivals both locally and internationally.

Since August 1st, AMP Academy student’s have worked alongside AMP Faculty through clinics, mock auditions, and weekly private lessons to prepare for GMEA All-State Festival. We are beyond proud and thrilled to see our AMP students participate in All-State this year and look forward to look forward to working with AMP Faculty and families collaborating with Faculty and Families to empower our students to succeed.

All-State Participants: Orchestra

Faith Clark, cello, Studio of Ismail Akbar, All-State Middle School Orchestra, 8th Grade

Priya Gingrich, cello, Studio of Ismail Akbar, First Chair 9th/10th String Orchestra, 10th Grade

Chorus

Neilah Bell, soprano, Studio of Ibukun Babalola, 11th/12th Mixed Chorus, 11th Grade

Dalin Davis, bass, 11th/12th Mixed Chorus, 12th Grade

Students who made District Honor Ensembles: Band

Samuel Leyimu, clarinet, Studio of Andrew Warwick, 8th Grade

Spencer Branch, trombone, Studio of Ed Nicholson, 12th Grade

Students who Passed First Round: Orchestra

Vincent Schubert, violin, Studio of Kerren Berz, 11th Grade

Joshua Croom, viola, Studio of Meghan Yost, 11th Grade

Sage Mae Lima-Jeffries, cello, Studio of Ismail Akbar, 12th Grade

Chorus

Tyaire Charles, tenor, Studio of Austin Cripe, 11th Grade

atlanta music project junior youth orchestra I

Violin I

Paris Adams

Amari Slaton

Larry Parson Jr.

Isaac Collier

Liyana Ameen

Violin II

Dulce Tapia

Ethan Ezzard

Na’ima Shabazz

Chenzira Hardy

Viola

Alauna Armstead

Raelan Robinson

Colony Calhoun Amira Gaines

Cello

Bena-Nsilu Tiya

Sanaa Slaton

Mah Kouyate

Double Bass

Xavier Francois Lourdess Culpatrick

atlanta music project junior youth orchestra II

Violin I

Foster Wilson

Malia White

Autumn Inman

Paytience Wilson

Elly Jabari

Violin II

Ethan Waithe

Aaliyah Breaux

Joel Rai

Ta’Kari Tatum

Jonmarie Penda

Viola Tristan Legette

Cello Preston Walton

Julianna Moronta

Elaysia McMillan Khamari McIver

Double Bass Nia Blount

Brandon Mines

atlanta music project Youth orchestra winds

Oboe

Nehemiah Preston Flute ++Matthieu Clave

+Jennifer Smith Hailey Haye

Otis Stone

Trumpet

++Aiken del Aguila

Mozaiah Jabari

Jacob Inthasone

++Douglas Escobar

Asher Bryant

Clarinet

Samuel Leyimu

*Alex Kao Adrianne Johnson Horn

London Moreland Preston Harris

Tenor Sax

++Rodney Allen

Trombone Spencer Branch

Joel Patrick Tuba

*Nick Lane Antonio Phillips Christian Ramos

Percussion

Dave Anderson

++Dominic Ryder

*Zyler Osborn

*Dylan Mantione

*Noah Burgess

+Kyle Parciany

++Alek Gayton

atlanta music project senior youth orchestra

Violin I

Asha White

Vincent Schubert

Miriam Needham

Gabrielle Hemming

Marlee Carter

Jackson Betts

*Music Major

+Professional Musician

++AMP Faculty

Violin II

Azza Obeng

Elena Alejandro

Koa Edwards

Caliah Matamoros

Anaya Ricketts

Chloe Felton

Viola

Vivian Dolensky

Joshua Croom

Nicholas Doyle

Kree Willingham

Jeremiah Holt

Cello

David Walton

Yahsia Jabari

Sage Mae Lima-Jeffries

Faith Clark

Virika Earl

Carson Williams Kendel Felton

Vinny Montague

Priya Gingrich

Double Bass

Brooklyn Chaney

Yusef Henry

atlanta music project junior youth choir

Soprano

Zenobiah Arif

Zoey Bennett

Da’janel Chatmon

Araeia Collins

Keziah Hadley

Cheyenne Harris

Mikaila Haynes

Elouise Hunt

Lauren Hunter

Sydney Jablonsky

Jayla Jacobs

Lily Joyner

Jessica Leggins

Timotheous McGuire Jr.

Mia McIennon

Milan Russell

Nelina Thomas

Skylar Whitaker

Alto

Aiyé Banks

Celeste Banks

Jonah Banks

Joshua Banks

Nia Colton

Octavia Dickerson

Thais El-Amin

Preston Harris

Samaira Jackson

Mah Kouyate

Makaylah Owens-Cook

Myrielle Rackley

Reagyn Requena

Laila Smith

Ta’Kari Tatum

Alena Wall

atlanta music project senior youth choir

Soprano

Neilah Bell

Destiny Brown

Tatiana Dickerson

Mya Johnson

Bailey Mines

Coco Perkins

Makyla Platt

Taylor Pollock

Nailah Ruffin

Rachel Walker

Sasha Williams

Alto Aria Armstead

Janaé Banks

Beyuti Burrows

Chloe Collier

Ariel Crumbley

Yahsia Jabari

Eden Kearse

River Kearse

Sage Mae Lima-Jeffries

Shana Liverpool

Amaya Paylor

Destiny Sutton

Maya Winfrey

Tenor

Tyaire Charles

Raja Green-Hornes

Mike Leon Martinez

Vinny Montague

Connor Sample

Kaleb Trotman Bass

Alexander Beaty

Isaac Collier

Andrew Crumbley

Dalin Davis

Satu Garret

Elijah Stephens

Jonah Stowers

Caleb Vaughn

atlanta music project after-school orchestras

Perkerson park Beginning Strings

Violin Phillip

Perkerson park string ensemble

Lai’yon

Tristian

south bend center beginning winds

Trombone

south bend center wind ensemble

atlanta music project preparatory school

atlanta music project preparatory concert band

Flute

Captain Cobb

Jubilee Collier

Amira Hadley

Cari Williams Masson

Kuemora Stanfield

Trumpet

Bakari Blocton

Nathan Jackson

John Jones

Christian Jones

Braylen Mines

Morgan Pace

Tristan Requena

Kiah Stanfield

Zaki Walker

Ngozi Walker

Clarinet Miracle Blakley

Ragan Masson

Zaiden Owens

Bryce Stephens Albert Stevens Jr.

Cayden Velazquez

Trombone

Harrison Chapman

Judah Jones

Anyanwu Oparah-Madzimoyo

Israel Smith

Azaliyah Stevens

Zaiden Stevens

Frederick Todd

Oboe

Yosiyah Davenport

Anisa Durden Bassoon

Jonah Banks

Keyon Colbert

Syrus Paul

Blake Peterson

French Horn Ora Collier

Klae Deadwyler

Christian Harrison

Jameson Olowoyo

Tyler Slaton

Autumn Wesley

Percussion

Malachi Crowder

Maasai Jarrett

Noah Johnson

Raina Mcleod

Damion Ricketts

Justus Terrell

London Watson

Colvin Williams Jr.

atlanta music project preparatory orchestra I

Violin

Zoe Bingley

Jasmine Clark

Emma Collier

Lily Collier

Sally Erwin

Mariyah Hudson

Aiden Kosoko

Abrielle Pittman

Braelin Pittman

Kaitlyn Taylor

Viola

Shaka Beavers

Eliana Hodges

Chadwick Gregory

Alexander Kosoko

Tyriq Masson

Amir Watson

Quynn Wiggles

Zola Wyatt

Cello

Sulaiman Abdul-Samaad Macen Brown

Omasi El-Amin

Auriyah Johnson

Ira Hodges

Maya Walton

Double Bass

Tye Dent Quinn Fuller

atlanta music project preparatory school

atlanta music project preparatory orchestras II

Violin

Karter Brown

Zeena Diawara

Kandia Diawara

Rebecca Fanning

Zara Francois

Hunter Graves

Myles Harris

Kennedy Johnson

Somer Lindsay

Jude Sasfy

Zauditu Tafari

Tobias Teko

Nathaniel Teko

Feruzi Tiya

Viola

Grace DeLeon-Dixon

Malaika Phillips

Brianna Wright

Cello

Mason Brown

Azriel Imoikwere

Violet Montague

Amora Rutland

Manzo Tiya

Mahogany Williams

Double Bass

Terry Dent

atlanta music project preparatory choir I

Shaka Beaver

Aiyanna Bell

Kandia Diawara

Iris Egan

Z’Lani GadsdenSams-Sparks

Londyn Graves

Sloan Gray

Robert Howard

Isabella Jackson Anya Jones

Kiyomi Jones

Christian Markes

Grace Markes

Reign Marshall Serena Martin

Laura Grace Mims

Mei Ting Montague

Gavin Ossey

Tarianna Rowland

Carter Snoddy

Zahra Thousand-El Meilani Thomas

Sheldon Thomas

Brylee Whetzel-Hargraves

Jeremiah Williams

atlanta music project preparatory choir II

Justice Banks

Annistyn Beasley

Ildiko Binecz

Zaqaeus Blake

Rachelle Blakley

Imani Blount

Emma Collier

Lily Collier

Naomi Croom

Chloe Echols

Bailey Edwards

Cymone Francis

Taylor Franklin-Powell

Zahia GadsdenSams-Sparks

Mattison Gooch

Symphony Horton

Karma Jackson

Lucas Jones

Joi Leggins

Somer Lindsay

NinaRose Mims

Violet Montague

Noel Morgan

Nadia Nu’Man

Morgan Ossey

Areli Palacios

Nalivia Preston

Quinn Robinson

Zauditu Tafari

Amira Thousand-El Aya Walker

Aleena Windham

Jirad Williams

Demi Williams

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 700 young musicians annually through: beginner-level choir, band and orchestra through the AMP Preparatory School; the intermediate and advanced AMP Youth Orchestras & Choirs; private instrumental and vocal lessons through the AMP Academy; and the annual month-long AMP Summer Series. Additionally, AMP runs a college and career program, supporting AMP high school students and AMP alumni. Since 2021, AMP has awarded 50 college scholarships to its alumni, totaling $231,374.

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, performed with the Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Ballet, and have concertized as far away as Los Angeles, Aspen, Mexico City, and Scotland.

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 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.

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.

The Atlanta Music Project believes the pursuit of musical excellence leads to the development of confidence, creativity and ambition, bringing together youth, family and community for the greater good.