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 Associate
Durand Bailey, Senior Director of Operations
Dr. Emily Boone, Music Career Advisor
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
Ron Pace, Finance Manager
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.
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT JUNIOR YOUTH CHOIR
HOLIDAY PROGRAM
PAMELA DILLARD, Conductor ELI MANOS, Collaborative Pianist
Mary Sat A-Rockin’...........................................................................Greg Gilpin
Where the Light Begins................................................................Susan LaBarr Poem Reciters: Bailey Edwards, Anaiah Hale
Where the Light Begins
Text by Jan Richardson
Perhaps it does not begin. Perhaps it is always.
Perhaps it takes a lifetime to open our eyes, to learn to see what has forever shimmered in front of us the luminous line of the map in the dark the vigil flame in the house of the heart, the love so searing we cannot keep from singing, from crying out in testimony and praise.
Perhaps this day will be the mountain over which the dawn breaks.
Perhaps we will turn our face toward it, toward what has been always.
Perhaps our eyes will finally open in ancient recognition, willingly dazzled, illuminated at last.
Perhaps this day the light begins in us.
I Am His Child...............................................................................Moses Hogan
Umoja Tunaimba.....................................................................Victor C. Johnson
Soloists:
Jordan Hearn, Lauren Hunter, Makaylah Owens-Cook
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT SENIOR YOUTH CHOIR
KEEYEN MARTIN, Conductor
TAMMY HARPER, Collaborative Pianist
Ndikhokhele Bawo...................................A Traditional Prayer Sung in isiXhosa arr. Lhente-Mari Pitout
Soloists:
Zenobiah Arif, Neilah Bell, Rachel Walker
Carol for the Newborn King...............................................................Hyun Kook
Lyrics by Charles Anthony Silvestri Lullabye, hushabye, Sleep now my darling; Promised child, close your eyes. Angels and shepherds lift up their voices, Homage for you, their newborn king.
Lullabye, hushabye, Rest now, my dear one; All the world in darkness lies. Come tomorrow, all the earth with heaven rejoices, Our salvation you shall bring.
De Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy.......................................Traditional West Indian arr. James Fankhauser
Soloists: Joshua Banks, Tyaire Charles, Antwan Hailey Jr., Connor Sample
Children, Go Where I Send Thee...............Traditional African American Spiritual arr. Kevin Phillip Johnson Rap Crafted by Ayana Davis
Soloists:
Da’janel Chatmon, Connor Sample
O Holy Night..........................................................................Melvin Chrispell III arr. John Wasson
Soloists: Eden Kearse, Bailey Mines, Destiny Sutton
Umoja Tunaimba
Translation:
TRANSLATIONS
United we sing!
We will stand as one in unity!
We will lift our voices and we join our hearts singing songs of justice and peace. We stand together as the children of God bringing hope to humanity.
We will sing for peace! We will sing for joy! We will sing for love!
Ndikhokhele Bawo
Translation:
Xhosa
Ndikhokhele Bawo
Ndikhokhele bawo, zundi khokhele
Ndikhokhele mmeli wami, ezintsizini
Ezintsizini, zalomhlaba bawo
Bawo, Bawo, Bawo
Bawo ndiyabonga
Ngoba wena, usandigcinile
Noma ungekwe thuze kwami
A noma ungekwe thuze kwami
Bawo ndiyabonga
Ngoba wena, usandigcinile
Wena, wena noma ungelwe thuze kwami
Bawo, bawo, bawo
Bawo ndiyabonga
Ngoba wena, usandigcinile
English
Lead me oh Father
Lead me oh Father
Lead me my Savior
In all the sorrows of this world Father
Father, Father, Father
Father I thank you
For you still protect me
Although you are not with me
Yes, although you are not near
Father I thank you
For you still protect me
Oh Lord, oh Lord although you are not near me
Father, Father, Father
Father I thank you
For you still protect me
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT JUNIOR YOUTH CHOIR
PART 1
Aaliyah Bryant
Abbie Aiteobhor
Alana Green
Ave Carter
Ildikó Binecz
Jordan Hearn
Lauren Hunter
Nevaeh Chrispin
Reagan Reynolds
Thais El-Amin
Zoie Fielder
PART 2
Anaiah Hale
Areli Palacios
Bailey Edwards
Dean Elise McKnight
Jirad Willams
Joi Leggins
Justice Banks
Keziah Hadley
Makaylah Owens-Cook
Morgan Ossey
Naomi Croom
Nelina Thomas
Reagun Requena
PART 3
Alena Wall
Amani Battle
Camille Childers
Chassidy Gregory
Micah Rodriguez
Terryann Troupe
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT SENIOR YOUTH CHOIR
SOPRANO
Amira Gaines
Araeia Collins
Bailey Mines
Coco Perkins
Da’janel Chatmon
Elouise Hunt
Emyah Dixon
Gabrielle Wood
Nailah Ruffin
Neilah Bell
Rachel Walker
ALTO
Amaya Paylor
Destiny Sutton
Eden Kearse
Haille Edwards
Jayla Jacobs
Jessica Leggins
Makyla Platt
Maya Winfrey
Zenobiah Arif
TENOR
Antwan Hailey Jr.
Connor Sample
Joshua Reese
Tyaire Charles
BASS
Alexander Beaty
Ezekiel Reddick
Isaiah Anderson
Joshua Banks
Royal Joseph
ATLANTA MUSIC PROJECT
Rhythm SECTION
Ray Ransom, bass Alek Gayton, drumset and percussion
Jhamicia Hale, djembe Cheick Diop, djembe Jahbri Black, djembe
PAMELA DILLARD CONDUCTOR
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 the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. where she serves as a national board member.
Pamela debuted with the 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, Normandy, 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.
KEEYEN MARTIN CONDUCTOR
Keeyen Martin, a native of Charlotte,NC is a musical force to reckon with. When it comes to creating music, Keeyen has the winning combination. His music ability to blend R&B, POP & SOUL is in a league of his own. Over the years, his music has allowed him to travel across the nation delivering performances that entertain and captivate audiences of all ages.
Keeyen was awarded the Michael Jackson Scholarship to Morehouse College and earned his BA in Music and Spanish. Since graduating, Keeyen has shared the stage with some of the industry’s most accomplished talent such as: Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Monica, Fantasia, Teyana Taylor, Kanye West, Rick Ross, Keyshia Cole, Tweet, Michelle Williams, Mya, Keri Hilson, RaheemDevaughn, Peabo Bryson, KeKe Wyatt, PJ Morton, Common, Lalah Hathaway and BeBe & CeCe Winans, and several more.
With an array of performances under his belt, Keeyen has performed on various platforms. He most recently completed a sold out Rnb Tour and a 25 city International Tour in The UK, Italy, and other cities in Europe. Hes further performed on various platforms such as: Rnb Music Tours/ Red Bull Music Fest / Vh1 Save the Music / BET Music Matters, Sofar Sounds Tour/ Grammy Week’s MTV & Mastercard stages / TV One Trumpet Awards / The Emoji Art Tour/ Delta Airlines / Billboard Atlanta / TuneCore’s JamCore / Coca-Cola & Six Flags Independence Day Festival / Love & Hip-Hop Labor Day Festival & many more!
When Keeyen is not performing he dedicates his time to working with The Atlanta Music Project and Inspire The Fire. Within these Performing Arts Organizations, he has worked with over 1000+ youth. Facilitating Voice lessons, performance coaching, music instruction and training. Keeyen has much experience training soloists, ensembles, and choirs for the stage; ages ranging from childhood to seasoned adults.
Keeyen’s current hit singles “You Should Know” and “Girl I’m on the Way ‘’ premiered on the iTunes Top 100 Charts with his Debut EP “Neutral” garnering over a Million streams and counting. His music has been featured on The Real Housewives Of Atlanta, BET/FOX, and a few Nation Films. With numerous successful sold out tour shows to a growing fan base, the world awaits Keeyen.
UPCOMING EVENTS
HOLIDAY CONCERT SERIES
AMP AFTER-SCHOOL ORCHESTRAS
DEC. 6 | 7PM | AMP CENTER
AMP YOUTH CHOIRS
DEC. 7 | 4PM | FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH EAST POINT
AMP PREPARATORY SCHOOL
DEC. 14 | 1PM | JEAN CHILDS YOUNG MIDDLE SCHOOL
AMP YOUTH ORCHESTRAS
DEC. 14 | 6PM | GLENN MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
RESERVE TICKETS HERE
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 $395,000 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 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.
AMP’s current major funders include the Chestnut Family Foundation, 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 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
