...especially in teenagers' lives.
For 13 years Dranoff has transported 2 Steinway grand pianos to over 100 public schools in Miami, performing for eight to ten thousands middle and high school students every year.
A true arts integration program, PIANO SLAM explores the language of music with in-school live classical concerts to inspire students to write poetry inspired by music and submit their works to an annual competition. Student winners perform their poetry with professional pianists, vocalists and dancers on the stage of the Knight Concert Hall. This Broadway style classical/hip-hop/spoken word concert is co-presented by the Adrienne Arsht Center
Today’s Music Monday follows pianists Daniel Strange and Rachel Ohnsman through PIANO SLAM 12. Three videos demonstrate how the students’ stories are woven through the music and the artists into a fantastic performance with professionals supporting the creative works of thousands of teens. Featured also the choreography and dancers of Rosie Herrera. Music director was
Martin Bejerano; Stage director
Ilana Ransom Toeplitz
The videos touch on three elements of the project:
Poetry and music. Classical piano showcase. Music and words are turned into dance.
In each of the past years, PIANO SLAM has worked for over six months in Miami Dade Public schools with educators, administrators and artists and scientists to produce music in creative writing programs that are integrated into classroom programs.
This year, Covid-19 has changed everything.
Established methods had to adjust: some students will attend school in person. Some will distance-learn from home. PIANO SLAM 13 will adjust as well.
This month PIANO SLAM starts with Zoom training for teachers to work with music and core subjects, then on to the classrooms with pre-recorded and live programming from classical musicians and poets all over the world. How the final part – the stage show – will happen is still being discussed and evaluated. For the students, the possibility to be part of the ensemble is the holy grail. We want to do everything in our power to give this to them.
Please support this wonderful arts and academic program that has engaged over 85,000 teenagers. Wish us luck!! Make a gift. Hope that we will see you with Live music and the best creative teens in Miami in-person at the Arsht in 2021.
Warmly,
Gabriele Fiorentino
President,
The Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation
Piano Slam
