2010
May
Northwest Reno Library, Reno, NV
Representing the Pioneer Center Youth Program, Erika's jazz trio performed their interactive children's jazz assembly concert for 10 children and 25 adults.
May
Sparks Middle School, Sparks, NV
Erika joins members of the Sierra Swing Band and other local musicians to work with, perform for and talk with over 100 middle school students looking for information regarding a career in music. During this annual Career Day event, students get to talk to successful people to find out what it's like to have a career in music, what are your work options and how do you prepare yourself for future success.
April
Westergard Elementary School, Reno, NV
Representing the Pioneer Center Youth Program, Erika's jazz trio performed their interactive children's jazz assembly concert for 580 students and 30 teachers.
April
Brown Elementary School, Reno, NV
Representing the Pioneer Center Youth Program, Erika's jazz trio performed their interactive children's jazz assembly concert for 650 students and 30 teachers.
April
Katherine Dunn Elementary School, Sparks, NV
Representing the Pioneer Center Youth Program, Erika's jazz trio performed their interactive children's jazz assembly concert for 500 students and 23 teachers.
April
Shaw Middle School, Sparks, NV
Erika was invited to be a representative career artist in music for career day, opening up an amazing dialogue of advise, life stories and educational suggestions with 100 bright middle school students already thinking about how to prepare themselves for a successful, well-planned future.
April
Kendyl Depoali Middle School, Reno, NV
Erika was invited to be a representative career artist in music for career day at this huge, beautiful new school. Erika worked with over 100 brilliant and highly interested middle school students by answering questions, giving educational advise and suggestions and sharing life stories to help inspire valuable preparation for a successful, well-planned future in music.
January
Gerlach Library, Gerlach, NV
Representing the Pioneer Center Youth Program, Erika's jazz trio performed their interactive children's jazz assembly concert for 52 students and 17 staff. At this event, a talented young man of 13 years of age asked to "sit in" on saxophone during the trio's performance of an original children's funky jazz song Erika wrote called "Sassy Sarah on the Saxophone" and did a terrific job.
January
Double Diamond Elementary School, Reno, NV
Representing the Pioneer Center Youth Program, Erika's jazz trio performed their interactive children's jazz assembly concert for 580 K-6 students and 28 teachers.
2009
December
Rita Cannan Elementary School, Reno, NV
Representing the Pioneer Center Youth Program, Erika's jazz trio performed their interactive children's jazz assembly concert for 570 K-6th grade students and 40 teachers.
October
Marvin Picollo Elementary School, Reno, NV
Representing the Pioneer Center Youth Program, Erika's jazz trio performed their interactive children's jazz assembly concert for 120 special needs students ages 4 to 21 and 70 teachers.
2008
January
CONTACT ERIKA FOR CURRENT LIST OF SCHOOL VISITS
2007
May
Huffaker Elementary School, Reno, NV
Live interactive jazz quintet presentation for 540 schoolkids
May
O'Brien Middle School, Stead, NV
Instructed 1st and 2nd period classes of Mr. Duke's choir class and Mrs. Lindquist's band students on improvising in enhancement of their study of the blues unit and in fullfillment of the improvisation school music standard-75 kids
April
Yvonne Shaw Middle School, Spanish Springs, NV
Music as a Successful Career Choice Presenter at Career Day for 100 music kids
March
Eureka Elementary School - Eureka, NV
5 day residency for the Eureka Elementary School/21st Century Afterschool Program kids, introducing instrumental and vocal jazz skills and general music performance skills.
2006
February
Jan Evans Juvenile Correctional Center, Reno, Neva
12 week residency from February 13th to May 12th, 2006, with four other artists, to create a full three act play to be performed on the main stage of the Pioneer Theatre in downtown Reno for the community. Erika is the music artist/music director, Ellen Hopkins is the literary artist, Rita Geil is the drama artist, Erik Holland and Pan Pantoja are the set design artists. Between 17 and 20 children 14 to 18 years of age are creating this play together with the guidance of these professional artists, learning skills as creative artists and experiencing the learning process behind creating such an extensive project. This program and project is funded by the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts and directed by Chad Cornwell through Sierra Arts.
2003
September
Washoe High School, Reno, Nevada
From September 8th through October 8th, 2003. Four week residency, sponsored and provided by Sierra Arts, for the exposure to the art of music, jazz and improvisation. Songwriting in modern styles, exposure to background and history, listening and repeated practice in a hands-on performance setting. 100 kids, 9th through 12th grade.
August
Univ. Of Nevada, Las Vegas/Alexander Dawson School
Summer Arts Institute Workshop, presented by the Nevada Alliance for Arts Education and the Nevada Arts Council through the University of Las Vegas Educational Outreach Program, the Nevada Department of Education and the Kennedy Center Partners in Education Program
Music, Improvisation, Jazz presentation and collaboration with Theatre Artist Mary Bennett
for 30 Nevada K-12 grade schoolteachers
January
Caughlin Ranch Elementary School - Reno, NV
"Excellent presentation!" - Cecilia Higgins, music teacher
Trio performance for 500 kids
2002
December
Natchez Elementary School - Wadsworth, NV
"They (the trio) did an outstanding job! The kids had a great time." - Jason Childs, principal
"Wonderful concert! We really enjoyed having them (the trio) at Natchez."
- Janet Davis, 21st Century Program Director
Trio performance for 165 kids
October
Florence Drake Elementary School - Sparks, NV
"Toe-tappin', REAL musicians...engaging...great job with the blues...very nice job!"
- Karen Williams, music teacher
Trio performance for 400 kids
October
Roger Corbett Elementary School - Reno, NV
"Excellent Job! Students engaged and enthused." - Pat Casarez, principal
Trio performance for 603 kids
October
Mt. Rose Elementary School - Reno, NV
"The program was excellent. They had child participation and the students loved it!
- Betty Manfredi, school secretary
"Your music is awesome! Professionality! These students don't get this exposure! What a priviledge!" - Marci Devere Mayzes, music teacher
Trio performance for 405 kids
April
A.M. Winn Elementary School - Sacramento, CA
"I wish we had more time! I intend to schedule you again! Excellent presentation. We would like you to return." - Sharon Collver, principal
Trio performance for 450 kids
2001
October
Libby Booth Elementary School - Reno, NV
6 week afterschool jazz skills/improvisation and music program
100 kids, k-3rd grade
September
Nevada Union High School - Grass Valley, CA
8 weeks of vocal and piano mentor teaching for the Jazz @ Lincoln Center/Essentially Ellington Program with Wynton Marsalis and Ted Nash.
Nevada Union High School, Bear River High School, Truckee High School and the Nevada County Arts Council were the involved local schools and organizations in the program
25 high school kids total
August
University Of Nevada - Reno, NV
Kennedy Center Partners in Education Program/Nevada Arts Council Artists in Education workshop/lecture
For 30 K-12th grade local elementary teachers
Teacher attendee comments:
"Awesome!"
"Thank you for getting me out of my comfort zone."
"Great-Really taught us something new."
"(She is) Very comfortable with her art."
"Great interaction with the group."
"Very well prepared."
"Best of the four days."
"Wonderful - very professional."
"Thank you so much."
"Fun!"
"High energy and high participation."
"I like how she makes sure everyone gets to perform."
"Beautiful music."
"Very informative, lots of fun!"
April
C.C. Meneley Elementary School - Gardnerville, NV
Trio performance for 500 kids
1999
December
Winston Churchill Middle School - Carmichael, CA
Quartet performance for 400 kids
October
Anderson Elementary School - Reno, NV
"It was an excellent assembly! The history of jazz is very interesting. The communication/rapport with the students was very good." - Mrs. Nancy Ward, principal
Trio performance for 440 kids
October
Rita Cannan Elementary School - Reno, NV
Trio performance for 550 kids
October
Numa Elementary School - Fallon, NV
Sextet performance for 550 kids
October
Virginia City Elementary School - Virginia City, N
Trio performance for 160 kids
October
Gallagher Elementary School - Virginia City, NV
"Overall presentation, Excellent!" - G. Barnes, principal
Trio performance for 140 kids
September
Diedrichsen Elementary School - Sparks, NV
Solo lecture for 250 kids
May
George Hall Elementary School - San Mateo, CA
Funded by Bill Somerville and the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation in Oakland, CA
"Wow! There's life after elementary school!" - the kids
(Erika attended this elementary school, HOW many years ago?...)
Quartet performance for 500 kids
May
Abbott Middle School - San Mateo, CA
Funded by a grant from Bill Somerville and the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation in Oakland, CA
"Wow, YOU went to Abbott Middle School? We like your music!" - the kids
Quartet performance for 775 kids
May
Hillsdale High School, San Mateo, CA
Funded by a grant from Bill Somerville and the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation in Oakland, CA
"Amazing job! Thanks for coming back!" - Don Leydig, principal
Quartet performance for 300 kids
May
Jackpot Elementary School - Jackpot, NV
Quintet performance for 50 kids
May
Jackpot High School - Jackpot, NV
Quintet performance for 50 kids
February
Pinion Hills Elementary School - Minden, NV
Sponsored and made possible by the Brewery Arts Center Outreach Program
Trio performance for 500 kids
February
Fernley Elementary School - Fernley, NV
Residency for 6 weeks
(see residency link on The Educator page)
550 kids
February
Fernley Elementary School - Fernley, NV
Sextet performance for 550 k-8th grade kids
January
Our Lady Of The Snows Private School - Reno, NV
"We enjoyed your presentation last week very much. It was interesting to see how the little ones reacted and to get feedback from the older ones, which was very positive. You do a great job interesting all age levels. Who knows? Maybe you have helped foster some future musicians. Thank you very much!" - Vilia Natchez, principal
Trio performance for 275 kids
1998
October
Agnes Risley Elementary School - Sparks, NV
Trio performance for 580 kids
September
Sparks Middle School - Sparks, NV
Quartet performance for 400 kids
September
Agnes Risley Elementary School - Sparks, NV
Residency for 8 weeks
(see residency link under The Educator page of site)
580 kids
May
Silver Lake Elementary School - Reno, NV
Trio performance for 570 kids
February
Diedrichsen Elementary School - Sparks, NV
Solo lecture for 250 kids
1997
October
Seeliger Elementary School - Carson City, NV
Trio performance for 500 kids
October
Sierra Vista Elementary School - Reno, NV
"Excellent overall performance. Great for children!" - Jim Barclay, principal
"Thanks so much for enlightening our children to the joy of jazz. I'll try to bring you back!" - Kitty Falcone, music teacher
Trio performance for 460 kids
September
Freemont Elementary School - Carson City, NV
"Excellent content of presentation, professionalism, of music educators, and communication with children." - Dorothy Todd, principal
Trio performance for 300 kids
September
Brown Elementary School - Reno, NV
"Musical selections were excellent! Excellent attitude of music educators." - Dr. Janice Clarke, principal
Trio performance for 500 kids
September
Hidden Valley Elementary School - Reno, NV
"Musicianship and professionalism of educators, superb! Flexibility of presentation to school schedule greatly appreciated." - Patricia Zimmerman, music teacher
Trio Performance for 500 kids
August
Anderson Elementary School - Reno, NV
"It was an excellent assembly! The history of jazz is very interesting. The communication/rapport with the students was very good" - Mrs. Nancy Ward, principal
Trio performance for 440 kids
May
Nancy Gomes Elementary School - Reno, NV
Trio performance for 200 kids
May
WCSD Music Dept. at Moss Elem. School - Sparks, NV
"It was great!" - Cheryl Shingler, WCSD Music Dept.
Trio performance for 60 Washoe County School District Music teachers
May
Alyce Taylor Elementary School - Sparks, NV
"This was a very educational, very enjoyable presentation. The performers were excellent. Thank you for sharing your expertise with our children. The funding helped make it possible. I hope we can have you perform for the rest of our students next year. Superb!" - Beverly Sue Kirkpatrick, music teacher
Trio performance, 80 sixth graders
April
Lemmon Valley Elementary School - Reno, NV
"This program was great!" - Doug Whitener, principal
Trio performance for 350 kids
January
Seeliger Elementary School - Carson City NV
"It is wonderful to have such caring musicians to come out to our schools and share their experiences with our students. It is extremely encouraging to young people when they see someone doing what they love, as you all do. Thank you for bringing us a part of our American history. We loved it! - Mary Law, music teacher
Trio performance for 500 kids
January
Empire Elementary School - Carson City, NV
(For the Smithsonian Institute National Duke Ellington Exhibit)
"Very good program!" - Royston Waltemyer, principal
Trio performance for 500 kids
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