On January 16 & 26-27, 2015 Antonio Granjero and Estefania Ramirez of Entreflamenco Company visited 5 San Antonio Elementary schools: Bob Hope, Hidden Cove, Oak Meadow, Steubing, & Redland Oaks. MBAW’s interactive and exciting program incorporated TEKS and STEM curriculum-teaching the culture and geography of Spain through music. About 2,500 children learned about flamenco, rythm & sound, history, ethnic instruments, and Spanish language during the 40 minute program. Antonio & Estefania brought one of their scholarship students from their non-profit Spanish DanzArt Society as well. The students in the audience were...
Superbowl Sunday at San Fernando
Over 300 San Antonians gathered together at the San Fernando Cathedral on Superbowl Sunday, February 1, 2015 for “Strauss & Golden Greece” as part of the city-wide Strauss Festival. The New York-based Canellakis-Brown duo, “a pair of adventurous young talents” presented a sonata for cello & piano along with their own Greek-flavored compositions for an enthusiastic crowd. Attendees included among others, visitors from the Ivory Coast of Africa (pictured below). Click HERE to see a review of the concert from the Rivard...
Musical Bridges’ Artistic Director Returns from NYC for Chamber Music America Conference
Musical Bridges’ Artistic Director Anya Grokhovski returned from New York on January 18, 2015 after attending the Chamber Music America Conference. The purpose of this trip was to find new and exciting talent for Musical Bridges’ future programming and take part in ongoing conversations about the future of chamber music in America. Workshops and artist showcases presented an impressive group of young and seasoned musicians with very diverse programming. Many musical offerings included unexpected instrumentations and were truly high-end chamber ensembles. Among others, Anya met with Japanese and Chinese cultural organizations...
MBAW Hosts Winter Recital
On Saturday, December 13, 2015, Musical Bridges Office/Art Gallery was the site of the International Academy of Music San Antonio’s winter recital, free of charge. The International Academy of Music San Antonio (formerly Crownridge Music Academy) is a music school dedicated to transforming lives and enriching our community through music education. Students of all ages, abilities, and economic circumstances participate in lessons, classes, ensembles, performances and special events. Musical Bridges would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Anya Grokhovski for coordinating the event and for bringing IAM’s winter recital to our gallery!...
Welcome Vanessa Sanchez, New Development & Communications Assistant
Musical Bridges is excited to announce a new addition to its musical family as of January 2015 — Development and Communications Assistant, Vanessa M. Sanchez! Central Texas Pain Center has generously underwritten this position for MBAW. Ms. Sanchez’s role will entail working with the Director of Development and Marketing to research grantmakers, apply for grants, write press releases, manage the social media accounts, among other related tasks. Her love and passion for music led her to volunteer for MBAW, where she met the team and later accepted her current job. Ms. Sanchez is also a freelance Music journalist, recently covering...
“Walk in US, Talk on Japan” Delegation Attends San Fernando Concert
Anya and Suhail from Musical Bridges, our guest artists Alessandro Deljavan from Italy and Pureum Jo from South Korea, had the great honor of meeting the “Walk in US, Talk on Japan” delegation after the San Fernando concert this past Sunday. We were very pleased they took time out of their busy schedule to attend our concert. Delegation members included: Mr. Ken Shimanouchi Former Japanese Ambassador to Spain and Brazil, Mr. Keijiro Hata Lieutenant General (Retired), Japan Air-Defence Force, Ms. Yoko Chivers Vice President, Growth Industry Cluster Dep., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Mr. Yohei Komatsuzaki, Law student and Chair of 66th...
Musical Bridges Transforms San Antonio
From The Rivard Report, 3 November 2014 By: Rudy Arispe While teaching piano at college and performing as a concert pianist in her native Moscow, Anya Grokhovski still found time to gather at friends’ homes to perform, sing, and celebrate with good food and drink. When she and her first husband arrived in San Antonio in 1991 for teaching positions at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Grokhovski continued that musical tradition with new friends. It was through these small, festive gatherings that the seeds were planted for Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW) after a group of music lovers, mostly physicians, helped raise...
¡Viva Havana! Annual Gala with the Stars Heats up the Red Carpet
On September 26th MBAW’s Third Annual Fundraiser & Gala with the Stars Viva Havana! was held downtown at the brand new Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Musical Bridges is pleased to report that the gala was a great success, with the goal to raise $150,000 toward Kids to Concerts! Gala Co-Chairs Dr. Eric Miller and Ms. Reema Shroff worked together with the committee to create a truly fabulous fundraiser and gala. Dr. Miller’s strong leadership combined with Ms. Shroff’s discerning taste and creativity, along with the hard work and expertise of outstanding Gala Committee members and staff; Dr. Eric Miller, Susan...
“Silent World” by Robert Michaelson & Jim Sparkman
Musical Bridges’ Art Gallery hosted its very first photography opening on Friday, August 29th as a part of the city-wide Fotoseptiembre festival. The opening celebrated “Silent World,” the first exhibit of underwater photographers Robert Michaelson & Jim Sparkman. The exhibit was featured in many publications including the San Antonio Current as “Editor’s Pick” and the Rivard Report. A constant flow of over 100 guests moved throughout the gallery; enjoying photography, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and live jazz by George & Aaron Prado. Robert and Jim’s work attracted many underwater...
Flying Balalaika Brothers Visit 6 San Antonio Retirement Communities
Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW) completed the second segment of its new retirement community outreach program, Golden Age 2014, funded by the Texas Commission on the Arts. The Flying Balalaika Brothers visited six different retirement communities on August 21 & 22; Granada Homes, Army Residence Community, Adante Senior Living, Franklin Park Sonterra, Wedgwood Senior Apartments, and Emeritus at Woodbridge Estates. The Flying Balalaika Brothers brough their 45 minute program to each of the six retirement communities; world fusion music sprinkled with the glitter of Russian fairy tales. They performed a variety of pieces and...
What’s wrong with you!
Vienna! There is so much to see! I decided to visit the Leopold Museum in my remaining time before our ship’s departure. The ticket’s roster listed all the usual categories, adult, senior, student and in addition to it one I had never seen before- unemployed! Funny! In US I believe the thing is, if you do not have a job-go get it! I came to the counter and announced that I am employed and need one ticket please. The guy at the ticket counter smiled recognizing that I must be American “ Yes, we are a socialistic country and this is the way things are.” I entered the museum with great anticipation. Within the span of a few decades, the...
MBAW Board Member, Entrepreneur of the Year
Musical Bridges Around the World is extremely proud and excited to announce that Board Member Susan Franklin and her husband Aubra Franklin have been honored as the 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year! We are so thankful to such a successful Board of Directors as we prepare for our 17th season! From Austin Business Journal, June 6, 2014 By: Colin Pope, Editor Aubra and Susan Franklin started their entrepreneurial journey in 1995, and since then the Franklin brand based in San Antonio has been a market leader for senior housing. Aubra Franklin in chairman and CEO of Franklin Companies, a business that takes on development,...
Closing Reception of “Dream Worlds”
Musical Bridges’ Art Gallery held its closing reception of Artist Tania Rachytskaya’s “Dream Worlds” exhibit on Friday, July 11th. “Dream Worlds,” was the first US exhibit of internationally renowned batik, silk painter and shibori artist Tania Rachytskata and was featured in the Musical Bridges’ Art Gallery since April 5th. The exhibit drew a large following of art lovers over the last 3 months and many people now have her artwork in their very own home. The closing attracted many guests, both newcomers and loyal Musical Bridges’ followers; enjoying art, wine, and hors d’oeuvres....
New Retirement Community Outreach Program
MBAW completed its first segment of a new retirement community outreach program, Golden Age 2014, funded by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Duo AleAnya visited five different retirement communities on July 14th & 15th; Wedgewood Luxury Senior Apartments, Golden Estates Rehabilitation Center, Madison Estates, The Towers on Park Lane & Adante Senior Living. Duo AleAnya brought their hour-long 4 hands program to each of the five retirement communities. They performed a variety of pieces including several Tchaikovsky favorites. Some of the residents were brought to tears of joy as they listened to the Duo’s beautiful...
International Music Festival “African Rhythms”
Sunday, May 24, 2015, 6:00 p.m. Ruth Taylor Recital Hall at Trinity University (click here for map/directions) Artist Bios “I’m not a jazz musician,” “I’m really a storyteller through music.” -Randy Weston Pianist Randy Weston grew up surrounded by some of the greatest musicians in jazz. But it was his deep connection to Africa that inspired his personal style of music. “I search for the traditional music wherever I go. I try to find the oldest musicians I can find,” he says. “And I hear the foundation of what we do in the Western Hemisphere is coming from African civilization.”...