Kids to Concerts (KtC) is a free educational outreach program that introduces San Antonio children to faraway cultures from all over the world through folk music and dance in their very own schools. It engaged over 15,000 kids last year through interactive, multicultural performances by world-class artists of the highest caliber. The program is the first of its kind in the area and is regularly praised by schools and educators alike.
SEASON 2019-2020
23-25 SEPTEMBER 2019
ANURADHA NAIMPALLY, Dance | India
Anuradha Naimpally is a Bharatanatyam dance soloist, collaborator, and educator, is an experienced performer worldwide. She connects this ancient art of India to modern audiences through engaging explanations and moving performances. She is a recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Jacqueline LeMieux Prize from the Canada Council and the title of “Sringara Mani” (Artistic Jewel) in India. Her performance, titled Moving Myths of India, is an engaging, interactive show for all ages. It highlights mythology through storytelling embellished with creative hand symbols, rhythms, and cultural values of India, performed in colorful costume.
AMIE MACISZEWSKI, Sitar | USA
Sitarist Dr. Amie Maciszewski is an international award-winning performer/ensemble leader, teaching artist and educator. Audiences describe Amie’s classical sitar/tabla and Indo-jazz fusion ensemble performances as “stunning” and “elegantly vibrant.” Her Sangeet Millennium Ensemble (Texas Top Ten award, 2008 and 2011, Austin Chronicle) seamlessly traverses boundaries between traditional South Asian melodies with jazz/world grooves, creating an ever-evolving sound. Passionate about sharing North Indian music culture, Amie has traveled three continents completing artist residencies, hosting recitals, and conducting lectures on Hindustani music.
9-12 DECEMBER 2019
VICTOR PRIETO, Accordion | Spain
Grammy Winner Victor Prieto is hailed by The New York Times as “A fiendishly skilled accordionist and composer” and by All About Jazz as “One of the best World music and Jazz accordionists now days”. He has changed the way musicians and spectators view accordion by revolutionizing both technique and sound. His love for traditional Galician music and classical education enriches his compositions with explosive rhythm and colors uniquely combining Galician Roots, Celtic, Brazilian, Jazz, Tango, and Classical music. Victor continues collaborating on world stages with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble among many others. He teaches Master Classes in US Berklee College of Music and heads jazz accordion studies at the Brooklyn Conservatory, New York.
OLIVER RAJAMANI, Percussion | India
Oliver Rajamani performs innovative soul stirring original music. He has created a sound of his own with the historic threads of Indian/Gypsy folk, Romani and Texas music/cultures while bringing recognition to the historical Indian origins of the Romani people. An Austin, and Texas World Music award winner, Rajamani has toured internationally, recorded, and performed with poets and artists wide-ranging in style, including: Jeronimo Maya, Gypsy Kings, and Willie Nelson.
TAMARA ADIRA, Dance | USA
Tamara Adira is a dancer, choreographer, and producer. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Tamara Adira Arte y Pasión. Tamara is known for her work across mediums bridging gaps between music and cultures. She has choreographed for companies such as the Fine Arts Ballet Theater of Temecula, California, the City of San Antonio’s pre-professional Groups Fandango and Alamotion, and the Alas Theater Troupe of the San Antonio-based Say Sí Theater. She has studied and shared the stage with such artists as the late greats maestros of flamenco, Teo Morca, and Timo Lozano. Counterbalancing her studies in traditional flamenco, Adira leverages her experience in experimental and contemporary performance, demonstrated by her Harvard University residency under John Cage.
2-6 MARCH 2020
BARYNYA | Russia
The music, dance, and song ensemble Barynya is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Barynya presents Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewish and Gypsy Roma traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion) and balalaika contrabass. Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall, the National Constitution Center (Philadelphia), the Smithsonian Institute of America, the United Nations (New York), and the Russian Embassy.
19-20 MARCH 2020
DUO JALAL | Lebanon/Australia
Racing along with our new global society, Duo Jalal builds bridges from their home in New York and around the world to create some of the world’s most exotic chamber music. Audiences are enthralled as classical Australian violist, Kathryn Lockwood embodies the styles of both a gypsy violinist and Middle Eastern reed flutist. Yousif, of Lebanese descent, dazzles as his fingers snap at the edge of an Egyptian frame drum and his foot drags across the Peruvian cajon. Together, their music blends various cultures and musical styles to create engaging performances.
Testimonials
Gallery
Partner Schools
In the last school year of 2019-20, we brought Kids to Concerts to more than 50 Partner schools in the Bexar County and surrounding areas, at no cost each participating school. Many of the students impacted by this program do not have the opportunity to travel outside their neighborhood, much less their city. Kids to Concerts brings the world to students, putting a face on the news and current events that they may hear about on TV or in school, but may not relate to in their personal lives. These performances not only create appreciation for music in our children but also cultivate our audience of tomorrow.
Devine ISD
- Devine Intermediate School
Houston ISD
- Texas Connections Academy
Northeast ISD
- Bulverde Creek Elementary
- Colonial Hills Elementary
- Pre-Kinder Academy at West Avenue
- Redland Oaks Elementary
Northside ISD
- Burke Elementary
- Carson Elementary
- Elrod Elementary
- Fisher Elementary
- Forester Elementary
- Kuentz Elementary
- Leon Springs Elementary
- McAndrews Elementary
- Murnin Elementary
- Passmore Elementary
San Antonio ISD
- Advanced Learning Academy
- Ball Academy
- Bonham Academy
- Fenwick Elementary
- Herff Academy
- Huppertz Elementary
- JT Brakenbridge Elementary
- Lamar Academy
- Pershing Elementary
- Riverside Elementary
- Woodlawn Elementary
- Young Women’s Leadership Academy-Primary
South San ISD
- Athens Elementary
- Benavidez Elementary
- Five Palms Elementary
- Hutchins Elementary
- Kindred Elementary
- Palo Alto Elementary
- Price Elementary
Southwest ISD
- Big Country Elementary
- Bob Hope Elementary
- Elm Creek Elementary
- Hidden Cove Elementary
- Indian Creek Elementary
- Kriewald Elementary
- McAuliff Middle School
- McNair Middle School
- Medio Creek Elementary
- Scobee Middle School
- Sky Harbour Elementary
- Spicewood Park Elementary
Charter Schools
- Kipp Esparza Academy
- School of Science and Technology High School
- School of Science and Technology- Alamo Ranch
- School of Science and Technology- Discovery
Teachers
Your evaluation of our concerts helps us to continue bringing our programs to your school. We appreciate your time. Teacher Evaluation Form Student Evaluation Form
Request a Kids to Concerts Performance
Please contact our Caleb Gonzalez, Director of Educational Outreach, at
[email protected] or 210-317-3505
for more information
– or –
click below to fill out an application: