SageArts is an intergenerational arts project located in New York’s Hudson Valley that promotes social inclusion and dignity for elders in our communities. We pair elders with local artists to collaborate on original songs that define and celebrate their life experiences. The songs are then performed at concerts, enabling elders and the wider community to share in an intergenerational celebration of moving art. SageArts inspires and invigorates our elders, who are no longer viewed through the lens of their physical limitations and needs, reminding the community of the incredible value they have.
Elizabeth Clark-Jerez is the harpist/vocalist/songwriter for Mamalama, the Hudson Valley-based indie chamber orchestra. She has been steeped in the music of many different cultures through her world travels and apprenticeships, especially the music of modern and ancient Europe (sacred/early, renaissance, folk, classical), the traditional music of Native North and South American indigenous peoples (Algonquin/Cree, Andean), West African music, various American pop/folk/roots songwriters, and modern orchestral composers. Her formal studies include music composition at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music, and monastic music studies in “Contemplative Musicianship” with music-thanatology (music for the dying) pioneer Therese Shroeder-Sheker
Tom Holland has been a drummer for 50 years and has played in rock bands from 1972 to the present. He started writing songs in early ‘60s and has played with great musicians and songwriters in various bands in Syracuse and Woodstock. He has performed with The Reverberators since 2001, and that band has produced two CDs. Tom’s 2010 CD release, “Dirt in the Bloodstream,” was produced by Ralph Legnini. Tom says, “I work at the craft much like a sculptor. There are different ways of looking at tunes and lyrics, depending on where one stands, what one hears, and what one knows and remembers. Anyone can write them; I just happen to be in the right place at the right time, and the music comes out—it uses me to reach others, and I do it because I have no choice.”
Sarah Kramer-Harrison was born to sing. Growing up in the Woodstock of the rock renaissance, her childhood games were played among the giants of music. She made her first instrument at seven, began singing professionally at 14, and apprenticed as a recording engineer at 16 in one of the busiest studios in town. She studied classical cello for ten years and toured in youth theater as singer/dancer/actress. This evolution led logically to a dual degree from Berklee College of Music in Voice and Music Production/Sound Engineering. Kramer-Harrison writes and records original material, earning kudos from some of those giants she grew up among. Levon Helm tapped her to open a rare public show at the Woodstock Playhouse. She has shared the stage with Rick Danko, John Sebastian, Happy and Artie Traum, James Earl Jones, Tom Pacheco, Betty McDonald, Molly Mason and Jay Ungar, Willie Nile, and many more.
Winner of NPR’s prestigious Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, Kelleigh McKenzie (pronounced “Kelly”) plucks and thumps and sings to know herself and be with others. In 2009, her critically acclaimed debut album Chances was heard on radio stations across the country and her song “Gin” garnered the Independent Music Award for Best Americana Song. An accomplished banjoist, guitarist, and songwriter, curiosity and altruism have been Kelleigh’s guides since moving to the Hudson Valley 15 years ago. She has worked as a performing musician, educator, small business owner, political activist, community organizer, marketing consultant, and advocate in the New Economy movement.
Bonnie Meadow has solid training in music (School of Performing Arts, N.Y.C.; B.A. with High Honors in Music, Hofstra University, private instruction in N.Y.C. and Europe) and other theater arts. Her wide range of performing experiences have included: being composer and live musician for Theater in a Trunk, a children’s theater company; composing for and director of the Woodstock Jewish Congregation adult choir; musical direction; solo and ensemble performances; and writing music and lyrics for all the songs on her CD, In the Middle of Life.
Sarah Perrotta is a Hudson Valley based singer, songwriter, and pianist. Perrotta was the front woman of the indie-rock band Outloud Dreamer, whose debut album Drink The Sky was named best modern rock album of 2000 by WKZE Radio 98.1FM. Perrotta’s second album, The Well, was self-released in 2008, and features Tony Levin on bass and Garth Hudson on accordion. The album was mixed by Grammy Award winner Malcolm Burn. Her most recent record is entitled “Tonight” and released under her surname. Perrotta has toured nationally and internationally with Barenaked Ladies, Guster, Jason Collett, Sarah Harmer, Gaelic Storm, Kevin Hearn, and Garth Hudson.
Jude Roberts is a singer/songwriter who has been writing, performing, and touring for over ten years. From six months of age, Jude began to imitate Joan Baez songs he heard his mother playing on the guitar or on records. He was captivated by Lotte Lenya singing songs from “The Threepenny Opera” and would mimic her vocal inflection and phrasing. His father was a classical pianist of great talent, who began to teach him piano at age five. After two years of classical voice training at Boston Conservatory of Music, Jude went on to earn a degree in Studio Composition from SUNY Purchase in 1997. It was during the college years, listening to records like “Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” and learning to Travis pick, that he felt a strong call to write music. This prompted his switch to composition. In Jude’s work one can hear influences of English, Irish, and Appalachian folk music. Listening deeper, one can find the influence of baroque and Romance era classical pieces, and the folk and pop songs of Italy and France, among other places.
Vickie Russell is an award-winning singer/songwriter originally from New York City who now resides in New Paltz, N.Y. She started out at age three, picking out melodies by ear on a relative’s piano under her grandmother’s tutelage, and begged her parents for piano lessons until finally they gave in. Vickie studied classical piano all through her school years. When she discovered Carol King and Elton John, she realized it was her calling in life to write and sing songs while accompanying herself. Vickie’s passion and purpose in life is to share her heart and humor through song. She has released three CDs of original songs on her own record label, Dance of the Dolphin. Vickie has shared the stage with Tuck and Patti, Christine Lavin, Donovan, Richie Havens, Rick Danko, and Leon Russell, to name a few. She’s played festivals, coffeehouses, libraries, colleges, clubs, and theaters all over the world. www.vickierussell.com.
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