Take an inspired journey into the rich legacy and influence of African American Music.  Follow the history of music and performances through a multi-faceted tribute, starting with the reflection of the first generation of African Americans born to freedom, through the Harlem Renaissance to the present.

Multi-talented and versatile, Patrice Kaluza has been entertaining audiences around the country for over 25 years. Now, she brings her Hyacinth Macaw, Tiki, an endangered and rare bird species from South America, to schools to explain the importance of protecting endangered animals such as the Hyacinth Macaw and to show the unusual intelligence of this tame and beautiful creature.  “Ms. Patrice” has been researching and studying parrots and birds for over 20 years (Ornithology). She has trained her parrot, Tiki, using a very natural approach--he learns by living in a family.  Born in captivity and surrounded only by humans, Tiki has learned to bond only with humans through a process called “imprinting”.

Bringing Opera to Life for the Young Student: Journey through music history with an entertaining artist who introduces the history of Opera, performs excerpts from famous operas, teaches Italian, and describes the evolution of opera music into Musical Theater, Broadway Shows, Movies and even Television Cartoons. Throughout this “Operation”, students and teachers will learn proper use of the voice, breathing techniques, projection and dramatic gestures.  Students will be selected to “perform” in an improvised operatic scene playing the roles of protagonist, antagonist and chorus. Students will be able to identify elements of modern opera musicals: Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and rock operas.

Recording Artist, writer and composer Mickey Mills is a featured performer in a number of documentaries explaining the history, playing techniques and musical applications of the steel drums. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Mickey has performed concerts with the steel drums nationally and internationally.  In addition to his appearances on stage with Mick Jagger, Jimmy Buffet and Kenny Chesney, he performed in the off-Broadway show, The House of Flowers, and in the television show, Matlock.

He is also an approved artist in the Artists in the Schools programs for Wake, Orange and Durham Counties.

Alex Weiss & A Different Drum take students on a musical journey that bridges Africa and the Americas through song, dance and stories by weaving the history and cultures that connect these continents into a multi-cultural quilt of entertaining, educational performances.  From the driving Rhythms of Mali through the beautiful Sambas of Brazil to the vibrant Salsa of Cuba and the playful Cumbia of Columbia, students will learn about the musical instruments that create this cultural music and the manner in which certain rhythms from these countries have influenced contemporary music.