The Alumni Fellowship is midway through its inaugural year, and Alum fellows AlexisMarie Nelson and Liam Hopkins have been busy!
Centered around three pillars: learning modules focused on aspects of organizational development, teaching, and creative practice, the Alumni Fellowship program is designed to be flexible to the interests and input of each fellow.
In September, the Alumni Fellows dove into big ideas with a learning module on Education, Artistry, and Social Justice taught by staff members Sebastian Ruth and Ashley Frith. Joined by Teaching Artist Fellow Kamyron Williams, the group met weekly and read texts by John Dewey, Claudia Rankine, Maxine Greene, Bayo Okomolafe and others. According to the Fellows, the discussions inspired by the texts were energizing and thought-provoking. The module wrapped up with a podcast recording (Stay tuned! Editing in progress.) of a conversation on education, artistry, and social justice.
Alumni Fellows record the first CMW podcast.
Liam and Alexis are now a month into their second learning module on Teaching Methods with Chloë Kline, (CMW’s Education Director) examining different approaches for string pedagogy and music education.
For teaching experience, Alexis and Liam assist with group classes and mentor individual students in the Daily Orchestra Program and the Tuesday program. At this point in the year, they have become familiar figures in many of the learning ensembles and have built a trusting rapport with each of their mentees.
Liam, who assists Artist-in-Residence Kevin “Big Lux” Lowther’s weekly hip-hop/pop music class, said:
“I’m really invigorated by the groove I’ve settled into with my classes. After several months with the same students we feel comfortable enough with each other to be really open and brave in our collective playing and learning.
This feeling really came together last Monday in the class I teach with Kevin Lowther. After a semester spent working on improv and pop/hip-hop violin playing the class had what felt like our first proper jam session. I laid down a bass line and everyone took turns soloing. One student joined my rhythm section by drumming on his violin and it felt in that moment that we really blossomed and got that magical feeling of synchronicity that makes playing music with others so special.”
Alexis has been working with the Youth Alliance, the Daily Orchestra Program’s chamber music group. The Youth Alliance meets four days a week to focus on playing chamber music and look at other aspects of music more deeply. In their time with Alexis, the students have been exploring the connection between storytelling and music using improvisation.
Alexis leads a rehearsal with CMW’s Youth Alliance
In the realm of creative practice, Alexis has been taking regular lessons on viola and working on several musical projects with the goal of performing in the near future. She has also been incorporating Alexander Technique work in her practice, assisted by regular sessions with Resident Musician and certified Alexander Technique teacher, Lisa Sailer.
Liam has been working on composition projects with mentoring from composer and former Resident Musician Laura Cetilia. In addition, he spends time practicing bass guitar, exploring different styles of music, and performing with his band around town.
The return to CMW has been a homecoming of sorts for Liam and Alexis, with a highlight for both fellows being their work with CMW’s teen group, Phase II. Phase II was a memorable part of their own experience as students and returning to it as part of the planning team has been exciting and filled with learning.
Alexis reports:
“So far, the Alumni Fellowship has been a fun, illuminating, and educational experience! It’s been awesome to see all the ways CMW has evolved since I was a student and being on the teaching end has shown me how much intention, time, and care goes into keeping programs like this going.
While I love being involved in all of the ensembles and groups, I’ve been especially excited to be back in the Phase II space, watching them play in chamber groups, and having weekly discussions!”
We are thrilled to have Liam and Alexis back at CMW in these capacities, learning, sharing, and contributing to our community. Look for them this spring as they help guide upcoming student projects and appear in MusicWorks Collective performances!
—Minna Choi, Fellowship Director and Resident Musician
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