Pacific Symphony's ArtsXpress

ATTENTION AXP@HOME ALUMNI! We are more than excited to announce AXP@Home alumni workshops, which will bring students, counselors and staff from this past summer back together again for some more fun AXP magic! Our first online workshop is October 28th - a Halloween-themed focus on theatre arts! Register soon using the link in our bio! ... #AXP@HOME

Born in Singapore, Leslie came to the United States at 15 with artistic ambitions. He graduated from Chapman University with a Bachelor of Music in choral conducting and music education, and later went on to CSU Fullerton to obtain a Master of Music degree in choral conducting. He continues to work as a choral music instructor for high school students. In his free time, Leslie enjoys immersing himself in all intersections of art. He also enjoys traveling, cooking, and undertaking various home projects.

AXP@Home truly showed us just how much the arts can endure! Despite the challenges of remote learning amid an unprecedented time in all of our lives, this summer's online reworking of arts-X-press allowed young students to explore their artistic passions and experience the AXP magic in an entirely new way! Thanks to the team-building and leadership from our amazing AXP staff, counselors, and students, we showcased how the arts can come alive through collective inclusion and... empowerment. For a full recap of our amazing program:

With 25+ years experience playing the cello, Michal is no stranger to performing in an orchestra or choral setting. While her artistic background remains ingrained in orchestral music, she also has a deep love for theater and ballet - particularly the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. In addition to traveling regularly, Michal maintains her interest in the cultural aspects of the arts through teaching humanities, which keeps her closely connected to both current and historical interpretations of art.

Before her experience at the Pacific Symphony as Arts Engagement Manager, Kelli worked at a local stage production company where she helped put together community theatre performances. She embodied the quintessential arts-X-presser, having found her artistic passions in an array of different areas - from multidisciplinary art in musical theatre to church choir and concert band. Above all else, Kelli loves empowering people to find their voice, build confidence, and connect with others through the arts: It is a process like no other, and unique to every person and their soul, which is just the coolest thing!

A senior staff member and arts-X-press alumnus, Mohammad carries a plethora of experience working in the arts. In addition to serving on the AXP team for 6+ years, and being apart of the program as a student back in its second year, Mohammad garnered a considerable portion of his artistic passions through his experience as a visual arts student. He later joined the Walt Disney Company for nine years in a mentorship role to host performing arts students at the Disneyland Resort. Through leading the creative expression seminars for AXP@Home 2020, Mohamed strived to foster a safe place for his students - a place where they can unleash their deepest inner-selves and let their uniqueness shine through.

THANK YOU to everyone who helped create the magic at arts-X-press 2020! A common theme among students in their workshop projects was the idea of overcoming challenges and uncertainties. The vision of this program was built on foundations of empathy, and inclusion, and empowerment. It’s important to recognize how the intersection of artistic mediums can help us rise above moments of adversity through these values. In this challenging time, we must strive to instill positivi...ty in everyone’s lives. Here at AXP we always want to provide students with a safe space to find their voice and build inner confidence; we hope that we helped your students accomplish these goals! We express our deepest gratitude to the students, families, and leadership that makes this amazing program possible. One more virtual ‘Standing O’ for AXP@Home!

In today’s Watch Party, AXP jumped into the world of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights! We were joined by @chancetheater Resident Artist James McHale, who provided insight into the realm of theatre production and musical storytelling after our viewing. James spent some time analyzing the musical’s plot and characters with students and counselors. He talked about all of the greater social implications and real-life challenges that characters and moments in the musical repr...esent. In connecting to situations and characters in the musical, Alyssa S. expressed that she related to the character of Nina, largely due to the challenge of avoiding failure and living up to successful expectations. Angel E. also told us that the character of Abuela Claudia really reminded her of her own grandmother. A huge thanks to James for joining us this afternoon! #AXP2020

A huge thanks to @pacificsymphony Director Carl St.Clair for joining us again for our #AXP Watch Party this afternoon! After viewing a virtual performance of the Symphony’s orchestral renditions of cinema classics from Maestro John Williams (Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and more!), students spent the afternoon chatting with Maestro St.Clair about his experiences working with Williams, the nuances of film scoring, and artistic leadership. Carl expressed the import...ance of using empowerment as a tool to find out your own purposes. "With lots of change going on in our lives, we hope that arts-X-press can help you become a 'change-maker' - to influence positive change through acts of leadership." #AXP2020

@pacificsymphony orchestra musicians joined our Instrumental Music Spotlight Workshop today - students heard accounts and performances from Jennise Hwang, Assistant Principal Second Violin; Joe Morris, Principal Clarinet; Adedeji Ogunfolu, French Horn; and Michael Franz, Principal Bass. They shared personal experiences as an orchestral musician and also provided in-depth information about their respective instruments. Each musician also played samples of a few amazing pieces..., ranging from Mozart to The Beatles. Director of Audience Engagement Kurt Mortensen also joined us to discuss his role of enhancing the connection between classical music and audiences. He delved into his how his graphic design skills and knowledge of music helps him understand how we can let people choose their own experience of art consumption. Thank you to everyone who joined us today! #AXP2020

Today we had a chance to talk with professional artist Mike Tauber (@miketauberstudios) who has been working in visual arts for the Pageant of the Masters since 1998. Focusing on ceramic tile art since 2006, Mike continues to draft pieces for the Pageant, as well as for private homes and community projects. Mike showcased a number of his past and current art projects, such as the Love Bird art wall in Tustin (Laurel Glen Park), (*which connects directly to the visual art pie...ces being worked on in Instructor Trinh’s Workshop!) and the Coastline to Canyon mosaic in Laguna Beach (Neighborhood Congregational Church). He explained that for inspiration, he often looks at commercial advertising and pop art to spark many of his creations, due to its nature of boldness and simplicity. Counselor Hannah, of Session 1, also shared her experience volunteering as an actor with the Pageant, where she took part in a rendition of Four Seasons of Life: Middle Age by Currier & Ives (1868). She told us that her interest in entering the show was inspired by her witnessing of the Festival during one summer as a camper at arts-X-press! #AXP2020

AXP Instructors spent today familiarizing students with our second session’s theme: empowerment! Many think of empowerment as a way to encourage and foster self-confidence within yourself or others to reach one’s full potential. Others might see it as a way to overcome fear, or to serve others who may be underprivileged or disadvantaged. Helping someone to find their voice and build a platform to express themselves is always a great way to empower others. What does empowerm...ent mean to you? We’d love to hear! #AXP2020