Monthly Archives: February 2015

Student Musicians Rock On for Dr. Chu on visit to Corona

kids_rock_012NEA Chairman Jane Chu’s last stop on her Riverside County, California, on Friday, February 20, 2015 was to Fender Center’s Kids Rock Free® School of Music. Follow @NEAJaneChu  and @KidsRockFree on Twitter and Facebook for photos and commentary on the visit to California.

Pamela Hogan and board members George Guayante and Jeff Salash greeted Chairman Chu at the Fender Center’s Kids Rock Free School of Music in Corona where she toured the classrooms and studio for performances by Kids Rock Free students.  The attached photo was taken by Melanie Salash, Wild Blue Orchid Photography, when Dr. Chu, set to lay down a riff, praised Fender® Musical Instruments Corporation for their significant donations to this nonprofit community music school where over 15,000 students have  taken free and low-cost music lessons in the last 16 years.

Dr. Chu was joined by Congressman Ken Calvert, his staff, Mayor Eugene Montanez, City of Corona staff and representatives from the California and Riverside Arts Councils.  Kids Rock Free parents and students shared their music ed life-changing experiences with the Chairman who explained that as a pianist she also turns to music for times when words don’t suffice.  She encouraged the students to continue their education and wished them luck with their aspirations. The following students performed for Dr. Chu and guests:

  • KRF® School of Music Band “No Surrender” led by Band & Guitar Instructor Lee Zimmer
  • KRF® School of Music Drumline accompanied by Drum Instructor Henry Rodriguez
  • KRF® School of Music Soloist Breanna Carrera accompanied by Vocal Instructor Christopher Diaz

For more information about NEA, contact NEA Public Affairs at auclaire@arts.gov or 202-682-5744.

NEA Chairman Jane Chu to Visit Riverside County

Chu portrait1-Photo by Strauss Peyton Studios

NEA Chairman Jane Chu will visit Riverside County, California, on Friday, February 20, 2015. Her trip will include a public event at the Culver Center for the Arts, and site visits to Studio 395 Foundation and the Fender Center’s Kids Rock Free School of Music. Follow @NEAJaneChu on twitter for photos and commentary on her visit to California.

Chairman Chu will begin her visit to Riverside County at the Culver Center for the Arts for a 10:00am event hosted by the Riverside Arts Council. This event will begin with short performances by Intersect Dance Theatre and young singers Ashlen Bullock and Brennely Brown, as well as remarks by Mayor Rusty Bailey. Chairman Chu will speak about the power of the arts and take questions from the audience. This event is free and open to the public. Click here to register to attend.

IMG_2913That afternoon at 2:00pm Chairman Chu will meet with the Studio 395 Foundation at the Lake Elsinore Cultural Arts Center. In addition to learning more about Studio 395’s work to engage their community, Chairman Chu will participate in a discussion about the role of creative placemaking.

At 4:00pm Chairman Chu will join Congressman Ken Calvert for a visit the Fender® Center’s Kids Rock Free School of Music in Corona where she will tour the center and hear performances by Kids Rock Free School of Music students:

Kids Rock Free® School of Music Band “No Surrender” led by Lee Zimmer,  Drumline led by Henry Rodriguez, and Vocal Soloist Breanna Carrera

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Mike Peters of The Alarm RETURNS

On April 11, 2015, Mike Peters of The Alarm will appear in a benefit concert for the Fender Center® for the Performing Arts! The excitement will kick off with a magical opening act of the Kids Rock Free® School of Music’s own kids rock band.

VIP tickets include preferred seating in the first six rows, an invitation to a pre-concert reception in the KRF Studio for the Artist Meet & Greet.  There will be a complimentary cheese & fruit plate, no-host bar & sandwich plate for sale. Arrive early for a Master Class with Mike Peters (FREE to all Kids Rock Free® Families) in  the Historic Civic Center Community Room which will be transformed into the KRF Canteen with a no-host bar & sandwich plate for sale.

Mike_Peters_of_The_AlarmThe VIP reception and the KRF Canteen open at 6:30 p.m. Mike Peters has played acoustic guitar all his musical life and the sound of the instrument has been at the core of all his work from the very beginnings of The Alarm to the present day.  Mike will talk about his life experiences and if there are musicians in the crowd, he’ll wind up the Master Class with a jam session. Tickets for Master Class and Concert are sold separately or with a package discount. With prices this low, you can’t afford to miss this live show of this talented artist.

Mike Peters is known primarily as frontman of the internationally acclaimed Welsh band The Alarm and more recently as guest vocalist for celt-rockers Big Country. Mike is also an inspirational solo acoustic performer and (as a two times cancer survivor), founder of what is now regarded as the world’s leading rock and roll cancer charity ‘Love Hope Strength Foundation’.

Learn more about Peters’ amazing  and revered sound…

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