Music Workshop’s free concerts for youth, the Soundwaves Concert Series, celebrated its second season of interactive performances at The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts. Concerts this season were held in July 2023 and involved performances by the Playing for Change Band and Ron Artis II & the Truth. The concerts were emceed by local high school student Melanie Rosales Del Cid, who facilitated a conversation between the artists and the audience during the performances. The concerts were recorded and will be shared in the 2023-24 school year as educational content to Music Workshop’s network of over 11,300 teachers, reaching over 4.3 million students in all 50 states and 99 countries.
With a unique fusion of influences and talents the Playing for Change Band, which currently consists of 11 musicians from 10 countries, carries music from the streets to the stage to people’s hearts. These musicians come from many different countries and cultures, but through music, they speak the same language. The Playing For Change Band is now touring the world and spreading a message of love and hope to audiences everywhere.
Ron Artis II uses his music to express his joy and love for life. His talent and music have taken him around the world performing and collaborating with artists like Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Jack Johnson, Jake Shimabukuro, Booker T Jones, Eric Krasno (Soulive, Lettuce), and G Love, among others. A multi-instrumentalist who grew up in Hawaii in a musical family, Ron speaks and sings from the heart.
Soundwaves Concerts highlight the connection between music and life. According to Amy Richter, the Founder and Executive Director of Music Workshop, “Our goal at Soundwaves Concerts is to use the stories and artistry of musicians to promote the connection between music and important life skills.”
The 2023 season was a huge success with multiple concerts enjoyed by local students and members of the public both young and old.
Soundwaves 2022’s inaugural season artists included Pink Martini, DJ Prashant, Thunderstorm Artis, and Portland Cello Project. Click the link to see a segment of the 2022 Soundwaves Concert featuring Pink Martini. Stay tuned for more Soundwaves concerts to be announced soon.
Funding for this project comes from the Elizabeth B. McGraw Foundation.
Please contact Amy Hall at amyh@musicworkshop.org for more information about future Soundwaves concerts or other inquiries.