WYPR Events

The Akhmedova Ballet Academy presents an encore presentation of Peter & the Wolf LIVE!

BHOOMI

As every season is marked by climate change-related events driven by human greed - hurricanes, floods, wildfires, typhoons — there’s no better time to contemplate humanity’s relationship to the environment. Connection and balance play a central role in Bhoomi, which means “earth” in Sanskrit and Telugu. Framed by the portrayal of the five natural elements - space, air, fire, water, and earth - the work depicts the evolution of humanity’s connection to these fundamental aspects of the earth’s existence. It asks why and how have we gotten to this point and what might we do to slow this course we have laid for ourselves?

The work unfolds in front of projected images of paintings by award-winning artist Shanthi Chandrasekhar and lush designs from Dylan Uremovich. India-based music composer Praveen Rao provides a sweeping and innovative original score.

The Hot Club of Baltimore performs inspired arrangements of the Django Reinhardt repertoire, French waltzes, and traditional Jazz at An die Musik Live!

Michael Joseph Harris, guitar
Connor Holdridge, guitar
Shawn Simon, bass
special guest Eli Bishop, violin

Led by guitarist and composer Michael Joseph Harris, the Hot Club of Baltimore has gained national recognition, performing at prestigious venues from The Kennedy Center to the Django Reinhardt Festival.

Harris himself has been celebrated as one of Baltimore’s top artists and was featured in The Baltimore Sun and Baltimore Style Magazine. In 2015, Harris founded and has remained the Artistic Director for Charm City Django Jazz Fest, the only annual Jazz festival in Baltimore, Maryland. Through his role as festival director, Michael has formed relationships with some of the best players on the international scene while fostering a strong local following. With three albums to their name, the Hot Club of Baltimore continues to enchant audiences with their dynamic, virtuosic performances steeped in the jazz tradition.

The band will feature Eli Bishop, a violinist, mandolinist, composer, and arranger who is recognized for his virtuosity and versatility across multiple genres of music. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Eli began playing the Suzuki method of violin at the age of 3 under the tutelage of his mother, going on to study jazz and fiddle styles in his teenage years.

Eli has performed with artists including Wynton Marsalis, Lee Ann Womack, Maddie & Tae, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Video Game Orchestra, and as a member of the Grand Ole Opry’s house band. Eli has also worked as an arranger for Grammy-nominated video game composer Austin Wintory (composer of Journey, Assassin's Creed: Syndicate), and has recorded with Dolly Parton for Dollywood.

Rounding out the band will be Connor Holdridge on guitar and Shawn Simon on bass.

Limited in-person seats: $25/ $10 students
In-person attendees receive a link to the recording to view for one week.

Streaming passes: $15
The link will remain active through Feb. 23

Join Roberto Villeda as he makes his highly anticipated debut as a bandleader at An die Musik Live! He will bring together a powerhouse ensemble of masterful musicians to explore the dynamic world of Latin jazz. This exciting performance blends the improvisational freedom of jazz with the vibrant, traditional rhythms of Cuba, Brazil, and South America, creating a thrilling fusion of culture and sound.

Roberto Villeda, piano
Michael Paxton, sax
Juan Navarro, guitar
Mike Pope, bass
Fran Vielma, percussion
Koleby Royston, drums

Renowned for his exceptional ability to blend the vibrant rhythms of Latin music with the improvisational complexity of jazz, Roberto Villeda is a pianist, composer, and bandleader who has become a staple in the Latin jazz scene in the DMV. Born in Guatemala, Roberto’s musical journey began at an early age, influenced by the rich cultural tapestry of Latin America and the timeless allure of improvisation. With his roots deeply embedded in both worlds, his music speaks the language of rhythm, harmony, and improvisation, resonating with audiences globally.

A master at the piano, Roberto combines the rhythmic vitality of Pan-American rhythms with the sophisticated harmonies and spontaneous exploration of jazz. His compositions seamlessly weave together intricate melodies and bold improvisational lines, drawing from the deep well of Latin traditions while pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz.

Throughout his career, Roberto has collaborated with some of the most esteemed names in the DMV, working alongside legendary musicians such as Tedd Baker, Mike Pope, and Keith Killgo, as well most recently touring internationally with the jazz-funk band, “The Blackbyrds.” His performances have graced some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Blues Alley, New Morning Paris, and the Union Chapel in London, where his captivating stage presence and musical mastery continue to captivate audiences of all backgrounds.

With a career that continues to evolve, Roberto is a true ambassador of Latin jazz, passionately sharing the beauty and complexity of this dynamic genre with the world. His compositions, performances, and collaborations are a testament to the enduring power of Pan-American music in the ever-changing landscape of jazz.

In-person seats: $20/ $10 students
In-person attendees receive a link to the recording to view for one week.

Streaming passes: $15
The link will remain active through Feb. 24

Ravita Jazz presents a post valentines day show titled “Songs of Love” at An die Musik Live! Selections will be featured from the jazz repertoire reflective of love and romance along with an original composition.

Greg Small - Piano
Deirdre Jennings - Vocals
Phil Ravita - Bass
Mark Leppo - Drums

Ravita Jazz is a group of active, critically acclaimed, endorsed musicians who are music educators at college and university levels. these published composers perform at jazz festivals, colleges and universities, jazz venues, and events in the mid-Atlantic region. Their extensive contemporary and historical repertoire is complemented by original compositions. This energetic group aspires to call attention to the continued development of America’s music.

Limited in-person seats: $20/ $10 students
In-person attendees receive a link to the recording to view for one week.

Streaming passes: $15
The link will remain active through Feb. 23

This JCS Institute for Professional Development session will explore how thoughts, emotions, and attitudes shape financial decisions, offering participants practical strategies to help clients develop healthier spending habits and enhance their overall financial well-being. This session offers 1.5 Category I CEUs.

Jewish Community Services (JCS) is hosting a Purim Party for teens and adults with disabilities! Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy an evening filled with games, dancing, a light dinner, and delicious Hamantaschen.

If you require any disability accommodations, please contact Jamie Leboe at [email protected] or 410-843-7316 at least two weeks before the event. A good faith effort will be made to provide accommodations in all cases.

Do you love to sing? Do you love to make up stories? Do you love to joke around with friends? Take any or all of those budding interests to the next level with this musical improv intensive!

In just four weeks, you’ll learn all the big concepts you need to successfully perform on a musical improv team. That includes: song structure, musicality, improv content, scene-into-song, and a narrative format (Fairy Tale).

Showcase Performance

You and your classmates will put on a showcase performance for friends and family to come cheer you on, Thursday April 10. Your call time is 6:30 to warm up. Your friends/family can watch the show 7:30-8:30.

Schedule

Thursday, March 13 6:30-9:30pm
Thursday, March 20 6:30-9:30pm
Thursday, March 27 6:30-9:30pm
Thursday, April 3 6:30-9:30pm
Thursday, April 10 6:30-8:30pm (showcase performance 7:30-8:30)
Prerequisites: none are required, but

Recommended: any ONE of: (A) improv 101 OR (B) some music performance experience OR (C) a one-session musical improv intro workshop (see BaltimoreMusicalImprov.com) OR (D) a musical improv jam (see BaltimoreMusicalImprov.com)



About Your Instructors:
Alexa and Casey have been teaching musical improv together for many years with the nonprofit Baltimore Musical Improv. They make improvised musicals together in the Baltimore-based musical improv group Bad Karaoke Experience (BKE) and The Tritones. In a given show, you’ll see them both alternating between singing on stage and doing back-line instrumental accompaniment. BKE has played in DC's Improvapolooza, the New York City Musical Improv Festival, and the Baltimore Improv Festival (BIG). The Tritones have performed at Countdown Improv Festival.



Casey is a long-time teacher, including: musical improv, dancing, web development, and technical skills. Casey can play Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance on at least 15 instruments — and he owns an instrument in every color of the rainbow. Imagine someone walking down the street singing, dancing, and blowing bubbles - that’s Casey!



Alexa is an improviser, stand up comic, coach, and secondary Spanish teacher. In 2018 she conceptualized Ready Set No, a DARE style improv show. She has a popular TikTok account with 30 thousand followers, and over one million likes. She can also read tarot, and sometimes still finds time to play The Sims 4.



About Highwire Improv:
Highwire Improv’s mission is to steward a community of artists committed to growth, collaboration, joy, and justice — in Baltimore and around the world — through improvisational theater.

Learn more at https://www.highwireimprov.com

Welcome to the wonderful world of improv comedy!

Could you imagine yourself:

More confident?
Connecting better with other people?
Comfortable in unexpected situations?
Making up things on the spot?
We know that you can, and this class will show you how! Learn the fundamentals of improv comedy with two skilled and supportive instructors. We'll play some very silly games, learn how to create characters, explore techniques to collaborate and create as a team, and even perform full improvised scenes together!

Of course, you won't be facing this new experience alone - you'll be learning these new skills with a team of new improvisers, and by the end you'll be ready to put on a showcase for your friends, family, and fans!

About this class:

Over six weeks, you will learn the fundamentals of improv comedy through a combination of warm-ups, games, exercises, and practice scenes. Highwire Improv's expert instructors will be with you every step of the way, holding the space to make silly choices, explore comedy, and learn how to create art together. No performance, acting, or comedy experience is required - but by the end you will be confident and ready to show off your new skills!

Each class session will run from 6:30-8:30pm ET, with optional time available after class to discuss and debrief:

Week 1 (March 11): Intro to Improv
Week 2 (March 18): Base Reality
Week 3 (March 25): Physicality
Week 4 (April 1): Characters
Week 5 (April 8): Emotion and Relationship
Week 6 (April 15): Putting it All Together
Week 7 (April 22): Student Showcase!
This class is in-person, but Highwire Improv also offers online classes - check out our page for other offerings!

About your instructors:

Misty Letts (she/they) stepped into the improv pool 6 years ago and has not looked back. She got her footing at Baltimore Improv Group through curriculum and workshops from various BIG instructors of the form. Digging into opportunities to learn from so much talent including Don Fanelli (UCB), Kate Zelensky (UCB), and Travis Charles Ploeger (iMusical- WIT). She has also enjoyed playing with Maryland Improv Collective and can presently be found camped out on Highwire’s front stoop. Misty she’s and is also a they/them and can be found on two wheels tooling about town, so drive carefully!

“Improv helps the world laugh, and listen” -Misty

Keith Estrella (he/him) has been makin’ stuff up on a stage since November 2017, when he took his very first improv class at the Harrisburg Improv Theater in Harrisburg, PA. Since then he’s performed, taught, or coached there and in multiple locations within both Pennsylvania and the Baltimore, MD area. He’s taken the Zoom stage several times as well, learning and performing through World’s Greatest Improv School during the height of the pandemic. Last year, he even took his first transatlantic flight to perform at the Edinburgh International Improv Festival in the incredibly stony city of Edinburgh, Scotland. Currently he enjoys performing at the Baltimore Improv Group with his house team, Snake Oil, and a myriad of other indie teams in the Baltimore area including A++, Brad’s Dad, and Tabletop Live!. He is a proud cat-uncle to his housemate’s orange tabby Reece. Don’t let him talk to you about Dungeons and Dragons (unless you’re into that kind of thing).

About Highwire Improv:

Highwire Improv is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization based in Baltimore, Maryland. Our mission is to steward a community of artists committed to growth, collaboration, joy, and justice — in Baltimore and around the world — through improvisational theater.

Can I Use Professional Development Budgets for This Class?

Yes, very often you can! We've even created a few email templates depending on what type of skills you'd like to highlight to your employer!

Thomas Schinabeck - Alto Saxophone
Ethan Bailey-Gould - Guitar
Charlie Reichert Powell - Guitar
Aidan Taylor - Bass
Koleby Royston - Drums

Thomas Schinabeck is a saxophonist and composer from Cleveland, Ohio and currently living in Baltimore. The Thomas Schinabeck Quintet hopes to use music to bring people together in spaces filled with love and openness, so that we can love ourselves, each other, and our planet more deeply. Schinabeck’s influences include Wayne Shorter, Charlie Parker, and John Coltrane, as well as sounds from nature and everyday life.

Thomas has had the opportunity to share the stage with world-class artists such as Sean Jones, Joel Ross, Warren Wolf, Terence Blanchard, Fran Vielma, Dominick Farinacci and Patrick Bartley. Thomas has performed with his own band, playing his compositions, throughout Ohio and the DMV including at the Tri-C Jazz Festival the Bopstop and BluJazz+, as well as An Die Musik, the Keystone Korner, and Mr. Henry’s. He is currently finishing his degree at the Peabody Conservatory.

$10 student tickets available at the door!