Melissa Foss’ work takes different forms, from sculptural ceramic instruments, improvisational performances, and electroacoustic compositions to educational workshops and residencies for all ages. Through these different expressive channels, she explores themes of memory, kinship, and myth, as well as sound itself; its ability to inspire awe and its power to generate collective moments of shared emotions and connection.
Wind Chill
Written by Emily Dykeman
Directed by Sarah Byrons
With performances from
In late 2020, Hudson River Housing commissioned the Hudson Valley Performing Arts Laboratory to produce this piece for their 14th Annual Wind Chill Fundraiser. The result was this short, immersive work devised using the stories and testimonials of people in Hudson River Housing's community who had experienced homeslessness. Because the fundraiser was to take place both in-person and online, the production was also filmed for those who could not attend in person.
Hudson River Housing, Inc. (HRH) is a nonprofit organization that develops and manages affordable housing in New York's Hudson Valley. Wind Chill provides critical support for all of Hudson River Housing's programs for those experiencing homelessness, including individuals, veterans, families, seniors, and youth. In November of 2020, the my company joined Hudson River Housing for an evening of fellowship as they raised funds and awareness to support those in our community confronting homelessness facing the long winter ahead.
Directed by Sarah Byrons
With performances from
In late 2020, Hudson River Housing commissioned the Hudson Valley Performing Arts Laboratory to produce this piece for their 14th Annual Wind Chill Fundraiser. The result was this short, immersive work devised using the stories and testimonials of people in Hudson River Housing's community who had experienced homeslessness. Because the fundraiser was to take place both in-person and online, the production was also filmed for those who could not attend in person.
Hudson River Housing, Inc. (HRH) is a nonprofit organization that develops and manages affordable housing in New York's Hudson Valley. Wind Chill provides critical support for all of Hudson River Housing's programs for those experiencing homelessness, including individuals, veterans, families, seniors, and youth. In November of 2020, the my company joined Hudson River Housing for an evening of fellowship as they raised funds and awareness to support those in our community confronting homelessness facing the long winter ahead.
Medium: Live performance & accompanying short film
Year: 2020
Details: 7 minutes
Phase I Proof of Concept Project
In 2019, The Global Z Recording Project conducted its Phase I Proof of Concept Project. The Project brought together 34 student musicians from different locales across Maryland and Colorado, and created an original musical recording using virtual audio production, communication and collaboration technologies. Musicians ranged in age from middle school, to graduate students. Participants were at distances from 60-1700 miles from their recording space to the lead audio engineer. This project served as the foundation for the work we currently do.
Laugh-A-Lot Poetry (K-2nd grade assembly)
Interactive poetry for K-2nd graders
Laugh-A-Lot Poetry (3rd-5th grade assembly)
Performing one of my poems for the crowd.
Darren Sardelli is a humorous poet who knows how to get kids excited about poetry. He’s been invited to speak at over 800 schools and libraries, nationwide, where he’s transformed reluctant readers and writers into poetry fanatics. His poems have been featured on Radio Disney, in bestselling books on the Scholastic Book List, and appear in 25 children’s books in the U.S. and UK.
Darren's website - www.laughalotpoetry.com
Patti (Spady) Ross graduated from Washington, DC’s Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts, The American University and The Keller Graduate School of Management. As a lifetime learner, Patti holds a certificate in Writing for Social Justice from the University of California, Berkeley. After high-school graduation, she performed with several local theatre companies in the Washington region.
Tub (excerpt)
A piece portraying the stillness and boredom of quarantine, created in May 2020 during the stay-at-home order in Baltimore City, Maryland.
Medium: Digital video
Year: 2020
Details: 3 minutes 6 seconds
Single Cell (excerpt)
An exploration of cyclicality, movement, and spontaneous mythology enacted by the body.
Medium: Digital video
Year: 2020
Details: 8 minutes 30 seconds
Dial
A piece exploring the fluidity of time and the difficulty of fully understanding one another in dialogue.
Medium: Digital video
Year: 2021
Details: 2 minutes 34 seconds