Louise Anderson has over 30 years of teaching experience in music education including PK-12 and university levels. Her interest in using the ukulele in education has led her to organizing community ukulele programs, presenting workshops in PK-12 schools, creating play-along videos, and presenting professional development for music educators. She has currently developed a program for schools that includes using the music of a Maryland musician from the 1920s, social-emotional learning, performing on the ukulele, singing, and language arts.
Caren Kares is a singer and songwriter who makes music that has a strong emotional touch. She focuses on creating beautiful songs that talk about her feelings, and create an honest portrait of her as a person, and artist. Her most recent single is a track titled “Memories (Of what you said to me),” which feels like a truly astonishing combination of jazz and other influences.
Tanya Thielke is a composer and sound designer working in the digital multimedia realm.
Yazan Aboushi is a Palestinian-American photographer and storyteller currently residing in Prince Georges County. Aboushi began his career in photography when he realized that he could use photography to tell the story of his people and bridge the gap between his east and west identities. A passionate environmentalist and educator, Aboushi thrives at the intersection of conservation and storytelling, specializing in Environmental Justice and education.
I pretty much been an artist my whole life. I always love the idea of mixing colors when I was younger just to see how it would turn out. When I had to pick classes in High School every year, I would take an art class even though I didn’t need it. I’ve also always been into photography. I won a People Choice Award and have some of my photography in the 2018 Patterson Park Calendar. I also hand painted a Cicada for the 2021 Parade-a that’s currently hanging on Falls Rd. During the Pandemic I decided to try a different form of art which was working with Epoxy Resin.
Performing Art 2021
In 2020, just before the world shut down, the Hudson Valley Performing Arts Laboratory collaborated with the Samuel Dorsky Museum to create Performing Art: a devised show that took place live in the museum inspired by the exhibitions on display at the time.
In 2021, we did it again, but remotely.
This time around, Performing Art consisted of 9 short films - 3 of which were written by myself - inspired by the works of art on display and created by art-makers across the Hudson Valley, including local filmmakers, composers, and other visual artists. Patrons who attended the Dorsy Museum in person were able to follow a map - also designed by myself! - and scan QR Codes mounted beside each work of art that has an associated short film. Those who were not able to visit the exhibition in person had the opportunity to utilize an interactive map I designed and built on the Lab's website.
While each of the short films created for this project are stand a lone pieces, we've edited them together into one 20-minute film for posterity.
In 2021, we did it again, but remotely.
This time around, Performing Art consisted of 9 short films - 3 of which were written by myself - inspired by the works of art on display and created by art-makers across the Hudson Valley, including local filmmakers, composers, and other visual artists. Patrons who attended the Dorsy Museum in person were able to follow a map - also designed by myself! - and scan QR Codes mounted beside each work of art that has an associated short film. Those who were not able to visit the exhibition in person had the opportunity to utilize an interactive map I designed and built on the Lab's website.
While each of the short films created for this project are stand a lone pieces, we've edited them together into one 20-minute film for posterity.
Medium: Theatre, Film, & Design
Year: 2021
Details: 23:43
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
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.