Help Local Artists And The Local Arts Scene, And Brighten Your Life With A New Workshop Series!
To say it’s been a difficult year for creators in the local, and national, arts scene is a massive understatement.
All of us have lost money, jobs, our careers and found our artistic outlets severely curtailed. Any of us within the live performance and audience interaction area — from live music to theater to book signings — have had our livelihoods completely decimated.
One local creator, however, Kristin Bruchmann, is looking to help out.
She told me recently, “I’ve been quite concerned about the number of folks in the Q-C arts scene who have lost their livelihoods due to the pandemic and ensuing shutdowns. I’ve lost a few students myself because of this pandemic. However, for the most part, I haven’t taken a very big hit because most of my students were willing to move to online lessons in March when I was forced to close my studio doors. It was a scramble to pivot that quickly, but we all figured it out.”
And, along with that, she’s taking action to help others.
“Here’s what I’m thinking: host a 90 minute online workshop a couple of Saturdays each month, with a different Q-C artist leading each workshop,” she said. “I’ve set the price per participant at $15, which is low enough that families can afford it, but high enough that if I can get a couple dozen students, it will pay the workshop leader more than I can donate by myself.
“I’m donating my time and my Zoom account, and coordinating the events as well as making a financial contribution to each presenter,” she said. “This is an opportunity for my students to learn new skills, but if it can be expanded outside my studio clientele, it would provide more income for the presenters.”
So far she’s got a pretty cool slate set up.
The first one is this Saturday, December 5 at 1:30, with my friend and QuadCities.com collaborator Tristan Tapscott leading an audition workshop, offering tips for any folks looking to get into theater.
Kristin Bruchmann
Soprano Claire Kuttler, a Davenport native who sings with the NY Metropolitan Opera, is donating her time and expertise to do a masterclass in January for young singers, with proceeds to be donated to a local artist or group.
Brent Tubbs, co-owner/director of Moline’s Spotlight Theater is doing an improv workshop in January.
Davenport native Sarah Ulloa, lead singer for the jazz band Rent Party based in Austin, Texas, will be leading a vocal jazz workshop.
Dino Hayz, co-owner and director of the Center For Living Arts in Rock Island, will do a workshop as well.
“I’m in talks with several others as well,” Bruchmann said.
Registration/payment deadline is by the end of the day today for the first workshop. Folks can register at keynotesevents@gmail.com. They can pay with Zelle to that same email address, or they can send a check payable to Tristan Tapscott c/o Keynotes Vocal Studio, 3011 Harrison St. Davenport, IA 52803.
Registrations can be made by email at keynotesevents@gmail.com.
QuadCities.com is proud and happy to be a sponsor of the events as well, and we’ll be sure to let you know when each of them is on its way to you! So keep an eye out here for updates.
It’s a great way to help out local artists, and the local arts scene, and one that can bring some artistic flair and creativity into your own life, and your kids’ lives, during this rather dingy and dour time. So make sure to sign up as soon as you can, and drop Kristin a line!
It’s helping out not just the local arts scene, but a way to brighten up your own life and imagination.
