Rhoda Blount
Rhoda Blount, having her cultural roots grounded in jazz, has paved the way for many young jazz artists in the West Philadelphia area. During her 14 years as the Director of Education at the MANN, where she created the education department, she continues to connect children culturally through the world of jazz. Noticing the lack of connection inner-city children had with jazz while at one of the Philadelphia Orchestra's concerts, she sought to become the connector for them. Rhoda created a jazz concert series tailored specifically for elementary and middle school aged children and the results have been nothing short of phenomenal.
Fourteen years ago, at the jazz program's inception, it began with 800 children. Today that same jazz program has from 4500 to 6500 children. Rhoda's slogan is, "I'll give you an opportunity to see the world without leaving Philadelphia." And for many inner-city children she's done just that by adding "global performances" to the curriculum. But Rhoda's involvement doesn't stop there. In addition to the concert series she also connects with children city-wide through another program she created - Connecting Arts With School. Throughout the academic year she goes into schools city-wide overseeing Multi-art performances of music theater and dance where the children in her program perform.
Most admirable is the fact that the programs that Rhoda is involved with are free. The production, audio/visual, even the transportation for the children are all free. The workshops are all under the auspices of The Greenfield Performance Treasures program. The diversity of culture in these workshops broaden the children's cultural horizons. Rhoda is the central piece in orchestrating that.
Rhoda has seen several children she has developed culturally go on to college, become polished musicians, and travel the world. Rhoda's compassion for the cultural development for the children of West Philadelphia, in my book, makes her a star!
Shine on Rhoda Blount! Shine on! For more information about Education at the MANN call (215) 546-7900 ext109 or email rblout@manncenter.org.
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