APS educators raise their voices in chorus for Atlanta Opera production of ‘Porgy and Bess’

Photo by Tim Wilkerson/Atlanta Opera

We couldn’t be prouder of Miles and Adamsville elementary chorus teacher Letricia Henson and Douglass High choral director Ben Polite, who currently are performing in the chorus for the Atlanta Opera‘s sold-out run of “Porgy and Bess” this week at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. It should be noted that the opera chorus already has received rave reviews, and we’d like to think Henson and Polite are two big-voice reasons why.

And this isn’t Henson’s first rodeo with George and Ira Gerswhin‘s iconic opera, which tells the story of African Americans in Depression Era Charleston, S.C. She sang in the opera chorus for the Atlanta Opera’s first mounting of “Porgy and Bess” back in 2005, and the following year performed the opera in Paris with the same group. (It marked the first time an American opera chorus of this kind was ever invited to perform in a European music hall, Henson notes.)

Coan Middle School showcases student artists

The Atlanta Cluster of The Links, Inc.,  hosted the second annual “Showcase of Coan Middle Artists, Musicians, and Poets and Atlanta’s Top Professional Artists” at Coan Middle School on Wed., Dec. 9. Hosted by FOX5 news reporter Aungelique Proctor, the showcase featured a student Poetry Café with a special guest poetry reading by actress Chantell Christopher, well-known for her roles in several of Tyler Perry’s stage productions.

Coan’s gym transformed into a winter wonderland to set the stage for holiday classics performed by Coan’s Treble Maker Band led by Band Director Jovan Burton, the eighth grade Advanced Chorus, the sixth grade Beginning Chorus, the Boys Chorus, the Mixed Chorus, solo performances, and students from Carver School of the Arts students performing as members of the Urban Youth Harp Ensemble.

The Artists Marketplace displayed magnificent visual art pieces that included student drawings, paintings and sculptures that were offered for sale. Professional, local guest artists displayed their works to share with students and parents which included sculptures, vintage photographs, oil and canvas paintings, set design, pen and ink drawings, and an art technique utilizing colorful fabrics using a zigzag pattern on a sewing machine. The showcase was well-attended by students, parents, teachers, staff and community leaders.