The Ojai Festival’s BRAVO Education and Community Program is honored to accept a grant from The Ojai Women’s Fund for our Artist in Residence Program. The Ojai Women’s Fund is a volunteer collective Giving Circle dedicated to making substantial grants on an annual basis. The recipient organizations target critical needs in the Ojai Valley (focus areas include the arts, education, the environment, health services, and social services).
The following article was shared in the Ojai Women’s Fund August 2024 Newsletter.
Ojai Festivals, LTD. Artists in Residence Program, $15,000
The Ojai Music Festival Artists-in-Residence program has brought the joy of live music into the classrooms of Ojai’s children. Our grant enabled about 450 OUSD students from Topa Topa and Mira Monte Elementary Schools in Ojai and Sunset Elementary School in Oak View to have a personal experience with musicians right in their own classrooms.
The artists, Julie Tumamait-Stenslie with Chumash music, Rosanne Forgette with drums, and Ruben Salinas on saxophone, shared their music and instruments to build a relationship with music that deepens the love of music. At each interactive Artists-in-Residence presentation, the musicians talk with the students about the instruments they play, the history and cultural background of the music they perform, and their paths to becoming professional artists. Other artists who participate in the program include Kathleen Robertson (violin), Dave Cipriani (Indian slide guitar), and Shelley Burgon (harp).
“They get exposure whether they want to play an instrument or be an audience member,” said Laura Walter, education coordinator for the Ojai Music Festival, so it becomes an “intentional part of their experience of beauty.” It also opens the door to a pathway for music in their future.
“Thank you for coming to Mira Monte School. I really enjoyed the song you played from Star Wars. Next year, I’m going to try playing the flute. I want to play an instrument for my career too,” wrote student Selena after Salinas’ performance.
“Thank you for letting us play your instruments, telling your stories, and showing us dance,” said Jasper after Tumamait-Stenslie shared her Chumash music and culture.
“Thank you for letting us play all those cool instruments! I liked it when we got to go inside the circle, and we made all the instruments really loud or quiet or medium,” said Eve when the entire class played percussion instruments.
“This is why I love working with children,” said Walter, “being together and caring about each other is what is important.”
