Kids’ Orchestra names artistic director, program manager
(Baton Rouge)—The latest additions to the new Kids’ Orchestra staff look forward to fostering promising futures for youth in the Baton Rouge area through music.
Kids’ Orchestra has named Raul Gomez as Artistic Director and Eliza Eaton as Project Director.
A conductor, violinist, composer and teacher, Gomez is completing his DMA in conducting at Louisiana State University (LSU). Eaton, a violist who is formerly of Teach for America, has worked with the United Nations World Food Program, Rotary International Youth Exchange and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.
“I am so excited about our five fabulous schools for our inaugural year, Capitol Elementary, The Dunham School, Lanier Elementary, LSU Laboratory School and Melrose Elementary,” Kids’ Orchestra Founder and Board Chair Nanette Noland said. “My dream of providing an excellent staff is coming together and I am delighted that our Kids’ Orchestras are already booked for Christmas events.”
For release: June 1, 2011
For more information contact:
Gwen Jones, Executive Director
PH: 225-922-4656 Fax: 225-922-5120
5667 Bankers Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Kids’ Orchestra names artistic director, program manager
(Baton Rouge)—The latest additions to the new Kids’ Orchestra staff look forward to fostering promising futures for youth in the Baton Rouge area through music.
Kids’ Orchestra has named Raul Gomez as Artistic Director and Eliza Eaton as Project Director.
A conductor, violinist, composer and teacher, Gomez is completing his DMA in conducting at Louisiana State University (LSU). Eaton, a violist who is formerly of Teach for America, has worked with the United Nations World Food Program, Rotary International Youth Exchange and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.
“I am so excited about our five fabulous schools for our inaugural year, Capitol Elementary, The Dunham School, Lanier Elementary, LSU Laboratory School and Melrose Elementary,” Kids’ Orchestra Founder and Board Chair Nanette Noland said. “My dream of providing an excellent staff is coming together and I am delighted that our Kids’ Orchestras are already booked for Christmas events.”
As Artistic Director Gomez said he is looking forward to working with the very talented team of Kids’ Orchestra teachers, student and their families to start a movement that will make a huge difference in the community.
“I am a strong believer in the power of the arts to help improve our society and culture and that’s what Kids’ Orchestra is all about. “Growing up in Costa Rica, I had the privilege of studying music in a similar program and it definitely changed my life,” Gomez said
Dean of LSU School of Music Laurence D. Kaptain said, “The appointment of Raul Gomez as Artistic Director speaks to the serious intent of this organization to assure quality in instruction and excellence in the structure of this ambitious project. He is a proven artist, talented composer, inspirational teacher and creative leader who will provide important direction—while serving as a role model for the students and teachers associated with the program.
Eaton said she knows the power that music can have in influencing a student to strive harder to reach a goal, inspiring a group to work together to create something magical or building a child’s self-esteem.
“Kids’ Orchestra will bring the children of Baton Rouge the opportunity to play, create and explore the wonderful world of rhythm and sound together,” Eaton said. “I look forward to helping build a program that will, one day, see every elementary school student in Baton Rouge learning and growing through music.”
Kids’ Orchestra is a year round program designed to foster social change and nurture promising futures for youth in Baton Rouge. In collaboration with a broad array of community partners, Baton Rouge’s Kids’ Orchestra program will provide music education, instruments, leadership development and performance opportunities to Baton Rouge’s kindergarten through fifth graders.