Bridge to Everywhere is a classical chamber music ensemble and arts organization based in the Los Angeles area that promotes cross-cultural collaborations through musical performances and educational programs. Bridge to Everywhere is currently the ensemble-in-residence at Mount St. Mary's University (Los Angeles).[1]

Bridge to Everywhere
Bridge to Everywhere after a performance at the Brand Library and Art Center in 2019
Bridge to Everywhere after a performance at the Brand Library and Art Center in 2019
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresClassical
OccupationChamber ensemble
Years active2015–present
Members
  • Derrick Skye, conductor
  • Rachel Iba, violin/concertmaster
  • Yvette Holzwarth, violin
  • Anna Kouchnerov, violin
  • Nikki Shorts, viola
  • Michelle Rearick, cello
  • Chris Votek, cello
  • Mark Gutierrez, bass
  • Philip Graulty, guitar
  • Marc Nimoy, guitar
  • Dimitris Mahlis, oud
  • Jacqueline Marshall, harp
  • Rachel Mellis, flute
  • Neelamjit Dhillon, saxophone/tabla/bansuri
  • Saili Oak, voice
  • Hannah Arista, voice
  • James Waterman, percussion
  • Ian Smith, sound engineer
  • Kim Tran, ethnomusicologist
Websitewww.bridgetoeverywhere.org

History

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Bridge to Everywhere began as a recording project by composer Derrick Skye on Orenda Records in 2015.[2] Bridge to Everywhere released its first commercial album Prisms, Cycles, Leaps in September of 2015, in conjunction with the world premiere of the Skye’s orchestral work, Prisms, Cycles, Leaps, by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.[3][2] The group became a more formalized performing ensemble and arts organization in 2016, with a debut performance at Theatre Raymond Kabbaz in 2017. [4] Bridge to Everywhere has performed at venues such as the Eagle Rock Music Festival, Miles Memorial Playhouse, The York Manor, Brand Library and Art Center, Angel City Jazz Festival, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, and Boston Court Pasadena. Bridge to Everywhere won San Francisco Classical Voice's Los Angeles Area Audience Choice Award for "Best Chamber Performance" in the 2019-2020 season.[5]

Collaborations

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Bridge to Everywhere has collaborated with Los Angeles-based performing arts groups and arts organizations including Salastina Music Society, CalArts Community Arts Partnership (CAP), Inner City Arts, American Composers Forum of Los Angeles, Bridge Projects, and the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department.[6][7][8] In 2018, Bridge to Everywhere released its second album, American Mirror, in partnership with Salastina Music Society.[9]

Ensemble and repertoire

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Bridge to Everywhere's ensemble members are trained in classical music and also have extensive training in at least one other musical tradition. The ensemble is flexible in its configuration, and includes strings (violins, viola, cello, bass); various flutes including bansuri; saxophone; vocalists (Hindustani classical, western classical, jazz, pop, Bulgarian folk); guitars (electric and classical); electric bass; various percussion (including tabla and West African percussion); harp; piano and keyboard; Turkish oud; tanpura; and a conductor. Bridge to Everywhere's repertoire often interweaves elements from musical traditions around the world into a western classical music setting. A majority of the ensemble members are also composers (Derrick Skye, James Waterman, Philip Graulty, Anna Kouchnerov, Chris Votek, Yvette Holzwarth, Mark Gutierrez, Rachel Iba, Marc Nimoy, Neelamjit Dhillon, Dimitris Mahlis, Ian Smith), and the group often performs and premieres the work of living composers.

Recordings

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  • Prisms, Cycles, Leaps (2015)
  • American Mirror (2018)

References

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  1. ^ "Bridge to Everywhere". Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles. October 10, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Derrick Spiva Jr.'s Prisms, Cycles, Leaps Truly Is A 'Bridge To Everywhere'". Orenda Records. September 21, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  3. ^ Richard S. Ginell (September 20, 2015). "Review: Rhythmically complex world premiere leads off LACO's new season". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  4. ^ "Bridge to Everywhere". New Music USA. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  5. ^ "Audience Choice Awards 2019–2020: Los Angeles Area Winners". www.sfcv.org. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
  6. ^ "Sounds Genius: American Mirror by Derrick Spiva (Westside)". Salastina Music Society. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  7. ^ Pauline Adamek. "Bridge Projects". ArtsBeatLA. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  8. ^ "Music x Ideas x Space = Compose LA" (PDF) (Press release). City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  9. ^ "American Mirror". Orenda Records. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
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