New York Youth Symphony's Musical Theater Songwriting Program Students to Perform at Joe's Pub

Since the creation of the New York Youth Symphony's Musical Theater Songwriting Program (MTS) in 2018, Anna K. Jacobs has been its director, creating the curriculum from scratch, bringing world renowned Broadway professionals into classes, and teaching extraordinary NYYS students the craft of songwriting. Now, as the students gear up for their final performance of the year at Joe's Pub, Anna will be taking her final bow.

On Wednesday, May 17th at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater at 7pm, a live audience will have the unique chance to listen to songs written, composed, and arranged by the 2023 New York Youth Symphony's MTS cohort. The cohort will be joined on stage by performers from The Harlem School of the Arts, Molloy/CAP21 and special guest, Jennifer Blood, who was most recently in the company of Girl from the North Country on Broadway. There will also be a professional band, featuring MD/pianist Jeremy Robin Lyons, guitarist Craig Magnano, bassist Irio O'Farrill, and drummer Mariana Ramirez, and NYYS violinist Zoe Buff.

"When we started the Musical Theater Songwriting Program, we were so lucky to find Anna to bring it to life," explained Shauna Quill, Executive Director of New York Youth Symphony. "The impact and strides she has made with this program in five years are absolutely mind-blowing. She will be truly missed, but we are excited for the wonderful developments in her career and can't wait to see them come to fruition. I know that the students and performers at Joe's Pub will sing their hearts out in tribute to her."

The New York Youth Symphony's Musical Theater Songwriting Program is specially designed to lead students between the ages of 12 to 22 through a range of musical theater songwriting processes.

"These showcases are a thrilling culmination of all the hard work our students put in over the course of a season," explained Ms. Jacobs, "and this year's showcase will be especially meaningful for me, as it's my last. But I can assure you that with the amount of talent and tenacity these students have, I will definitely be seeing them around the theater community and beyond. Throw in some phenomenal performances by Jennifer Blood and musical theater students from HSA and Molloy/CAP21, and this night will be one for the books."

Tickets for the showcase are available at www.nyys.org/events.

About MTS

Anna Jacobs, weekly sessions will feature seminars, workshops, and masterclasses with some of Broadway's most distinguished composers, writers, performers, musicians, producers, directors, and designers. Throughout the year, students will also have the unique opportunity to workshop new material with performers from the Harlem School of the Arts and New York Film Academy, as well as a Broadway pit band.

The New York Youth Symphony's Musical Theater Songwriting Program is specially designed to lead students between the ages of 12 to 22 through a range of musical theater songwriting processes. Whether their background is as a classical composer, singer-songwriter, performer, writer, or some cool hyphenate, this program will provide students with the opportunity to both study the fundamentals of musical theater songwriting and take artistic risks.

About the NYYS

Founded in 1963, the NYYS is internationally recognized for its award-winning and innovative educational programs for talented young musicians. It was awarded the 2023 Grammy for Best Orchestral Performance - Classical, the first youth orchestra to win a Grammy in this category. As the premier independent music education organization for ensemble training in the New York metropolitan area, the NYYS has provided over 7,000 music students unparalleled opportunities to perform at world-class venues including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Joe's Pub, and The Times Center, and to study with world-renowned artists. Beyond the instruction from accomplished musicians, students gain valuable life skills - commitment, discipline, focus, collaboration - and friendships that last a lifetime.

About Jennifer Blood

Jennifer Blood was most recently in the company of Girl from the North Country on Broadway. Other Broadway: Miss Honey in Matilda, Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Violet. Off Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along (Fiasco/Roundabout), Unlock'd (Prospect), A Little Journey (Mint), Falling For Eve (York). Favorite Regional of all time: Maria in Sound of Music at Drury Lane. TV: New Amsterdam, FBI, Blacklist. Proud mama of Nat and Josie.

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