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Kansas City Young Audiences Awards

To kick off 50th-year celebration events for the Kansas City Young Audiences this awards ceremony is the first in a line of events this year.

Friday 1 April 2011 - at the Mid-America Arts Alliance - First Friday in the Crossroads
2018 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO

Jazz singer Lisa Henry and group provided entertainment before and around ceremonies
Jazz singer Lisa Henry and group provided entertainment before and around ceremonies.

Stitched panorama showing the room
Stitched panorama showing the room

The African Caravan, of the Traditional Music Society entertains guests, as one young audience member in particular gets some attention from drummer Xavier Fleming. (L-R) Bird Fleming, Vanessa Gibbs (artistic director), Freddie Brim (hidden behind), Xavier Fleming (music director), Christina Scales
The African Caravan, of the Traditional Music Society entertains guests, as one young audience member in particular gets some attention from drummer Xavier Fleming. (L-R) Bird Fleming, Vanessa Gibbs (artistic director), Freddie Brim (hidden behind), Xavier Fleming (music director), Christina Scales.
Vanessa Gibbs (in front), TMS choreographer, dancer/teacher, with her usual high-energy dancing. (L-R) Bird Fleming, Xavier Fleming (music director), Vanessa Gibbs (artistic director), Freddie Brim and Christina Scales
Vanessa Gibbs (in front), TMS choreographer, dancer/teacher, with her usual high-energy dancing. (L-R) Bird Fleming, Xavier Fleming (music director), Vanessa Gibbs (artistic director), Freddie Brim and Christina Scales.
Harlan Brownlee, gray shirt, left of center, head of the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City also gave an address. He worked for 22 years with KCYA, 13 of the roster and 9 on staff with the last three as executive director of KCYA.
Harlan Brownlee, gray shirt, left of center, head of the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City also gave an address. He worked for 22 years with KCYA, 13 of the roster and 9 on staff with the last three as executive director of KCYA.

The Lighton Prize went to

The Traditional Music Society

The Lighton Prize, in front of the blue bowlers of 2010 winners Jay and Leslie Cady of Laughing Matters
The Lighton Prize, in front of the blue bowlers of 2010 winners Jay and Leslie Cady of "Laughing Matters"

Bird Fleming accepts the Lighton Prize ( Lighton is pronounced: LITE-un ) for the Traditional Music Society. Bird Fleming first joined the KCYA roster in the early 1980s and formed the Tradional Music Society in 1993.

Bird Fleming accepts the Lighton Prize ( Lighton is pronounced: LITE-un ) for the Traditional Music Society. Bird Fleming first joined the KCYA roster in the early 1980s and formed the Tradional Music Society in 1993.

The presentation at the Mid-America Arts Alliance (2018 Baltimore, Kansas City MO) as part of First Friday at the Crossroads. The Lighton Prize ( Lighton is pronounced: LITE-un ) is in memory of Gertrude W. Lighton for teaching artists who provide programs to student with high artistic quality and with a strong connection to the school curriculum.

KCYA stated: "This year's recipient, Traditional Music Society – founded by Bird Fleming, is an arts group dedicated to the promotion of educational excellence and community cohesiveness through the study of indigenous music and dance from around the world. Fleming has been partnering with KCYA since 1983 and with his ensemble, Traditional Music Society, performs in numerous schools on both sides of the state line, reaching more than 4,700 students each year."

See: http://www.TraditionalMusicSociety.Org
Jay Cady, last year winner with wife Leslie of the Lighton Prize and who teach and perform under the name Laughing Matters presented the prize to TMS Leslie Cady, last year winner with husband Jay of the Lighton Prize and who teach and perform under the name Laughing Matters presented the prize to TMS
Jay and Leslie Cady, last year's winners of the Lighton Prize and who teach and perform under the name "Laughing Matters" presented the prize to TMS. Jay, reading: TMS, founded by Bird Fleming, is an arts organization dedicated to promotion of educational excellence and community cohesiveness through the study of indigenous music and dance from around the world. West Africa, South America, Central America and the Carribean.

Also getting presentations were:

The 2011 Distinguished Educator Award to

Catherine Hunt

Catherine Hunt holding her award. Hunt works in the Grandview schools.
Catherine Hunt holding her Distinguished Educator award. Hunt works in the Grandview schools.

Catherine Hunt is in the Grandview School District and is the district coordinator for Special Instruction Programs. Hunt made a special effort to introduce each child in the district to arts programming from KCYS's Arts Partners program. The Grandview district expanded their arts programs last. The expansion was helped with funding from the Francis Families Foundation. Hunt also was a member of the KCYA Artist Review Panel and the Arts Partners Advisory Committee.

This Distinguished Educator annual award was established in 2004 to honor educators and school representatives who understand the importance of integrating the arts into daily classroom curriculum. This award is presented to those who recognize the correlation between high academic achievements and arts education. These dedicated educators and school volunteers work to provide quality arts programming for the students and faculty they represent.

Carol Comer

Carol Comer, jazz singer, retired from KCYA after many years and was presented with a framed letter and picture of - one of the thousands of young children she touched - in her years teaching kids in the program.
Carol Comer, jazz singer, retired from KCYA after many years and was presented with a framed letter and picture of - one of the thousands of young children she touched - in her years teaching kids in the program.

Harlan Brownlee, director of the Arts Council of Kansas City spoke to the group. Harlan was with KCYA for 22 years, 13 of them on the roster followed by nine on staff, the last three of which he was executive director of KCYA.
Harlan Brownlee, director of the Arts Council of Kansas City spoke to the group. Harlan was with KCYA for 22 years, 13 of them on the roster followed by nine on staff, the last three of which he was executive director of KCYA.

Attendees next to poster for upcoming event
Attendees next to poster for upcoming event

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Unless otherwise noted photos and copyright 2012 Mike Strong KCDance.Com - Email This Page

Traditional Music Society
page links on this site

http://www.TraditionalMusicSociety.org

 
Concerts, News and other Events

Kwanzaa Dec 2011
Lighton Prize April 2011 (KCYA awards)
Showcase March 2011
Showcase May 2010
Kwanzaa Dec 2009