On Saturday, August 21st, The North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) participated in the Annual West End Children’s Festival on Thoreau Path in the West End. NEMPAC provided an Instrument Petting Zoo and a number of performances.
Of the Instrument Petting Zoo, NEMPAC’s Executive Director Rebecca Griffin said: “Children get so excited when they get to try out an actual instrument. Adults do as well. We see folks having a great time trying an instrument for the very first time, or picking up an instrument that they used to play all the time. It is very rewarding to be able to provide an activity that connects so many.”
NEMPAC performances included NEMPAC Instructors Gary Fieldman (Percussion) and Jeremy Sarzana (Guitar) playing with the North End band, Crosstown. NEMPAC student Sam Sullivan, age 7 also played a few songs on a full drum set with Crosstown. NEMPAC violin students Sadie O’Leary, Zoe Powell-McCroey and Evelyn Harper were accompanied on the violin or the keyboard by their instructor, Sarah Glenn.
NEMPAC’s Adult Rock Band (a course that NEMPAC offers) played a seven song set, including “Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones, “Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Joan Jett. The rock band members who performed are: Mikaya Emma and Carrie Johnson (guitar), Jeremy Sarzana (Bass), Brian Johnson (drums), and Emily Trask (vocals).
NEMPAC’s involvement at the West End Children’s Festival was one of the first events planned by newly hired Private Music Instruction Coordinator, and voice instructor Sherri Snow. “Sherri did an outstanding job. We are very excited to have her with us at NEMPAC”, said Rebecca.
NEMPAC offers private lessons in voice, piano, guitar, bass, saxophone, flute, viola, cello, percussion, and more. NEMPAC also offers classes for toddlers, teens, and adults in music, yoga, Italian and more. Need based scholarships are available.
NEMPAC is a 501c non-profit located on the Prado in the North End. Its mission is “To provide affordable arts related programming to the North End/Waterfront and surrounding communities”. To register for NEMPAC’s upcoming Fall Session or to find out more, visit www.nempacboston.org, or email Rebecca at becca0923@yahoo.com.
