Roaring 20's!!

Bloomingdale School of Music Concert Series presented Opus Nine in Roaring 20s in Paris. We were dressed in our best 20's regalia and ready to travel back in time.

Thank you to everyone who came out for the concert! It was such a success-and videos of the performances will launch online in January-so everyone can join in on the party.

In the meantime, check out these before and after concert pics here!

Make Music New York

Make Music New York (MMNY) is one of the largest music events in the city's history. Today, on the first day of summer, 850 free concerts were performed in parks and streets citywide. MMNY takes place simultaneously with similar festivals in more than 300 cities around the world-a global celebration of music making! Opus Nine was thrilled to be a part!

Opus Nine presented a one hour performance at the Divalicious Chocolate! Cafe in Little Italy. The owner, Jackie greeted us with some chocolate samples-the chocolate was delicious!!!











The lively program consisted of Poulenc, Beethoven, Tailleferre, and Mozart. Passersby and neighbors stopped to hear the music. We also had an excited little conductor-in-training in the crowd! This little pink diva could be the next Marin Alsop-she even had clear downbeats.

Check out these pics from the performance!

Check out the entire album here!

--Alysia

Make Music New York Festival Party

Jarvis and I went to the Make Music New York (MMNY) Festival Party tonight hosted by Brooklyn Brewery(in our Opus Nine regalia). Part fundraiser, part networking event and part party-we were asked to help MMNY … by drinking lots of beer. Along with about 100 MMNY supporters we enjoyed the warm atmosphere, great music, and an open bar with eight great beers on tap.

MMNY is a live, free musical celebration across the city that takes place each June 21—the longest day of the year. On that day, public space throughout the five boroughs—sidewalks, parks, community gardens, and more—become impromptu musical stages, dance floors, and social meeting points. Thousands of musicians, in every genre, perform for new audiences, who come out from under their headphones to hear unfamiliar groups risk-free. Everyone is invited to sing along and enjoy the first day of summer. Opus Nine is so excited to participate in this day long festival this summer!

I have a new band obsession- Bury Me A Lion. They played a 1-hour set full of passionate lyrics, rocking original tunes, AND they gave Jarvis and me a shout-out from the stage -they absolutely rock! I even got this groupie/stalker photo with the band!

The evening ended with a drinking song sing-a-long-a little pitchy after a 3-hour Open Bar!
We had a great time and supported a great cause. Thank you to MMNY and Time Out Magazine for providing this great opportunity for musicians in NYC!

FIRST Music Workshops are a success!

Today, Opus Nine completed our first educational outreach music workshops reaching 425 public school students at the First Philadelphia Charter School!

The artists boarded a 6AM train to Philly-excited about the day!

From Music in the Schools Day in Philly

Crystal, Mindy, Jarvis and special guest, Juliette Jones each led their own workshop on music fundamentals-asking the students to open their musical ears and stretch their imaginations.

Jarvis' workshop on dynamics allows students to explore varying dynamic levels with their ears, bodies, instruments and their voices. Watch a 2nd grader 'conduct' her class through 'Mary had a little lamb" from pianissimo to fortissimo.

The students were so great-so smart and creative. It was a pleasure to work with such awesome students and a really helpful faculty. The workshops received rave reviews for the the high energy of the artists and the great balance of fun and education in each workshop.

Kudos to all of our artists for a job INCREDIBLY well done!! Click here to see the entire album!

Prepping for our first Educational Outreach Workshop

Alysia, Crystal, Jarvis and Mindy got together tonight to prepare for the FIRST Opus Nine Educational Music Workshop. Under the watchful eye, of Oscar the cat-we put the final touches on our music fundamental workshop plans and materials. There was also time for some ice cream birthday cake to celebrate Mindy's birthday. How awesome is Mindy?? She is spending her birthday sharing music with public school students and Opus Nine. We are all so excited to share our high energy lessons with over 400 kids tomorrow in Philadelphia.

From Getting ready for Music in the Schools Day!

Performance at the NYC LGBT Community Center

I traveled down to the LGBT center in The Village to hear Opus Nine violinist, Ross perform for the Music Salon and Tea crowd. Ross showcased an extremely polished performance of Ysaye’s Ballade (Violin Sonata No.
3)-which ended with the audience jolting to their feet! “BRAVO!!!”

Still amazed and moved by the performance, the audience immediately placed their names on the e-mail list and snatched up flyers for the Opus Nine Debut Concert Tour. Ross inspired and aroused so much interest for Opus Nine; all in a matter of 7 minutes. Job well done Ross!!

Opus Nine Brings its Charm to Charm City

Last month, Alysia and Jarvis appointed Richard and Robin to head up marketing efforts in the Baltimore/DC area. Richard and Robin ended their productive dinner meeting on Fri, March 13 with a toast and a solid handshake. With its goals outlined and a little over seven weeks before the Opus Nine Debut Concert Tour, Team Baltimore -- Richard, Robin, Miles and Taleesha -- is off to a great start! We are in constant communication with our co-founders, Alysia and Jarvis via text messages, emails, Facebook.com, and phone calls. Prior to our May 16 Baltimore debut concert, we hope to give several performances throughout the city. Thanks to Ms. Theresa Veatch at the Peabody Institute Elderhostel, Team Baltimore will perform a free recital for guests of the Elderhostel on the evening of May 7th. Keep checking our website and blog for weekly updates!

Robin, viola

Marketing Team NYC Meeeting

Ross,violin and his partner, Jim hosted the first OPUS NINE NYC Marketing Planning Meeting & Dinner in their lovely home.

Jarvis and I headed uptown with empty bellies-we were treated to an amazing dinner of beef short ribs, mashed potatoes, and sprouts ( my favorite veggie) and wine, wine, and more wine. Oh.....how can I forget the crab dip? Marvy!

We planned some exciting strategies for OPUS NINE-wait until you see what we have in store for NYC! We even purchased our domain name tonight-OPUSNINE.ORG.

We had amazing food and even better company!!!

Alysia, mezzo soprano