Memphis culture is oftentimes defined by its music and arts scene. Recalling the greats like Otis Redding, Al Green and Aretha Franklin is quite easy to do. But as we think about that rich musical legacy, we are challenged to also ponder who’s coming next. Stax Music Academy and Youth Ballet Memphis have an answer.
This weekend, the two youth arts entities will join forces for “Collaborations 2,” a celebration of music, ballet and deep creative connections, taking place Saturday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m., at Ballet Memphis.
“We started this partnership in the Fall of 2021 with a simple but meaningful goal, to connect more deeply with our younger artists and nurture their creative growth,” said Eileen Frazer, community programs manager and teaching artist for Ballet Memphis.
“From the beginning, we wanted to create a space where they could explore different art forms, learn from one another and discover the joy of creating together,” Frazer added. “It is about more than just making art. It’s about building community, understanding different perspectives and celebrating what happens when creative minds come together.”
Youth Ballet Memphis and Stax Music Academy first realized these connections in “Collaborations 1,” which took place in 2022. Now, another cohort of students from Stax Music Academy, with the help of their instructors, has created six original works. Students from Youth Ballet Memphis have choreographed those works, also with the help of their instructors, and they will execute classical ballet at the shows.
“Through this experience, our students learned how to appreciate different art forms,” said Isaac Daniel, executive director of Stax Music Academy. “Some artists expressed their interest in dance and telling stories in movement, and the same happened on the musical side. Producers and songwriters stated the importance of thinking about movement with expression of music and words. All of the students realized how much art is connected and learned how to communicate without knowing exactly what to say.”
Frazer added, “Our students are often most comfortable expressing themselves through their bodies, so it has been wonderful to see them use their voices to speak, sing, connect and discover all the possibilities that come about when we allow creativity to flow in new and unexpected ways.”
Art in its truest, purest form is best created and expressed with no bounds, no limitations, no rules. It is clear that is what this experience yielded for all the young artists involved.
One of the key takeaways for the music students, according to Daniel, is just how diverse the resulting music was because of the open, collaborative creative process.
“These students have a very diverse palate, and you can hear that in the music,” said Daniel. “They also learned how building relationships can positively affect their artistry.”
Daniel says audiences can expect to hear music that has a hint of classical, mixed with R&B, Country and Pop.
The music and ballet students have also worked together outside of preparations for “Collaborations 2,” which began in March, continued through the summer and picked up at the start of the school year. The new relationships are what have made the experience even more magical.
“The amount of fun and appreciation from both sides during this process was truly inspiring,” said Daniel. “And their questions and enthusiasm made the experience electrifying for the adults, too!”
“This collaboration embodies the spirit of connection, authenticity and innovation, and brings together young dancers and musicians from different disciplines and backgrounds to create original work that is true to Memphis’ legacy of collaboration across art forms,” said Frazer. “The heart of this project stemmed from connection, dialogue and collective expression, which is characteristic of what makes the Memphis Art Community unique.
Following “Collaborations 2,” both groups have a full calendar. Stax Music Academy will host an Open House on Nov. 18, offer a special “surprise” Nov. 20 at FedEx Forum and can be heard caroling around town after Thanksgiving, before their Dec. 14 Christmas Celebration and collaboration with The Soulsville Charter School.
Youth Ballet Memphis artists will take part in the annual tradition of Ballet Memphis’ “The Nutcracker,” which runs Dec. 12–14 at The Orpheum Theatre. One might also catch them at pop-up performances around town at Novel, Theatre Memphis for its Children’s Theatre Festival and at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk and Step up for Down Syndrome, alongside their Inclusive Dance group.
“We work intentionally to build partnerships that reflect the full spectrum of our community, from collaborations with Stax Music Academy, Cazateatro Bilingual Theater Group, Young Actors Guild and Best Buddies Memphis to programs like Dance for Parkinson’s, Inclusive Dance and Expresarte,” Frazer said. “These initiatives are designed to remove barriers to participation, whether they are cultural, physical or linguistic. For us, inclusivity means more than representation. It is about making people feel welcome to experience the art form, to contribute to it and to see themselves reflected in it.”
Daniel added: “When our students collaborate through partnerships like this, it expands their minds on what’s possible. Their mindsets are elevated, and they see how successful they can be in the entertainment industry through collaboration.”
Tickets and more information on “Collaborations 2” are available at: https://balletmemphis.org/youth-ballet-memphis
