(Originally published on December 16th on the Beat by Beat Blog.)
Congratulations to Beat by Beat founder/writer Denver Casado for being honored by the All Stars Project New York for his work as a teaching artist, inspiring New York City youth through songwriting and musical theatre.
The Phyllis Hyman Phat Friend Awards are presented annually by New York City youth to their community adult heroes who demonstrate their support for kids and youth concerns. It is the only award in New York of its kind, an award given to adults by young people. Denver was selected from a pool of over 100 deserving nominees.
Denver has been at the forefront of New York City arts education for over 8 years. His work has helped open up doors to musical theater for kids from the Bronx to Harlem to Queens. In October, the All Stars Project reached out to Denver about his nomination by high school student George Pedraza.
George had participated in Denver’s songwriting workshops through Young Audiences New York Music Unites Youth Choir. Denver has led songwriting master classes with the high school choir for the past two years, culminating in the composition of two original, fully arranged choral works presented at their spring concerts. (You can check a video of one those songs here.)
We are so proud of have Denver Casado on our team creating quality musicals for today’s kids!
To learn more about the All Stars Project and the great work they do, check out www.allstars.org.
Phyllis Hyman Phat Friend Awards 2011 Recipients:
Denver Casado
Teaching Artist/Musical Theater Composer
Javier Dzul
Choreographer/Artistic Director
Dzul Dance Company
Victoria Fernandez
ASP Donor and Principal, Ernst & Young
Rosie Powell
Youth Counselor, Police Athletic League
Kenneth D. Ray
Co-Founder, Urban Juke Joint Open Mic
Anna M. Rivera
House Manager, New Victory Theatre
Josh Rosner
Author and Managing director, Graham Fisher & Co
Kenrick Small
Teacher & Coordinator of Student Affairs, International Arts Business H.S.
Leslie Stifelman
Music Director, Chicago: the Musical
Artistic Advisor, HBO
Music Supervisor, Carnegie Hall