Continuing A True Collaboration: Symphony for the Schools

The Phoenix Symphony is excited to continue our creative partnership with Michael Kary, Professor of Theatre at Grand Canyon University (GCU) for our Symphony for the Schools Field Trip theme: Collaboration: Inspired by Differences.

The 2024/25 season’s Symphony For The Schools Field Trips would not have been possible without the excellent resource of Kary’s acting background. Kary is an Alumni of Grand Canyon University and holds an M.F.A. from the University of San Diego Old Globe Professional Actor Training Program. His acting credits include: Fame on 42nd Street (Original New York Cast); Hay Fever (New Jersey Shakespeare); Trojan Women, Pericles, Taming of the Shrew, Smash!, and Twelfth Night (The Old Globe Theatres) just to name a few.

As a talented playwright, Kary was transformative in creating a narrative that allows students to watch collaboration happen in real time. The story is about two friends who try and push their own genres of music onto the symphony’s performance. Alex Amsel, the Associate Conductor of The Phoenix Symphony, acts as the conductor and mediator for the feisty two. Throughout the performance, Amsel chooses music by different composers and genres to fit both musical preferences. Before the Phoenix Symphony plays the selections, Amsel talks about the composers’ inspirations through culture, individual history and background. He delves into how the composers use their music to tell their unique history and how the music came to be. As the two friends grow weary of one another and continue to get more stagnant in their positions, Amsel finally gets the two to work together, explaining how most of the music heard during the field trip would not have been possible if it wasn’t for collaboration.

The Education Department at the Phoenix Symphony further demonstrates this theme by collaborating with Kary and two Grand Canyon University student dancers, Luke Roosma and Hannah Earley.

Luke Roosma is enrolled at Grand Canyon University in his 2nd year. Growing up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado he began training at Peak Academy of Dance when he was 5 years old. At the age of 13, his family moved to Show Low, AZ where he continued his training with the Dance Academy of the White Mountains. Through his connections with The Dance Academy, he has performed in various professional shows including “Dance in the Dessert,” a modern dance festival in Las Vegas, NV,  and with Dance Theatre West’s production of “Sister Moses” in Havana, Cuba. Since moving to the Valley, he has performed in multiple shows at GCU in both student showcases and faculty-based showings. Most recently he was seen as the Nutcracker Prince/Cavalier in Southwest Ballet Theatre’s December Production of “The Nutcracker.” He is well versed in many styles including, Modern, Hip Hop, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, and Jazz. Luke is extremely honored with the opportunities he has been granted thus far in his career and cannot wait to pursue dance further. Roosma says “Dancing with The Phoenix Symphony has been incredible. Everyone involved with the organization is extremely talented and it’s been a tremendous honor to work alongside these artists.”

Hannah Earley has trained in many styles including ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, tap, and flamenco. She began dance training in a competitive dance environment, competing for 5 years at national competitions until graduating high school in 2018. Her ambition led her to train at the School of Ballet Arizona (SBAZ), where she deepened her experience in technique and reinforced her passion for the fascinating art form of ballet. She enjoyed performing in Cinderella (2019) and Swan Lake which was performed at Desert Botanical Garden (2021). She is currently in her senior year at Grand Canyon University, working towards her BA in Dance Performance with a minor in Advertising and Graphic Design. At Grand Canyon University, she has performed in many dance department concerts, including Emerge, Flourish, Odyssey, and Worthy. She has also choreographed work for GCU’s dance concerts, Ambivalence and Worthy.

Hannah’s biggest passion is to enable future generations to embody their important values in a safe space while allowing discoveries to flourish. Currently teaching at Desert West Dance Academy, she encourages each dancer to feel their best in class and on stage. She believes that dance involves correct lines and efficient technique, but is, most importantly, about a person’s inward expression through movement. Stories are powerful ways of communicating and dance allows stories to come alive. She aims to unlock the connection between technique and storytelling among her students in class and through performances on stage. Earley says “Preparing a lively performance alongside The Phoenix Symphony for the valley’s students has been an exceptional experience. From choreography and rehearsals to performing on stage, it has been an honor to see this performance ignite sparks in the students’ eyes.”

Collaboration: Inspired by Differences Field Trip
Recommended for Grades K-8

For generations, composers have been inspired by culture, individual history and background. Join the Phoenix Symphony in exploring different composers and how their stories shape their music. Discover how these composers use music to tell their unique history, and how it brings us together through collaboration. Thanks to generous support from the community, admission is free! Check out the Phoenix Symphony’s collaboration with Valley Metro at transportation solutions.

Following a series of performances in fall of 2024, The Phoenix Symphony is thrilled to once again present this field trip performance in the spring of 2025.

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 – Orpheum Theatre 10:00 AM or 11:45 AM

Thursday, March 6, 2025 – Orpheum Theatre 10:00 AM or 11:45 AM

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 – Symphony Hall 10:00 AM or 11:45 AM

To learn more, please visit:
https://www.phoenixsymphony.org/education-community/field-trips/