Cellists for Change is a 501(c)(3) for purpose organization that empowers youth by nurturing creativity, celebrating diversity, and fostering inclusivity in music education and the arts through representation, equity in access, and meaningful community engagement.
Dedicated to performing works from the rich canon of repertoire written by composers traditionally underrepresented in the classical sphere, Cellists for Change further embodies a commitment to intersectionality by commissioning new works that amplify and celebrate the voices and creativity of living BIPOC, female, and LGBTQIA+ artists. We have had the privilege of working closely with Kari Clifton (Denver-based BIPOC cellist and composer) and Sergio Marroquin (Guatemalan composer) to premiere two new works for cello ensemble over the past two years.
This year, we are honored to have commissioned two new cello ensemble works, October by Kari Clifton and Seasons of Blight by Lee Knight and André O. Hoilette. Please click here for more details!
CfC also nurtures a much-treasured friendship with Escuela de Cuerdas, a school of music in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. This relationship has allowed for valuable musical and cultural exchange between students here and students in Huehue, reaffirming our shared humanity and inspiring young musicians to make a positive impact on their global community. In 2020, CfC performed and hosted online workshops to raise money for the school. With these funds, Escuela de Cuerdas was able to paint their school, repair their stereo system, repair one of the keyboards used to give lessons, and purchase four music stands.
Additional CfC projects/opportunities to date include:
- Music by Black Composers repertoire class (Summer 2020)
- Improvisation workshop with cellist Kari Clifton (Summer 2020)
- Play For The Vote (Mike Block initiative to encourage election participation) community engagement performance, covered by ABC Denver News (Nov 2020)
- Zoom Concert Series for Open Heartland Learning Nest, a nonprofit serving the seven most economically disadvantaged mobile home communities in Johnson County, IA (Fall, 2020)
- Full and partial Cello Lesson Scholarship opportunities for racial and ethnic minority students PK-12 in collaboration with CfC Founder and Executive Director Psyche Dunkhase (ongoing)
Cellists for Change aspires to ensure that youth of all races, ethnicities, identities, religions and cultures have access to learning, creating, and performing experiences. If you have a child or know of a child who would be empowered by the mission and vision of Cellists for Change, please reach out to cellistsforchange@gmail.com.
Be the first to know what CfC is up to by following us on FaceBook (CellistsforChange) and Instagram (@cellistsforchange)!
www.cellistsforchange.org (website under construction, expected to go live Summer, 2021)
