Jazz Composer Terence Blanchard at Innovation

Renowned jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard came to Innovation on October 14th and spent about an hour with Innovation students and their teacher, Damen Heyward, in the pop vocals classroom. 

Blanchard spoke to our kids about what it takes to become a great artist. His focus was on discipline and hard work, and he cautioned the kids that talent alone is not enough to make it in the music world. Blanchard was accompanied by a representative from the Metropolitan Opera and from the El Barrio ArtSpace (PS 109).

Blanchard’s new opera, Fire Shut Up in My Bones, is the only opera composed by a black person ever to be performed at the Metropolitan Opera. Some of our students have even been invited to attend a performance on Saturday, as Blanchard’s guests: an exceptional opportunity for students who would otherwise never attend the opera!