Amy Blake & Colleen Kattau: Family Ethical Education Program

Event Date: March 25th, 2018 at 11:00am - 12:00pm
Address : 516 Prospect Street, Maplewood, NJ, USA
Town : Maplewood
Information:

Please join the Educational Initiative as we explore the power of life, music and words as we try and find how our voices fit into our communities. Colleen Kattau is a bilingual educator, activist, and singer/songwriter with a journey to share. Pete Seeger was an admirer and friend. How does my voice fit in, you ask? “Why do you always answer a question with a song?” a boy I knew asked me when I was 6 or 7 years old. Why did I? That question made me conscious of how much song defined my being. In my head the answer was “It comes out that way naturally. It just does.” Apart from a few lessons on an instrument I didn’t choose, there were not a lot of opportunities for music in school. I kept on singing through it all — that voice from nowhere and everywhere kept bubbling up every day! I auditioned for the senior play and landed the role of Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls.” Whoa! And picked up my first guitar. In college, and politicized with a language to name what I’d felt all along, I travelled to Spain and joined the choir in Salamanca. I became hooked on Spanish and later Latin American music, especially nueva canción or new song. I started seeing the connection between the transformative power of music and social change and how other cultures do this naturally. I did not imagine supporting myself through music, it seemed an unattainable ideal so I led a parallel life of work and finding time to play and sing. There was a time when I was about to put down my guitar. I felt I had no community... then my angel fierce friend appeared to say no, never! So I kept on singing and learning and sharing with others, and doors started opening. For music is a gift that keeps on giving. And I feel that each day I understand that ever more deeply. Students will explore the power of music and lyrics as they listen and sing along to songs that promote peace and respect for our planet. Please join us on March 25th for this interesting morning of conversation and song. You can find out more information about Colleen by checking out her website: www.colleenkattau.com/bio.html

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