Who We Are

Literacy Through The Arts

CO-CREATED & CO-DIRECTED BY:

MATT SULLIVAN, COMPOSER, MUSICIAN, EDUCATOR

KEN CRO-KEN, EARTHWORK ARTIST, EDUCATOR

All projects begin and end with writing.

Enlightenment for all subjects through the arts.
HAVING FUN AND SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR IT!

Who We Are

CORE TEAM:
KEN CRO-KEN - VISUAL ARTIST, COMPOSER
MATT SULLIVAN - OBOIST, COMPOSER
Guest musicians, composers, artists, writers, filmmakers, technicians on hand...
DINA ALEXANDER - BROADWAY COMPOSER, SOUND ENGINEER, MUSIC TEACHER
JAMES BERRY- TECHNICAL ENGINEER, COMPOSER
QUINTET OF THE AMERICAS, ARTS-IN-RESIDENCE, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Matt Sullivan
Arts Coordinator, Director, Composer, Musician, Instructor, Consultant
Director of Double Reed Department at NYU.
*Internationally Acclaimed Oboist, Composer, Teacher
* Master of Art, University of Miami
* Bachelor of Arts, University of Miami
www.oboematt.com
Original music at:
www.myspace.com/mattsullivanoboist

MATT SULLIVAN has performed extensively on four continents and is recognized internationally as a virtuoso performer and master teacher, as well as an important advocate for the modern oboe. The New York Times has praised his "gorgeously lyrical playing" and the New Yorker has called his inventive programming the "cutting edge". As composer, his innovative works created for oboe, English horn and digital horn, along with his solo and chamber music performances and compact discs, have been featured locally on WNYC. WQXR and WBAI, and nationally on National Public Radio and Voice of America. Matt Sullivan began his professional career at the age of 17 with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and served at principal oboist with the Miami Philharmonic at the at of 21. Soon after coming to NYC in 1978, he joined Musicians Accord, the Richardson Chamber Players (Princeton University), Queens Symphony Orchestra, First Avenue, and Quintet of the Americas. Sullivan’s solo performances include concerts ranging from Cindy Lauper at Carnegie Hall to films including Miller’s Crossing. Concert venues include Carnegie Hall, The Library of Congress, the Palladium, Roulette, The Kitchen, CBGBs and numerous other uptown and downtown locations. He has served on the faculties of Long Island University C. W. Post, the Manhattan School of Music Prep Division and Rutgers University. Currently, he is Director Double Reed Studies at New York University’s Steinhardt School and he teaches at Princeton University where he has served as a Visiting Associate Professor. Matt Sullivan is a Performing Artist for Boosey & Hawkes Musical Instruments and plays exclusively on Buffet Oboes.

Ken Cro-Ken
Arts Coordinator, Director, Instructor, Consultant,Visual Artist, Curator
www.KenCroKen.com
www.youtube.com/kencroken

Ken Cro-Ken, internationally exhibited environmental painter, has taught full time as an Art, Music and English teacher. His most memorable experience came after the tragic events of 9/11/01. Five months later and one block away from the former World Trade Center, Ken was selected to bring his "Arts-In-Education After School" to The H.S. of Economics and Finance, and their neighbor, The H.S for Leadership and Public Service. As the Arts Coordinator for the Downtown After 3 Project Ken created, implemented and coordinated this project; working directly with the gifted Program Director, David Anderson. With the concept of "FUTURE FOCUS" and LITERACY THROUGH THE ARTS, programs known as clubs these projects offered job training at Chase and J.P. Morgan. These high school students were also involved with "THE GALLERY EXPERIENCE" , learning every aspect of operating a gallery. This included: creating the art , choosing a theme, writing group and individual artist's statements, press releases, and learned about copy and layout for promotion. Then they had to organize and throw the event at a real gallery.

Programs have included: Launching a School Newspaper, Performances, Dance, Music Videos, Playwright, The Investment Club, The Latin Club, The Desi Club (students whose families are from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan), and more... Groups, such as The Desi Club were brought together after school but not just to "hang out". They were told that this was an excellent opportunity for them to gather fashion, music, dance, food and such from their culture and share it in a performance; just as other groups wee preparing. Getting together is great. Getting into a project as the same time... even better! Emphasis was always placed on the importance to document ideas and plans. Pads were always available as I made my rounds visiting each group daily. I believe our job is to assist students as all projects are student based & student driven.

* Internationally Exhibiting Artist, Videographer, Educator
* Master of Art, New York University
   (Received The NYU Centennial Scholarship for scholastic achievement 1995, 1996, 1997)
* Bachelor of Professional Studies, SUNY (Art, Business, Education)
* The Creative Arts Coordinator who created and developed the pilot program
   for students most directly affected by the events of 9/11/01;
   five buildings south of the former World Trade Center.
   “Arts in Education After 3 pm program"
   For The High School of Economics and Finance,
   and their neighboring sister school,
   The High School for Leadership and Public Service.
* Literacy Through Nature Arts Director for LIFECAMP;
   a daily retreat for Newark City students,
   sponsored by: The Boys and Girls Club of Newark, N.J.
   Students went from being Investigative Researcher to Investigative Reporters;
   creating a video teaching fellow students about the natural wonders of rural N.J.
* Former Head Teacher for the Video Department at USDAN Center for the Arts.
   (Rated in the "top ten" best Creative Arts summer camps in N.Y., by TIME magazine)

Guest musicians, composers, artists, filmmakers, writers, technicians on hand...
Dina Alexander
Music Instructor, Music Consultant
Broadway Composer, Sound Engineer

James Berry
Technology Consultant
* Vice President of Creative Technology in launching Sputnik7,
(Ground breaking and award winning music and film entertainment destination website)

Quintet of the Americas
Ensemble-in-Residence at New York University
www.quintet.org

Our affiliation with a host of local, national and international contemporary art and music venues can offer students insight into the professional world of the arts. There is an opportunity for students to also become more greatly aware of the potential that exists for anyone to be more creatively minded in every aspect of their education and future career choices.

Contact us to discuss how we may best contribute to your organization to optimize the talents of the teachers, staff and students and support the core curriculum through our staff of professional artists/teachers!

LET THE LEARNING AND FUN BEGIN!