On Friday, March 2nd, 2018, Cultural Academy for Excellence, (CAFE), Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra (PVYSO) will perform at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC., for the 2017 Finale of the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area. CAFE will make history as the first steel orchestra to perform at the museum, which is a monument to the significant contribution by people of African descent in the United States. The orchestra is looking forward to performing a wide variety of musical genres on the steelpan- the only fully chromatic acoustic instrument to be invented in the 20th century. The steelpan (often referred to as the steel drum) belongs to the percussion family of instruments and was invented in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
CAFE a 501c3 not-for-profit organization located Mt. Rainier, Maryland was founded in 1996 by Lorna Green, CEO, a 2007 Washingtonian of the Year award winner. CAFE uses a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Music/Math (STEAM) arts-integration curriculum to build life skills, discipline and academic excellence for students ranging in ages from 6 to 18. This innovative program has resulted in 100% high school graduation, with one of our graduates becoming a Fulbright Scholar. The organization uses credentialed, experienced staff, and instructors, and is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors.
PVYSO is directed by Artistic and Music Director, Josanne Francis, M.M. Ms. Francis, a talented H.S. music teacher in Prince George’s County MD, is the first female steelpan soloist to perform at Carnegie Hall, and, is currently a 2017- 2018 Artist in Residence at Strathmore. She will also be featured on the popular ”TED Talks” in March 2018.
PVYSO has performed internationally in Dakar, Senegal; Trinidad and Tobago; and Toronto, Canada; and, throughout the eastern half of the United States from Boston to Florida; and from Ohio to Illinois.
To learn more about CAFE students and programs log on to website www.cafeyouth.org, or Follow us on: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM
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Lorna Green, Founder and CEO
Cell: 301 785 0390
Email: lgreen@cafeyouth.org
11305 Chantilly Lane, Mitchellville, MD 20721
