Music

Laurie Millman, director of Center for New Americans in Northampton was Tertulia’s guest on June 27, 2021.

She spoke about their work in helping immigrants when they arrive in the U. S. and when they are ready to apply for citizenship, including free English classes.

People are dreaming of a less sequestered summer, and with COVID-19 restrictions easing, the Berkshires will be a destination for many.

Business owners count on tourists coming to this relatively small region, rich in live music, theater and museums. For them, last summer was brutal. This year, it could almost feel like the old days.

Dr. Orlando Torres, Medical Director at Baystate High St. Health Center, Adult Medicine in Springfield was Tertulia's guest on April 11. 2021. He spoke about the vaccines for Covid -19 and the many misconceptions and misinformation in the Latino community. He stressed the importance of being vaccinated and the availability of vaccines as of April 12 at the clinics on High St.,Mason Sq. and Brightwood in Springfield. The conversation was held in Spanish.

Mr. Carreras, Director of Music at the Conservatory of the Arts Magnet School in Springfield was Tertulia’s guest on April 4, 2021.

He spoke about his role as a director in all different manifestations of art, including choirs, bands, music and film productions.

He brings very well known artists as guests, via zoom, to interact with the students.

Magos Herrera, born in Mexico City, is a jazz singer, songwriter, producer and educator, currently based out of New York City. Ms. Herrera was Tertulia’s guest on March 28, 2021. She spoke about her music and how she incorporates Latin American melodies and rhythms in contemporary jazz. Ms. Herrera is also a United Nations’ spokesperson for U N Women Unite promoting the elimination of violence against women and gender equality. Ms. Herrera will have an evening concert streaming live from the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton, April 17 at 3 pm.

Marcos Carreras, Director of Music at the Conservatory of the Arts Magnet School, Springfield, was Tertulia’s guest on March 14, 2021.

Mr. Carreras is the director of choirs, bands, music productions and film. The school has students from grades 6th to 12th with emphasis in developing and promoting art in all different manifestations.

Chilean jazz vocalist, songwriter and arranger, Claudia Acuña, was Tertulia’s guest on February 28,2021. She described her music as a fusion of traditional music from South America and jazz. Ms. Acuña, a Latin Grammy Award nominee, will perform on March 6, 2021 at the Academy of Music Theater, Northampton.

claudiaacunamusic@gmail.com

Martha Sager-Cutt, Director for Young Moms at Roca Inc. Springfield, was Tertulia’s guest on February 21, 2021.

Ms. Sager-Cutt spoke about the mission of the program, its target population and skills provided to help young mothers to get out of violence and poverty.

rocainc.org

Dr. Orlando, Medical Director at Baystate Hospital, High St., Springfield joined us on Tertulia to speak about Covid-19. He discussed symptoms presented by children affected by the virus, types of masks, necessary precautions to consider when reopening stores and how this pandemic is disproportionately affecting specific sectors in our community.

Tertulia’s guest is Dr. Orlando Torres, Medical Director at Baystate Hospital, High St. , Springfield.

He shared information about the coronavirus pandemic such as common and not-so-common symptoms, those who may be at higher risk of being infected, when one should go to the hospital, and new testing sites.

This region is packed with great musicians. Our annual music series is a chance to highlight some of the amazing artists who live here, in southern Vermont, throughout western Massachusetts and around Hartford. 

American lutenist, composer and teacher Ronn McFarlane has been active nationally and internationally for over 40 years, both as a soloist and as a collaborator with other instrumentalists.

About 70 singers greeted each other on a recent Monday night as they settled into their seats at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. A tall, bearded man stood before them next to a piano.

Kari Njiiri, NEPR, spoke with saxophonist Jane Bunnett following a performance with her all-female band from Cuba, Maqueque, at the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island. 

Dan Román began composing as a young teenager growing up in Puerto Rico. He doesn't know why he started, exactly — just that simply playing instruments wasn't enough.

Opera fans, and even non-fans, are familiar with the music of Bizet's "Carmen" or Puccini's "Madama Butterfly." Lesser-known is the world of new opera, like "Here Be Sirens," composed by a Smith College professor and on stage in Northampton, Massachusetts, this weekend.