Shana Tucker – Pineview Elementary School

At Pineview Elementary School, Shana Tucker educated and inspire future artists through a performance-driven workshop. She introduced students to the most common practices of songwriting by having students create songs based off their favorite subjects like Math and Science. Students learned the essential elements of a song (verse, chorus/hook, bridge, intro, outro), and received the […]

The Slocan Ramblers

The Slocan Ramblers are passionate educators and bring as much enthusiasm for sharing their love of acoustic roots music with students as they do to their live show. Experienced teachers and attendees of one of Canada’s finest music schools—Toronto’s Humber College—the Slocan Ramblers hosted a special in-school performance for Leon High School body students while […]

Hiplet Ballerinas plié their way into hearts of Leon County students

What happens when hip hop meets ballet? You get the Hiplet Ballerinas. The Chicago-based troupe performed Thursday evening at the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall as part of the Florida State University Opening Nights in Class series. But before the ballerinas’ energetic entrance on stage that evening, they took time to do a midday show for […]

Hiplet Ballerinas

Hiplet Ballerinas delivered a private performance for more than 1,200 Leon County School students in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall the morning of the company’s public performance. With the perfect blend of classical dance and modern music and movement, students were able to appreciate the art of ballet while being surrounded by familiar sounds and songs […]

Matt Dusk

Matt Dusk visited Florida A&M University’s campus to offer a music industry lecture to students studying in the Institute of Music Research and Music Industries Studies Department. Matt discussed how he is creating his future in music while also providing real-life insight to others who are working towards achieving successful and meaningful careers in the […]

September 2019

Director’s Column ON Director Michael Blachly It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the start of the 2019-20 Opening Nights Season, which is dedicated to President Emeritus Sandy D’Alemberte in memory and recognition of his leadership in establishing what was originally known as “Tallahassee: Seven Days of Opening Nights.” I would like to introduce two […]

Arts integration aims to ‘make learning come alive’

Leading the workshop was Emily Smith, a national teaching artist from Focus 5, Inc., an organization offering arts integration training and consulting. (Photo: Amanda Thompson) When the final bell rings on the last day of school, students and teachers alike are ready for a break. For most kids, that means snow cones and bathing suits. For […]

AT&T donates $10,000 to Opening Nights at Florida State University for cultural arts programming in high schools

AT&T is donating $10,000 to Opening Nights at Florida State University to help provide enhanced cultural arts programming for Leon County high school students. With AT&T’s support, Opening Nights is bringing artists from two different continents to Tallahassee as part of its “Opening Nights in Class” initiative. Singer-songwriter Graeme James of New Zealand will perform […]

May 2019

From the Director ON Director Michael Blachly In memory and appreciation of FSU President Emeritus Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte’s contributions and support of Opening Nights, the 2019-20 Season will be dedicated to him. FSU President D’Alemberte, who passed away on Monday, May 20, 2019, left an indelible mark on Florida State and the Tallahassee community at […]