Buzz
Downtown Music to host virtual ‘summer school’
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
Get an inside look at the
music industry for free
this summer during a
weeklong virtual program.
From July 27-31, New York
City’s Downtown Music Holdings
is launching Downtown Summer
School that will give participants
access to sessions will feature insights
from Downtown, TikTok
and other industry giants.
Founded in 2007, Downtown
Music Holdings was made with the
goal to make it easier for artists to
distribute and monetize their work.
For Justin Kalifowitz, founder and
CEO of Downtown Music Holdings,
offering internships incredibly
important for anyone who is
interested in the music industry.
“We’ve offered music industry
internships at Downtown for over
10 years and have hired many
of our interns full time,” said
Kalifowitz. “This year, like most
companies, we had to reimagine
our program, but it was very important
to us that we still offer a
meaningful learning opportunity
for students around the world.”
According to Kalifowitz, the
Downtown Summer School is
for students, early-career professionals
and anyone else who is
passionate about the business
side of music. During the oneweek
program, participants can
engage in panel discussions each
day on topics like the future of
PHOTO COURTESY OF DOWNTOWN MUSIC HOLDINGS
music streaming and crafting hit
songs around the world.
Like many businesses this year,
Downtown Music Holdings had
to re-think the plans for running
the summer school, which was
originally meant to be an inperson
experience.
“We want to give people a behind
the-scenes look at what we
do at Downtown every day, and
how we’re putting our vision for a
more equitable global music business
in action,” said Kalifowitz.
“Once we realized that an on-site
internship wouldn’t be possible
this year, we decided to launch
Downtown Summer School so
we could continue to provide
an educational opportunity for
those interested in the business
of music. With the virtual setting,
we are thrilled to be able to reach
a wider audience around the
world.”
Kalifowitz hopes the Downtown
Music Summer School
serves as an opportunity for
participants to expand their
knowledge even if they can’t the
traditional in-person experience.
“For many of us at Downtown
and working in the industry at
large, an internship was our fi rst
chance to learn about the music
business and develop connections,”
said Kalifowitz. “We
want to make sure students and
young professionals still have
that opportunity this summer,
even though they can’t join us
in person. Downtown Summer
School will allow us to engage
with the next generation of music
industry leaders, and give them
a better understanding of how
the business is evolving and the
role they can play in the future
of music.”
To register or see a preview of
the summer schedule, visit summerschool.
downtownmusic.com.
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
One of Bryant Park’s most
popular programs is
back for New Yorkers
who have been craving outdoor
music performances.
Piano in Bryant Park
showcases the fi nest ragtime,
stride, and jazz pianists. The
program takes place Mondays,
Tuesdays and Thursdays from
12:30 to 2:30 p.m., with some
exceptions.
“The return of this program
signifi es an important step on
the road to normalcy in the
city,” said Dan Biederman, executive
director of Bryant Park
Corporation. “Outdoor cultural
and entertainment events will
fi ll a void since many indoor
concert venues remain offlimits.
And we know many park
visitors have been anticipating
the resumption of our events
and activities.”
Audiences are encouraged to
wear masks and practice social
distancing while seated in the
park’s moveable bistro chairs.
Piano in Bryant Park returns with performances
for the summer and fall seasons
Check out this year’s lineup
below:
July 16:
Daryl Sherman,Voted Best Jazz
Vocalist Hot House Magazine
July 20, 21, 23:
Isaac ben Ayala, Performing &
Film Recording Artist
July 27, 28, 30:
Deanna Witkowski, Winner
Great American Jazz Piano
Competition
Aug. 3, 4, 6:
Victor Lin, Kenny Barron
Trained, Columbia University
Instructor
Aug. 10, 11, 13:
Danny Mixon, Pianist, Organist,
Dancer
Aug. 17, 18, 20:
Dan Manjovi, Recording Artist,
Performer, Composer
• Aug. 24, 25, 27:
Frank Owens, Arranger, Composer,
Musical Director
Aug. 31, Sept. 1, 3:
Terry Waldo, Ragtime, Protégé
of the late Eubie Blake
PHOTO CREDIT: NINA RUGGIERO
Sept. 4:
Bertha Hope, Jazz Pianist,
Teacher, Composer, Arranger
Sept. 7, 8, 9:
Luiz Simas, Brazilian & American
Jazz
Sept. 10, 11, 14:
Russ Kassoff, Trio & Solo Jazz,
Broadway, Music Director
Sept. 15, 16, 17:
Ayako Shirasaki, Virtuoso
Pianist with a “Tender Touch”
Sept. 18, 21, 22:
Charlie Judkins, Ragtime, Protégé
of Bryant Park’s Terry Waldo
Sept. 23, 24, 25:
Yuka Aikawa, Jazz, Composer,
Accompanist
Sept. 28, 29, 30:
Sue Maskaleris, Thelonious
Monk Competition Winner,
Composer
Oct. 1, 2:
Bertha Hope, Jazz Pianist,
Teacher, Composer, Arranger
For more information, visit
bryantpark.org.
18 July 16, 2020 Schneps Media
/downtownmusic.com
/bryantpark.org
