Performing Arts brings Rowan artists to audiences at home

"This is the first thing that’s made me feel normal during quarantine," commented Cristin Kastner Farney as she watched the “Live to your Couch” performance by Rowan faculty member & jazz guitarist Brian Betz.

It may be a time of physical distancing and remote interaction, but the College of Performing Arts has been exploring new ways for audiences to experience the arts, committed to the belief that they are a critical part of life and society. So far, the concert series has featured faculty and alumni musicians performing hour-long programs from their homes.

"Our hope is for audiences to find comfort, inspiration, or simply entertainment during this time, as well as to give our artists the opportunity to keep performing and nurturing their craft," said Debbie Shapiro, Director of Community Engagement and Presenting for the College.

The project has included Betz, violinist/artist-in-residence Lenuta Ciulei Atanasiu, the faculty/staff duo of Dawn and Jeff Hiatt offering original alt-pop tunes on piano, guitar, and upright bass, violinist/alum Luigi Mazzocchi (plus members of his own musical family), and faculty/alum Behn Gillece on vibraphone.

Planning for the continuation of the series is in the works and will be announced soon.

"It’s so nice to be able to watch from across the world," commented 2013 Rowan graduate Courtney Quinn, currently living in Tasmania, while viewing Atanasiu’s violin recital in a different time zone. "It was the perfect way to start my work day."

Even if you missed them as they happened, all of the concerts remain available to watch whenever you want. Visit Live to your Couch to view all videos

"This was a great experience and a testament to where music can go in the interim," Betz said of his solo set that was streamed from his home teaching studio, and has garnered over 1.3k views on Facebook.

"Initially, I didn’t know what to expect from the interactive experience with listeners not being in the same room while I performed, but they did in fact interact through real-time comments and text messages. It was very different from a typical recital but just as rewarding," he added.

The second approach is the #storyandasong campaign, pairing clips of past performances with informal commentary by the artist, to help provide an antidote to the missed opportunities to chat in person in the theater lobby.

Right now, you can listen to, learn about, and enjoy the work & words of faculty members Denis DiBlasio, Leslie Elkins, and Timothy Schwarz, as well as senior composition major Benjamin Burnham.

"We have some brave and determined artists in our Rowan community," Shapiro pointed out, praising the willingness and flexibility of the Performing Arts family as they venture into uncharted territory.