Brooklyn High School of the Arts

Thresh has partnered with Brooklyn High School of the Arts' Select Choir over the past two years, hosting hands-on and virtual workshops. Aimed at exploring themes of identity, individuality, and cultural responsiveness, Thresh’s educational and outreach program with BKHSA is an ongoing collaboration with more exciting workshops on the horizon.

The Share Of Authenticity in Music & the Arts Workshop with Brooklyn High School of the Arts Select Choir (2022)

“As artists, it is important to appreciate the culture versus appropriating it because by understanding the cultural background of culturally based songs and the true meaning, you are able to relate to those within that culture and connect with them on a personal level."

— Brooklyn High School of the Arts Select Choir Student

In partnership with Brooklyn High School of the Arts, a dual-mission public high school dedicated to providing aspiring artists and scholars with an academically rigorous pre-college course of study and a comprehensive, four-year pre-conservatory arts program.

The Share Of Authenticity in Music & the Arts Workshop

January – May 2022

Thresh led students in Brooklyn High School of the Arts' Select Choir through a hands-on experience learning cultural responsiveness through vocal and dance performance. Over the course of ten workshop sessions, they explored the dialogue between Indian and Western performing arts through Dr. Gholdy Muhammad’s “Historically Responsive Literacy Framework” and the “CASEL” wheel.

Thresh Founder & Artistic Director Preeti Vasudevan taught students a newly commissioned dance piece to enhance their learning and performance of “TaReKiTa.” Students learned to perform global music in an authentic manner, while also bringing forth their own identity and storytelling experiences.

"As artists and people, we show appreciation for culture by learning the history of certain things, with permission, with taking part in learning cultural activity, asking questions, and listening to individuals or an individual of that culture. "

— Brooklyn High School of the Arts Select Choir Student

Appreciation v. Appropriation Workshop with Brooklyn High School of the Arts Select Choir (2022)

Kristy Jung: Choral Director, BHSA

"When we started the project, a lot of students were fearful about songwriting. For most, this is their first time writing a full fledged piece, building everything from text to accompaniment, and creating melodies that all combine into a song that tells a story. It was surely a huge task, but broken up into parts, the students ran with their idea and imagination. I think in the end not only were they able to connect with the stories on a cultural aspect, but grew to become better musicians and story-tellers."

The Music Behind the Stories: Exploring The Red Curtain Project

January – May 2021

Thresh used the stories from their education initiative, The Red Curtain Project, to explore themes of identity and individuality with junior and senior high school students in the Select Choir at Brooklyn High School of the Arts. Students reinterpreted RCP stories, composing unique lyrics and musical scores using Soundtrap software. Explore their compositions below.

Behind the Scenes