NZ Launches Artist in Residency Programs
The Neutral Zone Artist in Residency program is kicking off its first semester this winter with Program Coordinator Danielle Yarmoluk, and two artists: Joel “Fluent” Greene; and Ingrid Racine. Through the application and interview process these two candidates exhibited the skillset and passion to lead workshops and bring in new teens.
Joel is a performance poet from Detroit. A Spirit of Detroit Award winner, Joel was the long running host of Detroit’s iconic Cafe' Mahogany poetry nights, and has shared the stage with acts as diverse as The Roots, Pharrell Williams, The Last Poets, Big Sean, Saul Williams, and The Detroit Red Wings. As former director of Music Hall Center’s Words and Rhythms of the D outreach program, he has held workshops and performances in over 50 schools in the Metro Detroit area. Author of four collections of poetry: WAXING/waning, Poems of Bungalow & Concrete, Somewhere in the Middle/ Love Poems, & Felt. A Collection of Personal Favorites, Joel is currently a creative writing instructor at Mariner’s Inn, a shelter and treatment center located in Detroit, as well as an event curator at the Detroit Music Hall.
For his Residency, Joel will be working at Pathways Academy running a workshop on Thursdays during Elective Period from 2-3pm, as well as a workshop at Neutral Zone on Thursdays from 4:30-6pm. Workshopping will include exploration of poetic forms (collaborative poems, found poems, haikus, sonnets, etc), and ways to approach performance. Over the course of three months, Joel will work with teens to produce a poetry event in May at the Neutral Zone.
”I threw myself inside myself, to find myself…” -JFG
Ingrid Racine is a jazz instrumentalist (trumpet) from Ann Arbor, MI. She is a former NZ employee and alumni. Ingrid will be doing a residency on music collaboration called “Co-lab”, as well as working with the music department at Community High School. She will be joined with fellow musicians Evan Haywood and Clarence Collins. One main objective of Ingrid’s is to use music as a vehicle to build community across differences. With teens that possess diverse musical interests and varied skill levels, it will be a great opportunity to have conversations about creating a culture of inclusivity, respect, kindness, having patience with one another and feeling supported in taking risks / trying new things.
The Co-lab will meet every Tuesday from 4:30-6pm. There will be an exploration of ideas for progressing; from jamming/writing a simple groove in one minor key; to creating a chord progression and song forms. Some sessions will focus more on playing with rhythm and different styles/genres; and the main objective is to evolve to full compositions by the end (or at least, structured jams. A final performance event will take place in May, showcasing what the “lab” has come up with.
There will be an effort to incorporate different art forms (poetry, visual arts). Footage, and video is an avenue that will be explored as well. This will involve recording jams for teens to follow along after sessions, and create a visual compilation.
Ingrid Racine
