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Where Mountains Meet Melody: Inside the BRCMCA Creative Music Experience
Nestled near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the historic Possum’s Store, a distinct kind of harmony recently took shape. Over the course of four intensive days, five young musicians from Virginia to Alaska gathered for the inaugural Creative Music Experience hosted by the Blue Ridge Center for Music and Creative Arts (BRCMCA).
Rather than rehearsing rigid, centuries-old scores or sticking strictly to traditional recital formats, the students were thrust into a space defined by spontaneous collaboration, improvisation, original composition, and modern sound architecture.
A Laboratory for Creative Expression
Guided by Program Director Annamaria Mottola and Sound and Media Production Specialist Trevor Hogan, the cohort explored the multi-faceted ways contemporary musicians create, communicate, and record.
The five student fellows brought a wide array of musical backgrounds and regional perspectives to the workshop:
- Evan Bertoglio (Saxophone) — Leesburg, VA
- Emily Kim (Trumpet) — Crozet, VA
- Sloane Moore (Bass) — Philadelphia, PA
- Ethan Walker — Hampton Roads, VA
- Owen Williams (Piano) — Anchorage, AK
Under the mentorship of Mottola and Hogan, the days moved fluidly between harmonic exploration, group improvisation, and the technical mechanics of media production. The initiative offered students a rare look into how live acoustic performance intersects with studio production and digital sound shaping.
A Culmination in Sound
The week culminated on August 13 with a fully student-led Final Student Performance at Possum’s Store. Playing to an intimate audience of family, mentors, and community members, the ensemble debuted original arrangements, spontaneous improvisations, and joint compositions developed entirely throughout the week.
By stepping beyond conventional music education, the inaugural Creative Music Experience highlighted not just technical skill, but the enduring power of artistic discovery and collaborative voice.
Livestream: