by Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II | Jan 21, 2024
On Saturday, February 17th at 11:00 AM, Dr. Ceylon Mitchell (flute) and Dr. Felipe Garibaldi (guitar) perform duo works by Brazilian American Clarice Assad, a Grammy nominated composer renowned for her evocative colors, rich textures, and diverse stylistic range. “Tríptico (Triptych)” is a three-movement suite inspired by popular Brazilian rhythmic concepts such as frevo, choro, and canção. “As Cores de Tomie” is a collection of four songs inspired by works and concepts of Japanese-Brazilian artist Tomie Ohtake (1913-2015).
by Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II | May 7, 2021
Ceylon Mitchell, a 2021 Strathmore Resident Artist, brings his ensemble and their passion for the Brazilian Choro and Afro-Caribbean music to St. Mary’s County. The choro, birthed in Rio de Janeiro in the mid 19th century, has its roots in African syncopated rhythms and European dance forms, including the lundú, the polka, and the habanera – an intriguing musical blend. The program also includes chamber music by Afro-Cuban composers.
by Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II | May 5, 2021
Just as the notes from his flute fly and float on air, Ceylon Mitchell is always in motion. This musician, educator, entrepreneur, and arts advocate is driven by his mission of keeping classical music alive, authentic, and accessible with programming and performances that promote traditionally marginalized communities, especially Black and Latinx cultural identities.
Originally from Alaska, this new dad is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts student at the University of Maryland, College Park. Mitchell is the recipient of a Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council Artist Fellowship Grant and a Prince George’s County Forty Under 40 Award in Arts and Humanities.
by Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II | May 5, 2021
Join contemporary classical flutist Ceylon Mitchell to explore the percussion section instruments and the composite rhythmic elements that form the groove accompaniment in Cuban and Brazilian music, born from the rich amalgamation of Spanish/Portuguese folk music formulas and African rhythms.
This workshop will include live and recorded musical examples that pay homage to famous influential Cuban flutists including Eduardo “Richard” Egues and Orlando “Maraca” Valle, as well as Afro-Brazilian, Pixinguinha.
Try your hand at maintaining ostinato rhythms on percussive instruments like the clave, güiro, and congas while the main lead instruments like flute and piano improvise over these grooves.
Older students with instrument experience will gather and trade measures of improvisations, incorporate common rhythmic fragments, motives, and melodic riffs, and eventually venture into free improvisation.
by Dr. Ceylon Mitchell II | Apr 3, 2021
During National Hispanic Heritage Month, Ceylon and his acclaimed ensemble will demonstrate the unique development of Western-European classical flute music in the Latin American countries of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Brazil.
Throughout this classical crossover program, audiences will enjoy the sounds of formalized Western virtuosic writing, the improvisation and complexity of distinct national musical styles, as well as the African rhythms, harmonic progressions and flowing melodies of Caribbean music.
This project is supported by the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council.
