Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

The Native American Composer Apprentice Project

Tomasina Yellowman rehearses her piece, "Falling," with composer-in-residence Raven Chacon and the musicians of Sweet Plantain. Nate Ryan / APM
6min 15sec : The Native American Composer Apprentice Project

Performance Today visited the Grand Canyon Music Festival, where high school students from nearby reservations learn to speak their minds through the voice a string quartet.

Voices That Need to be Heard

Nate Ryan/APM



Tomasina Yellowman rehearses her piece, "Falling," with composer-in-residence Raven Chacon and the musicians of Sweet Plantain. Nate Ryan / APM
Sweet Plantain rehearses Nate Ryan/APM
Orlando Wells rehearses Nate Ryan/APM
Clare Hoffman preps music Nate Ryan/APM
Driving to Tuba City Nate Ryan/APM
Thunder cloud near Tuba City Nate Ryan/APM
Sun through the rain Nate Ryan/APM
Canyon near Tuba City Nate Ryan/APM
Highway in the desert Nate Ryan/APM
Powerlines Nate Ryan/APM
Approaching Tuba City Nate Ryan/APM
Arts and crafts stand Nate Ryan/APM
Welcome to Tuba City Nate Ryan/APM
Tuba City High School Nate Ryan/APM
Kids on bikes Nate Ryan/APM
Tennis courts Nate Ryan/APM
Shrine of the Ages Nate Ryan/APM
Grand Canyon Music Festival director Clare Hoffman Nate Ryan/APM
Michael Begay at concert Nate Ryan/APM
Brevin Norton at concert Nate Ryan/APM
Orlando Wells at concert Nate Ryan/APM
Whitehorse High School student Malika Oldman introduces her piece at the final concert with the quartet Sweet Plantain. Nate Ryan / APM
Raven Chacon at concert Nate Ryan/APM
Composer-in-residence Michael Begay, center, during the program's final concert. Nate Ryan / APM
The audience gives the young composers and performers a standing ovation at the Shrine of the Ages in the Grand Canyon National Park. Nate Ryan / APM
A couple enjoys the Grand Canyon sunset Nate Ryan/APM
The Colorado River winnows through the Canyon Nate Ryan/APM