Performance Today®

with host Fred Child

The Native American Composer Apprentice Project

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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



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