Mr. Avid A. Williams

Experience

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  National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2004

  Vocal Coach

  During my tenure at the NAACP ACT-SO Competition, I served as the vocal coach for High School students that chose to be apart of the vocal category of the competition. In this role, I vocally coached up to about 40 students every weekend for 9 months but also spanned to include their repertoire as well as stage direction to ensure their success for the annual competition. As this position was a volunteer status, I am indebted to the director for allowing me the opportunity to work with students from across the five boroughs of New York City. A true teaching internship and invaluable lessons I garnered. Show less

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  Brooklyn College

  Sept 2004 - May 2008

  Assistant Conductor

  As I completed my first graduate degree, I was fortunate to lead the chamber choir in a performance held on the Brooklyn College Campus. Throughout my tenure, I lead full/sectional rehearsals for Choral Festival in Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein as well as lead sectional rehearsal for program that was dedicated to madrigals that traced the last 200 years.

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  Avava Artists Presents

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2020

  President and Artistic Director

  Avava Artists Presents produces formal, and informal, presentations that help to reinforce the positive message of minorities in the arts, with an emphasis in classical music. Avava Artists Presents has worked closely with several community and national organizations where most recently presentations and projects have included, the First Annual Salute to Black American Composers (Queens College) and the New York Premiere of The Blake Suite by H. Leslie Adams for the 2007 National Opera Association annual convention. Most recently, Avava Artists Presents President, Avid Williams was invited to Spelman College to conduct his seminar entitled, What’s Next? Positions in Music offstage! Show less

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  The Riverside Church

  Mar 2008 - Apr 2008

  Principal Conductor

  I this role, I served as the principal conductor for the Riverside side Choir annual Opera Gala. I conducted the whole cast of singers in several large vocal pieces, which included the Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana (Leoncavallo) and Fortuna from Carmina Burana (Orff). I also lead sectional rehearsals for Soloists and Ensemble members for the performance.

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  NYC Department of Education

  Oct 2008 - Jun 2017

  Choral Director

  The 2011 Brooklyn Philharmonic Chamber Music Festival first place recipients are members of a four-year arts program that is designed for the serious vocal musician. The Brooklyn High School of the Arts Vocal Department is designed to develop the singer as a complete artist who will be able to audition for any arts university in the world. Students accepted into the program will participate in a challenging and rigorous course of study. The program offers music theory, including rhythmic, harmonic, solfege-graded exercises; and vocal production five days a week. Our repertoire is a broad selection of musical styles, which include classical, ethnic, folk, and pop music. There is an emphasis on choral singing, as well as Solo singing. Repertoire for Solo singing including the five main languages (Italian, French, German, English, and Russian)Being recipients of many honors including the Gold Medal with Distinction’ Level VI from the New York State School Music Association Festival, The National Chorale High School Choral Invitational, Region 8 Arts Festival, and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, the Sag Harbor School District, The Salvation Army, Harlem Headquarters, Music in our Schools Month (Albany, NY), the telecast of the Musical tribute to Dr. Dorothy Height, Avery Fisher Hall; Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Museum of Modern Art. Guest Conductors for the program have included Dr. Rene Clausen, Jeffrey Redding, Lillian Roberts-Ogbuefi, to name a few.Graduates of this program have furthered studies in music including institutions such as Morehouse College, Nyack College, SUNY Plattsburgh, Hobart and William Smith College, American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), New York State School Music Association Summer Music Institute to name a few. Upcoming performances include performances in Philadelphia, hosted by the Augustus Lutheran Church of Trappe, Pennsylvania and a performance with The Orchestra of St. Lukes of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff. Show less

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  Pacific Boychoir Academy

  Jun 2009 - Jul 2009

  Soloist

  The Pacific Boy Choir invited me to serve as the soloist for their Italian tour. We traveled through the northern region of Italy and we performed throughout the region, which included an appearance at the Vatican. The repertoire was a program of traditional music as well as spirituals.

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  Bloomfield College

  Sept 2010 - May 2013

  Choral Conductor

  In this role, I served as the director of choral activities for Bloomfield College. This role included designing bi-annual concerts for the collegiate community, as well as teach vocal and choral classes, as well as served as musical advisement for Creative Arts and Technology dept.

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  The CEW Music Group

  Sept 2012 - Jan 2020

  Senior Educational and Artistic Consultant

  The CEW Music Group is the home of several music educators that take pleasure is assisting educational institutions, particularly urban vocal programs of secondary schools, in their artistic goals. From classroom management through to broad artistic programming and longevity of sustaining a successful vocal program. Again, it is our pleasure to serve you and look forward to working with you to reach your institution's artistic potential. The CEW Music Group is led by veteran music educator, Mr. Avid Williams. Mr. Avid Williams has served as a consultant, guest clinician and classroom teacher to many institutions, including the Brooklyn High School of the Arts, Bloomfield College, Vocal/Instrumental coach of the NAACP ACT-SO New York City Chapter, The youth choir of the Riverside Church of the city of New York, The Henry Street Settlement Abrons Arts Center, Youth Theater Interactions and Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center. Show less

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  Yonkers Public Schools

  Sept 2017 - now

  Choral Music Teacher