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Electrify Your Strings (EYS) is a music educational phenomenon that FIRES UP students, teachers, and local communities by injecting a high voltage dose of rock into a school's music education program. The intensive rock and roll experience for music education departments boosts student self-esteem and motivation, increases school-wide, family and community engagement, and helps raise money for participating schools.
Conceived by world-renowned musician, composer, and electric violinist Mark Wood, EYS is now celebrating its 10th year anniversary of rocking schools and universities across the nation. The premise is simple -- Wood works with a school's music director to tailor design a one-to-two day rock orchestra makeover culminating in a live performance at the end of the experience. Profits from tickets sold to the event directly benefit the school's music programs. The musical selections are surprising Ç and include Wood's own compositions and arrangements of classic rock and contemporary music such as Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train," Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven," and the Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want." For schools that want to go all out, Wood and his team (which include vocalist/wife Laura Kaye and their drummer/son Elijah) will also design an accompanying program for the school's choral department.
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| THE EXECUTIVE STAFF |
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MARK WOOD
EYS Founder and President, Inventor of The Viper Electric Violin, International Recording Artist
Recording artist, performer, producer, inventor, Emmy-winning composer and music education advocate Mark Wood has spent the past four decades electrifying the orchestra industry - literally. Dubbed “The Les Paul of The Violin World” by PBS, the Juilliard-trained violinist (he attended on full scholarship) is the inventor of the Viper electric violin. Wood rose to fame as string master and founding member of the internationally acclaimed Trans Siberian Orchestra. A successful solo artist and published author, Wood’s absolute passion is music education. His innovative program Electrify Your Strings (EYS) - now in its 10th year - is an intensive rock and roll workshop for school music education departments that boosts student self-esteem and motivation and helps raise money for music education. In addition to EYS, Wood and his family run the annual Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp, The Mark Wood Music Foundation (a 501-C3 dedicated to providing music scholarships), and Wood Violins, the premier manufacturer of electric orchestra string instruments worldwide. Wood holds the patent for the first-ever self-supporting violin, writes and records original music for film and television, has released six solo albums, regularly tours with world-known recording artists such as Billy Joel, Kanye West, Lenny Kravitz and Celine Dion, and tours with his band The Mark Wood Experience which features his wife, vocalist Laura Kaye, and their son Elijah on drums. Extended info and photos available for download here.
www.markwoodmusic.com,
www.woodviolins.com, www.electrifyyourstrings.com, www.facebook.com/markwoodmusic
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LAURA KAYE
EYS Vice President, Vocalist
photo by Bob Gruen
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Vocalist Laura Kaye is the vocalist is Vice President and co-owner of EYS, Mark Wood Music Productions, Wood Violins, and lead vocals for the Mark Wood Experience (MWE), and is Mark's wife. Along with their son Elijah (who is the drummer in MWE), Laura and Mark have toured extensively with the EYS program for the past decade. As a recording artist and session vocalist, Laura has worked with legendary musicians such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz and Sean Lennon and been featured on countless television shows and advertisements. Laura is also a solo musician who continues to write, record, and perform with her own band. Laura's role with EYS involves working with choir students during the course of these all-inclusive workshops, coaching them for the performance and auditioning soloists to be featured during the event. She empowers and embraces vocalists; teaching everyone performance techniques, stage presence, and improvisational tips and tricks. But above all, she helps students tap into their individual creative potential! Extended info and photos available for download here.
www.laurakayemusic.com, www.facebook.com/laurakayemusic
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ELIJAH WOOD
Drummer
photo by Bob Gruen
Elijah Wood is the son of world-renowned electric violinist Mark Wood and vocalist Laura Kaye. A drumming prodigy, he joined The Mark Wood Experience (MWE) as drummer in 2006, tours extensively with the Electrify Your Strings (EYS) series of music education programs, and is a featured drummer on many television music scores. Elijah is also a member of the alternative rock band The Coldest Fall. Formed in Turkey, Elijah collaborates with members of The Coldest Fall (and musicians throughout the world) via the Internet. The band is currently writing and recording a new album. Elijah (15) recently enrolled in New York’s prestigious Professional Children’s School, which allows him the freedom to focus on his music. He is endorsed by Evans, Tama, Zildjian and Vater.
www.elijahwooddrummer.com, www.facebook.com/ElijahWoodDrummer
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THE MUSICIANS (EYS utilizes many exceptional musicians from the NY area - if you are unsure about which of the members below are participating in your program, please feel free to email us!)
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BRIDGID BIBBENS
EYS Clinician (Viper)
Fully trained in Mark's methods and techniques, Bridgid brings her own unique style and energy to the program that will have your students jumping out of their seats! She is available to either work with Mark or conduct programs on her own. As a violinist and Viper player, Bridgid has performed with major artists in the rock, pop and jazz worlds, such as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Christina Aguilera, Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Gilby Clarke (Guns 'N' Roses), Johnny Colt (the Black Crowes), Mary J Blige, Jay-Z, John Mayer, Alicia Keys, Josh Groban, Harry Connick, Jr. and Frank Sinatra, Jr. Bridgid is an active member of ASTA and teaches at New York's ASTA String Institute at Ithaca College each summer.
www.bridgidbibbens.com, www.facebook.com/bridgidbibbens
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JON BIVONA
Guitarist
One of the premier guitarists in NYC, Jon Bivona currently performs with a multitude of bands and artists including The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Mark Wood Experience, The Sign, Lyza Wilson and the Shannon Breeze. His work can also be heard on multiple radio, TV and live broadcasts. Jon has been teaching guitar in the New York area for over 12 years, teaching all styles and levels. Some of Jon's students have gone on to become successful recording artists as well as graduates from some of the top music schools in the country. He received his training from world-renowned guitarist Al Pitrelli (Megadeth) and The Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
www.jonbivona.com
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MATT VANACORO
Keys
A graduate of Manhattanville College's music program and NYU's prestigious Music Technology program, Matt is a skilled pianist and composer with a strong background in contemporary music and jazz. He studied jazz piano and guitar with New York Jazz Legends Charles Blenzig and Jay Azzolina. He has worked with myriad musicians in a range of styles from pop sensation Aaron Carter to NY jazz vocalist Amy Regan. His music has been featured in television and film, from Oprah Winfrey's television show to films by Lionsgate.
www.facebook.com/mattvanacoromusic
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PAUL RANIERI
Bass
With a degree in Jazz Performance from New York's New School University and Mannes College of Music, Paul's talents encompass a high level of technical expertise and professionalism. A longtime collaborator with Mark Wood, Paul is the bassist in the Mark Wood Experience. A music educator since 1990, he has a successful private teaching practice and he has taught at San Diego's only professional bass shop and music school; Bass Alone and at Sam Ash Music University. He is also leader of the band Dangered Ace.
www.myspace.com/ranieribass
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