Valentina Katkov of Lake of the Woods and Allie Jo Thomas of Pine Mountain Club have begun to embark on a 14 month musical journey with the Arts Council of Kern. This journey is an opportunity to learn a variety of skills from music industry professionals. Mentoring for skills that range from musical composition / symphonic orchestration to the business side: copyright, marketing and promotion; getting one's music on airwaves, in film and onto store shelves.
Thanks to Chuck and Louise Fox's recommendation to Valentina, the 2 local gals answered a recent ad that was placed in our Mountain Enterprise searching for Kern County Musicians who "haven't hit the BIG TIME yet". They submitted demos of their original music to the Arts Council of Kern along with their bios, and photos (August 30th, 2009 was the deadline for this submission.)
Both were granted auditions at the beautiful "state of the art" – American Recording Studios in Bakersfield, co-owned by former "Smokin' Armadillos" member Josh Graham and both gals were accepted for a new musical project that the Arts Council has implemented.
Jeannette Richardson Parks, a part-time resident of Pine Mountain Club and also the Executive Director of the Kern Arts Council, applied for a “Musician’s Grant” from the James Irvine Foundation and received it! The Kern Arts Council is also contributing funds towards this project.
Bert Johnson, a school teacher/musician in Kern County, who had a desire in his heart to help musicians in Kern County find work, is helping by coordinating the "team" who have been selected.
An amazing panel of music industry and media professionals had stepped forward to do the judging and will now be teaching classes and working personally with each of the recipients to help educate and equip them to further their musical dreams.
The most exciting part of all is that Allie and Val will be able to perform at some very exciting places in Bakersfield such as the Fox Theater and other major venues in Kern County. This is among many venues that the Arts Council of Kern promises to Allie and Val. Venues that also include Hart Park and higher-end restaurants in Bakersfield.
Valentina & Allie would like to ask you, their friends "on the hill", to keep them in your prayers concerning their learning experience and will keep us posted as this new adventure unfolds.
For further information please check out Jeannette Richardson’s bio at: www.kernarts.org
Do You - copyright © 2008 Valentina Katkov - recorded at Mark Moulin's studio in Pinon Pines
Only In My Dreams - copyright © 2002 Valentina Katkov - recorded at B2 studio in Bakersfield
