Tri-C and The Juilliard School come to Heights High and Bottlehouse Brewery

Emerging jazz artists performed for Cleveland Heights High vocal and instrumental students on Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the school auditorium as part of Cuyahoga Community College’s Young Visiting Artist Program.

The Juilliard School students will also perform a free Pop-Up concert from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Bottlehouse Brewery, located at 2050 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights.

The program, led by Dominick Farinacci, a Juilliard and Tri-C alumnus, brings young, up-and-coming artists to Cleveland schools to work with students, provide mentorship and show what can be accomplished through hard work, dedication and passion. The program also aims to foster a larger jazz audience in Cleveland. Farinacci, who lives in New York City, serves as the artistic director of the Young Visiting Artists program at Tri-C.

“We’re looking forward to working with students at Cleveland Heights High,” Farinacci said prior to his visit. “One of my classmates from Tri-C, Jerome Jennings, also continued on to Juilliard. He went Heights High and played drums in the band. He travels all over the world now with some of America’s music legends. There’s a lot of talent here.”

World-class drummer Carl Allen, director of Jazz Studies at Juilliard, and several other national artists joined Farinacci in working with the students.

“Growing up, I had so many opportunities to learn from local musicians in Cleveland. I enjoy giving back to the city that gave me so much. We’re going to have a good time—both with the students on Wednesday and performing for the community Friday night. It’ll be a good show.”

Pianist Joe Hunter, a Tri-C faculty member and Cleveland Heights High alum, will participate in the performance. “He’s one of the finest pianists in the region,” Farinacci said.

To learn more about Dominick Farinacci, visit: www.dominickfarinacci.com

To learn more about Tri C’s Visiting Artist Program, visit: www.tricpresents.com/jazzfest/young-visiting-artists-program