Tag Archives: Creative Class 2015

Creative Class of 2015: Rodney Block

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Rodney BlockRodney Block is a Dumas native who has been thriving in the local music scene for the past four years.  He is much sought after to appear at special events and parties. He is also a fixture on the live music scene at many venues around Little Rock.

Block released his smooth jazz album, STEEL, in October 2012 and his hip hop collaboration  record, THE LAST ACTION HEROES in 2014. A trumpeter who has been featured and performed in various venues across the globe ranging from corporate to social, he has built a niche in the genres of jazz and hip hop.

Notable artists he has shared the stage with include Earth, Wind, and Fire, Joe, Whoodini, Conya Doss, Johnny Gill, Dwele, Jonathan Butler, Dave Hollister, Ellis and Delfayo Marsalis, Kirk Whalum, Layla Hathaway, Eric Roberson, Anthony David, Marsha Ambrosius and The Yellowjackets.

In 2007, Block’s televised jazz feature, AETN Presents: Front Row with Rodney Block, was nominated for a Regional Emmy. In 2014, the band was honored with the Aurora Award and Telly Award, for its concert feature on AETN television network.

Creative Class of 2015: Mark Binns

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mark binnsComposer, arranger, vocal coach, musical director, pianist, teacher, performer.  Mark Binns is all of these things.

He has been involved with Arkansas Repertory Theatre for six seasons now as a keyboardist, musical director and composer. Mark has been the Rep’s musical director for White Christmas, Les Miz, Memphis, and Elf. He has is currently at work on their upcoming The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  For the Rep, he has also worked on their Summer Musical Theatre Intensive for several years.

In addition to the Rep, he often works with the Studio Theatre and Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.  Other regional Musical Director credits include Hairspray, Oliver!, Cinderella, Pippin, The Last Five Years and Fiddler on the Roof. He has composed original music for the University of Central Arkansas’ production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle and served as Vocal Director/Arranger for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Fantasy.

When not working on a show, he can often be found performing at the Lobby Bar, the Afterthought or any number of other venues in Little Rock.

Creative Class of 2015: Bijoux

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BijouxBijoux is a sultry, soul singer adept in various styles.  The daughter of West African parents, she  grew up in a household exposed to differing genres of music including folk, classic rock and roll, makosa, country, and R&B.  As a child she grew up singing in talent shows she produced, as well as church and school choirs.

After years of high school and collegiate choral experience (madrigals, sacred African-American chamber, etc.), she discovered a love for jazz .  In 2009, she emerged onto the scene again as a featured artist with groups like Rodney Block & The Real Music Lovers and Onyx The Band.

Bijoux has opened for and sung with the likes of Kim Burrell, Anthony Hamilton, Dwele, Maurette Brown Clark, Sunday Best Season One Winner Crystal Aiken, Sunday Best Season Two Winner Y’Anna Crawley, DeWayne Woods, and Beverly Crawford.  I have been featured on several local projects for Rodney Block, Epiphany, Kwestion, and more. She frequently performs at various Little Rock music venues.

Creative Class of 2015: Michael Bearden

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Michael-Bearden-Arkansan-of-the-Year-220x300Dancer and visionary Michael Bearden is in his third season as Ballet Arkansas‘ Artistic Director.  Prior to that he spent two years as Artistic Advisor to the company.

During his tenure at Ballet Arkansas Michael has brought works to the repertoire by choreographers such as Val Caniparoli, Gerald Arpino and George Balanchine. A native of Searcy, Arkansas, he received his training at the Academy of Ballet Arkansas and went on to have a fourteen year career with Ballet West, in Salt Lake City. As a Principal Dancer at Ballet West, Michael performed leading roles in ballets by some of the world’s greatest choreographers including Balanchine, Ashton, Tudor, Forsythe, Stevenson, Welch, Dove, Tetley, Tharp, Kylian and Christopher Bruce.

As a choreographer, Michael has created or staged his works for Ballet West, the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, the University of Cincinnati, Belhaven University and Texas Christian University. Michael is grateful for the continued opportunity to give back to the community by helping to guide Ballet Arkansas to new heights.

Under his leadership with the Ballet, the company has sponsored two Visions choreographic competitions, premiered several new works, and presented the first performance of George Balanchine’s Who Cares? in Arkansas.  He has also been instrumental in the company’s plans to move into the Creative Corridor on Main Street.

Creative Class of 2015: Susan Altrui

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cc15 altruiOctober is Arts & Humanities Month.  This year, the Culture Vulture will be highlighting 31 members of Little Rock’s Creative Class: the Creative Class of 2015.

Up first Susan Altrui.  Earlier this year, Altrui was named Assistant Director of the Little Rock Zoo.  She previously had overseen marketing, public relations and fundraising for the Zoo.  During that time, the Zoo opened the penguin and cheetah exhibits as well as undertaken several other initiatives which involved fundraising and friendraising.

In addition to her work with the Zoo, Altrui is the chair of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute board. She has been involved in bringing Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival back from the brink and returning it to higher visibility.  Altrui also served as an executive producer on the documentary Ann Richards’ Texas.

In 2014, she was appointed to the Arkansas Entertainer’s Hall of Fame board.  Altrui is a member of the Junior League of Little Rock and Rotary Club of Little Rock.  In her “spare” time she plays tennis.