Since the Houston Symphony launched its Community-Embedded Musicians initiative in 2015, the musicians holding these specialized, hybrid performer/teaching artist positions, David Connor (bass) and Rainel Joubert (violin) have facilitated thousands of students’ and community members’ connections with music through interactive performances and activities. These highly skilled musicians possess a special passion and skill for community engagement and work in many different settings—schools, hospitals, senior centers, traditional performance venues, and more.
- In a typical year, Community-Embedded Musicians present over 400 musical experiences for people throughout Greater Houston, with a special emphasis on racial and ethnic minorities.
- The Community-Embedded Musicians mentor select graduate music students to develop community engagement skills via two newly launched apprentice programs: The Shepherd School-Houston Symphony Brown Foundation Community-Embedded Musician Fellowship and the Moores School of Music-Houston Symphony Community-Embedded Fellowship.
