CHRISTOPHER WU

Heritage Community Initiatives (Heritage) and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) have collaborated to provide a classical music experience to children in Braddock.  
Christopher Wu and Rhian Kenny of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will travel to Braddock to provide a special arts education program to children enrolled in the Heritage Out of School Time (HOST) Summer Camp program on Friday, June 21, 2013. The musicians will demonstrate a violin and a flute, and teach the children about how they are used to play classical music.  The children will have the opportunity to play each instrument.

Mr. Christopher Wu, enjoys a diverse career as an orchestral and chamber musician, teacher and soloist. Wu joined the first violin section of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 1988 and has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, and the Rochester and Buffalo Philharmonics.  As a soloist, Wu has been described by the Tribune-Review as a musician of “virtuoso command with depth of musical understanding.”

Rhian Kenny joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 1990 as Principal Piccolo. She began her flute studies at the age of 9 in Calgary, Canada.  She received a Bachelor's Degree from McGill University in Montréal.  She is active in the PSO’s education and outreach programs speaking often to groups throughout the Pittsburgh region.

This event is part of a growing partnership begun by Heritage President & CEO, Michele R. Atkins, and PSO Maestro, Manfred Honeck.  The goal of the partnership is to introduce children in underserved communities like Braddock to classical music, and to broaden their musical experience.  Future plans include a visit by Symphony members to the 4 Kids Early Learning Center in July.

Heritage Out of School Time (HOST) provides care for 60 children in grades K-8 from the Mon Valley during the hours before and after school, on in-service days and holidays, and during the summer months.  HOST Summer Camp encourages learning through hands-on weekly activities and student inspired clubs:  www.heritageserves.org/HOST

Heritage Community Initiatives is a community based nonprofit providing support for families that live in Braddock and the Mon Valley through services in education,
transportation and community outreach.  They seek to strengthen individuals and families in order to build healthier communities and provide resources for sustainability: www.heritageseves.org

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) provides musical experiences at the highest level of expression to enrich the community and to satisfy the needs and
preferences of its audiences: www.pittsburghsymphony.org

PITTSBURGH JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE—Local residents march to end the War on Drugs.

For Kayla Bowyer, a public ally at Amachi Pittsburgh, a nonprofit organization for children whose parents are incarcerated, the War on Drugs is personal. Like many others in the Black community who attended a recent rally in Washington D.C., she has seen family members’ lives torn apart by drug abuse and the resulting consequences.

RESIDENTS RALLY—Led by Ronell Guy, center, North Side residents and stakeholders rally and march to protest expansion of the Mexican War Streets Historic District into their neighborhood. (Photo by J.L. Martello.)

Living in a historic district can be beautiful, but maintaining a home in such a district—matching as closely as possible exterior finishes and materials—can be very expensive. And residents on Pittsburgh’s North Side, who could face such expenses, say city plans to expand the Mexican War Streets Historic District is moving forward without them having a chance to object.

Bikinis and Martinis
JUNE 19—Racheallee Lacek and My Backyard Productions will host the “Bikinis and Martinis” Leukemia and Lymphomia Society Benefit from 6-9:30 p.m. at Skybar, 1601 E. Carson St. South Side. There will be complimentary drinks, appetizers, a bikini fashion show by Chelsea’s New York and more. Proceeds raised will be used by LLS to fund life-saving research. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .