Poetry and Percussion

Program description:
This exciting performance combines voice and drum, two of the oldest instruments of human expression, in new and provocative ways. Poetry & Percussion attempts to combine words and sounds to touch the heart, conjure images in the mind's eye, and stir feeling in the soul.

Use of the listener's imagination is not only encouraged, but necessary to fully appreciate the performance. In this way, a meditative mood is created in which all participants embark on a collective journey inward.

This approach is very different from the style of presentation so prevalent in the music and art of today's popular culture. The only thing required is an open mind.

Performers:
An advocate for creative writing and community service, Joanne Leva is the founder and coordinator of the Montgomery County Poet Laureate Program, which she has produced for the past twelve years. The competition, its related readings, and poetry event (featuring a celebrity poet with a national reputation), comes to it's successful fruition in April, National Poetry Month. Joanne served at the Philadelphia Writer's Conference as a 2008 Writing Awards Judge. As an active poet herself, Joanne has been writing and performing her original poetry since 1991. She has also organized poetry readings at Headhouse Square for Earth Day, the Seven Arts Fest on South Street, the Theater of Living Arts (TLA), and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Joanne received her BFA from Arcadia University (formerly Beaver College) and is currently working on a Marketing Writing Certificate in Biomedical Writing from The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

John Mosemann graduated from the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts in 1984 with a Bachelor of Music degree. Upon graduating he began performing and teaching in Philadelphia. From 1987-1991 he performed in the casinos of Atlantic City and Las Vegas. From 1992-2002 John performed with the Mark Kramer Trio. This group performed extensively as a trio and also worked as a rhythm section with such jazz luminaries as George Coleman, Urbie Green, Lee Konitz, Lew Tabackin, Johnny Coles, Richie Cole, Arnie Lawrence, Jeremy Steig, Ralph Bowen, John Swana and Larry McKenna. During this time John also performed with legendary jazz musicians Eddie Gomez and Marian McPartland. In 2003 John joined the Steve Giordano Spacetet with whom he is currently performing. He has performed all over the United States.

Performance Venues:
World Cafe - Philadelphia
Mannyunk Art Center - Philadelphia
Gwynedd Mercy College - Upper Gwynedd
Ursinus College - Collegeville
Barnes & Noble - Jenkintown & Montgomeryville
Montgomery Theater - Souderton
The Writer's Room - Doylestown