COVID-19

Welcome to the fifth and final installment of MMI’s Emergency Relief Fund Artist Interview series! Today, MMI Works student intern Maya and Relief Fund recipient Aliyah chat about Aliyah’s musical work—an aria titled “opera nera: il retrogrado (Black Opera: The Retrograde).” The piece utilizes expressionistic techniques to highlight her experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. Aliyah’s […]

Welcome to the fourth installment of MMI’s Emergency Relief Fund Artist Interview series! Today, MMI Works student intern Andrea and Relief Fund recipient Jacquez chat about Jacquez’s art featuring a character called Dr. Stone, who makes a vaccine for the Covid-19 (represented as a monster). Jacquez’s art was commissioned through MMI’s 2020 Covid-19 Emergency Relief […]

Welcome to the third installment of MMI’s Emergency Relief Fund Artist Interview series! Today, MMI Works student intern Jacolby and Relief Fund recipient Jasmine chat about Jasmine’s poem highlighting her perspective on living during a pandemic. Jasmine’s poem was commissioned through MMI’s 2020 Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund last May. Take a few moments to learn what inspired […]

Welcome to the second installment of MMI’s Emergency Relief Fund Artist Interview series! Today, MMI Works student intern Aa’liyah and Relief Fund recipient LaDarryl chat about LaDarryl’s song Thank You— a toast to the money and opportunities that have been lost to the pandemic, but that will return one day. Because “This time, like all […]

Welcome to the very first installment of MMI’s Emergency Relief Fund Artist Interview series! Today, MMI Works student intern Sydney and Relief Fund recipient Nadifah chat about the art series Nadifah created in response to the effects of self-isolation in quarantine. Nadifah’s series was commissioned through MMI’s 2020 Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund last May. Take […]

Welcome to MMI’s Fellow Spotlight series featuring our amazing teaching artists. Not only do MMI Fellows lend their talents to supporting and engaging Memphis youth all over the city, but they also help build and sustain our arts ecosystem through their independent projects. Today, meet violinist and violist Rachel Johnson! Rachel is a string instrument […]

Welcome to MMI’s Fellow Spotlight series featuring our amazing teaching artists. Not only do MMI Fellows lend their talents to supporting and engaging Memphis youth all over the city, but they also help build and sustain our arts ecosystem through their independent projects. Today, meet clarinetist and Renaissance woman Mersadie Wells! Mersadie has been with […]

Memphis is music. It’s a city inseparable from the creatives and musicians who have shaped its culture, changed its politics, and built and rebuilt communities across Shelby County, from Frayser to Soulsville and beyond. Memphis’ list of music bona fides is a mile long, and while we may not be the biggest city, our musical […]

Over the past six months, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an outsized and devastating impact on artists and musicians. Memphis creatives—whether student artists or professionals—have lost income due to cancelled gigs, lessons, and more. So, back in April, Memphis Music Initiative established an Emergency Relief Fund to provide some short-term, immediate relief for the individual […]

As the new school year kicks off this week, it’s hard not to feel that familiar sense of transition. But this is not a normal year. Since the pandemic hit we’ve all been collectively transitioning away from outdated modes of thinking. We’ve been asked to examine our habits, need for interaction and compassion, and place […]