ABOUT EMS
THE KEY
The Key is an approach to life that allows music to be a natural, organic component to one’s existence. So often music is an after-thought or a special component to someone’s education. Instead, it should be thought of as an integral part of the learning process itself. Everyone has a subject they excel in…. music, math, sports, science, drama etc. We tend to think of these subjects as “first loves.” What we seldom think about is using those loves as building blocks in the educational process or as components used to achieve balance in an effort to improve our quality of life.
In other words: For the younger students, music study helps in various areas of development. Instead of removing music from the schedule of a poorly performing student, or to punish an unruly child, we should be asking how we could use music to reinforce other aspects of the educational process.
For adult students, music becomes therapy, a social outlet, and a chance for the brain to work out things on a subconscious level. Whether a student decides to become a professional is almost irrelevant. The process and knowledge by themselves are life changing.
For seniors, music presents many benefits in this concept. The feeling of being able to “reinvent” yourself with a skill is incredibly gratifying. The process itself helps keep mental skills sharp, restores the feeling of accomplishment, and helps to alleviate depression. Social groups develop, which increases the quality of life.
Earl McIntyre
Co-Founder/ Music Director
Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Dijerredoo,Composer-Arranger
Born in Brooklyn N.Y. Earl received his first musical training from his father (a very gifted amateur musician) who saw to it that the entire family became proficient at playing brass instruments. While attending the High School of Music & Art, he studied trombone with John Clark, Jack Jeffers, Alan Raph and Benny Powell. It was during this period that he also developed relationships with composer William S. Fischer and tuba player Howard Johnson. At Mannes College of Music, he studied Bass trombone with Simone Karasick and tuba with Thompson Hanks. Later he studied arranging with Slide Hampton and Bob Brookmeyer. He also studied privately with the famous brass teacher Carmine Caruso.
Since then he has played with Gil Evans, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, Taj Mahal, Lester Bowie, The Band, Stevie Wonder, McCoy Tyner, Carla Bley, Lou Rawls, Jeffrey Osborne, Aretha Franklin, Cedar Walton, Levon Helm, the Count Basie Orchestra, the Ellington Orchestra, the Thad Jones -Mel Lewis Orchestra (with whom he was associated for over 20 years) Slide Hampton, George Gruntz, the Mingus Big Band, Cecil Taylor, the Carnegie Hall Jazz band, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Chico O’Farrill,The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Fred Ho, Renée Manning and others.
He served as guest conductor for the Brooklyn Philharmonic, wrote large ensemble compositions for (and directed) the Musicians of Brooklyn Initiative Big Band, (an organization founded by Lester Bowie, Oliver Lake and others.) Mr. McIntyre was also musical director for Town Hall’s “Ragtime to Broadway” featuring music from 1900-1909.
His arranging and orchestrating credits include Roberta Flack, Luther Vandross, the “Saturday Night Live ” band, Lester Bowie’s Brass Fantasy, Johnny Copeland, Cedar Walton, Renée Manning, the Mel Lewis Orchestra, The Mingus Big Band, Elvis Costello, Steve Turré, Bob Stewart, Jon Faddis, J.J. Johnson, the Art Ensemble of Chicago as well as Cannonball and Nat Adderley.
Earl has received the National Endowments of the Arts grants for jazz study, jazz composition and instruction. He is a recipient of grants from New York State Council of the Arts; Meet the Composer, and others. He has been nominated for the ” Most Valuable Player of The Year ” award from the NARAS as well as sitting on various arts and grants panels. He appears on at least three Grammy award-winning records as well. He has numerous film & Broadway credits and been involved in a number of Tony winning productions. Earl has been on faculty at Long Island University, The New School for Social Research, SUNY at Purchase and the Wachovia “Jazz For Teens” at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center . Mr. McIntyre has also been a teaching artist for Young Audiences and Brooklyn Arts Council . He’s done clinics through various arts organizations as well.
At the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, he served as Director for the Jazz division. He also produced the “Jazz at The Conservatory” series at The Brooklyn Conservatory presenting artists like Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson Roy Hargrove, Taj Mahal, the Persuasions and many others. His new CD release is “Brass Carnival & Tribute”
Renee Manning
Co-Founder/ Vocal Director
Grammy nominated Jazz vocalist
Renée Manning, has been educating students ages 2 to 100 years for the past 35 years. During her 10 years as instructor and Vocal Chair at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, she has been awarded several grants including Met Life grants for her choral work with Prospect Hill Senior Center, Brooklyn.World traveled, Renée has toured, performed and recorded with the likes of Taj Mahal, Carmen McRae, Dizzy Gillespie, David “Fat Head” Newman, Nat Adderley, Mel Lewis Orchestra, Mingus Big Band, Chico O’Farrill Orchestra, George Gruntz Big Band, David Amram, actor John Ventimiglia and many others.
She has also been a teaching/performance artist in hundreds of schools, senior centers and special needs settings. Some of them with the Brooklyn Arts Council and Young Audiences. A student of the famed brass instructor, Carmine Caruso and several other notable teachers, Ms. Manning has developed her own vocal method which has achieved extraordinary results with seniors, children and people of all ages and disciplines.
Renée is available for workshops and panels. Contact us for details.
Amanda McIntyre Chavis
VP of Business Development
A philanthropist, motivational speaker, brand strategist and entrepreneur
Amanda McIntyre Chavis has an unquenchable passion for music, art and technology. She is the CXO and Founder of LegendFactory, a interactive brand management company and two new tech initiatives: Muzaik, a social media aggregator app and Myndfull, a wearable tech and wellness company. She is also an active mentor, arts advocate and supporter of various social causes.
Amanda has over 18 years of experience in media and entertainment, spearheading development projects for Sony Music, Warner Music Group, Universal, BMG and EMI. She’s worked with world-renowned talent and brands such as Queen Latifah, Sum 41, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes, P!nk, Altec Lansing, Absolut, Pepsi, Playstation, Monster audio and many more.
Based in New York, Amanda is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. (NARAS), the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music & Entertainment (NABFEME), National Association of Professional Women (NAPW), NY Tech Alliance and Women In Music. She is also the new ambassador of the NY Chapter for Women of Wearables- Wearable Technology (W.O.W).
When I first went to Excelsior Music Studio, my plan was to get vocal coaching for a year so I could harmonize better and improve my breathing. It’s been almost six years and I am still there, only now I am comfortable as a soloist. I look forward to learning many more lessons as we continue the relationship.
Until I met Renée and Earl, I experienced music as something I was only able to receive passively. I couldn’t imagine myself as part of a musical community. Understanding the structure of music and how musicians make it happen in real time was, in my mind, reserved for a rarefied few. Studying voice and the blues with Renée and Earl has expanded my world and brought me into a community where I’m no longer afraid to let my voice ring out.
Renee Manning is an expert and caring vocal coach who caters to the individual needs of every student. I am thrilled with the ways in which my technique, performance skills and confidence as a singer keep improving from year to year.
A rare few virtuoso musicians like Renee Manning have the ability to teach and mentor young people, and a handful have the gift to inspire older people (I am 86 so I qualify to speak about this demographic). I have seen her foster creativity and confidence in music ensembles she has created where people of all ages work together and the results are miraculous.