Denver Casado Receives a Phyllis Hyman “Phat Friend” Award

Pam Lewis (Vice President/Youth Programs, All Stars New York) & Denver Casado
Congratulations to Beat by Beat founder/writer Denver Casado for being honored by the All Stars Project New York for his work as a teaching artist, inspiring New York City youth through songwriting and musical theatre. The Phyllis Hyman Phat Friend Awards are presented annually by New York City youth to their community adult heroes who demonstrate their support for kids and youth concerns. It is the only award in New York of its kind, an award given to adults by young people. Denver was selected from a pool of over 100 deserving nominees. Denver has been at the forefront of New York City arts education for over 8 years. His work has helped open up doors to musical theater for kids from the Bronx to Harlem to Queens. In October, the All Stars Project reached out to Denver about his nomination by high school student George Pedraza. George had participated in Denver’s songwriting workshops through Young Audiences New York Music Unites Youth Choir. Denver has led songwriting master classes with the high school choir for the past two years, culminating in the composition of two original, fully arranged choral works presented at their spring concerts. (You can check a video of one those songs here.) We are so proud of have Denver Casado on our team creating quality musicals for today’s kids! To learn more about the All Stars Project and the great work they do, check out www.allstars.org. Phyllis Hyman Phat Friend Awards 2011 Recipients: Denver Casado Teaching Artist/Musical Theater Composer Javier Dzul Choreographer/Artistic Director Dzul Dance Company Victoria Fernandez ASP Donor and Principal, Ernst & Young Rosie Powell Youth Counselor, Police Athletic League Kenneth D. Ray Co-Founder, Urban Juke Joint Open Mic Anna M. Rivera House Manager, New Victory Theatre Josh Rosner Author and Managing director, Graham Fisher & Co Kenrick Small Teacher & Coordinator of Student Affairs, International Arts Business H.S. Leslie Stifelman Music Director, Chicago: the Musical Artistic Advisor, HBO Music Supervisor, Carnegie Hall — Beat by Beat Press believes in the power of musical theatre to inspire children. That’s why we create original children’s plays for schools and community theaters to perform. To learn more, visit us at www.bbbpress.com.

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