ArtCorps Announces the 2013 Creative Activists

IPSWICH, Mass. - Oct. 1, 2013 - PRLog -- ArtCorps is pleased to honor Karla Lara, Honduran Singer and Human Rights Activist, and Anthony Trecek-King, Artistic Director for the Boston Children’s Chorus, as the 2013 Creative Activists. These two innovative leaders are being recognized for using music to advance social change and build stronger communities in Boston and Central America. The Creative Activist Awards will be presented on October 24, 2013 at ArtCorps’ annual fundraiser, Raising Spirits: A Masquerade Fiesta, (http://www.artcorp.org/raisingspirits (http://artcorp.org/raisingspirits)) at The Hellenic Center in Ipswich, MA.

Anthony Trecek-King, Encouraging Voices of All Ages to Reach their Potential

Anthony Trecek-King opens the world to young singers. He began his tenure as Artistic Director with the Boston Children's Chorus (BCC) in September 2007, building its reputation as "one of the emerging forces in Boston music life." At BCC, Anthony has established a unique music education curriculum that fosters independent thinking among young musicians. Students as young as seven develop musical skills, such as sight-reading and ear training. They also receive leadership and life-skills training, including mentoring, fundraising, running workshops and participating in community service projects.

Anthony has earned international recognition conducting choirs and orchestras throughout the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, including the University of Cologne Chamber Choir, the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, members of the Schola Cantorum de Venezuela, the Juvenil Schola Cantorum, the University Simón Bolívar, Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra, and Polifonija, a state chorus of Lithuania.

He believes in using "music as catalyst to create social change" and presented a TEDx talk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-MBqr4KWjo) in Boston on this topic. In addition to his conducting accolades and speaking engagements, Anthony was named one of the 25 Most Stylish Bostonians of 2012.



Karla Lara, Championing a New Kind of Citizenship through Song

Through her music Honduran native Karla Lara is a champion for human rights and authentic Honduran sounds. She draws on Honduran history, culture and native rhythms to "help to build identity” and “a different kind of citizenship." She hopes that listeners can draw strength from her music, recognize themselves in it and feel invigorated in their struggle for social change.

“In Honduras there is massive militarization underway. Machismo, violence against women, lies in the media: it is all connected. And this is what we must oppose. I do this, among other ways, through my music. In the streets there is violence, pain, misery. But, in music, anything is possible. In music we are free!” Karla’s music tells the story of many women and families, juxtaposing a harsh daily reality with hope for a better future. Listen to “Antes del Puente” (“Before the Bridge”): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqBsFJlW6fA.

In 1986, at age sixteen, Karla broke into the Central American music scene as a singer in the popular group Rascaniguas and later with the Salvadoran group Cutumay Camones. She has two albums of her own, “Donde Andar” and “Antes del Puente.” Karla is a member of the National Network of Human Rights Advocates in Honduras and producer of the radio program “No Morning without Coffee.” This year Karla will be touring Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain to share her music and raise awareness about human rights and environmental concerns in Honduras.

ArtCorps | Reimagining Social Change

ArtCorps trains organizations and advocates on the frontlines of social change to harness art and culture as powerful tools for community development. Since 2000 ArtCorps (http://www.artcorp.org (http://artcorp.org/raisingspirits)) has developed innovative strategies to strengthen the environmental, health and human rights initiatives of over fifty organizations in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Belize. We have also provided thousands of creative workshops to train NGO staff, youth, women and other community leaders in arts-based tools for social change. From interactive installations and theater performances to community festivals and radio programs, our partners have adopted new practices that raise awareness, shift attitudes and behaviors, generate dialogue on key issues and mobilize communities to take action.