Page 94 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2018

United by MUsic north AMericA

Playing the blues to challenge Assumptions

UBMNA associate artist ambassador Marlana VanHoose performing “At Last” with Lisa Mann and Sonny Hess at the Waterfront Blues Festival. Photo by Amanda Gresham
Imagine a world in which no prejudice exists based upon differently or do we invite them in? At UBMNA, we not only
race, creed, color, gender – or developmental challenge. invite them in, we put them on stage where they can shine,”
United by Music aims to create that world through music. says Hammerman.
United by Music, a performance-based program and band The UBMNA program and band blends neuro-diverse and
for musically talented people with development challenges neuro-typical people of musical talent. A unique aspect of
and delays, was created in the Netherlands in 2006 by Joris UBMNA is the inclusion of program artists and professional
van Wijngaarden, a health care industry executive. Van musicians, playing and learning together, in all activities
Wijngaarden worked with the late blues artist Candye Kane to from rehearsals and workshops to performances. It currently
hone the concept behind United by Music in the Netherlands. features 25 members, and – funding permitting – will expand
To expand the program to North America, Kane suggested their membership; UBMNA is always on the look-out for new
van Wijngaarden speak with nonprofit industry expert and artists. It’s not so easy to discover these often-hidden people of
music supporter Barbara Hammerman, who jumped on board musical talent, but UBMNA finds artists through periodic open
with music festival and event producer Amanda Gresham to audition parties, word of mouth and collaboration with other
found and direct United by Music North America (UBMNA) in similarly missioned groups.
2012. Since then, this extraordinary program has built a loyal Though there is learning at all points, UBMNA is not an
fanbase of enthusiastic audiences from coast to coast. instruction program or school. It is a free-of-charge selective
“I believe that a society is judged by how we treat the most program for those with musical talent who can commit to the
vulnerable amongst us. Do we exclude them, do we treat them band, maintain a consistent rehearsal schedule, support each

UBMNA band and mentors post-performance at the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, OR. Photo by Dave Corry

92 Blues Festival Guide 2018