Скачать или смотреть Classical convicts | Gabrielle Whitfield | TEDxAnchorage

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Classical Convicts: The Journey of the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center
Women’s String Orchestra
My ideas regarding the topic of community have evolved a lot while working at Hiland. Prior to teaching in a prison, I never viewed criminals as a truly viable part of our community. They were like an invisible society, locked away for their own good, and for the good of the general public. They were no longer one of us and didn’t deserve to take part in
our community. Over the past 10 years, that line of thinking changed for me. Shortly after obtaining the teaching position at Hiland, I began researching history and data regarding the U.S. prison system. I was shocked to learn that approximately 95% of criminals are eventually released from jail during their lifetime. With these kinds of numbers, we must re-imagine our community. It is in everyone's best interest that anyone in contact with the Department of Corrections be offered every chance for rehabilitation because except for a very small minority, they will be back out in the
community.

A lifelong Anchorage resident, violinist Gabrielle Whitfield received her Bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Northern Colorado in 2001. She currently teaches classroom music at Northwood Elementary. Additionally, Gabrielle has served as Artistic Director and conductor of the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center Orchestra for the past decade. This innovative string ensemble, comprised of thirty female prison
inmates, has performed alongside some of the world’s most acclaimed classical
musicians, including cellist Zuill Bailey and jazz violinist Diane Monroe. Her work with the
Hiland Orchestra has been featured on National Public Radio’s Performance Today and in The Washington Post. In 2010, the group received a “Bright Idea Award” from the Harvard University School of Government. Gabrielle is a past recipient of the Rasmuson Foundation’s Arts Educator Grant and the National Education Association’s Learning and Leadership Grant. Additionally, she was chosen as one of “50 Conductors to Watch For” by SBO Magazine in 2009. Aside from conducting, Gabrielle enjoys performing with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and spending time with her husband, Daniel, and their new baby, Gia.

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