Apogee Launches Programs for the Discovery, Development and Celebration of Artistic Excellence in New Orleans

New York, New York, and New Orleans, Louisiana (PRWEB) April 24, 2008 -- The Apogee Foundation today announced that it will begin implementing its programs for discovering, developing and celebrating artistic excellence in New Orleans during May and June of 2008.

New Orleans, the birthplace of some of America's most influential art forms and greatest performing artists, will host the the region's first Apogee Awards laureates, its first Apogee Academy training sequences, and at least three Apogee Artists concerts featuring local and international participants.

The Foundation's local partners in hosting these events include the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), Moscow Nights, Komenka Ethnic Music and Dance Ensemble, Trinity Episcopal Church and School, as well as other institutions and venues to be announced. Apogee also will produce a documentary film and other recorded media featuring these programs in collaboration with Aurience Limited.

The launch of Apogee's programs in New Orleans is underwritten by a generous gift from Dr. Bernard and Mrs. Marjorie Schneider, former residents of the City and long time supporters of educational and cultural institutions in the region.

Dr. and Mrs. Schneider issued the following statement: "It is a privilege for us to be able to participate in the rich cultural history and future of New Orleans as well as in the inspiring mission of The Apogee Foundation by enabling the region's most gifted young artists to develop in themselves and to share with the world the best that mankind can achieve and become."

Natasha O. Ramer, Artistic Director of Moscow Nights and Apogee's Regional Coordinator in New Orleans, said "New Orleans is one of the world's most important cultural capitals, and Apogee is proud to be launching its programs here in collaboration with such respected partners and friends."

To view this article with full dynamic and visual content including videocasts of event participants and a podcast interview with the event sponsors, please visit the Foundation's website at: http://www.apogeefoundation.org/media/2008/new_orleans_americas.php

About The Apogee Foundation ®

Apogee is an international philanthropic organization dedicated to the development of human excellence in the performance arts. The Foundation's programs serve to discover, develop and celebrate the world's most gifted emerging artists, fostering the magic of their creative and spiritual potential in order to propel them to the apogee of human excellence on the world stage.

Contact

Kenneth Schneider, President

The Apogee Foundation

1001 Avenue of the Americas, 12th Floor

New York, NY 10018-5460 (USA)

+1.646.224.6960 or +1.888.APOGEE.8

Fax: +1.646.292.5101

www.ApogeeFoundation.org

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