The all-volunteer Mockingbird Foundation is proud to commemorate 25 years of providing music education to America’s young people by presenting The Mockingbird Sessions, a three-day celebration of music, education, and community. This free event streaming – on Fans.live, June 4, 5, & 6 – will bring together a diverse group of musicians, educators, and foundations to promote music education throughout America.
Thanks to the efforts of dozens of people and multiple studios across the U.S., Mockingbird Sessions includes artists such as Marco Benevento, Joe Russo, and Christian McBride in a once-in-a-lifetime quartet with harpist Mikalea Davis; The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio; The Yonder Mountain String Trio; Paul Hoffman (from Greensky Bluegrass); and many others in unique pairings and groups that were curated specifically for this event.
Masterclasses will also be presented, showcasing the artistic philosophies of various artists and instruments, like the bass panel featuring Reed Mathis, Karina Rykman, and Chris Wood and hosted by Dr. Stephanie Jenkins (noted host of the Phish Studies Conference in 2019). Testimonials by grantees will be sporadically shared during the weekend as well, and a limited edition print from artist Cory Rowe will be available for purchase.
The Mockingbird Foundation is an all-volunteer, fan-founded and -managed 501c3 supporting music education for children. It has been operated entirely by volunteer fans of the band, without any salaries or paid staff, since its inception in 1996. The Foundation is the leading provider of historical information about Phish and its music, having cultivated intellectual property through phish.net since 1994. Also a leading grantmaker in music education for children, the Foundation has now made 493 grants in all 50 states, totaling more than $1.8M. Funds for grants are generated through generous donations from a loyal base of fans, as well as through books, recordings, artwork, merchandise, and special events.