Old Brookville, NY - February 6th, 2016 - The Green Vale School welcomed noted jazz percussionist Richie Barshay to campus on Thursday, January 28. Barshay, who has played with Herbie Hancock, the Klezmatics, Chick Corea, Natalie Merchant, and Bobby McFerrin, held percussion-based workshops with grades 4-8, giving students the opportunity to learn globally-inspired jazz elements.

Following the five musical workshops, Barshay and his bandmates – the “Richie Barshay Trio” – guitarist Yoshie Fruchter and bassist Moto Fukushima – delighted the 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and faculty with a 45-minute performance showcasing their jazz, Afro-Caribbean, and Indian-inspired musical style.

“What was particularly special about this experience was that the students engaged actively with the material before seeing the performance,” Green Vale Choral Director Jessica Chen said. “Having the opportunity to learn various world rhythms through movement, singing, and drumming ahead of time meant that they were able to grasp the performance in a much deeper way.

It was a rich experience which contributed not only to their musical education, but to their sense of global citizenship as well.”

About The Green Vale School
The Green Vale School, located in Old Brookville, Long Island, is an ndependent school specializing in Early Childhood through Middle School situated on a 40-acre campus on the doorstep of New York City. Green Vale has been providing students with an uncommon core of academic excellence and character development since 1923 – inspiring students to excel, to lead and to care.