The Encore Performing Arts Studio Youth Music Ensemble, under the direction of Ernesto Rivas, M.M., performed for the 2023 EPAS Winter Market Event on November 18, 2023, hosted by Spout Springs Church, in Cameron, NC.  The Youth Ensemble consisted of 6 guitars, 2 glockenspiels, and a piano, performing several works that include Edvard Greig's “In the Hall of The Mountain King”, Christmas standards, “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin, “Aquarium” from Camille Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals, and “Carol of The Bells” by Mykola Leontovych.  

This performance was the first integration of pitched-percussion instruments and piano to the ensemble, which began as a youth guitar ensemble in the Fall semester of 2021.  Rivas felt the need to provide students with a musical group experience, in which philosophically, he feels is vital to each individual's musical development and education.  This group ranges in age from 11 - 17, and have been taking private lessons with Encore Performing Arts Studio for at least a year, or longer.  The Youth Music Ensemble is a great opportunity to provide students with the chance to play with other musicians who are at, or near their level of learning, while working together to achieve a common goal, improving individual musicianship, communication, and group participation skills.

For more information on the Youth Music Ensemble, or classes and private lessons offered at Encore Performing Arts Studio, please visit https://www.encoreperformarts.com/

Rivas has been a contracted music instructor with Encore Performing Arts Studio for the past 5 years, providing private lessons in guitar, piano, ukulele, bass, cello, and mandolin, in addition to directing the Youth Music Ensemble.