Curriculum Vitae
COMPOSER/MUSICIAN/DRAMATIST/PERFORMER/EDUCATOR
Ayesu always understood himself as an artist and teacher. When he was eight years old, his parents bought a piano for the family and Ayesu quickly wrote his first song. He liked what he was learning but always heard and felt the music inside and wanted to bring it to life. When he and his brothers became bored with what they were learning in their piano lessons, Ayesu taught his brothers how to write music as well. Soon, to their parents’ frustration, the Lartey boys were spending very little time practicing what they were asked to work on by their piano teacher; instead, they were making up their own songs - many with Ayesu and his younger brother both playing the piano at the same time, creating four hand compositions. Ayesu kept making songs - sometimes three or four a day - just expressing what was inside so he would know himself and the human experience more intimately. As he grew older he started singing in choir and in bands. After getting his first guitar and drum set, he began using two tape recorders to mimic multitrack recording. He improved because he was creative and able to teach himself a lot, but he knew education was key to reaching his full potential. His college years were fast approaching and unlike his brothers, his educational pursuits would not be supported financially by his immigrant parents since they involved music and the arts.
When Ayesu was twenty-seven, he gained the means to put himself through college, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree form the University of Wisconsin - Parkside, studying classical and contemporary voice while acting and writing music for most of the Drama Department’s productions. While at UWP, he began tutoring students in music theory using his unique perspective to demystify the subject, allowing students to document and enhance their music.
Ayesu moved on to New York University (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts and earned his MFA in Musical Theater Writing. There, he learned to apply the techniques for story craft to his work. After graduate school, Ayesu’s musical “Touch”, which he wrote with Sam Salmond, was produced at Barrington Stage Company. He wrote 7 of the 11 songs in the Majestic Theater’s production of “Hansel & Gretel” while also writing and developing “Tommy Christ”, which was produced by the CDP Summer Workshop in New York, NY. Ayesu wrote “Voices of the Quilt” after being inspired by the letters written for the AIDS Quilt. He hopes his work will help raise awareness for those still affected by HIV and AIDS. Songs from “Voices of the Quilt” were featured during World AIDS Day in San Francisco, CA and the show was produced by Custom Made Theater in 2016 and 2018.
When Ayesu arrived at Brooklyn Prospect Charter School, the Arts Department consisted of one art class and one dance class, and he himself was tasked to co-found the musical theater class. The Arts program had 50-100 students in it at the time. The school consisted of a middle school (6-8th grades) and a growing high school that only had a freshman and sophomore class. He then created two choir classes and a music composition class in which he wrote “Music Composition I Guided Workbook”, a text to provide differentiated instruction on basic music theory and how to create and score music in Finale. After three years, he became chair of the department. In those three years, Ayesu got to know the school and the students and through his leadership helped to expand arts education to offer International Baccalaureate (IB) classes in Visual Art and Dance, while expanding arts offerings to all grades forming multiple choirs, a band, multiple theater classes and has mapped out IB program expansions to offer additional IB classes in Theater and Film. He was also able to procure funding for a PA System, microphones, instruments and a full lighting rig for school productions. He then collaborated with his department to add a Technical Theater program to help support art exhibitions and performing arts performances while teaching students how to safely use sound, stage and lighting gear.
Ayesu believes in education and the diversity of expression and experience. He believes all new discovery adds to what we already found. Where growth is absent, stagnation is present. Where voices are silenced, inequality takes hold and corrodes. Where there is no art, the past is lost and the future is stolen. This is why Ayesu, while using his own voice, will lift and support others in creating and maintaining the chorus of life.
EDUCATION
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
Master of Fine Arts Musical Theater Writing / Composition, Lyrics & Book
University of Wisconsin Parkside
Bachelor of Arts Music/Voice
ACADEMIA
Brooklyn Prospect Charter School, Arts Department Head & Performance Coordinator Choir, Band, Music Composition & Musical Theater Teacher - Brooklyn, NY (2013 - Present)
Full Time; Currently overseeing Arts Department for the High School (approx. 400 students); disciplines include: Choir, Band, Music Composition, Dance, Visual Art, Technical Theater & Musical Theater
Co-Founded Musical Theater program; Founded Choir program; Founded Music Composition program; Founded Band programs; Founded Film Program; Oversaw expansion of IB Dance, IB Visual Art and IB Film
Ensured IB, Common Core and New York State standards were met across all curricula and disciplines
Collaborated with colleagues in teaching and learning while performing faculty supervision, evaluation and development
Oversaw and created the Athletics & Health Department through decoupling, expanding and reorganizing both the Arts program and the Athletics & Health programs
Privately mentored students in voice, piano, guitar, bass, audition techniques, acting, song & play writing
Composed (w/ lyrics) music for various school performances and ceremonies
CYT (Christian Youth Theater), Musical Theater Teacher/ Director/ Music Director - New York, NY (2013-2014)
Directed and music directed theater performances Mentored students in voice, song writing, acting & dance
Boys and Girls Harbor, Substitute Choral Director - New York, NY (2013-2014) Directed Middle School and High School Choirs
Directed Sectional rehearsals
Westchester Home Music, Music Teacher - Westchester County, NY (2011-2012) Private lessons in voice, song writing, piano, guitar, bass and percussion
Huff Home School, Music teacher - Winthrop Harbor, IL (2007-2009) Private lessons in voice, song writing, piano, guitar, bass
Taught classes in performance techniques and music theory
University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Music Theory Tutor - Kenosha, WI (2006-2009) Tutored and taught music theory at all levels to individual students and small groups
First United Methodist Church, Choir Director / Composer - Racine, WI (2007-2009) Coordinated and developed music ministry
Musically directed all rehearsals and services
Composed (w/ lyrics) choral, solo and instrumental music to be used in church services Arranged and transposed music for services
Sang and played piano and percussion
Privately mentored choral and band members in voice, piano, bass and percussion
Our Lady of Humility Church, Choir Director / Composer - Zion, IL (2006-2009)
Coordinated and developed music ministry
Musically directed all rehearsals and services; Composed (w/ lyrics) choral, solo and instrumental music to be used in church services Arranged and transposed music for services ; Sang and played piano; Privately mentored choral and band members in voice and piano
Rock College, Guitar Teacher / Band Leader - Kenosha, WI (2007-2008)
Voice and Guitar teacher
Directed and mentored student bands which usually consisted of voice, guitar, bass, percussion and keyboards
Milwaukee Ballet, Class Accompanist - Milwaukee, WI (2005-2006)
Played piano for ballet classes; students ranged from 1st - 12th grade
AFFILIATIONS
Dramatist Guild of America
Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA)
LECTURES / RESIDENCIES /GRANTS/ FELLOWSHIPS / COMMISSIONS
2018 The Green Show - Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Featured Artist, Voices of the Quilt Ashland, OR
2017 World Aids Day - Bending The Arc Toward Justice
“One by One” - Composer / Lyricist San Francisco, CA
2017 Glide Memorial Church
Featured Artist - World AIDS Day San Francisco, CA
2016 Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA) NY Fellows Reunion
Featured Artist New York, NY
2015 - 2016 University of Wisconsin - Parkside
Featured Artist, Lecture, Concert and Masterclass Kenosha, WI
2015 Albany High School and Middle School
Featured Artist, Lecture, Concert and Masterclass Albany, WI
2014 - 2016 Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA)
Fellowship & fully funded residencies: 2014, 2015 & 2016
2014 National Endowment of The Arts Grant Recipient (NEA)
Grant to support African-American and Latino Visual Artists and Composers
2013 AIDS Quilt Song Book
“To Love” - Composer / Lyricist
(Classical Chamber Piece)
University of Wisconsin - Parkside Kenosha, WI
2012 The First Presbyterian Church
“Oh Holy Night” - Arranger
(Soprano and tenor duet with organ or piano) Findlay, OH
2008-2009 Our Lady of Humility Church
“Mass of Creation” - Composer “Mass of Glory” - Composer Zion, IL
ORIGINAL THEATRICAL WORKS
Voices of the Quilt (2016)
Music, Lyrics and Book - Ayesu Lartey Performed and developed at:
2018 Custom Made Theater
2016 Custom Made Theater
San Francisco, CA
Tommy Christ (2015)
Music and Lyrics - Ayesu Lartey; Book and Lyrics - Orian Israelsohn Performed and developed at:
CDP Summer Workshop (2016)
NYU Tisch School of the Arts (2015)
Hansel & Gretel (2014)
Music - Ayesu Lartey; Music - Tyrone L. Robinson; Book and Lyrics - Robert Kinerk Performed and developed at:
Majestic Theater
West Springfield, MA
Touch (2012)
Music - Ayesu Lartey; Book and Lyrics - Sam Salmond Performed and developed at:
Barrington Stage Company
Jars (2011)
Music and Lyrics - Ayesu Lartey; Book and Lyrics - Liana Stillman Performed and developed at: NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Overtone (2001 - 2017)
Song writer, Singer and Guitar - Ayesu Lartey; Drums Aaron Mooney: Bass Peter Hansen; Guitar Greg Henken
Albums:
“Live 2017” (2017)
“Live at the Oasis” (2015) “Rarities & Demos” (2015) “Secondary Effect”(2003) “First Born” (2001)
Film
Lunch Lady (2019)
Film Score - Ayesu Lartey; Directed by Mathew Riutta Cinequest
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Race, Diversity & Inclusion (RDI) Training - Brooklyn, NY Border Crossers
Anti-Bias and Equality
Exploring how educational spaces can be Anti-Racist Defining Implicit Bias
Sociology of Racism
White Supremacy Culture Equality vs. Equity Decolonization of Curriculum Acting like an Activist Historian
Understanding the Growth Mindset - Brooklyn, NY The Power of Belief
Growth Mindset Development
Social/ Emotional Learning (SEL) - Brooklyn, NY Self Management
Stress Reduction
Group Building
Self Awareness
Restorative Circles - Brooklyn, NY Connection
Listening & Responding
PUBLISHING
Mass of Deliverance
by Ayesu Lartey Copyright: 2014 Publisher: lulu.com
SELECTIONS OF ORIGINAL WORK
“Amazing Grace” - Arranged by Ayesu Lartey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AYsXGPq2V8
“To Love” - Music and Lyrics by Ayesu Lartey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MrpdLn3io
“Mayme” - Music by Ayesu Lartey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TiPmK2JjZQ
“Come As You Are/ The Light” - Music and Lyrics by Ayesu Lartey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxdvz00n4NI
“In Your Sleep” - Music by Ayesu Lartey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rl0TEKe15g
Sondheim Remix: “It’s Hot Up Here” - Music by Ayesu Lartey http://sondheimremix.blogspot.com/2014/06/ayesu-lartey-its-hot-up-here.html
TOMMY CHRIST
“I Can Do That” - Music and Lyrics by Ayesu Lartey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95jxHpMEmpU
“Believe” - Music and Lyrics by Ayesu Lartey
https://soundcloud.com/ayesu/believe
OVERTONE
"Groove" - Live at The Oasis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBWvN4VDyjg
“Shattered" - Live at The Oasis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rGkckXYqZ0
“Secondary Effect”
https://overtonechicago.bandcamp.com/album/first-born-2
“First Born”
https://overtonechicago.bandcamp.com/album/first-born-2
VARIOUS CONTRACTED VOCAL WORK
“Sweet Manhattans Light” (Rona Siddiqui)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21lg4PZrgCo
“Vocal Fight” (Rona Siddiqui)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-1UZJent8Q
“Private Hunnicutt’s Letter” (Kirsten Childs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz4GI9CMRE8
“Pen and Ink” (Seth Christenfeld/Julianne Wick Davis)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pfq_elwEkI
“I Chase the Star I Fell From” (Willem Oosthuysen/Kevin Wanzor) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-DkLcL1l04
VOICES OF THE QUILT & PRESS
“Voices Of the Quilt” Demos (SoundCloud)
https://soundcloud.com/ayesu/sets/voices-of-the-quilt-demos
“One By One”
https://vimeo.com/229809942
“Alyssa Against The Wall”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTpT551--rQ
“Stay Alive”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRlK4qdVE6c&t=6s
“Voices of the Quilt” Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/pg/VoicesOfTheQuilt/posts/
“Voices of the Quilt” Press
“Voices of the Quilt” in the News
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=144405722887638
A&U Magazine
https://aumag.org/2017/08/16/voices-of-the-quilt-announces-release-party-to-premiere-one- by-one-music-video/
The Green Show Show KSKQ 89.5 FM
Radio interview - Aug 16th 2018 - Host: Kamilah Long
STUDENT WORK
Brooklyn Prospect High School BPCS Virtual Music Performance | May 28th 2021
https://youtu.be/4xIlUnuJpow
Brooklyn Prospect High School BPCS Virtual Music Performance | March 5th 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdO3HFlbVTI
Brooklyn Prospect High School Band, Twist & Shout | May-25-2021
https://youtu.be/9Ay1hIF0Rm4
“Cool Kids” (7th grade cover) — Brooklyn Prospect Charter School https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeU4QktS268
“Walk” Foo Fighters (7th grade cover) — Brooklyn Prospect Charter School https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z6VO_sVnZg
MISC. PRESS
Ayesu Lartey. The Right Place. The Right Time.
https://www.vcca.com/ayesu-lartey-the-right-place-the-right-time/
What Can Poetry Do? https://blog.bestamericanpoetry.com/the_best_american_poetry/2014/08/what-can-poetry- do-part-2-kelle-groom.html
The Journal Times
https://journaltimes.com/calendar/music/orchestral-chorale/ayesu-lartey-and-aimee-leigh- wetencamp-concert/event_109e4864-0d11-11e4-8ffa-0019bb2963f4.html
Chicago Tribune - Tinseltown Again
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-07-19-0007190263-story.html
Playbill
https://www.playbill.com/article/nancy-opel-among-more-than-30-artists-set-for-broadways- future-concert-featuring-new-holiday-songs
https://www.playbill.com/article/jose-llana-celina-carvajal-and-more-set-for-free-broadways- future-lincoln-center-concert-com-182653
https://www.playbill.com/article/jose-llana-and-celina-carvajal-are-part-of-free-broadways- future-lincoln-center-concert-sept-26-com-182942
https://www.playbill.com/article/frisk-me-the-songs-of-max-vernon-with-sarah-stiles- christopher-jackson-and-more-offered-nov-30-in-nyc-com-200285
ACADEMIC PRESS
Slate Magazine
https://slate.com/human-interest/2016/06/brooklyn-prospect-is-embarking-on-an-ambitious- experiment-to-eliminate-segregation-from-education.html
WNYC (2014)
(Students featured at 3:15)
https://www.wnyc.org/story/new-charter-law-means-schools-can-seek-rent-city-expense/
ACADEMIC TEXT
Music Composition I Guided Workbook (2015)
Curriculum guide and workbook for grades 9 & 10 Music Composition
Written by - Ayesu Lartey
EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
Writing a Hook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcIUhbXcUJA
Making a Beat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2hhZxJUw9A
Texturing a Beat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaj1JRwcjs8
Making a Bridge and Finishing Your Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZoIR7VmbfU
Vocal Warmup without an Accompanist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deW9HGas_yQ
Sonic Science of a “Cold” vs. “Warm” Voice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8iE439JYmY
8th Notes: Pandemic Style
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SDsfufXYA4
Solfege Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-BQlswiX58
Practice Time with a Click
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dflqbpjpEY
Solfege
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KflmHHRIYQ8
Chord Progressions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XbQM1ECTxU
Intro to Melodic Writing III
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IgwScJp9J0
Melody
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_VMpoJfVsI
Putting Name Into Finale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4j1Ea_1JL8
Texturing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY99MRlzUh4
Project Format
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz8ktNvYN40
What to do if I can't hear the music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpONp5KEut8
Teaching Philosophy’s
Faith, Creativity & Understanding
Teachers need to believe in the people they teach. I believe when teachers start thinking a student can't learn or is incapable of understanding the concept there's often a breakdown of creativity. We should never ask a student “What's wrong with you?”, but rather “What happened?” and “How can I help?”. In those moments, we need to open ourselves to new avenues of understanding and creative educational solutions. The struggling student is a teacher’s opportunity to grow.
Project Based Learning (PBL)
In the arts there is always a product, whether it be a performance, composition, design or exhibition. Students need to know how to build their product from scratch. Understanding how each individual element is balanced and blended to create cohesion to render an expression is crucial. Project-based learning prepares students for success in and outside the classroom by giving them the tools to revise, deconstruct, and rebuild to complete a product. These are skills my students can use for a lifetime.
Diversity
Understanding and embracing the fullness of the human condition is a birthright, and a gateway to experiencing this is artistic expression. When someone creates a work of art, they’re giving you a snapshot of humanity filtered through their perspective. We don't fully understand what it is like to be human until we understand more about each other. This is only one of the reasons why it is so important to give students the tools needed for robust artistic self-expression. Students need the opportunity to openly express aspects of their identities and lived experiences - whether that includes religion, politics, race, gender expression or identity, culture, oppression, or anything else that calls them to create. Thoughts in their minds and feelings in their hearts must be given a safe place within academia to be explored, embraced and critically thought about. Throughout history, we have as a society and sometimes as academics silenced the voices that call for progress because they make us uncomfortable. As teachers, it is our duty to help students (and ourselves) become more “comfortable with discomfort” through reflection, affirmation, inquiry, acceptance and inclusion.
Growth-mindset
I've often been quoted as saying “failure is the cornerstone to success”, usually with the understanding that our first, second, third, and often fourth attempt to do something are unsuccessful; however, we learn along the way and often create something better and more beautiful that we initially imagined. If we never try we are already inside of failure. Failure teaches what success is unable to; it gives us the needed grit to achieve and sustain a career. The “fixed mindset” - the notion that your aptitude is fixed due to your innate talents - will only serve to mute your potential. I always see an unsuccessful outcome as an opportunity for growth.
Why I Teach
I teach because I don't want anyone to be without the education their potential is owed. I know what it's like to want an education and to not have access to it. Growing up in an immigrant family (my father is from Ghana) the expectation was not to be an artist but maybe be a scientist like my father. Because I wanted to go to school for music and theater, I did not have the support of my family. For ten years after high school, I struggled, strategized, and saved but I eventually earned the means to put myself through college. I fought through adversity and was able to build a career as an artist and musician. I graduated from University Wisconsin – Parkside with a B.A. in Music and went on to receive a fellowship and a full scholarship to New York University, where I earned an M.F.A. in Musical Theater Writing. I want to make it easier for those who follow me. From the second someone steps in my classroom, I will engage them with rich, rigorous and worthy content - embracing the fullness of our human diversity. As someone who lived years of his life with that avenue closed, I want it wide open for all who come after me and I'm driven to do my part to make it so.
Summary
My experiences fighting for my education, performing and composing, teaching and learning has shown me no one can reach their full potential without education and opportunities for exploration and self-expression. I have an unwavering faith in students’ ability to learn. I am committed to being an instructor that not only listens but meets students where they are and gives them the tools they need. As an educator, I will always remember that I am also a student. If I am not growing, my grip on my effectiveness as a teacher is slipping. I am in love with diversity and ideas that vary from my own, no matter how uncomfortable they make me. I am open to facing challenges that help me become a more well-rounded artist and educator. I will give my all until students reach their artistic dreams and potential while telling their stories and laying the groundwork for the future.