In the context of the larger class discussions around the powerful ways that the arts and humanities can help people find meaning in the world, the students walked away with a palpable sense of the ways Flamenco uniquely supports this possibility.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Elena’s visit was generously funded by the PCC HARTS Fund, which supports programming and scholarships that increases student access to the arts and humanities. To donate to the HARTS Fund, please go to the donation page and choose “Other” in the designation form. Then enter “HARTS” in the box that appears.

Amy Dragon, a mastering engineer hailing from Telegraph Mastering in Portland, brought a refreshing dose of real-world wisdom during her recent visit to our MUS 172 class. The session, held on May 28th and open to all (roughly 26 attendees), was a candid exploration of the art and science of mastering.

During the two-hour presentation, Amy’s down-to-earth demeanor and wealth of experience set the stage for an engaging dialogue. She navigated through the history of mastering, offering a glimpse into its evolution from analog roots to the digital age. Amy delved into the practical aspects that define the craft: From the fundamental basics to emerging trends like AI tools and spatial audio, she provided a comprehensive overview that left students with a deeper understanding of the field’s intricacies. But what truly resonated with attendees was Amy’s openness to discussing not just the technical nuances but also the ethical considerations inherent in the profession. Students found her personal anecdotes particularly enlightening, providing invaluable insights into the real-world challenges and triumphs of a mastering engineer. Amy also generously shared ways of staying in touch with her and a plethora of resources with attendees, including organizations like “Music Portland” that is invaluable for music industry professionals in this area.

Thanks to the HARTS funds the Music and sonic Arts students were able to get a crash course in mastering, a craft that is not currently taught in any of PCC classes. In hindsight, Amy Dragon’s visit was a refreshing departure from traditional lectures, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of the industry. As students departed with newfound knowledge and inspiration, Amy’s impact lingered as a testament to the transformative power of shared expertise.

====================================================================

Amy’s visit was generously funded by the PCC HARTS Fund, which supports programming and scholarships that increases student access to the arts and humanities. To donate to the HARTS Fund, please go to the donation page and choose “Other” in the designation form. Then enter “HARTS” in the box that appears.

practices and climate conditions. It concluded with a look at several contemporary buildings designed by native architects and how they incorporate traditional symbolism and building practices. Since indigenous house styles are not currently covered in ART 215, the lecture offered students an alternative to the mainstream, European-influenced styles that dominate the history of American homes. Student feedback about Rochelle’s talk consistently expressed interest in learning about how indigenous architecture is more than the physical structure and how the buildings are an embodiment of culture and beliefs.  A member of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, Rochelle is an adjunct instructor of art and native studies at PCC and Eastern Washington University. She is also an affiliated faculty with the Indigenous Nations Studies program at PSU, and she maintains an active studio practice. In addition to the ART 215 students, Rochelle’s drawing class and several additional guests were also in attendance, making an audience of about thirty people.

====================================================================

Rochelle’s visit was generously funded by the PCC HARTS Fund, which supports programming and scholarships that increases student access to the arts and humanities. To donate to the HARTS Fund, please go to the donation page and choose “Other” in the designation form. Then enter “HARTS” in the box that appears.

• design and publish our regular newsletter, Wellspring
• do interviews with featured artists and writers
• help produce radio segments for XRAY FM
• develop content for the HARTS website

=========================================================================

Amy Dragon’s visit was generously funded by the PCC HARTS Fund, which supports programming and scholarships that increases student access to the arts and humanities. To donate to the HARTS Fund, please go to the donation page and choose “Other” in the designation form. Then enter “HARTS” in the box that appears.

He spoke about the evolution of the industry, from analog to digital and the intermingling of the tools, and emphasized the importance of fundamentals like mic placement and critical listening. Crane made specific pains to emphasize the importance of broad community relationships for music and recording professionals.

He also shared practical tips for recording, drawing from his experiences with artists like Elliott Smith and Sleater-Kinney. Students were engaged as Crane highlighted the collaborative nature of recording and stressed the significance of integrity and passion in the field. His visit left a lasting impression, inspiring students to pursue their goals with renewed determination.

Overall, Larry Crane’s visit provided valuable insights and encouragement for aspiring audio professionals, leaving a positive impact on the students.

==========================================================

Larry Crane’s visit was generously funded by the PCC HARTS Fund, which supports programming and scholarships that increases student access to the arts and humanities. To donate to the HARTS Fund, please go to the donation page and choose “Other” in the designation form. Then enter “HARTS” in the box that appears.

——————————————————————————————————————–

Larry Crane’s visit was generously funded by the PCC HARTS Fund, which supports programming and scholarships that increases student access to the arts and humanities. To donate to the HARTS Fund, please go to the donation page and choose “Other” in the designation form. Then enter “HARTS” in the box that appears.

In the middle of the term, this is dramatized by our reading of Tillie Olsen’s novel Yonnondio. Begun while Olsen was a new mother and an organizer with the communist party in the 1920s, the book was never completed. Other demands, both of life and political work, took over Olsen’s life for many decades. Ultimately, the unfinished book was published in the 1970s.

As we were finishing Yonnondio—thanks to the generous support of HARTS—we were able to have someone come from the world of organized labor to help us think more about the connections between labor and literature in a concrete way. Tyler Fellini, an organizer with the group Portland (and former PCC student), helped us examine how unions are intimately tied into these questions—both then and now—and pointed us towards a new “popular front” forming that includes many working class artists today.

Jobs with Justice’s visit was generously funded by the PCC HARTS Fund, which supports programming and scholarships that increases student access to the arts and humanities. To donate to the HARTS Fund, please go to the donation page and choose “Other” in the designation form. Then enter “HARTS” in the box that appears.

Throughout the session, Krishnamurthy’s passion for Carnatic music was palpable, infusing the classroom with energy and inspiration. His discussion not only offered invaluable knowledge but also sparked a profound appreciation for the cultural significance and artistic depth embedded within the rhythmic tapestry of Carnatic percussion. As students absorbed his wisdom and engaged in lively dialogue, they gained not only a deeper understanding of the Mridangam but also a renewed sense of curiosity and reverence for the timeless art form it represents. Rohan Krishnamurthy’s visit was not merely an educational experience but a transformative journey, igniting a passion for exploration and innovation that will continue to resonate within the hearts and minds of all who were fortunate enough to be present.

Rohan Krishnamurthy’s visit was generously funded by the PCC HARTS Fund, which supports programming and scholarships that increases student access to the arts and humanities. To donate to the HARTS Fund, please go to the donation page and choose “Other” in the designation form. Then enter “HARTS” in the box that appears.

We saw lots of connections between Viet Than Nguyen’s discussion of his new memoir and the short stories we’d been reading! The way he talked about racialized hierarchy in his experience (and in his fiction) was a question we’d explored; how his discussion of his immigrant experience tracked other writers we’ve read (like Jamil Jan Kochai); how he talked about using second person and first person in his writing, which had been part of our lesson earlier in the week. One thing we also found really cool was how, despite their different cultural experiences, Tommy Orange and Viet Than Nguyen were able to speak with care about shared experiences.

For some of us, it was our first big literary event and it felt intimidating – the crowds of people, many of them dressed up, the fancy interior of the Arlene Schnitzer auditorium. While it felt like TED Talk to some of us – easy to turn on and learn a little – we all realized that the more context we had coming into the conversation, the more we could have taken out of it.

After the conversation, we walked across the park blocks together and entered into the swirling crowds around the booksellers displays. Our PCC group broke up to explore on our own. For all of us, it was a chance to see how studying literature in class has lots of connections to the world beyond campus.

To support students attending events like these, please consider a tax-deductible gift to the HARTS Fund. Under “Designation,” click “Other” and write HARTS in the space provided. Thank you for your generosity!