Education & Pre-Professional Training

“An unseen part of the extraordinary work that Jeannette Sorrell is doing with Apollo’s Fire – the mentoring of young people through music.”–ClevelandClassical.com

Since 2002, Apollo’s Fire has deeply touched and transformed the lives of many youngsters through its unique and vibrant education programs. With a track-record of nearly 20 years, AF’s youth training programs have now produced the majority of the leading young, up-and-coming musicians in the national baroque music field.

In keeping with its core value of intimacy of the artistic experience, AF does not present one-time experiences to hundreds of children in a large auditorium; rather, the hallmark of AF’s educational programs is the close interaction between musicians and learners – an intimacy that fosters a meaningful and memorable artistic learning experience.

AF’s educational outreach includes the following 4 programs. Please click on the links for more details.

Musettes Ensemble (treble youth chorus)
The Musettes are talented young singers ages 11-17 who rehearse on a project basis and perform with AF in programs where young voices are appropriate for the repertoire. Founded in 2005, the Musettes have had many musical adventures including singing on AF’s acclaimed CD albums of the Praetorius Christmas Vespers and Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain; and traveling to New York City to sing with Apollo’s Fire at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. MORE INFO

Young Artist Apprentice Program
Since 2002, Apollo’s Fire has helped to train future professional baroque musicians by working with advanced conservatory students – sharing AF’s particular style and approach to baroque music as the apprentices perform side-by-side with seasoned AF musicians. With a track-record of nearly 20 years, AF’s Young Artist alumni have now become many of the leading up-and-coming young professionals of the national early music scene. MORE INFO

Family Concerts
AF’s FREE 45-minute Interactive concerts are for ages 6-96! Presented at accessible locations such as the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Akron Art Museum, AF’s Family Concerts always finish with the famous “Instrument Petting Zoo” – the stage is mobbed with curious kids and parents in a joyful cacophony of eager questions and impromptu musical performances by kids. MORE INFO

School Workshops & Partnerships
Apollo’s Fire collaborates with music teachers around NE Ohio and on tour to present workshops, masterclasses, in-school concerts, and other enriching activities for students. Recent partnerships include Kirtland High School, Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, the Rainey Institute, CIM, Miller South School (Akron), Global Village Academy, Hudson Montessori, Our Lady of Angels, and elementary schools in the districts of CMSD (Cleveland), Cleveland Heights-University Heights, Nordonia, and Rocky River. MORE INFO


Watch video! AF’s education programs in action!

“Bach Family Frolic: A Multi-Generational Music Party”

Staged performance of J.S. Bach’s Coffee Cantata, directed by Jeannette Sorrell and using Sorrell’s zany English translation. Three-part video:

  • Pt 1 features primarily the Apprentices.
  • Pt 2 features apprentice Madeline Healey playing the role of the rebellious daughter, and guest artist Jeffrey Strauss as her frustrated Papa.
  • Pt 3 is the Finale including all Apprentices and 3 Musettes.

The program won rave reviews in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and ClevelandClassical.com!

For more videos, check out our Educational Concerts Video Playlist!


“The U.S.A.’s hottest baroque band.” –CLASSICAL MUSIC MAGAZINE (UK)

Share to...