Mission and History
Performance of Sacred Grounds, Sacred Sounds,
Trinity Church Wall St., NYC, June 2008
Melodic Vision’s Artistic Director is Susan Wilson, a highly respected photographer, writer, educator, and lecturer. Music Director Rebecca Strauss is a violist and violinist known as a fine performer, professional businesswoman, and beloved educator in the Boston arts scene. The music group performing with them will vary with the program.
Melodic Vision grew out of Susan’s love for photography and history, Rebecca’s love of music and multiculturalism, and their mutual interest in enlightening and educating through art and storytelling. Their debut project together—Soul Survivor, first produced in 2002 at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts—began as a healing journey and grew into a program that touched others deeply at every performance. Discovering that the work of creating a show and the audience response were equally rewarding, they agreed to pursue other topics and projects as “Melodic Vision.”
Their shared love of travel, nature, and diverse styles of music have led them to Mexico, South Africa, Europe, and back home to Boston, exploring subjects ranging from powerful and difficult contemporary social issues to explorations of peoples and places. Their highly acclaimed works include Noche de Muertos: Welcoming Our Ancestors Home, a collaboration with award-winning Latin band Sol y Canto, and Sacred Grounds, Sacred Sounds: A Journey through the History, Mystery and Music of Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, and Classic Black, a show highlighting the music and stories of select black classical composers.
Melodic Vision was recently commissioned to develop a video installation, The Battery Wharf Story, featured in the new Maritime Museum at Battery Wharf, which opened in Boston’s North End in June, 2009.
Their newest project, Tiny Tales is a series of five-minute videos directed towards teaching young children about the natural world around us. In the Tiny Tales series you can explore the lives of the majestic Mute swan and their adorable babies, the underwater adventures of the Humpback whale, the exotic "Big Five" of South Africa, or the process of making delicious maple syrup — a New England staple!
In less than five years of existence, Melodic Vision’s productions have garnered an unusual amount of praise. Monica Higgins, Program Director at the Boston Athenaeum, called one work “the highlight of our season!” Poet and musician Charles Coe noted, “With their imaginative and enlightening … collaboration, Susan and Rebecca offer a program that satisfies both the intellect and the emotions. …This is an absolute ‘must-see’ event.”
“I believe the artists took many risks — which I admire — in integrating text, photos and live music in this unique multi-media production,” wrote Patricia Van Ness, composer-in-residence at First Church in Cambridge. “It is an exquisite piece that I believe deserves widespread viewing.” Sylvia McDowell, president of the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail, observed, “The … program was the one of the most enjoyable ones I have experienced in I don't know how long. Susan Wilson's photos were wonderful. I simply loved the program and was almost in tears at its conclusion. I hate to gush but it was such a lovely and gracious event.”
Two musicians who have been involved in several Melodic Vision productions, violinist Julie McKenzie and violist Alexandra Leem, were equally impressed. “Susan, thank you for your artistic brilliance in how you shoot photos, how you and Rebecca work together, how you have created a memorable and meaningful show,” said McKenzie. “I was nothing but impressed,” added Leem. “From an artistic point of view, the whole concept just worked, and the balance that you two have created together was seamless. The images were fantastic — and the music was gorgeous.”
“Together,” beamed audience member Sewall Whittemore, “you can take on the world!”
Copyright © 2009 Melodic Vision
All photos copyright © Susan Wilson
“Melodic Vision has a strong sense of the relationship between art, ideas, social change and the power of telling the story of every day life. It was a pleasure to work with an organization that values the long-term ripple effect of artists and thinkers gathering. The relationship between artists and presenter is essential. Melodic Vision is both, and therefore has sensitivity for the whole of the event.”
singer & activist
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• Mission & History