Educational Outreach

A few of the fine institutions that have presented Chance in residence:

Organizations: American String Teachers’ “Alternative Strings Forum”, New Directions Cello Festival, Cultural Partners for the Milwaukee Symphony’s Arts in Education Program (1998 to the present)

Universities: California State - Fresno, Southwest Texas State, The Universities of Wisconsin - Madison, Stevens Point, Whitewater, Eau Claire, Kenosha, and Northland College

High Schools: Wisconsin - Fort Atkinson, Washburn, Superior, Verona, Stevens Point, as well as Dubuque IA and Fairbault MN.

"They understand both their art and the complexities of working with students." - Director of Choirs, Washburn High School

"All of the students and the audience LOVED them. I’d have them back in a minute!" - Orchestra teacher, School District of Ft. Atkinson, WI

Chance coalesced in Los Angeles CA, a coming together of two musicians with wildly diverse backgrounds. It was in 1986 that vocalist Cheryl Leah, steeped in the worlds of R+B and Jazz and having recorded and performed with Jazz legends Herbie Hancock and Miroslav Vitous, joined forces with cellist Edward Willett who was newly emerging from the University of Southern California, one of the world’s leading conservatories. Their resulting
musical experiment has remained as vibrant and unparalleled as the day they launched it twenty years ago.

What they bring to their educational work is an active and contemporary view into their own living art. By using original compositions as their vehicle to intrigue and inspire, they provide a rare opportunity for students to come face to face with the undiluted passion of musical inventors and the charisma of masterful performers. Their residency programs and informances are ideal for high school string orchestras, choirs, and for university music
department convocations.