{"id":7107,"date":"2020-05-22T12:15:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-22T19:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scottsdaleperf.wpengine.com\/?p=7107"},"modified":"2020-05-22T14:49:49","modified_gmt":"2020-05-22T21:49:49","slug":"digital-dive-aj-odneal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scottsdaleperformingarts.org\/2020\/05\/22\/digital-dive-aj-odneal\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Dive: AJ Odneal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Digital Dive is an extension of our Deep Dive program, which invites our audience to take a more in-depth exploration of our artists and events.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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AJ Odneal, photo by Nina Paz Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the Center\u2019s local artist programmer, I am lucky to work with some incredible artists from the Valley. This is the story of one of those artists, AJ Odneal, and how, over time, our relationship blossomed into some beautiful and unexpected experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I first came across Odneal\u2019s work through her YouTube page; if you\u2019re unfamiliar, I\u2019d highly recommend for you to check out now<\/a>. Her sweet personality is carefully captured on film, and her songs will make you feel like you\u2019ve been hugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Odneal has performed on our stages a few times over the years. She participated in our Scottsdale Arts Festival, Sunday A\u2019Fair (our free concerts in the park series), and Live & Local series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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AJ Odneal during her 2019 Live and Local performance. Photo: Zach Ciaburri<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After getting to know Odneal a little better\u2014her love for intimate engagements, fun exchanges with audience, and sincere collaboration\u2014our team thought she\u2019d be a perfect artist to involve in our annual Scottsdale Arts Gala. I remembered that Odneal mentioned how much she enjoys working with youths, so we proposed a residency to Odneal, where she would work with Ingleside Middle School choir, a nearby school and partner with Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, on a performance for the gala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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AJ Odneal and Ingleside Middle School Choir performers right before their 2019 Scottsdale Arts Starry Night Gala performance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Odneal visited the choir four times leading up to the gala to develop a set of songs inspired by our theme, Starry Night<\/em>. The students were in awe of her intuitive creativity when it came to arrangement, her colorful style, and obviously the fact that she had a TikTok. The exchange was magical. A youth choir singing “Moon River” in harmony with Odneal cued in many tears (mainly my own). The students have also kept in touch with Odneal, inviting her to a few of their performances since then and recently their Zoom choir class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After this memorable residency and collaboration, it was clear the young creatives of the world need more Odneal in their life (as do we all). That is why our programming team this year is planning something extra special with Odneal for our youth and family audiences. Stay tuned for more information of what we have cooking with Odneal when we announce our 2020\u201321 season and an upcoming Summer Streams performance. In the meantime, we hope you\u2019re able to enjoy and support the work of local artists like AJ Odneal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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AJ Odneal performs at the 2019 Scottsdale Arts Starry Night Gala. Photo: Haute Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To hear more or support AJ Odneal please follow these links below:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Bandcamp<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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