How’s it bee?

Courtney Miller presents: HOW’S IT BEE?

How’s it bee? is an interactive children’s art song recital. Using theater, dance, puppetry, and illustrations, this enchanting program follows bees, butterflies, and other winged creatures around the garden. Courtney and Rebecca also engage the audience in writing a poem and encourage dance. The program features stories of self-acceptance, including Prokofiev’s The Ugly Duckling and Lenny the Leopard by Irving Fine. Wonderful Bay Area artists Nidhi Chanani and Kevin Okulolo contribute illustrations and animations for the program.  While geared towards children, the show is for all ages. Videos coming soon with pianist Rebecca Hass.

Run time: ~32 minutes with 15 and 40 minute versions. 

Optional puppet making activity can extend the program.

Performances:

Sunday, January 11, 2025

2:00 pm

Live Recording

Heiman Digital Studio at Opera San José

2149 Paragon Drive, San José, CA 95131

Free Admission with reservations here

With Artists:

Rebecca Hass is a pianist, composer, collaborative pianist, educator, and creative coach in the San Francisco Bay Area dedicated to creative curiosity and joy. She has extensive experience collaborating with classical performers, groups, and movement artists, including Diablo Women’s Chorale, Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choirs, Bella Musica, Payvand Vocal Ensemble, and Opera on Tap SF.

With a deep passion for Brazilian rhythms, Rebecca has been part of the Brazilian music scene in the Bay Area since 2019, and performs solo shows of her own compositions and arrangements, as well as with Som Dela, Lillian Yee, and other groups. Other collaborations include the Berkeley Choro Ensemble with multi-genre bassoonist Paul Hanson, Echo Chamber Orchestra, Diablo Symphony, and her newly-co-founded Women Composers Collective.

Rebecca’s debut Brazilian album, Florescer (Bloom), was described as “a delightful 43 minutes of musical sunshine”, and her 2024 album of original piano music, Bright Little Worlds, is an imaginative, heart-filled collection of 22 compositions in various styles. She is always designing new practices for herself, her students, and her creative coaching clients.

Nidhi Chanani is an illustrator, author, and proud creator of joy. From daily drawings to award-winning books like Pashmina and Super Boba Café, her art blends heart, humor, and a dash of magic. Born in Calcutta, raised in southern California, and now creating in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nidhi is an active and engaged storyteller. Nidhi was honored by the Obama Administration in 2012 as a Champion of Change. Her debut graphic novel Pashmina received starred reviews and multiple honors. Other graphic novels including Jukebox, Shark Princess and Super Boba Café have been recognized by the American Library Association (ALA) as great graphic novels for kids among other honors. Her picture book Strong won an ALA Stonewall Honor. Nidhi’s work has been featured on PBS, CNN, BBC, NPR, and she has worked extensively with with Disney Parks.

Kevin Okulolo, creator of Leaf Worthy, is an animator, motion designer, and director with 15 years of industry experience in animation, storytelling, video, and social media marketing. Kevin has worked with international organizations (FEMA, Greenpeace, SEIU) on social change campaigns and environmental movements and supercharged the social media influence of tech startups (Discord, Xobni).  When not bringing brands to life, Kevin is developing Gangsta Bean 3, an indie game where vegetable heroes battle against the forces of junk food. I'm also the creator of The Story of Khale, an anime short series exploring themes of identity and resilience.