Connecting the classroom
It’s not always easy for kids to feel connected, even when they’re in the same room. Our programs use music and shared experiences to help students open up, listen to each other, and feel like they belong.
How our programs work
Each program is a live, interactive experience where music, storytelling, and creativity come together. Students don’t just observe — they participate and engage in moments designed to spark real curiosity and understanding.
Messages That Reverberate.
- Students feel seen, heard, and included
- Classrooms become more engaged and connected
- Students participate with greater curiosity and confidence
- Peer relationships grow through shared understanding
- Learning environments feel more open, calm, and welcoming
Assembly Workshops
Our assembly workshops weave together live jazz music composed by Jeff Haas and performed by the Bridges Quintet, with personal narratives and storytelling that serve as a springboard for discussions regarding open-mindedness, understanding, and respect.
Meet the band
Jeff Haas
Founder, Artistic Director and Piano
Marion Hayden
Double Bass
Laurie Sears
Saxophones and Flute
Anthony Stanco
Trumpet
Tariq Gardner
Drums
Poetry Workshops
A Building Bridges with Music artist residency program that brings award-winning Detroit spoken word poets to Northern Michigan to teach poetry writing workshops based in themes of personal reflection, expression, and peer connection.
Our poets include
Joel Fluent Greene
Author, performer and educator, Joel brings creativity to life. From hosting Detroit’s iconic Café Mahogany poetry nights to appearing in Detroit Lions commercials, he uses the power of spoken word to help students build confidence, express themselves and find their voice. His workshops leave a lasting impression—and the lines of students waiting for his autograph say it all.
Peace Bell
A two-time recording artist, Grand Slam Champion and performance poet, Peace uses the power of writing to help youth discover their creative voices. As a lead writer-in-residence with Inside Out Literary Arts, she inspires audiences with her energetic wordplay and heartfelt workshops. With a warm presence and powerful voice, she captivates every room she enters.
Sisters in Jazz
Meet the Mentors
Marion Hayden
One of the world’s most respected bassists and educators, Marion has shaped the future of jazz through performance, teaching and mentorship. A professor of Jazz Studies and co-founder of Sisters in Jazz and the acclaimed ensemble Straight Ahead, she has shared the artistry of jazz with audiences around the world.
Laurie Sears
Accomplished saxophonist and flutist Laurie Sears has performed with renowned jazz ensembles and legendary artists including Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Sarah Vaughan, and The Temptations. With more than 40 years of teaching experience and a longtime role with Building Bridges, Laurie brings a lifetime of musical excellence and inspiration to every performance.
