When musician Elisabeth “Lizzy” Ellison enters the music room, Camas High School (Washington) students know it’s going to be a fun day.
“They are overjoyed on those days,” said Ethan Chessin, the Camas High music teacher who pairs choir members with professional industry musicians on special projects to conceptualize, create, and share works each year. “I’ve had students tell me the only reason they want to come to choir is because they get to work with Lizzy. They’ve connected to her, and she’s connected with them.”
Previously of the Portland band Radiation City and Cardioid, and now leading her own trio and record label, Ellison feels the same way. Although a veteran of teaching kids (and adults) about music, she calls it a “life-changing experience” to do such extensive work with students…