Mr. Rudy's Creative Arts Center

Music Academy of Eastern Carolina

A Community Music School Offering
Music Instruction & Music Therapy

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Mr. Rudy's Arts Center

This program is dedicated to the memory of Rudolph Tyson, Jr., an accomplished musician who was highly successful in helping many children achieve excellence in music. At the time of his death, at the age of 53, he was serving as Minister of Music at York Memorial African American Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church and as music consultant at the Weed and Seed program in the West Greenville Recreation Center. The children who participated in his programs called him "Mr. Rudy."

Rudy grew up in the Cherryview community of Greenville, graduated from C.M. Eppes High School and from UNC-Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science in Creative Arts.

His diverse career included Artist-in-Residence with the NC Community College System, Instructor of Jazz Piano at UNC-W, Music Director of the Jazz Academy of Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, and a music educator with the public schools in Wilmington, Delaware.

Rudy envisioned a comprehensive community program for music in his neighborhood. The planning committee for the Mr. Rudy's Arts Center partnered with the Music Academy of Eastern Carolina to develop a family-centered educational program in music, along with other creative arts and music therapy services, creating a west Greenville branch of the Music Academy of Eastern Carolina. A kick-off event for the Mr. Rudy's Arts Center was held February 15, 2003 at York Memorial AME Zion Church.

Currently, Mr. Rudy's Arts Center offers a community choir program for children, ages 6-12 on Saturdays from 10am-12pm. This program explores a variety of musical styles and also presents healthy living topics and snacks for the participants.

Dianne White, Mr. Rudy's Arts Center Director, is looking forward to expanding the classes this fall.

Also offered:
Piano and voice lessons
Music therapy services for families, children and teens

For more information, please contact the Music Academy at 353-6232. We look forward to many exciting ventures with Mr. Rudy's Arts Center!

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Website created by Wendy Pender, October 2003. Email website comments to: webmaster