In The Press
Chronogram, February, 2012
Red Hook Local Notable: Ben Senterfit, Community Music Space
“Music is the oldest language in the world…allow kids to speak it!”
If Ben Senterfit has a mantra, that’s it. His passion for music seems matched only by his devotion to teaching. He began his musical career as an a capella singer and later toured with bands and ran a record label. After moving from Denver to Red Hook, Senterfit melded his passions. He opened the Community Music Space in the Chocolate Factory building in 2009.
Red Hook local notable: Ben Senterfit, owner of Community Music Space
It has a funky warm vibe that feels like a living room, with exposed brick walls and hardwood floors. “The space dictates the music,” Senterfit says. He hosts live acoustic-based performances by internationally renowned musicians. And with the help of a few other teachers, Senterfit offers classes for an ever-expanding array of instruments. Kids and adults alike are encouraged to sing, to play, or to just come and listen.
Senterfit is particularly enthusiastic about the Vocal Ensembles—groups designed to go out in the community to perform. The music is alive and engaging. No tedious Sunday afternoon recitals here. One group is working on a ‘Mash up of Lady Gaga, Beat Boxing, and Katy Perry.’ There is something for everyone because Senterfit sees music as much more than an after-school activity. “We need to be innovative as a nation. At the core of that innovation is creativity. And at the core of creativity is music and art. When we develop creativity it expands the ability to use all of your brain.” Communitymusicspace.com
Write up on Director Ben Senterfit
Somewhere in the world right at this moment, someone is making great art in front of a select, intimate group of people...someone who deserves more fame, more money, more recognition, but who volunteers his/her time and talent in the face of the immediate unavailability of any one (or all) of these things to be our surrogate on some collective, heroic journey...Read More
Ben Senterfit's Article in About Town
Ben wrote an article called "Thinking Like a Kid" that was recently published in the Hudson Valley paper About Town. You can read it on our Journal page or on the About Town Website. Thanks to Paul De Angelis and Gail Jaffe-Bennek for their support. Read the article...
The Daily Freeman Writeup
Thanks to the Kingston based Daily Freeman for the great writeup. It is nice to know that the word is starting to get out that we got something happening here! Here's the full article: