Sharing the Stage is a concert and mentorship project that pairs professional musicians with student bands as openers. Our shows over the past 12 years have been dynamic, formative experiences for the student musicians, and they have been great fun for the headliners and professional crews, as well. The project started on Vashon Island, Washington, and is now centered in Seattle.
Student openers have an amazing opportunity to open for top professionals they listen to, and the professionals have the opportunity to reflect back on themselves when they were teenaged aspiring musicians, finding their way and finding their voice. As Macklemore tweeted after headlining Sharing the Stage in 2011: "Reminded me where I came from as an artist. In a very humane way. Much love."
Having now hosted twenty-five shows, Sharing the Stage is widely recognized and respected as a powerful community-building event. In our 25 shows, 148 different students have participated in at least one show as an opener, and 44 of them have played in multiple shows!
Again, Macklemore said it best in thanking the student opening acts and the crowd: "Tonight you not only impressed the hell out of me with your energy, but you inspired me with your humanity as well. Beautiful island and people. Such a great night. Shout out to Blueberry Frousting, Madeleine and Julia, Pensive Apocalypse, and Peter Evans for sharing the stage with us. Very talented group of musicians."
Again, Macklemore said it best in thanking the student opening acts and the crowd: "Tonight you not only impressed the hell out of me with your energy, but you inspired me with your humanity as well. Beautiful island and people. Such a great night. Shout out to Blueberry Frousting, Madeleine and Julia, Pensive Apocalypse, and Peter Evans for sharing the stage with us. Very talented group of musicians."
