Classical inspirations

Many Petalumans dream of traveling to a far-off land in the summertime, escaping the reality of daily life and experiencing the nuances of another culture. This dream is too often not realized, as the requirements to sustain a living prevent long absences. However, this summer, people will not only be able to experience another culture, but experience another culture that has since expired. Kayleen Asbo will be teaching a series of camps this summer that focus on the art, poetry and music of 20th-century Paris.

Asbo, a former Petaluman, spent 20 years in town raising her daughter. She returns to the community delighted to be able to share her knowledge of art and music with others.

“I loved the community and am delighted that I am able to return to bring together the things I love most (music, art poetry and inspired conversation) through the partnership between the Mythica Foundation for the Arts and St. John’s Episcopal Church,” said Asbo.

Asbo has an extensive background in the fields of art and music. Born into a family of artists, she recognizes art as an integral part of her childhood. She earned a master’s degree in music from the San Francisco Conservatory and also holds four degrees in mythology, psychology, literature and the arts. Among a plethora of other activities, Asbo teaches these subjects at multiple institutions, including the San Francisco Conservatory, Dominican University and Sonoma State University.

“Art has had a profound impact on my family,” said Asbo, “My mother is a landscape painter and my father was a sculptor. When they divorced, we would meet at an art museum to trade off custody. My happiest memories of my childhood were the ones I spent in galleries.”

This class has been made possible by the Mythica Foundation, for which Asbo has been working with for the past year. She organizes and headlines a host of events associated with her expertise.

“I am able to bring together all the topics I love in workshops, retreats, concerts and classes. I am most excited and fulfilled when I am able to explore the dynamic intersection of these fields, because the history of creativity is so multidimensional,” said Asbo.

While lecturing about Chopin, Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn this year, Asbo realized how much they relied upon communal gatherings as a way to introduce their compositions to the public, in a sort of catalyst for their work.

“I realized how hungry I was to recreate this kind of experience, not just a concert or lecture but a forum for exploring ideas and inspiration,” said Asbo.

The theme for the class emerged from Asbo’s personal enjoyment of the subject. She finds ideals within the subject that reflect summer perfectly, thus the reasoning for holding the class during Petaluma’s Mediterranean-like summer.

“I chose the theme of turn-of-the-century Paris because of my own deep love of France, where I have lectured, researched and traveled for the past 15 years. The music of this period, particularly Debussy and Satie, is perfect for a summertime series - full of lightness and sensuality and joy,” said Asbo.

Students of the class can expect to be presented with a rich array of music, art and poetry. The class will delve beyond traditional analysis of classical works, investigating the connections between various artists and how they collaborated.

“I think that there will be plenty of surprises in store for everyone, even connoisseurs of Impressionist music and art. For example, almost everyone can recognize ‘Clair de Lune’ or ‘The Girl With the Flaxen Hair,’ but very few people know of or have ever heard the poetry that inspired Debussy to write these iconic works. Understanding the background adds a whole other layer of meaning as one listens to the ethereal melodies,” said Asbo.

The class is open to anyone, novices and experts alike. Tickets to the entire series can be purchased online at kayleenasbo.com, with a special pre-purchase package. They can also be purchased at the door of the class, 15 minutes prior to the start. The class will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Petaluma. More information and registration is available at kayleenasbo.com.

Asbo’s desire is to see students gain a more in-depth appreciation of this period in history that produced many of the world’s most beloved works of art.

“My hope is that attending students will leave humming beautiful music, saturated with exquisite images, and sated with rich and meaningful conversations, with a deeper appreciation for this fascinating period of history,” said Asbo.

(Contact Michaela Western at argus@arguscourier.com.)