Photographer/Video
Meraki Concerts: Celebrating Jazz, and Empowering our students
Welcome to the Meraki Concert Series, an extraordinary journey into the world of jazz, culture, and real-world opportunities for high school students. Formerly known as the Japanese Friendship Garden Concerts series, this monthly event is a student-driven initiative by the talented students of Mission Bay Music.
Meraki Concert Series
Where Students Take Center Stage!
A Unique Work-Study Experience
Mission and Impact
The Meraki Concert Series goes beyond music; it's a celebration of cultural exchange and youth empowerment. The sole goal is to provide students with a unique work-study experience, offering real-world opportunities in the business end of the music industry.
From Setup to Sponsorships:
The students manage every detail of the event, from the day of setup to breakdown, venue management, booking of artists, and securing sponsorships. It's a one-of-a-kind experience that immerses them in the business side of the music industry, allowing them to apply their skills in a real-world setting.
Building Future Leaders
The Meraki Concert Series is more than just performances; it's about building future leaders in the music industry. Students gain valuable insights into event management, marketing, and artist relations, setting the stage for their next chapter in the adult world.
Student-Produced Initiative
Unlike typical concert series, the Meraki Concert Series is entirely produced by the students of Mission Bay Music. Their goal is to provide high school students with hands-on experience in every aspect of live event promotions and production.
Our Team
Artist Relations
Elias Nuspl
Artist Relations
Henry Hartnack
Project Manager / Student Leader
Iris Rodriguez
Venue/ Community Relations
Jorge Cuevas
Social Media/ Email Blasts/Promotions
Luca Posillico
Sales Team / Marketing / Sponsorships / Venue / Community Relations
Makena Seiler
Social Media/ Email Blasts/Promotions
Makena Stumpo
Artist Relations
Sebastian Nilsson
Sales Team / Marketing / Sponsorships
Thea Smith
history
MISSION BAY MUSIC CONCERT SERIES
2015
Sister Schools
MBHS Principal Ernest Remillard and Kanazawa HS Principal Masahiko Muira sign Sister School agreement
2015
Kanazawa High School vists
Annual Spring visits from Kanazawa High School begins
2016
SDYSCS Delegation Visit
A San Diego-Yokohama Sister City delegation visits Yokohama. Discussions about the MBHS Jazz band's potential trip to Japan begin.
2017
Preservationists go to Japan
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Sister City ties between San Diego and Yokohama, the MBHS Jazz Preservationists journeyed to Japan, spreading the gift of music.
2018
Concert Series Born
To help fundraise for the return trip in 2019 Mission Bay Music and the San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society created a unique, student driven, bi-weekly concert series set against the serene backdrop of the Japanese Friendship Garden.
2019
Preservationists back to Japan
The Preservationists return to Japan with performances throughout the City of Yokohama
2020
JFG Jazz Series 2020
The anticipated 2020 jazz concert series at the Japanese Friendship Garden, unfortunately succumbed to cancellation amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023
The Preservationists triumphantly return
Triumphantly returning post-COVID, the Preservationists celebrated 65 years of sister city ties with a musical journey to Japan, building upon their 2017 and 2019 .
I am pursuing a career as a performing musician, so the opportunity to gain firsthand experience regarding the business side of music was hugely important. I have been performing with a variety of bands throughout San Diego for a few years so far, but I had not before had the experience of renting out a venue and putting on a show as the a co-organizer.
This work-study helped me to develop valuable skills that will undoubtedly benefit me in my career as a professional musician
Piatt Pund
C/O 2020 - Fiddle / VocalsThis experience definitely makes me want to support the arts as it has shown me that a career in music does not always end with the idea of being a starving musician. I began to consider degrees in marketing after participating in the social media side of things and I began to wonder if perhaps one day I could have my own series.”
Josie LaValle
C/O 2020 - VocalistWorking on the concert series massively improved my anti-social mentality, by being forced to talk to strangers, and ask professionals about performing. At the concerts, I gave my best to make relationships with those on stage, which I hoped could improve my connections. This concert series solidified my thoughts of majoring in music.”
Connor Gilbert
Senior - BassThe skill that I mastered most throughout this concert series was flexibility. This concert series has taught me that not everything always goes to plan and those occasions are where the most growth can happen for a company or group. Because of this experience, I know that in future jobs I will be more open minded and will be ready for any obstacles that face me.”
Madeline Lynch
C/O 2019 - Vocalist (Band Leader)