Page 12 - mlk 2023 booklet_no program_V2.pdf

Rodney Page, Conductor

Music of the Dream Orchestra

Composer, recording artist, conductor and performer Rodney Lamar
Page has a unique, energetic style that ranges from classical music
to pop music. For more than 20 years Mr. Page has touched countless
audiences with his passion and artistic drive for music.

Southfield, Michigan-native Page began studying violin at age 10.
Upon high school graduation he was awarded a music scholarship
to Michigan State University where he subsequently earned both
bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education.

As a violinist, Mr. Page has performed in the Midland Symphony
Orchestra, Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra, Livingston
Symphony Orchestra and as a 2nd violinist in the South Shore
Symphony Orchestra in China.

A passionate teacher, Page has been involved in music education for
over 20 years. In addition to the orchestras he directed in the St. Johns
and East Lansing (Michigan) public school systems, Rodney engaged
teenage musicians at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan as
the Symphony Orchestra conductor and violin instructor over four
summers. During his college career he founded a summer string camp
for middle and high school students in Southfield. Rodney cultivates
talent in aspiring musicians and believes the future of music is impacted by the musical experiences children have in school.

Rodney’s skill and accomplishments in the classroom were acknowledged in 2006 when he was designated District V
Orchestra Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA). His reputation as an educator—not
just a music educator—was recognized in 2002 when he was named a Fulbright Memorial Fund recipient. He used his award
to travel to Japan to study the country’s educational system and culture. In the summer of 2013 Mr. Page was selected as a
conducting fellow at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City.
In 2019, Rodney was selected as a guest lecturer at Adnan Menderes University in Turkey and gave master classes to
the students there as well as performed. Rodney made his national television debut on Showtime at the Apollo in 2002.
His performance, a unique mix of hip-hop, jazz and classical music, had the crowd on its feet with a selection he wrote
specifically for the show.

Page has since turned his attention to providing entertainment services as a freelance musician and DJ presenting unique,
innovative shows. Mr. Page was the official performing DJ for the Detroit Pistons and has performed as a violinist during
halftime shows for the New Orleans Pelicans. Mr. Page also is a motivational speaker speaking at prisons, public schools,
juvenile detention homes, as well as national conferences. Rodney infuses music during his motivational message to
encourage and uplift his audiences.
In 2016 Mr. Page released his first EP entitled “Inevitable”. The album features music composed by Mr. Page and features
Mr. Page’s brother, saxophonist Reggie Page. The song “Danzan” from Mr. Page’s EP was arranged for full orchestra and
performed by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Dream Orchestra” in January of 2018 as a part of Lansing’s MLK Day Celebration
Luncheon. Rodney is married to Kimberly and they have two children named Jayden and Bryson. Mr. Page and his family are
devoted members of Restoration Family Life Church in Lansing, Michigan

12 • 38th Annual MLK Day of Celebration