Downtown Rising was an amazing event! The vibe, the music, the people & energy was just right🔥 Thank you to Marc Broussard for including us in such a special night, we are forever grateful. Check out Marc's latest album Time is a Thief released this week! #DownTownRising #Arts #PerformingArtsCollective #TheTMMProject
S/O to everyone who came to our TMM Adventure Tour 2024 this June 2024! Check out the recap of the month of June’s journey below and make sure to check us out on Facebook to stay up to date with upcoming shows in July and beyond!
#AdventureBeginsAtYourLibrary #TmmAdventureTour2024 #PerformingArtsCollective #TheTMMProject
Sabine Parish Library
Town of Many
West Baton Rouge Library
St. Charles Parish Library
St. Martin Parish Library
Acadia Parish Library
City of Crowley LA.
Crowley Main Street
Rice City Theatre
Judge George W. Armstrong Library
NAPAC Museum
Southern Carriage Tours
Concordia Parish Library
Vidalia Upper Elementary
Concordia Parish Library
New Hope Lafayette
The Advocate Livingston-Tangipahoa Section
Livingston Parish Library
West Baton Rouge Parks and Recreation
Academy of the Sacred Heart, New Orleans
Paula G. Manship YMCA
YMCA Baton Rouge
Iberville Parish Library
Macaroni KID Acadia-St Landry
Iberia Parish Library
Armand J. Brinkhaus Community Library
Kids Afterschool Recreation and Enrichment
Iberville Parks and Recreation District
Rapides Parish Library
The TMM Project show at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch of the Livingston Parish Library System ends with a second line. Some of the second liners join the four members of the TMM Project for a wave goodbye as the show concluded following an hour-long performance.
The TMM Project comprised of, from left, Torrez Va’Shaun Hypolite, Kenrie Martin, Nick Sedita and Terrance Michael Morgan, performed at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch of the Livingston Parish Library System on Saturday, June 15. The group offered lively dance and music revue that brought much clapping and cheering from the audience.
Abigail Stueber joins Torrez Va’Shaun Hypolite dancing a hip hop number during a performance by the TMM Project at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch of the Tangipahoa Parish Library System on Saturday, June 15. Several children were invited to join the dancers during the show.
Torrez Va’Shaun Hypolite, left, a member of the TMM Project, offers dancing instructions to Waylon Varnado who was asked to come up and perform with the group.
The history of several musical genres and dance was brought to life June 15 as the TMM Project visited the Denham Springs-Walker Branch of the Livingston Parish Library.
The audience was treated to lively, educational, interactive and humorous music and dance performance offered by the TMM Project.
The True Mission Matters Project is the creation of Terrance Michael Morgan, who started the educational music and dance revue about six years ago in Acadiana, the home base of the four performers.
Joining Morgan for the show were Torrez Va’Shaun Hypolite, Kenrie Martin and Nick Sedita.
Morgan, Hypolite and Martin were whirlwinds of movement as they danced their way through the performance while keeping a constant conversation going on with the audience. The three demonstrated a variety of dances that included jumps and falls along with intricate steps and even some stunts that involved jumping over one another.
Morgan explained at the outset that the four are involved in arts in education and that they entertain at schools, in libraries, at fundraisers and other venues where they are afforded the opportunity to share lessons about music and dance and in some cases, life lessons.
The quartet has performed at Jazz Fest in New Orleans and at other concert events in different states.
“We want to welcome people of all ages to the world of music and dance. We want our audiences to have fun and to be entertained while we teach them about the joy and fulfillment that can come through music and dance,” Morgan said.
For the Livingston performance the four spotlighted jazz, hip-hop, break dancing and what was termed street music and dancing. Martin on saxophone and Sedita on drums provided the only live sound but they made plenty of music with only the two instruments.
Throughout the performance the audience was considered part of the show. The dancers brought children up to join in a several numbers and the show ended with a rousing “second-line" that involved all who cared to join in the happy procession.
An explanation and examination of jazz was the first offering of the afternoon. As Martin blew a snappy tune on the sax Sedita would respond with beats on his drums and cymbals. When the music stopped, Hypolite explained that jazz was all about improvisation; musicians talking to each other through their instruments.
“Jazz includes many different musical forms and gave birth to others. Music associated with jazz are blues, ragtime, spirituals and even military marching bands,” he said.
To demonstrate the latter, he led the audience in a dance that included saluting and use of what he called “jazz hands.” Several children joined the dancer as he showed time some special steps associated with dancing in jazz halls of old.
The history of street dancing then moved west to Los Angeles where a dance style known as “locking” was invented by teenagers who later became performers on “Soul Train,” the dance show that entertained millions on television each week. The name “locking” came from a part of the dance when the dancer would “lock” into a certain position before starting to move once again.
Hip-hop music, Hypolite explained, was born 50 years ago. He said that hip-hop was born of the generation that also spawned graffiti as an art form. “Maybe graffiti doesn’t agree with everyone, but it is art and some of it is even moving art, what you see on the sides of boxcars. It was all part of the culture,” he explained.
Break dancing was the next genre demonstrated by the four. Morgan called up a half-dozen children for a lesson on basic break dance moves. He and Hypolite then offered a polished performance that included jumps over each other that elicited claps and cheers from the audience.
In a salute to Juneteenth, Morgan said Juneteenth was, “all about freedom and the celebration of everyone being free.” He pointed out that many African Americans made great contributions to the nation’s music and dance legacy. He then asked the audience to name their favorite African American musicians. The audience responded with a litany of names that have become part of the nation’s music treasury.
The show ended with the second-line that gave all who wished the opportunity to be part of the show.
June 1 - West Baton Rouge Branch Library - 10am, 11am
June 3 - St. Rose Branch Library - 2pm, 3pm
June 3 - East Regional Branch Library - 6pm
June 4 - Paradis Branch Library - 2pm, 3pm
June 4 - West Regional Branch Library - 6pm
June 5 - Cecilia Branch Library - 11am
June 5 - Breaux Bridge Branch Library - 3pm
June 6 - Parks Branch Library - 11am
June 6 - St. Martin Branch Library - 3pm
June 7 - Crowley Rice Theater - 2pm
June 8 - Children’s Museum of Acadiana - 11am
June 10 - Judge George W. Armstrong Library - 11am
June 11 - Vidalia Branch Library - 10:15am
June 11 - Ferriday Branch Library - 2pm
June 15 - Denham Springs-Walker Branch Library - 1pm
June 19 - West Baton Rouge Camp - 10am
June 21 - Academy of the Sacred Heart - 9:30am
June 21 - Paula G. Manship YMCA - 1:30pm
June 24 - Loreauville Branch Library - 10am
June 24 - Lydia Branch Library - 2pm
June 25 - Armand J. Brinkhaus Community Library - 2pm
June 26 - St. Gabriel School - 10:30am
June 26 - Plaquemine Library Main Branch - 2:30pm
July 6 - Children’s Museum of Acadiana - 11am
July 8 - Rapides Parish Main Library - 10am
July 8 - Libuse Branch Library - 2pm
July 9 - Hineston Branch Library - 10am
July 9 - Boyce Branch Library - 2pm
July 10 - West Baton Rouge Camp - 10am
July 10 - Robertson Branch Library - 10am
July 10 - Martin Branch Library - 2pm
July 11 - St. Bernard Parish Library - 11:30am
July 12 - Westside Branch Library - 10am
July 12 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch Library - 2pm
July 17 - Summer at McGehee - 1:30pm
July 24 - Hamilton/South Caddo Branch Library - 10am
July 24 - Broadmoor Branch Library - 4:30pm
July 25 - Hollywood/Union Ave. Branch Library - 10am
July 25 - Mooretown Library Branch - 4pm
July 26 - North Caddo Branch Library - 10:30am
July 26 - Cedar Grove/Line Ave. Branch Library - 3:30pm
July 27 - North Shreveport Branch Library - 11am
July 27 - David Raines Branch Library - 2pm
July 31 - West Feliciana Parish Library - 11am
TBD - SPAR - City of Shreveport
Major thank you to everyone who supported us yesterday at Festival International de Louisiane
Shout-out to 318 Forum Magazine! We appreciate you highlighting our mission at this year’s ArtBreak Festival.
Originally posted TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2024
BY 318 Forum
YOU GOT RHYTHM, YOU CAN SING, YOU’VE GOT A VOICE —EXPRESS YOURSELF!
The founders of ArtBreak have believed since the first festival in 1984 that the lives of students could be improved through the Arts—visual, literary, performance, film, culinary, fashion and more. It’s a belief shared in the founding principles of (TMM), Louisiana’s premier performing Arts in Education collective and the star attraction on the McDonald’s Gilley stage throughout the week of ArtBreak 38. TMM is on a mission to improve the lives of today’s youth by promoting positive youth development through dance, speaking, and more.
TMM was started by Acadiana native Terrance Michael Morgan to encourage self-expression and creativity. The TMM Project artists have reached 750,000 students since 2021 and millions over the past decade performing interactive programs that feature a live DJ and saxophonist. These performers creatively combine upbeat musical instruments such as the bass drum, Cajun drum, and tongue drum with unique street dance styles including waving, breaking, house, and step-dancing to inspire children to explore their creativity and talent and to foster a sense of confidence and enthusiasm for artistic expression.
“We are extremely honored that we were chosen to headline this year’s ArtBreak Festival,” says Morgan. “We will be performing our Get H.Y.P.E. - How You Prepare Everyday program. We’ll be using live music, Dj, and dance to get everyone hyped up for ArtBreak.”
Founder Morgan is a self-taught dancer doing mostly free-style (Improvisation) where he was introduced to hip hop dance style of B-Boying. This led to him becoming a member of local dance groups around the community. His Parc Jam at Festival de International in Lafayette, LA has become an internationally known event. Morgan was a featured headliner on the Children’s Stage at New Orleans’ Jazz Fest. He has appeared on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, and has performed live at the infamous Apollo Theatre in New York City. He was awarded the Louisiana Volunteer Service Award by Louisiana’s Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser in 2019.
“We are extremely honored that we were chosen to headline this year’s ArtBreak Festival,” says Morgan. “We will be performing our Get H.Y.P.E. - How You Prepare Everyday program. We’ll be using live music, DJ, and dance to get everyone hyped up for ArtBreak.”
TMM will perform for 2nd & 3rd grade students on the McDonald Gilley stage throughout the week and for ArtBreak Family Festival on Friday and Saturday.
We are beyond grateful to be headlining the largest student arts festival in the South - ArtBreak 2024! ArtBreak showcases each school’s visual, literary, cultural, and performing arts programs.
To read the official statement from the festival see below:
VIA @artbreaksb on Facebook:
The founders of ArtBreak have believed since the first festival in 1984 that the lives of students could be improved through the Arts—visual, literary, performance, film, culinary, fashion and more. It’s a belief shared in the founding principles of True Mission Matters (TMM), Louisiana’s premier performing Arts in Education collective and the star attraction on the McDonald’s Gilley stage throughout the week of ArtBreak 38. TMM is on a mission to improve the lives of today’s youth by promoting positive youth development through dance, speaking, and more.
We'll be posting about the project all week long, so make sure to keep your eyes open for new posts!
TMM will perform on both of the McDonald Gilley stages throughout the week and for ArtBreak Family Festival on Friday @ 7:30 pm and Saturday @ 5 pm.
Extremely grateful for the opportunity to perform at all of the Lafayette Parish Elementary Schools through the Acadiana Center for the Arts (“AcA”) 2024 Arts Experiences for All program!
The AcA’s annual program ensures that every student in Pre-K through 5th grade receives an in-school experience and field trip in all art forms. To find out more about the AcA, visit: AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org
Congrats again to the Cougars! To learn more about our Stay HYPE Award, see past winners or nominate someone for the award, click HERE.
Thank you to Evangeline Elementary School, Lafayette Parish School System, & the Acadiana Center for the Arts for your continuous support!!
Welcome to the HALL of H.Y.P.E.
And congratulations once again to the entire community as we were so proud to be a part of their ceremony receiving the Stay/Get H.Y.P.E. (How You Prepare Everyday) Award presented by The TMM Project for their amazing LEAP scores last school year!
Much love to Al Hebert , Children's Museum of Acadiana & News15 for having us!!
Thank You to all the amazing schools, libraries, camps, festivals, and organizations that supported our tour throughout 31 parishes in Louisiana & Mississippi.
#AllTogetherNowAtTheLibrary #ArtsEd #PerformingArtsCollective #TheTMMProject
St. Pius Elementary School - Lafayette, Louisiana - Albert Cammon Middle School - Valverda Elementary School - Patterson Junior High School - Port Allen Middle School - Young Audiences of Louisiana - Acadiana Center for the Arts - GiGi's Playhouse New Orleans - GiGi's Playhouse, Inc. - Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services - Golden Meadow Upper - Save The Youth Rayne, La - Madison Parish Library - City of Tallulah - St. James Parish Library - Jackson Parish Library - Forest Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center LLC - Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Louisiana Peach Festival - Downtown Ruston - Shreve Memorial Library - Union Parish Library - Iberia Parish Library - Armand J. Brinkhaus Community Library - Children's Museum of Acadiana - Plaquemines Parish Libraries - East Baton Rouge Parish Library - East Baton Rouge Parish Library Kids - Tangi Library -Franklinton Branch-Library - Kids Afterschool Recreation and Enrichment - Academy of the Sacred Heart, New Orleans - Louisiana Children's Museum - Beauregard Parish Library - Natchitoches Parish Library - Concordia Parish Library - Judge George W. Armstrong Library - Calcasieu Parish Public Library - St. Martin Parish Library - West Feliciana Parish Library - St John Baptist Church - State Library of Louisiana - Louisiana Library Association - Paula G. Manship YMCA
Big shoutout to all the Libraries, Organizations, and Facilities that we performed at for the month of July on our TMM Tour!
Check out some highlights from July 2023 below
East Baton Rouge Parish Library Kids - Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana - East Baton Rouge Parish Library Teens - River Center Branch Library - Eden Park Branch Library - Carver Branch Library - Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library - Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library - Zachary Branch Library GiGi's Playhouse New Orleans - Beauregard Parish Library - City of DeRidder - City Hall - Plaquemines Parish Libraries - Plaquemines Parish Government - Natchitoches Parish Library - St. Martin Parish Library - Judge George W. Armstrong Library - Children's Museum of Acadiana - Natchitoches Parish Journal - Natchitoches River Front - Concordia Parish Library - Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce - Natchez-Adams School District - Calcasieu Parish Public Library - KPLC 7 News - West Feliciana Parish Library - Iberia Parish Library = Paula G. Manship YMCA - YMCA Baton Rouge #SummerReading2023 #AllTogetherNowAtTheLibrary #AllTogetherNowCSLP #TheTMMProject
Checkout our latest feature in KALB:
Shout-out to Colin Vedros and the entire KALB team!
“NATCHITOCHES, La. (KALB) - The Natchitoches Parish Library hosted a summer reading program with a little help from a new art collective.
The True Mission Matters Project is a traveling art collective that features a live saxophonist, drums and step and street dancing.”
Big shoutout to all the Libraries & Facilities that we performed at this month, we can’t wait to continue to rest of our TMM Tour!
Check out some highlights from our tour in the month of June 2023 below!
#SummerReading2023 #AllTogetherNowAtTheLibrary #AllTogetherNowCSLP #TheTMMProject
St. James Parish Library - Jackson Parish Library - Union Parish Library - Shreve Memorial Library - Iberia Parish Library - Armand J. Brinkhaus Community Library - Plaquemines Parish Libraries - Tangi Library - Winn Parish Library - East Baton Rouge Parish Library - Bogalusa Branch Library - Beauregard Parish Library -Natchitoches Parish Library - Concordia Parish Library - Calcasieu Parish Public Library - West Feliciana Parish Library - Judge George W. Armstrong Library - Louisiana Library Association - State Library of Louisiana - Collaborative Summer Library Program
I’m honored to participate in this year’s Celebrity Waiter in Baton Rouge, LA as a waiter for this year’s fundraiser to support the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center on Wednesday, July 19th @ L'Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge
Terrance Morgan, Celebrity Waiter 2023, via: BRCAC Website
The Celebrity Waiter Event (CW) is the one and only fundraiser for the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center. The event has been held since 2006, working to raise funds to help provide the services the BRCAC offers to the many child abuse victims and their families.
Every year, each “Celebrity Waiter” competes in a Tip competition with the goal to obtain the most donations for the CAC.
Donate to my virtual Tip Jar” by clicking below to support children in our local area!
We Kicked off our tour last week & we can’t wait to see everyone! Check out all of the dates below!
April 18 - St. Pius Elem. LA - 9am
April 18 - St Pius Elem. LA - 9:45am
April 21 - Valverda Elem. LA - 1:45pm
April 24 - Patterson JHS P LA - 1pm
April 25 - Port Allen MS LA - 10am
April 26 - Albert Cammon MS LA - 2pm
May 3 - Louisiana Methodist Children's Home LA-4pm
May 4 - You Are Not Alone Live Art Event LA - 7pm
May 6 - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival- 2:45pm
May 8 - Golden Meadow Upper Elem. LA - 8:45am
May 8 - Golden Meadow Upper Elem. - 9:45am
May 8 - Golden Meadow Upper Elem. - 12:50pm
May 12 - Golden Meadow Elem. LA - 8:45am
May 12 - Golden Meadow Elem. - 9:45am
May 12 - Golden Meadow Elem. - 12:50pm
May 16 - Northeast Elem. LA - 9:15am
May 16 - Northeast Elem. - 10am
May 16 - Northeast Elem. - 10:45am
May 18 - Central MS LA - 10:15am
May 25 - Save The Youth Event LA - 6pm
May 27 - Madison Parish Library Festival LA - 9am
May 29 - Andrew Wilson Charter LA - 9:30am
May 29 - Andrew Wilson Charter - 10:30am
May 29 - Andrew Wilson Charter - 12:30pm
May 31 - St James Parish Libraries LA - Lutcher - 10am
May 31 - St James Parish Libraries LA - Vacherie - 2pm
June 1 - Jackson Parish Library LA - Chatham 2pm
June 2 - Jackson Parish Libraries LA - Jonesboro -10am
June 2 - Jackson Parish Libraries LA - 2pm
June 4 - Sole Lab Hip Hop and Arts Festival LA- 4pm
June 5 - Shreve Memorial Libraries LA - Mobile-1:30pm
June 5 - Shreve Memorial Libraries LA-West Shreve -4:30pm
June 6 - Shreve Memorial Libraries LA - West Shreve - 2pm
June 6 - Shreve Memorial Libraries LA - Mooretown - 4:30pm
June 7 - Shreve Memorial Libraries LA - Atkins - 10am
June 7 - Shreve Memorial Libraries LA - Hamilton - 2pm
June 7 - Shreve Memorial Libraries LA - Broadmoor- 4:30pm
June 9 - Iberia Parish Library LA - Main Branch - 9:30am
June 9 - Iberia Parish Library LA - Main Branch - 11:15am
June 9 - Armand J. Brinkhaus Community Library LA - 2pm
June 10 - Children's Museum of Acadiana LA - 11am
June 12 - Plaquemines Parish Library
June 13-Tangipahoa Libraries LA Hammond-10:30am Kentwood-2:30pm
June 14- Tangipahoa Libraries LA Ponchatoula -10:30am Loranger-2:30m
June 15- Tangipahoa Libraries LA Independence - 10:30am Amite -2:30pm
June 16- Winn Parish Library LA Main Branch - 10am
June 16- Moss Street Recreation Center LA 2pm
June 21- Plaquemines Parish Library LA Port Sulfur = 1pm
June 22- Plaquemines Parish Library LA Phoenix HS 12pm
June 26- East Baton Rouge Libraries LA 10am (TBA) 2:30pm (TBA)
June 27- East Baton Rouge Libraries LA 10am (TBA) 2:30pm (TBA)
June 28- Washington Parish Libraries LA Bogalusa 10am Enon 2pm
June 29- Washington Parish Libraries LA Franklinton- 10am Thomas-2pm
June 30- East Baton Rouge Library LA 10am (TBA)
June 30- Kids Are People Too LA 1pm
TBD - Forest Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center LA
TBD - Madison Parish Library LA
TBD - Wright Elem. LA
July 1- East Baton Rouge Library LA 10am (TBA)
July 3- East Baton Rouge Libraries LA 10am (TBA) 2:30pm (TBA)
July 5- East Baton Rouge Libraries LA 10am (TBA) 2:30pm (TBA)
July 6- East Baton Rouge Libraries LA 10am (TBA) 2:30pm (TBA)
July 7- Beauregard Parish Library LA DeRidder Branch 2pm
July 10- East Baton Rouge Libraries LA 10am (TBA) 2:30pm (TBA)
July 11- Plaquemines Parish Library LA Belle Chase Branch 1pm
July 11- GiGi’s Playhouse LA 3:30pm
July 12- Natchitoches Parish Libraries LA Riverbank 10am Northeast 2pm
July 13- Natchitoches Parish Libraries LA Main 2pm Main 6pm
July 18- Concordia Parish Libraries LA Vidalia 10:15am Ferriday 2pm
July 19- Judge George W. Armstrong Library MS 10:30/11am
July 20- Calcasieu Parish Libraries LA 10am (TBA) 2pm (TBA)
July 21- Calcasieu Parish Libraries LA 10am (TBA) 2pm (TBA)
July 27- West Feliciana Library LA Main Branch 2pm
We are excited to kick off our Get H.Y.P.E. (How You Prepare Everyday) November 2022 TOUR! We will be visiting multiple locations across Mississippi & Louisiana.
Susie B. West Elementary
Community Life Center
Wright Elementary
Christian Acres Academy
Madison High School
Madison Middle School
Tallulah Elementary
Tallulah Charter
Madison Stem Academy
Vidalia Upper Elementary
Vidalia Lower Elementary
Bayou Regional Arts Council
ELearning Academy Houma
ELearning Academy thibodaux
Hi-5 After-School Learning Center
Make sure to stay tuned to our social media to check us out!
This interactive program is a great way to start a school year off by prepping students for success! Get H.Y.P..E teaches youth vital life skills through a creative outlet. Some of the key focuses include: goal setting, studying techniques to improve standardized test scores, tools to create productive habits, positive mental health strategies, anti-bullying resources, and more!
All smiles today at the 2022 Back to School Bash. Big shoutout to Stephanie Hartman & Gulf Coast Organization!
