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CONTACT: Dantes Rameau 203-887-5108 dantes@atlantamusicproject.org

The Walking Dead’s Lauren Cohan to host 

Atlanta Music Project Orchestra’s 2014 Spring Concert

W Atlanta – Midtown Hosts Budding Young Musicians for Third Time

ATLANTA (April 22, 2014) – Lauren Cohan, main cast member of the Golden Globe-nominated television series The Walking Dead, will host the Atlanta Music Project Orchestra’s 2014 Spring Concert. The concert will be held on Saturday May 10, 2014 at 12:00pm in the Altitude Ballroom on the 27th floor of the W Atlanta – Midtown. MailChimp is the Presenting Sponsor for the concert.

Born in Philadelphia and raised both in New Jersey and England, Ms. Cohan studied drama and English Literature at the University of Winchester. She made her major movie debut in the 2005 film Casanova as Sister Beatrice. She also starred in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj. On television she has appeared on many popular shows including Modern Family, CSI: NY, and The Bold and the Beautiful. Ms. Cohan was cast in the second season of The Walking Dead, playing the role of Maggie Greene. She has been part of the show’s main cast since the third season. Recently approved for a fifth season, The Walking Dead shoots on location in the state of Georgia, with many scenes shot in the Atlanta region.

“I’m so excited to be hosting this concert,” said Ms. Cohan. “The Atlanta Music Project is a program completely after my own heart – thank you for bringing me into the fold!”

The concert will feature the 50 young artists of the Atlanta Music Project’s Gilbert House-South Bend Orchestra. Up-and-coming conductor, Jose Luis Hernandez-Estrada, will lead the orchestra in works by Purcell, Brahms and Beethoven.

This marks the third time the W Atlanta – Midtown hosts the Atlanta Music Project Orchestra’s Spring Concert in their luxurious Altitude Ballroom overlooking the streets of Midtown. “The W Atlanta – Midtown is honored to host the spring concert for the third time,” said Sandra Chambers, Director of Sales and Marketing at the W Atlanta – Midtown. “We remain dedicated to supporting our local community as often as possible, and we are always excited to have the talented youth from the Atlanta Music Project perform here.”

Founded in 2010, the Atlanta Music Project provides intense music education for underserved youth right in their neighborhoods. The young artists of the Atlanta Music Project’s orchestral program, who range in age from first grade to ninth grade, receive over 300 hours of free music training annually, with instruction taking place at two City of Atlanta recreation centers during after school hours. Through the pursuit of musical excellence, the Atlanta Music Project develops in its young artists the invaluable character traits of ambition, resilience and creativity. Atlanta Music Project music ensembles have performed at the Woodruff Arts Center, Spivey Hall and Philips Arena.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled that Lauren Cohan will be hosting the Atlanta Music Project Orchestra’s Spring Concert at the wonderful W Atlanta – Midtown,” said Dantes Rameau, Executive Director of the Atlanta Music Project. “Lauren is a talented and successful actress and we are grateful that she has chosen to support arts education through our organization.”

The 2014 Atlanta Music Project Orchestra Spring Concert will be held Saturday, May 10, at 12:00p.m. at the W Atlanta – Midtown, 188 14th Street NE Atlanta, GA 30361. Tickets are required for entry and can be reserved for free at www.ampspringconcert.eventbrite.com.

About the Atlanta Music Project

Founded in 2010, the Atlanta Music Project provides intense music education for underserved youth right in their neighborhood. Currently in its fourth year of programming and serving 110 students at three sites, AMP provides all its students with an instrument, a teaching artist, classes and numerous public performance opportunities. AMP does not hold entrance auditions – the only requirement is commitment to attending all classes. AMP’s programs include: the AMP Orchestra; AMPlify, the choral program of the Atlanta Music Project; and the AMP Academy, providing advanced musical training to AMP’s most talented and dedicated students. AMP’s young artists have performed at Atlanta’s most prestigious venues, including the Woodruff Arts Center, Spivey Hall and Philips Arena. In the next three years AMP will expand to serve over 300 students at multiple sites. For more information visit www.atlantamusicproject.org.

About Lauren Cohan

Lauren Cohan is an American-born English actress who portrays Maggie Greene in AMC’s The Walking Dead. She was born in Philadelphia in 1982 and grew up in New Jersey. While still in her childhood, she moved to the United Kingdom. She graduated from the University of Winchester/King Alfred’s College, where she studied drama and English literature before touring with the University’s theater company that she co-founded. She then had to split her time between working in London and Los Angeles, working on films as well as non-commercial projects.

Ms. Cohan is also known for her role as Bela Talbot in Supernatural and Rose in The Vampire Diaries. Other appearances include Modern Family, CSI: NY, Cold Case, Life, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Heavenly. Eventually, she was cast as Maggie Greene in the second season of The Walking Dead. By the third season, she became a main character.

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