Gone are the days when Orchestra Director Bill Myers needs a tape recorder to listen to a student’s pitch. In his classes at Hough High School, Myers uses a new form of technology – the SmartMusic App which changes the way students practice and learn their instruments.

The interactive tool allows students to play along with the music onscreen and provides immediate feedback on their performance. Myers uses the app to grade 50 percent of the student’s assignment while his trained ear provides the other half.

The House of Education Committee is working to pass House Bill 127 that students have arts education credit for graduation beginning with the freshmen class of 2016.

The Latin American Coalition is hosting its annual Brazilian Celebration this weekend.

A Night in Rio offers a journey through Brazil in an evening of traditional dancing and live musical performances of Samba, Bossa Nova and Brazilian Beats.

Authentic foods, crafts and art complete the experience, accompanied by the contagious energy of Brazil's famous Carnaval.

Party-goers can join the fun at the Neighborhood Theatre, located at 511 East 36th Street in Charlotte, Saturday February 23, at 7 p.m.

Admission is $12 online and $15 at the door. Click here for tickets.

For more information on the celebration, call 704-358-9298.

Bank of America is celebrating Black History Month with ‘Museums On Us’ by offering free weekend access to four local museums.

Any Bank of America or Merrill Lynch cardholder in Charlotte can visit the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Levine Museum of the New South, the Mint Museum Randolph, or the Mint Museum Uptown on Saturday, Feb. 2, and Sunday, Feb. 3 (and the first full weekend of each month in 2013).

Those attending need to simply present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card, along with a photo ID, to gain free general admission to any participating institution. Cardholders only; guests are not eligible for free admission.

Program excludes fundraising events, special exhibitions and ticketed shows the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each month, and can not be combined with other offers.

 As part of ‘Museums On Us’, more than 150 leading U.S.