Class of 2021
jazz pianist & composer
Ellington Carthan
Sponsored by Daniel and Sarah Gallagher♫, Tina and Arthur Lazerow, and Bayo and Funke Oyewole
Just like his namesake, jazz pulses through Ellington Carthan’s veins. This up-and-coming jazz pianist, whose diverse career includes performing, teaching, producing, and composing, holds dual degrees in jazz studies and music technology.
View Archived January 13 Virtual Concert
vocalist, pianist, guitarist
Sheyda Do’a
Sponsored by Cathy Bernard/Bernard Family Foundation♫ and Richard and Melba Reichard♫
Musician, vocalist, singer-songwriter, mathematician—is there anything Sheyda Do’a can’t do? Drawing on her multi-cultural heritage and upbringing in Albania, Do’a blends sounds from across the globe into what she calls “melodies for the soul.”
View Archived February 10 Virtual Concert
contemporary classical flutist
Ceylon Mitchell
Sponsored by Ellen and Michael Gold♫ and Ava Kaufman
Just as the notes from his flute fly and float on air, Ceylon Mitchell is always in motion. This musician, educator, entrepreneur, and arts advocate’s mission is to keep classical music alive, authentic, and accessible.
View Archived March 10 Virtual Concert
bassist & beyond
Aaron Freeman
Sponsored by Mrs. Patricia Haywood Moore and Dr. Roscoe M. Moore, Jr.♫ and Belinda M. Kane
Although many know him by his stage name, “ijustplaybass,” Aaron Freeman does much more than that. This arranger, filmmaker, and multi-instrumentalist plays everything from guitar and bass to brass and keys.
improvisational singer-songwriter
Rui Fu
Sponsored by Hope Eastman and Allen Childs♫
Singer-songwriter Rui Fu specializes in improvisational and impressionistic interpretations of Chinese ethnic musical traditions and modernist portrayals of ancient Taoist meditative music. Through her music, Fu initiates conversations between Indigenous music cultures and rare instruments around the world.
percussive dancer
Becky Hill
Sponsored by Dale Rosenthal and Michael Cutler♫ and Linda and Van Hubbard
Becky Hill was born with rhythm in her feet. This sought-after percussive dancer, Appalachian square dance caller, and choreographer “slides and shuffles her feet with the precision of snare brushes” (NPR Music).
Class of 2020
pop vocalist
AYO
Sponsored by Mrs. Patricia Haywood Moore and Dr. Roscoe M. Moore, Jr.
AYO’s smooth pop vocals combined with her fearless, confident lyrics create music with empowering messages that showcase her stylistic and emotional versatility.
early folk instrumentalist
Niccolo Seligmann
Sponsored by Van and Linda Hubbard & Stephen and Tanya Spano
Niccolo Seligmann is fascinated by obscure folk instruments and early music. He plays over 20 acoustic instruments including viola da gamba and medieval fiddle, uniting historical and experimental music to create a unique listening experience.
singer-songwriter
Christian Douglas
Sponsored by Richard and Melba Reichard
Christian Douglas’ original music echoes his background as a classical tenor and musical theater performer, combining quality storytelling with a smooth, soulful voice. His heartfelt lyrics and acoustically-driven sound carry pop, jazz, and soul influence.
jazz violinist
Nataly Merezhuk
Sponsored by Ellen and Michael Gold & Ava Kaufman
Though Nataly Merezhuk’s musicianship is rooted in classical training, she embraced the role of the violin in jazz after being drawn to its improvisational nature.
folk musician
Jake Blount
Sponsored by Sarah and Dan Gallagher
Jake Blount is a fiddler, banjoist, singer, and scholar whose performances, compositions, and research venerate and reflect the traditional music of Black and Indigenous communities in the southeastern US.
percussionist & composer
Lucas Ashby
Sponsored by Arthur and Tina Lazerow & Dale Rosenthal and Michael Cutler
Lucas Ashby’s genre-bending compositions are rooted in his musical worldliness. He’s played with masters of Afrofunk, Brazilian jazz, Ghanaian highlife, and more, bringing a plethora of sounds and textures to all his work.
Class of 2019
Dante’ Pope
Sponsored by Mrs. Patricia Haywood Moore and Dr. Roscoe M. Moore, Jr.
Multi-instrumentalist Dante’ Pope communicates his love, passion, and appreciation of life through his music. Whether he is playing the piano, guitar, or drums, Pope’s signature soulful sound is infused with elements of gospel, jazz, and R&B.
Anjali Taneja
Sponsored by Richard and Melba Reichard
Singer-songwriter Anjali Taneja believes in the power of Indian classical and Sufi music to transform contemporary music. By fusing R&B and pop melodies with Bollywood rhythms and Indian ragas, Taneja aims to bring the sounds of her heritage to a wider audience.
Eliot Seppa
Sponsored by Myra Turoff and Ken Weiner
For Eliot Seppa it’s all about that bass! The bandleader, arranger, and composer is a master of both the upright and electric bass. His jazz fusion sound is heavily influenced by R&B, hip-hop, gospel, Latin, and African music.
Calista Garcia
Sponsored by Ellen and Michael Gold
Singer-songwriter Calista Garcia brings a mix of lyrical complexity and musical sophistication to her folk-rock and blues sound that harkens back to ’70s classic acts such as Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, and Joni Mitchell.
Seán Heely
Sponsored by Sarah and Dan Gallagher and Van and Linda Hubbard
Follow Seán Heely’s fiddle as he takes you on a journey through Scotland, Ireland, and America. With every bow stroke, Heely breathes new life into the rich traditions of Celtic music.
Trey Sorrells
Sponsored by Dale Rosenthal and Michael Cutler
Trey Sorrells fell in love with the saxophone at age 12. After honing his sax skills in church, Sorrells became enamored with hard-bop jazz popularized by Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis. Sorrells’ unique sound combines aspects of hard-bop with gospel melodies.
Class of 2018: Sponsored by Effie & John Macklin
Gina Sobel
Sponsored by Ellen and Michael Gold
A devoted multi-instrumentalist, Gina Sobel is just as comfortable on the flute and saxophone as she is singing or playing guitar. Sobel combines jazz with genres from folk to rock to create a unique, energetic sound.
Uasuf Gueye
Sponsored by Dr. J. Alberto Martinez
A performer, craftsman, and cultural ambassador, Uasuf Gueye’s mastery of West African musical idioms and experience learning from skilled musicians from around the world have made him a catalyst for forging unity through music.
Drew Kid
Sponsored by Myra Turoff and Ken Weiner
Inspired by the soul and funk jams of legends like Sly Stone and Marvin Gaye, versatile musician Drew Kid brings his new ventures in songwriting together with his background in jazz.
Chao Tian
Sponsored by Linda and Van Hubbard
A leading performer on the Chinese dulcimer and prominent educator and advocate for Chinese traditional music, Chao Tian combines her scholarly experience with her virtuosic ability to engage a truly global crowd.
Cecily
Sponsored by Mrs. Patricia Haywood Moore and Dr. Roscoe M. Moore, Jr.
Influenced by soul, jazz, and ’90s R&B, vocalist and songwriter Cecily has captivated audiences around the country and garnered comparisons to singers as diverse as Brandy and Corinne Bailey-Rae.
Josanne Francis
Sponsored by Dale S. Rosenthal
A virtuosic steelpan player with a career that includes both a Carnegie Hall appearance and a music education degree, Josanne Francis has made a name for herself as both a talented musician and a highly qualified music educator.
Class of 2017
Chris Urquiaga
A multi-faceted singer-songwriter, Chris Urquiaga’s music combines Latin rhythms, pop, R&B, and more. Urquiaga has been commissioned by numerous organizations including the Congressional Chorus and Prince George’s Philharmonic.
Joey Antico
Joey Antico’s finesse with all things percussion makes him a well-respected musician and frequently sought after percussionist to share the stage with jazz, rock, funk, and electronic musicians.
Ethan Foote
As a composer, arranger, bassist, and songwriter, Ethan Foote employs a wide array of styles and voices in his compositions. Prepare to be blown away by this young artist’s versatility!
Patrick McAvinue
An award-winning fiddler, Patrick McAvinue uses his passion for roots music to translate bluegrass traditions into an innovative language of his own and deliver a unique, energetic performance.
Simone Baron
Simone Baron improvises, interprets, experiments, and arranges classical, chamber jazz, and global music on the accordion and piano. Baron reimagines the performance experience by putting unlikely ideas, artistic forms, and audiences in refreshing and revealing dialogues.
Ines Nassara
Ines Nassara’s powerful vocal ability and enthusiastic energy on stage enable her to tower over accompanying choruses, conveying shockingly palpable emotions and burning passion that are unrivaled among her peers.
More to Explore
News Q&A with the Class of 2022
Get to know the Artist in Residence Class of 2022.
News Alumni Spotlight
Elijah Balbed, Bumper Jacksons & Be Steadwell
Alumni
Frédéric Yonnet, Chelsey Green, Invoke, and Christylez Bacon are just a few of the incredible artists who have passed through the program.
Book an Artist
Hire a Strathmore Artist in Residence for your next celebration.
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