Fresh AIR preview concert is scheduled for November 17 at AMP
Contact:
Mona Rock
Director of Communications
mrock@strathmore.org
(301) 581-5193
NORTH BETHESDA, MD – As they begin a demanding year-long program of mentorship, professional development, live performances, workshops, and collaborative opportunities, six Washington-area Artists in Residence (AIRs) will showcase their talents at the Fresh AIR preview concert on Wednesday, November 17 at 8pm at AMP. Each cohort member will perform and offer instructional workshops throughout the winter and spring. Tickets for Fresh AIR on November 17 are currently on sale.
The 2022 class is Titilayo Ayangade, Taisha Estrada, James Fernando, Alex Hamburger, Langston Hughes II, and Gerson Lanza.
Program sponsored by Cathy Bernard/Bernard Family Foundation♪
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TITILAYO AYANGADE, cellist
Sponsored by Tina and Arthur Lazerow and Bayo and Funke Oyewole
Cellist Titilayo Ayangade is dedicated to spotlighting musicians of color and giving voice to underrepresented artists through exciting collaborations. She enjoys commissioning new music as well as performing with orchestras and chamber ensembles.
Ayangade has a degree in performance from University of Cincinnati and University of Texas at Austin and is currently pursuing a DMA at the University of Maryland as part of the award-winning fellowship ensemble in residence, Thalea String Quartet.
TAISHA ESTRADA, singer-songwriter
Sponsored by Hope Eastman and Allen Childs♪, Margaret McDowell, and Victoria J. Perkins
Taisha Estrada grew up with grandparents who felt a strong devotion to la patria, their homeland. Estrada’s style, which blends Latin styles with jazz, R&B, and pop is comparable to artists such as Omara Portuondo, Elis Regina, Natalia LaFourcade, and iLe.
Lyrically, she is heavily influenced by the sensory experience of the Caribbean, and her work explores the beautiful and mystifying bond between humanity and the earth.
JAMES FERNANDO, jazz pianist
Sponsored by Belinda M. Kane in memory of Mamie C. Kane♪
and Ava Kaufman
Since graduating summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music, pianist and composer James Fernando continues to amass critical acclaim and recognition. He merges jazz, classical, and electronic music.
Fernando relies on his genre-expanding original compositions to deliver thought-provoking, exciting performances.
ALEX HAMBURGER, jazz flutist & vocalist
Sponsored by Ellen and Michael Gold♪
Born to an artistic family, Alex Hamburger began studying classical flute at age seven and began finetuning her improvisation skills while sitting in on her father’s gigs and attending Paul Carr’s Jazz Academy of Washington. Since then, this DC native’s talents have taken her all over the world.
In November 2021, her quartet will release its debut album, And She Spoke. Hamburger wrote and arranged the compositions which are inspired by the works of female poets and composers.
LANGSTON HUGHES ll, jazz saxophonist
Sponsored by Daniel and Sarah Gallagher♪, Richard and Melba Reichard♪, and HelenLouise Pettis
As his name would suggest, Langston Hughes II creates beauty, but with a saxophone instead of a pen. His artistic mission is to develop a voice that has a profound spiritual and emotional impact on his listeners. He is a saxophonist, flutist, bandleader, and composer and already has many impressive credits and awards to his name.
Hughes is currently studying jazz saxophone at Howard University under the tutelage of esteemed professor Charlie Young III.
GERSON LANZA, tap dancer
Sponsored by Dale Rosenthal and Michael Cutler♪ and Linda and Van Hubbard
Whether Gerson Lanza is performing alongside spoken-word artists, musicians, or other dancers, his intricate moves are evocative and captivating. Lanza began his training under Omar Edwards at his Harlem Tap studio and has since completed residencies at Lincoln Center and Jacob’s Pillow.
Lanza is currently pursuing his MFA in Dance Performance Studies at the University of Maryland.
ABOUT THE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE (AIR) PROGRAM
Founded in 2005, the Strathmore Artist in Residence program has mentored 100 young artists, ages 16–32. Each year, six artists are chosen through a competitive selection process. Over the course of 10 months, they benefit from the support of mentor musicians, 30 hours of professional development seminars, and performance opportunities—including residency concerts in the Mansion at Strathmore. The AIR program is part of Strathmore’s Institute for Artistic and Professional Development.
♪ Strathmore graciously thanks our Artist in Residence Champions for their multi-year commitment and above-and-beyond support to the AIR program.
About Strathmore
Strathmore presents and produces exemplary visual and performing arts programs for diverse audiences; creates dynamic arts education experiences; and nurtures creative ideas and conversations that advance the future of the arts.
All of Strathmore’s facilities are Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ accredited.
Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, and facemasks are required to attend any performance or event inside any of its buildings.
For further information or tickets, call (301) 581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
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