Monique Mead Returns as Musician-in-Residence

Monique Mead, at a previous Musician-in-Residence session. Monique comes to Orcas schools through the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival.

Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival (OICMF) announces Spring 2010  IM: In Music Musician-in-Residence for Orcas Public School during the week of March 22-26.

Now in its 4^th season of IM: In Music, the Chamber Music Festival will host Monique Mead, returning as the season’s visiting artist. Ms. Mead will work with the music students of Pamela Wright of the elementary school music program and Lizz Hanks, high school and middle school music teacher. Mead serves as the Teaching Artist Guide for Matthew Olson who began in November as the Festival’s Strings Technique Coach. Matthew is present every week in the school’s strings music classes throughout the academic year.

In a special offering during her March Residency Monique is available for a Master Class for community soloists and ensembles Wednesday, March 24^th from 6-8PM. The Student (school-age) Master Class is scheduled for 6-8PM on Thursday, March 25^th. Both will take place at the Orcas Senior Center; advance registration is requested.  Students may participate free of charge. Tuition for community musicians is $15 for individuals and $25 for a group helping to defray the cost of venue rental.

“Welcoming a talented musician right into the classroom at their own school is very inspirational for students,” comments Victoria Parker, Executive Director of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. “When visiting musicians guide the class, talk about their lives and their work, and answer questions, a lasting impression is made.” OICMF’s partnership with the classroom music teachers and students has been fruitful for all.

Ms. Mead received Bachelors and Masters degrees in violin performance from Indiana University in Bloomington. In 1990 she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Lubeck, Germany. Several collaborations with Leonard Bernstein at music festivals in Tanglewood and Schleswig-Holstein influenced her decision to focus her career on nurturing audiences and musicians. From 1992-1995 Monique held positions as Associate Instructor for Violin at Indiana University and Director of the Indianapolis Academy of Music. Monique is also a frequent artist guest of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival summer concert series.

IM: In Music is funded through OICMF’s generous 2009-2010 sponsorships by Mimi and Slim Sommerville (spring) and Valerie and William Anders (Technique Coach funding). For additional information or to register for a Master Class Session, contact Victoria or Joyce at: 360.376.6636.