Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration - January 15, 2023

The Music Institute of Chicago is grateful to the following sponsors, whose generous support helps us to entertain, inspire, and educate through live music performed by both new emerging artists and the most established artists of our time.

This program is partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Sponsorship opportunities range from concerts and performances, to the annual Gala, special capital projects, and community engagement initiatives.

Please contact the Development Office to learn more: 847.448.8323.

WELCOME TO NICHOLS CONCERT HALL!

This year we are especially excited to bring together so many Evanston cultural arts organizations to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and shine a light on equity in the arts. Together with Tim Rhoze, Artistic Director of FleetwoodJourdain Theatre, we have curated a wonderful array of performances for you to enjoy this afternoon.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. remarked that, “people fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” Nichols Concert Hall offers us a beautiful and welcoming space in which we can come together to learn, share, and celebrate with one another.

A very special thank you to all of today’s performers and to all the participating organizations they represent.

If this is your first time at Nichols Concert Hall, we hope you will return with friends and colleagues. We believe that this historic space is a cultural gem for all of Evanston to enjoy and that our annual concert series offers a wonderful way to help further our mission to lead all people toward a lifelong engagement with music.

Music and the arts are of vital importance in keeping us connected to one another as well as expanding our understanding of the world around us.

Mark George President and CEO

Music Institute of Chicago

Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas

Expelled from their homes and scattered across the earth, exiled peoples have often found strength and resilience in their music. This new program from Jeannette Sorrell begins where “O Jerusalem!” ended – celebrating the interwoven connections of the Sephardic, Ashkenazy, Palestinian, and African traditions.

Saturday, March 11, 8:00pm Music Institute of Chicago, EVANSTON additional performance Mar. 12 in Chicago

NICHOLS CONCERT HALL PRESENTS

REVERÓN PIANO TRIO

Friday, February 17 » 7:30 PM

SIMON GOLLO, VIOLIN

HORACIO CONTRERAS, CELLO ANA MARIA OTAMENDI, PIANO

Featuring the world premiere of Tres Placeres (Three Treats) by Ricardo Lorenz, the Chicago premiere Baroqueada by Miguel Del Aguila and Piano Trio No. 1 by Heitor Villa-Lobos.

Tickets and info at: nicholsconcerthall.org

ONE COMPOSER, ONE COMMUNITY

First launched in 2021, the Music Institute of Chicago’s One Composer, One Community (OCOC) focuses on the life and work of a single, often underrepresented BIPOC composer over the course of an academic year. This composer’s work is featured on the Nichols Concert Hall series as well as in other special events, including gatherings to discuss aspects of the composer’s life and music through autobiographical, biographical, or critical writing, as well as though active music listening.

HEITOR VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959)

This year we celebrate the life and work of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. Considered the single most significant creative figure in 20th century Brazilian art music, Villa-Lobos synthesized contemporary European techniques with elements of national music to create his unique compositional style. A prolific composer, Villa-Lobos penned more than 2,000 orchestral, chamber, instrumental, and vocal works.

D r. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Sunday, January 15 at 3 PM

PROGRAM

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Tim Rhoze, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre Artistic Director Mark George, Music Institute of Chicago President and CEO

MC4

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938)

Lift every voice and sing, ‘Til earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on ‘til victory is won.

Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand, True to our God, True to our native land.

“O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) Charity Moody, soprano

I Open My Mouth/Wade in the Water Traditional Charity, Chamaya, Chantal and Carlis Moody III

EVANSTON DANCE ENSEMBLE

“Inspiration Moving Forward” from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Mateo Tirres, dancer • Nolan Robinson, actor Christina Ernst, choreography • Steve Rashid, music

MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

African Dances, Op. 58

Samuel Coleridge Taylor (1875-1912) Allegro con brio

Caitlin Adamson, viola and Jada Adamson-Tate, piano

REMARKS

Claire McFarland Barber, Evanston Reparations Committee

SISTEMA RAVINIA

Concerto in G Major, QV5:178 Johann Joachim Quantz (1697-1773) Allegro

Kaylee Johnson, flute and Lisa Zilberman, piano

T.E.

& COMPANY (TRICIA EDWARDS)

Sign Language with Praise Dance

Jadean Warburton, Amiah Grant, Victoria Rosas and Shilah Rosas

REMARKS

Daniel Biss, Mayor, City of Evanston

CHICAGO MUSICAL PATHWAYS INITIATIVE

Mother and Child

William Grant Still (1875-1978) Efuru Hawa Kilolo Harmon-Miller, violin and Lisa Zilberman, piano

HEARING IN COLOR

A Stone of Hope (Martin’s Song) Ephraim Champion (b. 1998)

Angela DeVenuto, voice • Mara McClain, cello • Marta Aznavoorian, piano

SPEAKERS

TIM RHOZE

Tim Rhoze has been the Producing Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre (FJT) since 2010. His directing credits include: Home, Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, The Meeting, Fires in the Mirror, Black Ballerina (co-writer), Nutcracker(ish), Crowns, Having Our Say, From the Mississippi Delta, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf, Woza Albert!, Going to St. Ives, Single Black Female, A Song for Coretta, Yellowman, Sweet, Lady Day at Emerson Bar & Grill, Bear Country, Nobody, Fences, Piano Lesson, Aint’ Misbehavin, K2, The Glass Menagerie, and others. Rhoze is also the writer/director of Why Not Me? A Sammy Davis Jr. Story and Maya’s Last Poem, both produced at FJT; and Black Ballerina, produced at FJT and Pittsburgh Public Theatre. He was co-writer and director of A Home on the Lake, co-produced with the Piven Theatre Workshop.

FLEETWOOD-JOURDAIN THEATRE

Founded in 1979, Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre is a professional, award-winning theatre company that has been thrilling audiences with more than three decades of unique, inspirational, and invigorating African-American and African Diaspora-centered storytelling. The company has been honored in the Black Theatre Alliance/Ira Aldridge Awards. From original plays to the best of Broadway, FleetwoodJourdain Theatre has remained committed to supplying the very best in theatre. “Umoja!! ….Working Together in Unity” is the foundation from which FJT began and continues to thrive. Its mission is to present powerful, thought-provoking, community-centered Theater Arts programming with a commitment to diversity and creative excellence. We are dedicated to providing a nurturing and creative environment for directors, playwrights, and set, light, and costume designers, as well as experienced and novice performers. In this positive environment, they can develop their skills and fully express their talents. Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre is located in the Evanston Noyes Cultural Arts Center and funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council Agency. For more information about upcoming Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre plays, concerts, and special events please visit: fjtheatre.com .

MARK GEORGE

Dr. Mark George, President and CEO of the Music Institute of Chicago since 2010, has enjoyed a unique career making music and connecting people of all kinds to the performing arts. In 2011, the Chicago Tribune named him “Chicagoan of the Year” in classical music. George served as national board chair for the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and he is currently a trustee for the Solti Foundation US, The Billy Strayhorn Foundation, and the Evanston Chamber of Commerce.

A highly regarded pianist, George has performed and recorded extensively throughout the United States. He has held faculty positions at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Case Western Reserve University, and the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music.

George previously served as director of the Hartt School Community Division and director of distance learning at the Cleveland Institute of Music. His work as an interdisciplinary curriculum developer and consultant has rendered the arts and humanities more accessible to diverse communities. He also led the resurgence of the 2006 Grammy Award-winning Cleveland Chamber Symphony. His boardlevel leadership, striking performances as a pianist, and inventive programming ideas re-established the ensemble as a major force in contemporary music.

MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

The Music Institute of Chicago (MIC) leads people toward a lifelong engagement with music through unparalleled teaching, exceptional performances, and valuable service initiatives that educate, inspire, and build strong, healthy communities. Since its founding in 1931, the Music Institute’s commitment to innovation, access, and excellence has served as an important community resource and helps to ensure music is available to everyone. Each year, MIC provides personalized music instruction to more than 1,500 students, regardless of age, level of experience, or financial means, across eight Community Music School locations in Chicago, Downers Grove, Evanston, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, and Winnetka, as well as online. In addition, MIC brings music education, arts curriculum integration, professional development, and music performance and engagement opportunities to thousands in the Chicago area; offers scholarship opportunities to students in its Community Music School and Academy, and welcomes more than 15,000 visitors annually for performances, and special events at Nichols Concert Hall. More information at musicinst.org.

CLAIRE MCFARLAND BARBER

Claire McFarland Barber is a managing partner and founder of Claire McFarland Law, Ltd., a law firm in the Chicagoland area specializing in advanced estate planning, estate administration, real estate matters, and small business services. She has become particularly interested in the role of inherited wealth in the racial wealth gap in America, as well as the ways in which institutional discrimination has contributed to this gap. As a result, she has made a commitment to using her estate planning practice to address these issues and work towards reparations for the harms caused by systemic racism and discrimination.

In addition to her legal work, McFarland Barber is deeply committed to issues of reparations and social justice. She is a member of the City of Evanston Reparations Committee and serves on the board of the Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Evanston, working to address the historic and ongoing harm caused by systemic racism and discrimination. She has written on the topic of racial justice, including the article “Antiracism in Action: Restorative Justice for the Harm Caused by our Legal System,” which was published last summer in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

McFarland Barber holds a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University School of Law. She also holds a Master of Arts in Middle East Area Studies from the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies, with a concentration in Middle Eastern economics, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics from Brown University. She is a member of the Illinois State Bar and the US District Court Bar for the Northern District of Illinois.

McFarland Barber also founded and served as executive director of the Elder Law & Wellness Initiative, NFP in Chicago, where she established and developed senior-focused programs, including legal clinics that provide free legal services and social service referrals to low-income seniors and their caregivers and family members. She is affiliated with several bar associations, including the Catholic Criminal Justice Reform Network, the Cook County Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (where she formerly served as Chairwoman of the Elder Law and Senior Outreach Committee), the Catholic Lawyers Guild (current Board member), the Black Women Lawyers Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association.

MAYOR DANIEL BISS

Daniel Biss is the mayor of Evanston, Illinois. He began his career as a mathematics professor at the University of Chicago before becoming an organizer and then elected official, serving as a member of the Illinois House and Senate for eight years.

Daniel’s public service has consistently featured cutting-edge initiatives to advance social, racial, and economic justice and political reform. In the legislature, he led the fight to create Secure Choice, a retirement saving program that has become a national model, and passed historic legislation that led to a ban on so-called LGBTQ “conversion therapy.” Under his leadership as mayor, Evanston has distributed the first municipal reparations to Black residents, established a guaranteed income pilot, and advanced political reforms, such as ranked choice voting.

He has earned numerous recognitions for his work, including the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Legislator of the Year award, the Richard J. Phelan Profile in Courage Award from Planned Parenthood Illinois Action, and designation as one of Crain’s Chicago 40 Under 40.

Daniel lives in Evanston with his wife Karin, who teaches humanities and social science at National Louis University, and their two children.

In 2019, the Evanston city council voted to create the Reparations Fund, using revenue from legal marijuana sales. In so doing, Evanston is the first city in the nation to pay reparations to some of its Black residents with $25,000 housing grants issued to 16 recipients.

For more information about the program visit: cityofevanston.org/government/city-council/reparations

MC4

MC4, made up of siblings Charity, Chamaya, Chantal, and Carlis Moody III, was created in 2019 with the goal of spreading the love of Christ through music. This group of passionate artists grew up making music together, and loved the joy it brought to others. They’ve performed on the same platforms as Fred Hammond and Jonathan McReynolds. MC4 is looking forward to blessing more people with their gift. For more information visit: facebook.com/MC4music/

EVANSTON DANCE ENSEMBLE

Evanston Dance Ensemble (EDE) creates inventive performances and programs of the highest quality, nurtures the power and artistry of talented young dancers, and reflects the diversity of our community by fostering inclusivity, collaboration, and creative expression.

EDE was founded in 1997 by Béa Rashid, who was inspired to bring a high quality performing opportunity to the most talented dancers from her school, Dance Center Evanston. EDE received its 501(c)3 status in 1998 and had its first public performance, The Winter Festival of Dance, at King Lab School. The company began developing original work with 2001: A Dance Odyssey, often collaborating with professional musician, Steve Rashid, to create original music as well.

Each year, EDE puts on several mainstage productions with a wide variety of dance styles, and featuring original choreography by top professionals such as Monique Haley, Eddy Ocampo, Ron De Jesus, and Meghann Wilkinson. Each year since 2008, EDE has done a 6-week session of Jump for Joy – dance classes for young dancers with physical and/or developmental challenges. The Ensemble also sometimes conducts a Young Choreographers Project, where the members get a chance to create choreography themselves.

The artistic goals of the Evanston Dance Ensemble are to use our young dancers to their best advantage to create the highest quality of dance possible and to share it with our community in a variety of ways.

For more information visit: evanstondanceensemble.org

CAITLIN ADAMSON

Caitlin Adamson is a violinist and violist who has been performing in and around Chicago since 2001. She is an alumna of the Music Institute of Chicago and the Academy for advanced pre-college students where she was a merit scholar recipient and studied with Desirée Ruhstrat. She went on to study Viola Performance at the University of Michigan with Caroline Coade, where she also received a double major in English.

After graduating, Adamson toured with the Sphinx Virtuosi in 2017 and 2018 and played on NPR, at Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center. She is a Grammynominated recording artist and has performed with artists such as John Legend, Jessie J, and PJ Morton, as well as leading the viola section in the first annual Juice WRLD Day at the United Center in 2021.

JADA ADAMSON-TATE

Jada Adamson-Tate is an alumna of the Music Institute of Chicago and former William Warfield Scholarship recipient. She studied piano and duo piano with Ralph Neiweem and Claire Aebersold for ten years. Adamson-Tate is currently a sophomore at Lawrence University where she studies Computer Science and Piano Performance with Catherine Kautsky. She is the accompanist for the vocal studio of John Holiday, who is a former contestant on The Voice. She is an active member of the Black Student Union at Lawrence and is also a private piano instructor, arranger, and theory coach.

SISTEMA RAVINIA

Sistema Ravinia is a part of Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play® Programs. Over 75,000 community members are served through Reach Teach Play® each year, ensuring that music education remains accessible to all. These programs are designed to educate, foster diverse audience involvement, and provide the population with equitable access to live music experiences in their communities and at Ravinia. Sistema Ravinia is Ravinia’s vision of an intensive and transformational orchestral music education program. Designed to foster social development through exceptional music training for 3rd-8th grade students in Chicago and Lake County public schools, the program is inspired by the influential El Sistema model. Students in the program receive daily ensemble and orchestral instruction in their instrument. Sistema Ravinia’s first site was launched at Catalyst Circle Rock School located in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. With the success of the Circle Rock site, Sistema Ravinia expanded to Lake County in October 2015 and uses our own Bennett Gordon Hall as a program site.

For more information about the program visit: ravinia.org/RTP_Play

KAYLEE JOHNSON

Flutist Kaylee Johnson, 14, is a freshman at the Chicago High School for the Arts. Currently in her second year as a Cohort of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative, she began her musical journey as a member of Sistema Ravinia. Through the Sistema Ravinia program she has played in various venues across Chicago and been part of numerous competitions. Johnson is part of her school band and orchestra programs as well as the Merit School of Music orchestra. In addition, she is a member of the Chicago Flute Club where she has participated in master classes. She plays with a band at The Apostolic Church of God and outside music enjoys crocheting, biking, and spending time with friends, family and her dogs.

LISA ZILBERMAN

Lisa Zilberman has been a member of the Music Institute’s piano faculty since 2000. She earned her master of music and bachelor of music degrees from DePaul University and studied at the Stolyarsky Music School in Odessa, Ukraine. She is a collaborative pianist at DePaul University, a Russian diction coach for Chicago Opera Theater, and an accompanist for Chicago Chorale.

T. E. & COMPANY, INC.

Led by Director/Producer Trisha Edwards, T.E. is a non-profit organization offering children’s theater, television, performing arts, after-school, and summer camp programs. Through a variety of hands-on activities students explore new learning styles and acquire practical skills while setting and achieving their goals. T.E. and Company helps children become committed to excellence in a tradition of learning and culture in performing. Some T. E. students and adults learn how to perform and produce their own talks shows for cable television while others perform plays and incorporate sign language drills with culture arts movement. T. E. and Company’s performs in schools and churches across communities.

T. E. and Company’s goal is to provide assistance for students who are behind in school or who need special help to succeed academically while encouraging students to cultivate a respect for themselves and others while staying out of trouble. For more information about the program visit: tekidzz.org

CHICAGO MUSICAL PATHWAYS INITIATIVE

The mission of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative is to identify and develop gifted and motivated orchestral students from underrepresented backgrounds for acceptance into top-tier conservatory, college or university classical music programs in preparation for careers as professional musicians.

The initiative involves close collaboration and resource sharing among a diverse network of well-established non-profit Chicago youth and music-education focused organizations. Together, participating organizations work to identify talented, motivated students early in their training. Musicians selected for CMPI are carefully assessed and provided with comprehensive supports – musical and extra-musical (e.g., financial, instructional, academic, etc.) to remove many of the barriers to access that can discourage or derail the training of talented young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds before they are able to realize their full musical potential.

For more information about the program visit: chicagopathways.org

EFURU HAWA KILOLO HARMON-MILLER

Efuru Hawa Kilolo Harmon-Miller, 13, attends Bennett Day School and lives in the Chicagoland area. She is a scholar, violinist, athlete, and entrepreneur. She began her musical studies at age three and studied with Lucinda Ali-Landing, Executive Director of the Hyde Park Suzuki Institute. She is currently a student of Davis King. Efuru has been a fellow of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI) since 2019 and is a violinist in Northwest Indiana Youth Symphony Orchestra, 2022; featured violinist in CS Kenwood Gardens Performance, 2022; featured soloist for the Here on Earth 2021 Ocean Waters Screening and Concert, concertmaster and violinist in the South Side Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (Summer 2020-21), 2018-19 scholarship recipient and featured soloist at The Society, Incorporated Chicago Chapter for the Arts “A Midsummer Afternoon’s Talent Showcase,” and “Lit That’s Lit;” a 2018 recipient of the Bronzeville Children’s Museum’s Dreamer Award, a soloist at the Music Institute of Chicago’s 2017 and 2018 Lunchtime Concert Series, and part of the Music Institute of Chicago chamber music program.

Efuru was an Honors-recognized performer at The Chinese Fine Arts Society’s 2017 Confucius Competition. She has performed in various locations throughout the Chicago region, including the Chicago Symphony Center, DuSable Museum of African American History, and Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. Efuru is a state and national championship competitive swimmer and track runner.

HEARING IN COLOR

Hearing in Color is a Chicago-based organization dedicated to sharing music, stories, and composers that have been historically excluded from musical spaces, with its community. Their productions underscore the work of artists who are overlooked in mediums where White-centered experiences are the default. Hearing in Color believes in the power of music to build community, to bring comfort, to embolden, and to inspire in the face of subjugation and oppression and believes that gatekeeping has appropriated perspectives and stories of specific lived experiences. By sharing space with those most deeply affected, we are able to present stories grounded in truth.

Hearing in Color and La Caccina are proud to partner on the Hearing in Color Young Composer Residency, an immersive residency focused on engaging emerging composers of various backgrounds to write choral music for advanced treble voices. Composers will work closely throughout the season with the artists of La Caccina and Hearing in Color to compose an original piece of music. The residency will include extensive mentoring from both Hearing in Color and La Caccina artists, workshops of the piece with La Caccina, and both written and video interviews to help promote the composer and their work.

For more information visit: hearingincolor.org

EPHRAIM CHAMPION

Ephraim Champion is an active musician and composer in Chicago. He received his Bachelor’s of Music in Performance (Horn) from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is also a member of the 484th United States Army Reserve Band out of Arlington Heights, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In May 2022, Champion premiered his work Humanhood, comissioned by the Constellation Men’s Ensemble for the annual NOVA Music Concert Series at Guarneri Hall in Chicago. Outside of music, Champion maintains an active blog and writes stories in addition to spending time with his amazing wife Kianti, and their two adorable Yorkies, Heath and Ginger.

Champion is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Orchestral Studies at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. Committed to the growth of music and contribution to his community, he serves as the Artistic Director and horn instructor at the West Point School of Music. Occasionally, he can be found playing horn and improvising in Isaiah Collier’s group, The Celestials; playing keyboard/synth for Chicago hip-hop artist (and brother) Doso in his live band; or performing his own piano works.

ANGELA DE VENUTO

Soprano Angela De Venuto has portrayed roles from the innocent girl next door, Emily Webb (Our Town), and the young ingenue, Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), to the comedically jaded Despina (Così fan tutte), and cunning Adele (Die Fledermaus), to the fiery siren Angélique (Ibert), and the hauntingly obsessive Miss Jessel (The Turn of the Screw). In more intimate settings, Angela’s recital work has depicted the life and work of historical figures and legendary wordsmiths such as Verlaine, Rimbaud, Mörike, Goethe, Jammes, Toni Morrison, Agee, Rubino, and the wives of King Henry VIII, set by influential composers like Debussy, N. Boulanger, Libby Larsen, Previn, Pasatieri, Britten, Wolf, Barber, Poulenc, Bolcom, Respighi, and Schubert among others.

De Venuto’s affinity for new and lesser known composers has made her a sought after performer of this music. Highlights include Comala Suite by ZohnMuldoon based on the novel Pedro Párama by Mexican author Juan Rulfo; Ode on St. Cecelia’s Day by Parry, Poems of Amy Lowell set by Benjamin Krause, and Estonian folk texts set by Leo Radosavljevic.

De Venuto has been awarded first prizes in the Classical Singer competition Emerging Professional Division (2017), Musician’s Club of Women (2017), the Sherrill Milnes Opera Idol competition (2016), and been named a Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council competition (2018).

She received her Masters and Bachelors of Music degrees in Vocal Performance from DePaul University. She is a member of the Music Institute of Chicago’s voice faculty.

MARA MCCLAIN

Cellist Mara McClain was a member of the Alabama Symphony for twelve years, 2006-2018, before returning to Chicago. Prior to her appointment with the Alabama Symphony, Mara attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and studied with Richard Aaron in both the Young Artists program as well as her undergraduate studies. Mara was the principal cellist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago as well as the Pacific Music Festival and Spoleto USA. She has played with the Detroit Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, the Lyric Opera Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, the Illinois Philharmonic, and the Chicago Philharmonic.

MARTA AZNAVOORIAN

Armenian/American pianist Marta Aznavoorian is known for her inspiring performances and vast emotional reach. The multi Grammy-nominated artist has performed to critical acclaim throughout the world as orchestral soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician.

Aznavoorian, an alumna of the Music Institute of Chicago, made her professional debut at age 13 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has gone on to perform with orchestras throughout the United States and abroad including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, New World Symphony and others.

Some of Aznavoorian’s awards and accolades include National Foundation for the Art Presidential Scholar and First Prize in the Stravinsky International Competition. She has recorded extensively for Naxos, Warner Classics and Erato, and has just released her seventh album with Cedille Records entitled Veiled Mountain; Gems from Armenia.

Aznavoorian is founding member of the Grammy-nominated Lincoln Trio and also performs extensively with violinist Stefan Milenkovich and her sister, cellist Ani Aznavoorian. A champion and lover of contemporary music, Aznavoorian has recorded music and premiers by some of the world’s leading composers including William Bolcom, Osvaldo Golijov, Augusta Read Thomas, Shulamit Ran, Stacy Garrop, Joan Tower, and Jennifer Higdon among others.

A student of the renowned teacher, Menahem Pressler, Aznavoorian received her Bachelor Degree and Artist Diploma at Indiana University and Masters Degree from New England Conservatory. As a dedicated educator and philanthropist, she gives lessons and masterclasses across the United States and abroad, and serves on faculty at DePaul University and the Music Institute of Chicago where she is also an Artist in Residence. Aznavoorian works with many programs to help create training pathways for students from traditionally under-represented backgrounds. Her new foundation aims to help fund these students and help them achieve their full musical potential. Marta Aznavoorian is a Steinway Artist.

Founded in 1929, the Evanston Art Center is dedicated to fostering the appreciation and expression of the arts among diverse audiences by offering extensive and innovative instruction in broad areas of artistic endeavor through classes, exhibitions, interactive arts activities, and community outreach. In 2015 the Evanston Art Center moves into a new facility at 1717 Central Street in Evanston and quickly began expanding programming to meet the growing demands of a larger space. More than 30,000 people from all walks of life, representing over 100 Illinois zip codes use the Art Center, viewing exhibitions in their four galleries or participate in classes.

FRAN JOY

Fran Joy is an artist, designer, curator, and life coach currently living in Evanston. Born and raised in southern Illinois, she moved on to New Orleans and then to the greater Chicago/Evanston area. This life experience plus ten years of residence in Los Angeles and frequent visits to New York City have flavored and colored her passion as an artist.

After studying oil painting, creative writing, and drawing at Columbia College in Chicago, Joy combined her own experimentation with the impromptu training she received from independent artists whose work she admired. Joy is known for her images on social justice, women, spirit images, iconic portraits, colorful abstract landscapes, and large designer wood screens and wall mounts. Her paintings usually begin with an acrylic base on canvas or wood followed by oil pastels, which are used with various sponges for texture, blending and intensity. The colors are usually vivid!

Joy has been featured on the cover of Evanston Magazine and has appeared in the Evanston Review and in the Chicago Tribune. She received the Evanston Mayor’s Artist of the Year Award in 2019 for her work on social justice and women. Joy formerly served on the Evanston Arts Council and on the board of Young Evanston Artists!. She now serves on the Evanston Public Art Committee and on the Exhibition Committee of the Evanston Art Center.

People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.

~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

ABOUT THIS EXHIBIT

" Art is a communicator. As an artist and curator, my intent is to cross imaginary boundaries. This group of talented artists consists of students, emerging and professional artists. They are not restricted by race, age or gender and all are willing to participate and express in this moment of remembrance and celebration.”

~ Fran Joy

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Rose Cannon

David Anthony Geary

Fran Joy

Sarah Kaiser

William Kwamen-Poh

Cherie Lockett

Claudia Marter

Tasha Nemo

David Niari

Joanna Pinsky

Debra Salter

Jevoid Simmons Sholo

Stacy Thomas

Angela Williams Yancey

FRIENDS OF THE MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

The Music Institute is grateful for every gift. The following friends made contributions of $5,000 or more between January 1 and December 31, 2022.

$100,000 or more

The Negaunee Foundation

Alexandra C.* and John D. Nichols

$50,000 to $99,999

John and Pauline Fife

ITW Barbara A. Speer

$25,000 to $49,999

The Grainger Foundation

Lori Julian for the Julian Family Foundation

Susan Kiphart

Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Scott and Nancy Santi

Catherine M. and Frederick H. Waddell The Wallace Foundation

$10,000 to $24,999

Abbott

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation

BMO

Rita and John Canning, The Canning Foundation

The Crown Family

Edwardson Family Foundation

Evanston Arts Council

Linda and Bill Gantz

Hans* and Denitta Germann Mona Golub

Norman and Cynthia Goldring

Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel and John H. Krehbiel Jr. Dan* and Yoo Mi Hahn

Harris Family Foundation

J. Thomas Hurvis and Ann Andersen Illinois Arts Council Agency

Irving Harris Foundation Hans and Angela Jostlein Ethelle Katz

Susan R. Kiphart Mrs. Paul Klimstra KPMG Tom* and Joyce Leddy Jim and Kay* Mabie Family Make It Better Foundation

Robert R. McCormick Foundation

National Endowment for the Arts Brenna and John Nichols Northern Trust Corporation

Cathy and Bill Osborn Renée Parquette* Timothy Patenode* and Judy Royal Michael and Cari Sacks Barbara* and Peter Sereda Sidley Austin LLP

Liz Stiffel

Lee Anne* and Rich Stoddart Jim Stone*

Pam and Russ Strobel The John Taylor Family Underwriters Laboratories Zalman* and Karen Usiskin Scott* and Areta Verschoor

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bobins, The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation

Beth and Chuck Boehrer

Dr. Tanya L. Carey

Lawrence Corry

Dana and Mark DeAngelis

Thomas W. Dower Foundation

Paul Galvin Memorial Foundation

Thomas L. and Patricia S. Gahlon

Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich M. Gross

John R. Halligan Charitable Fund

Harper Family Foundation

Courtney Holohan* and Wesley Mueller

WILLIAM WARFIELD SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Erin and Wellington Hsu

Jane Irwin

Karen and Mark Koulogeorge

Sylvia M. Neil and Dan Fischel Nancy and Marc Poggioli Sargent Family Foundation

Dr. Scholl Foundation

Jennifer Steans and Jim Kastenholz Bob and Gael Strong Wintrust Commercial Banking David* and Eileen Zampa Helen Zell

* Trustee

William Warfield (1920-2002) was a worldrenowned American concert bass-baritone singer. He dismantled racial barriers and opened doors for African American artists who came after him. Acclaimed throughout the world as one of the great vocal artists of our time, William Warfield was a longstanding member of the Music Institute of Chicago's Board of Trustees. The William Warfield Scholarship for Music Institute students was established in his memory to enable BIPOC students to study with distinguished Music Institute faculty as a tribute to Mr. Warfield's heartfelt desire to share his knowledge, skills, and love of music.

The Music Institute of Chicago provides high-quality teaching, performing, and service activities for thousands of Chicagoland residents each year.

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NICHOLS CONCERT HALL

1. If you arrive after the performance has begun, please wait in the lobby. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the house manager. If you must leave early, please do so between pieces out of consideration for the artists and other audience members.

2. The box office will be open one hour prior to the performance. All patrons must have a ticket in order to be admitted into the concert.

3. Photography and audio/video recordings of performances is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from the Director of Operations.

4. Approved photographers and/or news media may be present at this performance. By participating and being present at Nichols Concert Hall, you give the Music Institute of Chicago the right to use photographs or video/audio recordings taken of you during the performance for educational or promotional purposes and for sharing with external news media. If you do not wish to appear in photographs or be recorded, please contact hall staff.

5. Smoking is strictly prohibited by law in Nichols Concert Hall or within 20 feet of the building.

6. Restrooms are located on the lower level and may be accessed by using the stairs or the elevator. All facilities are disability accessible.

Nichols Concert Hall, opened in May, 2003, quickly established itself as one of Chicago’s premier venues for chamber music performances. Originally designed as a First Church of Christ, Scientist in 1912 by renowned Chicago architect Solon S. Beman, the building was sensitively restored as a state-of-the-art, 550 seat concert hall and music education center. The converted building received the Richard H. Driehaus Award for best adaptive use by the Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois. Music Critics, audiences and performers have hailed the excellent acoustics and elegant vaulted beauty of Nichols Concert Hall.

Nichols Concert Hall is located in the heart of downtown Evanston on the northeast corner of Chicago Avenue and Grove Street. Metered and non-metered parking is available and several public garages are within a two-block radius. Numerous restaurants are within easy walking distance. Conveniently located near the Davis Street CTA and Metra stations, Nichols Concert Hall is disability accessible.

For rental and booking information, please contact us: 847.448.8329 or visit: nicholsconcerthall.org