Lay thanks the inaugural artists-in-residence, Master of Music student soprano Annie Barr and recent graduate Alyssa Griffith (MM Collaborative Piano, 2017), for being the "trailblazing artists" in the program.
Griffith's connection to Twin Towers moved her fiancé to propose to her in front of two hundred residents and guests during a concert at the senior living community. The couple also held their wedding reception at Twin Towers.
This fall, Barr returns for her third year as an artist-in-residence. Second-year Master of Music students Anna Odell, harp, and jazz studies major Angie Coyle are also returning as artists-in-residence.
"I have met a majority of the residents and know many of them well," says Barr. "Being here reminds me of one of the main reasons I love to perform — music is absolutely necessary for expression. So often I will practice or perform music the residents recognize from their past, or music that moves them to reflect on their life currently. Whether its a remembrance of sorrow or happiness, it is important. I'm glad that I can be a part of their lives in this small way."
Barr's fiancé Matt McAllister (BM Jazz Studies, 2013), who studies composition at CCM, is joining the program as an artist-in-residence this year. He is joined by Shu-Li Cheah, an Artist Diploma student studying cello, and Bryan Banowetz, a Master of Music student studying collaborative piano.
Banowetz was intrigued by the concept of sharing music with a senior living community and living among its residents. He moved into Twin Towers on Aug. 10 and says he can tell it will be an inspiring place with its quiet atmosphere and natural surroundings.
"Twin Towers offers free housing to its artists, and this was a big burden off of my shoulders as a young artist and as a student," says Banowetz. "Now, I can really focus on my studies and my development as a musician."
He says he also looks forward to the monthly recitals at Twin Towers, which will give him the opportunity to share repertoire that he may not typically get the chance to perform.
The artists-in-residence will hold their first recital at 6:30 p.m. on September 28 at Twin Towers. Visit lec.org/twin-towers for more information.
"We wait with excitement to see how this diverse array of young artists will collaborate to delight audiences with their creativity and immense talents," Lay says. "The arts are alive and performances are live every month at Twin Towers. We are committed that this program will be part of our resident experience for years and years to come."
Meet the new 2017-18 Artists-in-Residence