Free Lectures, Workshops & Concerts

All are Welcome! In Person & Livestreamed

A Life in Art: Reflections with Nancy Burkert

Presented by Nancy Burkert, Illustrator of James and the Giant Peace and Snow White Read Bio

Step into the world of acclaimed artist and illustrator Nancy Burkert, celebrated for her iconic illustrations in James and the Giant Peach and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Burkert will share insights from her remarkable career, discussing the inspirations that shaped her life, the artistic process behind her celebrated works, and the stories interwoven with her art. This intimate talk offers a rare opportunity to explore the mind and heart of an artist whose work continues to enchant and inspire across generations. READ MORE

Echoes Reimagined: The Evolving Voice of the Flute

Presented by Allison Parramore, a versatile performer and educator with a multifaceted career as an orchestral, chamber, and solo musician, freelance artist, and Artist-Teacher Read Bio

Flutist Allison Parramore explores how composers have expanded the expressive and technical possibilities of the flute while remaining connected to its rich heritage. Each piece reflects a moment of transformation, whether through form, harmony, or personal narrative showcasing how the flute has adapted across different musical eras. READ MORE

What Musicians Can Learn About Practicing From Current Brain Research

Presented by Dr. Molly Gebrian, Author of Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musicians Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing Read Bio

This presentation will focus on what neuroscientists have discovered about how our brains learn and how to apply these insights to practicing and teaching so that practicing becomes more efficient and effective, leading to enhanced performance ability, enjoyment, and confidence. Topics include: how to get rid of bad habits, how to make things automatic/reliable on stage, the role of sleep in learning, the power of mental practicing, how to use the metronome to greatest effect, and the benefits of random practice for enhanced performance. READ MORE

The Art of Groove

Presented by Ted Sullivan, percussionist specializing in hip-hop, R&B, funk, and jazz, and freelance music educator

What makes music irresistibly compelling? In this engaging talk, The Art of Groove, we’ll explore how rhythm and feel come together to create the magic of groove. From the subtle swing of jazz to the driving pulse of rock, the infectious energy of funk, and the syncopated rhythms of samba, we’ll dive into iconic grooves that have shaped music across genres. READ MORE

Music, Memory, and Meaning: How creativity helps us belong

Presented by Merideth Hite Estevez, oboist, author, podcaster, and coach Read Bio

Join oboist and author Merideth Hite Estevez for a performance and talk exploring the profound ways art connects us. Featuring works of Barber, Debussy, Clara Schumann, and more, this unique concert and discussion invites you to find resonance in the power of music to spark joy and deepen our understanding of the human experience. READ MORE

Aesthetic Reverberations across the Arts: Exploring the Life and Music of Claude Debussy

Saturday, October 11 — 3:30 PM

Presented by Marie Rolf, Scholar, pianist, educator, and administrator READ BIO

In spite of his reputation as a radical trailblazer, Claude Debussy was a man very much of his time who was keenly receptive to aesthetic ideas that were being explored by contemporary poets, artists, and other composers. He once told an American journalist, “I am called a revolutionary, but I haven’t invented anything. (…) There is nothing new in art.” Nevertheless, Debussy’s unique musical language and artistic expression were the result of his deep assimilation and combination of diverse influences. READ MORE