Hire a Strathmore Artist in Residence for your next celebration
Strathmore can help connect you with the best musicians in the DC area for your own events! From the vibrancy of funk and R&B to the sophisticated lightness of classical piano and strings, finding the right live music can make your event truly harmonious. That’s where we come in! With years of expertise in curating artists to fit the musical needs of any occasion, Strathmore can help you find the perfect soundtrack for any event, from house concerts to parties and weddings.
Below are just a few of our available artists, handpicked from the alumni network of Strathmore’s prestigious Artist in Residence program by its director, Betty Scott. These musicians are representative of an extensive roster.
Eager to learn more? Contact us with more information about your event and interests.
Cecily, vocalist
http://cecilymusic.com
Vocalist and songwriter Cecily combines mid-century soul and jazz, ’90s R&B, and reimagined folk music.
Debórah Bond, vocalist
http://www.deborahbond.com/
Bond’s unique and eclectic mix of R&B, funk, and British soul make her an exciting soloist and collaborator.
Ward-Kong Duo, classical
http://aliciawardcello.com/
Classical cellist Alicia Ward and classical pianist Kimberly Kong have performed at many world-renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center.
Brad Kolodner, banjo
http://www.bradkolodner.com/
Kolodner’s upbeat style of banjo playing represents the next generation of bluegrass musicians.
Chris Urquiaga, vocalist & pianist
http://chrisurquiaga.com/
Singer-songwriter and pianist Urquiaga combines Latin rhythms, pop, and R&B as a soloist and leader of small ensembles, including a Strathmore Artist in Residence wedding band.
Josanne Francis, steel pan
https://www.josannefrancis.com/
Steelpan musician Francis draws influences from traditional Calypso music, jazz, traditional Indian, funk, rock, and classical music.
Lena Seikaly, vocalist
http://www.lenaseikaly.com/
Jazz singer Seikaly has headlined at renowned DC venues such as Blues Alley and the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. She was a semi-finalist for the Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Vocals Competition in 2015.
Nistha Raj, Hindustani classical
https://www.nistharaj.com/
Violinist Raj mixes classical Hindustani music with modern sounds, creating unique entertainment. She also performs in a duo with hip-hop artist Christylez Bacon.
Rochelle Rice, vocalist
http://rochellericemusic.com/
Rice, a dynamic and compelling vocalist and songwriter, combines jazz, pop, soul, and R&B. Her versatility and unique skills as a singer and composer have allowed her the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s most acclaimed musicians.
Wytold, electric cello
Using his 6-stringed electric cello, Wytold records his live playing on stage using a foot pedal and laptop to create his own rock-orchestral arrangements that have been featured in film, theater, dance, and with the National Symphony Orchestra.
Elijah Balbed, saxophone
https://ejbjazz.com/
Saxophonist, composer, and educator Balbed is also the leader of the JoGo Project which features a mix of jazz and DC’s homegrown go-go music.
Christylez Bacon, hip-hop
http://www.christylez.com/
Christylez (pronounced “chris-styles”) Bacon is a Grammy-nominated progressive hip-hop artist and multi-instrumentalist from southeast Washington, DC. As a performer, Bacon multitasks between various instruments such as the West African djembe drum, acoustic guitar, and beatbox (oral percussion), all while continuing the oral tradition of storytelling through his lyrics.
Simone Baron, composer & multi-instrumentalist
http://www.simonebaron.com/
A concert pianist, accordionist, and composer of infectious energy, Baron is just as comfortable with classical and contemporary chamber music and jazz, as with Brazilian and Eastern European folk idioms.
Seán Heely, fiddle
http://www.seanheely.com/
Follow Heely’s fiddle as he takes you on a journey through Scotland, Ireland, and America. With every bow stroke, Heely breathes new life into the rich traditions of Celtic music.
Dante' Pope, multi-instrumentalist
https://www.dantepope.com/
Pope communicates his love, passion, and appreciation of life through his music. Whether he is playing the piano, guitar, or drums, Pope’s signature soulful sound is infused with elements of gospel, jazz, and R&B.
Erin Murphy Snedecor, cello
https://www.erinmurphysnedecor.com/
Snedecor is a multi-genre cellist who specializes in contemporary chamber music, composition, and collaborative performance.
Natalie Merezhuk, violin
https://www.natalyjazzviolin.com/
Though Merezhuk’s musicianship is rooted in classical training, she embraced the role of the violin in jazz after being drawn to its improvisational nature.
Ceylon Mitchell, flute
https://ceylonmitchell.com/
Just as the notes from his flute fly and float on air, Mitchell is always in motion. This musician, educator, entrepreneur, and arts advocate’s mission is to keep classical music alive, authentic, and accessible.
Taisha Estrada, singer-songwriter
https://www.taishaestrada.com/
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.
Dominique Bianco, vocals
https://www.dominiquebianco.com/
Downbeat award-winning Bianco is a multi-faceted vocalist specializing in jazz and contemporary genres. Originally from Staten Island, New York, Bianco was a finalist in the 2022 International Ella Fitzgerald Vocal Competition and has shared the stage with renowned musicians such as Julius Rodriguez, Joe Farnsworth, Mark Whitfield, and more.
Kevin Elam, Irish traditional
https://www.kevinelammusic.com/
Elam is a multi-instrumentalist and 2019 All-Ireland Champion in Men's Singing. Although he boasts a strong background in classical piano and a degree in Jazz studies from George Mason University, Elam is rooted in Irish traditional music.
Joshua Jenkins, piano
Jenkins was the Jazz Ensemble Director of CAAPA (the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts) from 2018 to 2020. He has a keen interest in Afro-Cuban drumming and has visited Cuba several times to conduct research and take lessons. Having worked with a wide array of musicians and ensembles throughout the Washington, DC. area, he is intent on continuing to expand his performing career.
About Betty Scott
After 40 years of teaching elementary vocal music, Betty Scott came to Strathmore in 2005 as the education coordinator and manager of the Artist in Residence program. She has won a Grammy and as a result, was featured in People magazine. She is currently the director of all things AIR and has booked countless artists for special events.
More to Explore
News Alumni Spotlight
Elijah Balbed, Bumper Jacksons & Be Steadwell
Alumni
Frédéric Yonnet, Chelsey Green, Invoke, and Christylez Bacon are just a few of the incredible artists who have passed through the program.
News Current Class
Get to know the Artist in Residence Class of 2024.
SUPPORT YOUNG ARTISTS
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