Artist-in-Residence Program: A Huge Success

Artist-in-Residence Program:  A Huge Success

This past winter, the 4th grade students at Lotus School were blessed with a rare and wonderful opportunity to work with a percussion artist during their Music class.  When Mrs. Erin Connolly-Jordt, the school’s music teacher, was approached with the thought of having an artist-in-residence, she jumped at the idea. 

A connection was soon made with the Lake Forest Symphony, and Mr. Alex Monroe agreed to come on board as the percussion artist-in-residence.  Mr. Monroe worked with the 4th grade students for 8 weeks, with each class working with him weekly.  The program concluded with an evening performance for over 300 people that were friends and family members of the students.  The students were very excited to demonstrate the fundamentals that they had learned and even had an opportunity to teach their parents after the performance. 

Alex Monroe is a musician and non-profit arts professional based in Chicago.  He currently serves as General Manager and a Teaching Artist with the Lake Forest Symphony.  Alex holds degrees in percussion performance from Northwestern University (M.M.) and Truman State University (B.M.), where he graduated summa cum laude with honors in music.

This program was made possible through the combined efforts of many.  A special thanks to Mr. Andrew Martin, one of our parents, as well as a District 114 Board of Education member.  Mr. Martin was able to secure a Fine Arts grant from The Clinton Family Foundation, and wished to allocate some of the funds for a resident artist.  Lotus School would also like to thank the Robert D. Sayles Foundation for their donation to purchase the World Drums to complement the program.