Current Projects

Partnerships

Charles E. Smith Life Communities,

Rockville, Maryland

Iris Music Project began in 2016 at the Charles E. Smith Life Communities, a six-building development serving over 1000 older adults in Rockville, MD. Starting with cellist Lauren Latessa, and expanding to include the three musicians of the Iris Piano Trio, the program developed as an exciting creative exchange between professional musicians and members of the community.

Jiyoung Oh reading music composition while playing piano
Lauren Latessa seated facing forward playing the cello

Weinberg Villages and Manors,

Baltimore, Maryland

Under the guidance of the Iris Piano Trio, three Baltimore-based musicians are in residence at both Weinberg Villages and Weinberg Manors, affordable housing communities for older adults in Baltimore County and City, MD. This Program is support by a Thome Aging Well Program grant.

Mather: Illinois, Arizona and Virginia

In spring of 2023, Iris began a partnership with Mather, creating Ensemble-in-Residence programs for all four of their communities across the country.

Splendido at Rancho Visto is a partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Winter Growth,

Columbia, Maryland

Beginning January 2024, two musicians serve as the musicians-in-residence for Winter Growth, a small assisted living/memory care community in Columbia MD. This work is supported by the Howard County Arts Council.

Asbury Methodist Village

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Partnership with the National Philharmonic Orchestra

From February – June 2025, three musicians from the National Philharmonic Orchestra will serve as musicians-in-residence for Asbury Methodist Village, under the mentorship of Iris Music Project.

JCC Rockville,

Rockville, Maryland

Iris Music Project provides monthly events for JCC Rockville’s Senior Lunch Program.

Program Highlight

The Late Professor Kalichstein

Listen to the late pianist Joseph Kalichstein tell his Iris Music Project story in the accompanying video