Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival will sponsor a Master Class by Monique Mead on Wednesday, March 26, from 6-8 p.m. during their IM: In Music Spring Musician-in-Residence Week. The Master Class will take place in the Off-Center Stage of the Orcas Center. Both soloists and ensembles are encouraged to register.

Mead’s invitation to musicians participating in the Master Class is warmly enthusiastic: “We will focus on the message of the music.” She will also share specific practicing techniques that help make better use of practice time. “I will be demonstrating on the violin during the Master Class and so in addition to hearing and observing participants, a sort of mini-performance will demonstrate my points and hopefully inspire both musicians and audience members.”

Pre-Registration is required for participating musicians. Master Class tuition is $25. Community members are very welcome to observe and may register early or pay at the door. Observing audience, $10 per person, school age student may audit for free. Contact the OICMF Office: 376-6636 or e-mail Victoria@oicmf.org to complete a registration form.

Mead received Bachelor and Masters degrees in violin performance from Indiana University in Bloomington. In 1990 she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Lubeck, Germany. Several collaborations with Leonard Bernstein at music festivals in Tanglewood and Schleswig-Holstein influenced her decision to focus her career on nurturing audiences and musicians. From 1992-1995 Mead held positions as Associate Instructor for Violin at Indiana University and Director of the Indianapolis Academy of Music. Mead is also a frequent member of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival ensemble and will participate in the up-coming August 18-31, 2008 annual Festival.

Contact information: 360-376-6636 www.oicmf.org.