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Press Releases

Chicago Sinfonietta Residents Orchestrate perform on Chicago Park District’s 9th annual free, outdoor “Night Out In The Parks” Summer Series

Chicago Sinfonietta Residents Orchestrate perform  on Chicago Park District’s 9th annual free, outdoor “Night Out In The Parks” Summer Series   Concerts at Douglass Park and Washington Park this July 10 and 17 Are in collaboration with The Art Institute of Chicago and Celebrate the occasion of The Art Institute’s presentation of The Obama Portraits     Chicago, IL – Chicago Sinfonietta’s eclectic and electric Residents Orchestrate Project , in collaboration with The Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Park District, offer two exciting outdoor concerts this July as part of the “Night Out In The Parks” summer series.   “Portraits in the Park,” held July 10 and 17 in the late afternoon, will feature opening performances by members of Residents Orchestrate Project.   " Chicago Sinfonietta is thrilled to be featured in the Chicago Park District's summer series and to partner with The Art Institute of Chicago.    In alignment of our mission, we continue to strive to expand our reach and presentation of free ROP events focused on highlighting local culture through co-curated initiatives," stated Chief Executive Officer Blake-Anthony Johnson.     Seth Pae, violist; Jordan Thomas, harpist; Sadie Woods, DJ; Edith Yokley, violinist   Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 4:00 PM Douglass Park, Chicago NIght Out In The Parks -“Portraits in the Park” Live performance by DJ and sound artist Sadie Woods and Chicago Sinfonietta’s Residents Orchestrate musicians Seth Pae, viola; Jordan Thomas, harp; Sadie Woods, DJ Full event information   Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 4:00 PM Washington DuSable Museum Flower Garden (north lawn of the museum) NIght Out In The Parks -“Portraits in the Park” Live performance by DJ and sound artist Sadie Woods and the Chicago Sinfonietta’s Residents Orchestrate violinist Edith Yokely. Edith Yokely, violin; Sadie Woods, DJ Full event information   About The Artists Jordan Thomas is an international award-winning harpist based in Chicago. As a soloist and ensemble player, he has performed worldwide. Jordan has appeared as soloist in numerous concerto appearances with orchestras in the tristate area and has worked with such world-renowned soloists such as violist Roberto Diaz. He has performed as a member of the Matt Jones Orchestra, where he worked with and recorded with award winning artists such as Grammy Artist Kirk Franklin. Previously, he served as Principal Harpist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and worked with Sarah Bullen, Principal Harpist of the Chicago Symphony. An alum of Peabody Institute of Music, Thomas was personally selected to be a guest soloist for the World Harp Congress Hong Kong in a presentation of the Composition Forum along with members of the harp studio of the Peabody Institute of Music. He is also an alum of the Chicago College of Performing Arts, where he pursued a Professional Diploma in Orchestral Studies under the guide of Lyric Opera of Chicago Principal Harpist Lynn Williams.   Violist Seth Pae, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, has been playing the viola since age 9, having started in a public school music program. A former member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago (2015-2018), Pae has also performed with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera Orchestra. Currently, he is in his second year performing with the Chicago Sinfonietta as a Project Inclusion Orchestra Freeman Fellow. A champion of new music and music by BIPOC and women composers, Pae frequently works with Chicago based composers and premiers their works. Pae holds both a Master's Degree and an Artist Diploma from DePaul University, where he studied with Wei-Ting Quo of the Chicago Symphony, and legendary Chicago violist Rami Solomonow, and a Bachelor's degree from Baldwin Wallace University, where he studied with Louise Zeitlin. His first primary teacher was Lembi Veskimets of the Cleveland Orchestra.   Chicago born and bred, Sadie Woods is an award-winning post-disciplinary artist, curator and deejay who has showcased her myriad of creative practices from academia to nightclubs, boutiques to museums. Co-Founder and Artistic Director of The Petty Biennial, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Selenite Arts Advisory, and a 2020 recipient of the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Esteemed Artist Award, Woods is currently Faculty at the School of the Art Institute, and Project Manager of Chicago Sinfonietta’s Residents Orchestrate Project. Her work has been exhibited and performed nationally and internationally. Publications include Harald Szeemann Méthodologie Individuelle published by JRP Ringier with Le Magasin—Centre National d’Art Contemporain de Grenoble, in collaboration with the Department of Curating Contemporary Art at the Royal College of Art, London.   Edith Yokley is a violinist from Chicago. An orchestra member of Chicago Sinfonietta and Soulful Symphony in Baltimore, she has performed with such artists as CeeLo Green, J. Lo, Common, Barry White, Mos Def, Nancy Wilson, Andrea Bocelli, Sheila E., Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Richard Smallwood, Shirley Caesar, Dennis DeYoung of Styx, and Diana Ross and the Supremes. Yokley has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show , The Today Show , and Late Night With Conan O'Brien as well as The Voice .   About Chicago Sinfonietta's Residents Orchestrate Project Chicago Sinfonietta’s Residents Orchestrate Project is a collection of satellite residencies throughout Chicago. ROP neighborhood residencies are designed to eliminate socioeconomic and geographic barriers while providing interactive programming and services. Chicago Sinfonietta’s Residents Orchestrate Project (ROP) re-imagines the role that an orchestra can play in historically excluded Chicago communities. ROP thoughtfully co-curates seasonal performance programs, master classes and more through community partnerships, including Austin, Back of the Yards, Bronzeville, Englewood, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, Hyde Park, North Lawndale, South Shore, and West Town.  All events are free to the public.   About Chicago Sinfonietta Groundbreaking. Dynamic. Innovative. An acclaimed cultural leader and a powerful champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, the award-winning Chicago Sinfonietta was founded in 1987 by the late Maestro Paul Freeman to address diversity in orchestras. Dedicated to changing the face of classical music, and making classical music accessible to everyone, what began as a mission to represent the city of Chicago has evolved into an international position at the forefront of progressive change in the arts. Led by international conductor and Music Director Maestra Mei-Ann Chen si nce 2011, today Chicago Sinfonietta is a 21st century orchestra renowned for its defiantly different outlook, innovative and collaborative programming, and artistry of the highest caliber. Chicago Sinfonietta continues to expand its mission and strengthen its leadership in the world of classical music, redefining the orchestra experience for today’s and future generations. www.chicagosinfonietta.org       Press Contact: Laura Grant, Grant Communications 1.917.359.7319 Laura@grant-communications.com