us about

us about

our organization

mission

mission

The mission of Lyrica Baroque is to support a diverse community of students, teachers, artists, institutions and audiences of all ages through education, collaboration and performance. Lyrica Baroque seeks to promote the extraordinary classical musical history of New Orleans by performing accessible chamber music at the highest level of artistic excellence.

We are called Lyrica Baroque because the earliest documented classical music in New Orleans came from the Baroque period (1600s-1700s). Classical music, including chamber music, was a unifying force for the diverse ethnicities that were part of Louisiana’s earliest days. Louisiana’s rich classical music tradition dates back to the Baroque period, with classical musical performance and education being an integral part of the state’s cultural heritage.

Lyrica Baroque is committed to continuing this New Orleans longstanding tradition of uniting communities through chamber music.

timeline

2009

In 2009, the group performs a program of Baroque music as a trio of oboe, violin, and harpsichord for the first time at St. Mary’s Church in the Old Ursuline Convent in the French Quarter. Ensemble expands to include voice, a rich continuo section of cello and bassoon, and begins performing custom arrangements for the group crafted by Benjamin Atherholt.

2015

In 2015, Lyrica Baroque becomes a non-profit organization, expanding their performances and mission to include unique programs for New Orleans children and a chamber music competition. It is also the year Lyrica Baroque begins performing its annual Christmas concert at Christ Church Cathedral on St. Charles Avenue for the New Orleans community.

2018

The first Power of Language residency is presented in its inaugural workshop in 2018 for fourth graders at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy of Global Studies in New Orleans. Lyrica Baroque holds its 2nd annual fundraiser gala honoring Drs. Ranney and Emel Songu Mize with Lyrica Baroque’s first Maestro Award.

2020

2020 comes with acknowledgement of the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pause of in-person gatherings and programming create space to strengthen our administrative foundation, evaluate our structure, and identify areas for improvement to better support our organization for sustainability and growth. We present NOLA Chamber Fest 2020 virtually reaching more students and engaging a broader audience than ever before, welcome five new team members to Lyrica Baroque, and present Winterreise 2020 in our first ever live stream format streamed from the University of New Orleans Recital Hall.

2022

2022 showcases growth. We successfully doubled our budget, increased staff and expanded programming. An unforgettable collaboration with Grammy Award winning Harlem Quartet, our first side-by-side Community Concert with students and teachers from our Community Partner organizations, pilot programs of our social-emotional learning program with KID smART in schools across New Orleans and our first ever Creativity Day partnering with The Roots of Music, Palacios House of Arts and Crescent City String Academy are a few of the highlights. Read our 2022 Annual Report to learn more!

2014

A performance at the Louis Cathedral in 2014 estables the ensemble as a tight-knit group that can come together and instantly play with a high level of cohesion, musicianship, and artistry.

2016

Performances in 2016 include collaborations with the Historic New Orleans Collection, the Catholic Cultural Heritage Society and the New Orleans Museum of Art

2019

Growth, community and outreach continue in 2019 with developed curriculum reaching more students than ever through the Power of Language program and a performance of Opera Fusion at the esteemed Chautauqua Institution. NOLA Chamber Fest reaches its fifth season and Lyrica Baroque celebrates by honoring Margaret Shields and Jonathan McCall with its 2019 Maestro Award.

2021

2021 is spent creatively serving our community despite the challenges of the pandemic with our first ever porch concert Latin American Soundscapes and a hybrid performance of Winterreise featuring Isabella Leonarda’s Sonata Terza and Schubert’s Winterreise in its entirety. NOLA Chamber Fest is presented online for the second year in a row including livestream performances and a national competition. Our Power of Language program evolves as we establish a new partnership with KID smART using chamber music to teach their social emotional learning curriculum With Feeling in New Orleans schools.

Baroque & Classical Music in New Orleans

1736 Spiritual Songs from the Ursuline Convent were Baroque remixes of popular tunes by classical composers, with changed lyrics from secular to sacred so that women and the Catholic faithful could enjoy the pleasures of current music without compromising their virtue. These songs are the oldest known musical document in Louisiana history.
The Historic New Orleans Collection

1796

New Orleans is treated to Sylvain, the city’s first documented performance of opera (possibly the first in the territory that is now the United States). New Orleans Opera Association

2009

In 2009, the group performs a program of Baroque music as a trio of oboe, violin, and harpsichord for the first time at St. Mary’s Church in the Old Ursuline Convent in the French Quarter. Ensemble expands to include voice, a rich continuo section of cello and bassoon, and begins performing custom arrangements for the group crafted by Benjamin Atherholt.

2014

A performance at the Louis Cathedral in 2014 estables the ensemble as a tight-knit group that can come together and instantly play with a high level of cohesion, musicianship, and artistry.

2015

In 2015, Lyrica Baroque becomes a non-profit organization, expanding their performances and mission to include unique programs for New Orleans children and a chamber music competition. It is also the year Lyrica Baroque begins performing its annual Christmas concert at Christ Church Cathedral on St. Charles Avenue for the New Orleans community.

2016

Performances in 2016 include collaborations with the Historic New Orleans Collection, the Catholic Cultural Heritage Society and the New Orleans Museum of Art

2018

The first Power of Language residency is presented in its inaugural workshop in 2018 for fourth graders at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Academy of Global Studies in New Orleans. Lyrica Baroque holds its 2nd annual fundraiser gala honoring Drs. Ranney and Emel Songu Mize with Lyrica Baroque’s first Maestro Award.

2019

Growth, community and outreach continue in 2019 with developed curriculum reaching more students than ever through the Power of Language program and a performance of Opera Fusion at the esteemed Chautauqua Institution. NOLA Chamber Fest reaches its fifth season and Lyrica Baroque celebrates by honoring Margaret Shields and Jonathan McCall with its 2019 Maestro Award.

2020

2020 comes with acknowledgement of the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pause of in-person gatherings and programming create space to strengthen our administrative foundation, evaluate our structure, and identify areas for improvement to better support our organization for sustainability and growth. We present NOLA Chamber Fest 2020 virtually reaching more students and engaging a broader audience than ever before, welcome five new team members to Lyrica Baroque, and present Winterreise 2020 in our first ever live stream format streamed from the University of New Orleans Recital Hall.

2021

2021 is spent creatively serving our community despite the challenges of the pandemic with our first ever porch concert Latin American Soundscapes and a hybrid performance of Winterreise featuring Isabella Leonarda’s Sonata Terza and Schubert’s Winterreise in its entirety. NOLA Chamber Fest is presented online for the second year in a row including livestream performances and a national competition. Our Power of Language program evolves as we establish a new partnership with KID smART using chamber music to teach their social emotional learning curriculum With Feeling in New Orleans schools.

2022

2022 showcases growth. We successfully doubled our budget, increased staff and expanded programming. An unforgettable collaboration with Grammy Award winning Harlem Quartet, our first side-by-side Community Concert with students and teachers from our Community Partner organizations, pilot programs of our social-emotional learning program with KID smART in schools across New Orleans and our first ever Creativity Day partnering with The Roots of Music, Palacios House of Arts and Crescent City String Academy are a few of the highlights. Read our 2022 Annual Report to learn more!

who we are

our team

our collaborators

Christ Church Cathedral
Pel Hughes Printing
N.O. Vative Printing
The Roots of Music
KID smART
New Orleans Friends of Music

The Tchoup Yard
Crescent City String Academy
Palacios House of Arts
University of New Orleans
Smallcode
Langston Hughes Academy

Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra
The Willow School
St. Katharine Drexel Prep
YAYA Arts Center
herWARD Consulting

our board

Shelton Shugar,
president
Dwight McGhee,
immediate past president
Sharon Cassiere,
treasurer
Christopher Pell,
secretary
Tamer Acikalin
Gail Asprodites
David Levy
IdaMae Monconduit
Maybell Romero
Garrett McQueen
Maitreyi Muralidharan
Marissa Joseph

our advisors

Baty Landis
Melanie Fawer
Michael Harold
Okyeame G. Haley
Robyn Schwarz
Maria Fernanda Castillo
Kim Martin Long
Susan Zatorski
Ed Lewis
Kelly Harlan
Jaren-Atherholt

Jaren Atherholt

executive director

The founder of Lyrica Baroque, Jaren Atherholt is currently the Assistant Professor of Oboe at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She previously served as principal oboist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra from 2007 – 2018. A native of Alaska, Jaren has performed to stellar reviews as a featured concerto soloist and has been guest principal oboist with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Detroit Symphony, as well as guest associate principal oboist with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Jaren spent four summers at the Marlboro Music Festival and currently performs each summer with the Grand Teton Music Festival. She has served on the faculty of John Mack Oboe Camp, Interlochen Oboe Institute, the Wintergreen Music Academy, and the Vianden International Music School. Jaren plays Loree oboes. Contact Jaren at jaren@lyricabaroque.com
Ben Atherholt

Benjamin Atherholt

Programming Director

Benjamin Atherholt is Programming Director for Lyrica Baroque, and the Contrabassoonist and Assistant Principal Bassoonist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also the Contrabassoonist with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra performing each summer in upstate New York. His specialty as a Contrabassoonist has engaged him in performances with orchestras including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra and Houston Symphony, where he is featured on the 2013 Grammy Award winning recording of Berg’s Wozzeck. A passionate educator, Ben is the Instructor of Bassoon at Tulane University and frequently teaches as a featured guest artist in masterclasses and residencies across the country. Ben grew up in Houston, Texas and holds a B.M. in performance and composition from Oberlin Conservatory studying under the tutelage of George Sakakeeny and Jeffrey Mumford respectively. Contact Ben at ben@lyricabaroque.com
Leda-Hardesty

Leda Hardesty

Graphic Designer

Leda Hardesty is a Graphic Designer from New Orleans who believes design is more than a utility and can be superior in any art direction. Leda received her Bachelor’s of Art degree in Digital Design from Tulane University, where she combined her education in graphic design with her interest in community engagement and cultural diversity. She is passionate about sharing her artistic creation with others and spreading the importance of equity.

Leda brings experience working with other creatives in New Orleans and is excited about the opportunity to leverage her graphic design skills to make a positive impact on local communities. Leda enjoys spending her free time strengthening her art abilities such as photography, videography, and animation. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and being surrounded by art, music and fashion.

Mya-Gibson

Mya Gibson

Social Media Content Manager

Mya Gibson is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she studies clarinet performance under Dr. Oskar Espina-Ruiz. She was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and began her musical journey at a young age. She understands the significance of music organizations and giving back to the community because that’s how she started off her music education. She has always had a passion for performing, teaching, and arts administration. During her education at UNCSA, Mya has performed with the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra, A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, UNCSA Wind Ensemble, and multiple chamber groups.
Arianna-Bohning

Arianna Bohning

Administrative Assistant

Arianna Bohning is a professional collaborative pianist located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Arianna is a recent graduate of UNCSA and studied with Dr. Allison Gagnon. While at UNCSA, Arianna collaborated with a variety of instrumentalists and vocalists, as well as larger ensembles such as the UNCSA Wind Ensemble, Nu Ensemble, Undergraduate Opera Scenes, and the 2019 and 2020 UNCSA productions of The Nutcracker. She served as the pianist for the Fletcher Opera Institute’s Outreach production of “The Town Musicians of Bremen” in 2021-22. She has consistently premiered new works, including the world premiere of the piano trio, “Journey of the Wood Thrush,” in 2021 by K. C. Pyle, commissioned by Forsyth Audubon for its 50th anniversary. Arianna has participated in many masterclasses at UNCSA with prominent musicians such as Margo Garrett, Gabriel Dobner and Viktor Valkov. In April 2021 Arianna was awarded the UNCSA Artpreneur Grant for her app idea, Colllab, which is an app for connecting partners in need of collaborative pianists.
Jamalle-Wilson

Jamalle Wilson

Information + Technology

Jamalle Wilson is a family man, hardworking, creative thinking, with a passion for learning technology. In the IT field his position is Level 1 Help Desk Specialist which specializes in a different range of issues and experiences. In those experiences Jamalle has acquired certifications to master different aspects of IT. His current certifications include Azure Administrator, MCSA Windows 10, Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2016, and CompTIA A+. Jamalle is currently Studying Google Cloud and Amazon AWS to further establish himself as a relevant professional. The eyes of his passion look to ambitiously provide solutions creatively, illustrate his competency, and have fun.
Madison-Khan-

Madison Khan

Madison Khan is a student at Tulane University, where she studies History and Anthropology. She has been playing bassoon since middle school, and has played in various orchestras and wind ensembles around her home in southeastern Massachusetts. After receiving her M.A. in history, she plans on pursuing a career in education. Madison currently plays bassoon in Tulane’s orchestra and concert bands. She also plays clarinet in the Tulane University Marching Band and the Tulane Soundwave Pep Band, of which she is a vice president. Madison is aware of the impact that community music organizations can have, and aspires to spread that positive impact in any community that she is in.

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Nihal Idries

Nihal Idries

Graphic Design

Nihal O. Idries is a Sudanese-American Branding & Marketing Specialist from Philadelphia with over 10 years of professional experience serving small organizations and businesses to create brand strategy, design communications plans, and amplify their digital presence. Nihal utilizes an equity-centered approach in her work that integrates both the needs of the organization and the communities they intend to serve. Nihal acquired her Bachelors degree from Temple University. Presently, she is expanding her digital skillset as a Next Generation Fellow at ServiceNow to achieve her immediate goal of becoming an IT Consultant.
Destiny-King

Destiny King

Social Media Intern

Destiny is a rising senior Music Education major, with a minor in Arts Administration at UNCG. At UNCG, Destiny is incredibly active within the School of Music and Office of Leadership & Civic Engagement. Destiny works as the University Band Librarian and Catalyst Leader at UNCG. Destiny is also a proud sister of Sigma Alpha Iota, Kappa Gamma Chapter, and recently served as Vice President of Membership. Destiny’s primary instrument is the oboe and she has performed with UNCG’s Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Outside of UNCG, Destiny plays oboe with Appalachia: A Southeastern Wind Symphony, and is currently interning through Campus Greensboro as the Media & Communications Associate of Eastern Music Festival this summer. In her free time, Destiny enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and sending out pen pals to some of her life-long friends. As a performer, collaborator, and educator, she aspires to continue working with organizations who give back to back to students like Destiny, who seeked music as an outlet and hobby.

Kaitlyn-Ingram

Kaitlyn Ingram

Graphic Design

Sheryl-Amber-Edmondson

Sheryl-Amber Edmondson

Grant Writing

Sheryl-Amber Edmondson has eight years professional experience working across education, community health and training and development. Her inquisitive nature caused her to pursue a Sociology degree as an undergrad at the Pennsylvania State University and her love of writing led her to teach Middle Years English while continuing her studies at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Sheryl-Amber assumes an equity-focused lens in her work that is responsive to the needs of marginalized communities. By centering culturally responsive pedagogy, trauma-informed care, restorative justice and human-centered program design, she works to disrupt the cycle of systems-driven disparities. Sheryl-Amber successfully applies this approach across various areas of expertise, including: youth development programming and design, comprehensive sexual and mental health education and HIV testing and counseling to promote equity, access and accessibility across systems.
Winfred-Felton

Winfred Felton

Administrative Assistant

Winfred Felton recently graduated with his undergraduate degree in bassoon performance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. His love for music came from growing up surrounded by church music and being fascinated by the many colors that can be found within music. Winfred’s principal engagements include performances with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra, UNCSA Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Music Festival Orchestra, as well as the Winston Salem Symphony. He has attended and been admitted to music festivals such as Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Miami Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival, and Aspen Music Festival. He is also a former student of multiple Grammy-nominated bassoonist, Martin Kuuskmann, whom he studied with at the Lamont School of Music. In his free time, Winfred is a voracious reader, poet, and consumer of all musical genres.