Patrick McAvinue accepts Artist In Residence

Patrick McAvinueThe Strathmore Arts Center in Bethesda, MD has selected Patrick McAvinue for their Artist in Residence program this year. This multidiscipline facility offers a number of venues that host events both indoors and out, including regular performances from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, The National Philharmonic, and several others.

Patrick’s is a familiar face to bluegrass fans, having worked for several years with Audie Blaylock on fiddle, and more recently with Baltimore’s Charm City Junction. Since graduating from the music program at Towson University a few years back, he has been a fixture in the bluegrass, jazz, Celtic, and classical music scene in the wider DC area.

Strathmore also has an educational mission, working with a number of regional arts groups to further inculcation of the various fine arts in Baltimore and Bethesda. And it is to this end that they run Artists in Residence.

We asked Patrick to explain a bit more about the program.

“I am honored to be a Strathmore Artist in Residence for 2016-17. I applied this past fall upon the recommendation of my friend and Charm City Junction bandmate, Brad Kolodner, who completed the program in 2014. Strathmore AIR offers individualized education tracks to help each artist reach his/her professional goals. Throughout the ten-month program, I will attend professional development seminars and be given performance opportunities at the beautiful Strathmore Arts Center. I am thrilled to gain new knowledge about the growing music industry, and to collaborate with the most talented and driven young musicians of the DC/Baltimore area.

The Strathmore Artists in Residence program was created to support the career of the advancing independent artist. Since its inception, the program has mentored 58 young musicians, ages 16-32. Each year through a competitive selection process, a class of six is chosen who benefit greatly from the support of the participating mentors and musicians. Students experience thirty hours of professional development seminars and extensive performance opportunities throughout the 10 month program.”

Betty Scott, Director of Artist in Residence Program for The Music Center at the Strathmore, is eager to work with McAvinue this year.

“Strathmore’s Institute for Artistic & Professional Development was created in 2005 to support developing artists and musicians on a performing arts career track. We are thrilled to have Patrick and his outstanding musical skills join the 2016-17 class of this prestigious Artist in Residence program and especially look forward to his collaborative talents!”

You can learn more about The Strathmore and their various programs online.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.