CONNECT SERIES

Shayla D. Lynch, J.D.

executive director
Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning

Ms. Lynch is a proud native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky and is a 1997 graduate of Hopkinsville High School. Ms. Lynch is a 2001 graduate of Centre College in Danville, Kentucky where she earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Government, and she is also a 2004 graduate of the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville where she earned a Juris Doctorate degree.

After law school, Ms. Lynch began her professional career with the Lexington Fair Housing Council, Incorporated. For 15 years, Ms. Lynch fought for housing equality for all Kentuckians. She advocated for victims of housing discrimination, educated the public regarding Fair Housing laws and was a valuable resource for housing best practices in Kentucky. She proudly served on the Neighborhoods in Transition Task Force and currently serves on the Social Services Advisory Commission for the city of Lexington.

Thereafter Ms. Lynch proudly served as the Executive Director of Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center of the Bluegrass, Incorporated. At Ampersand Ms. Lynch led a dynamic team of staff, staff advocates and volunteers as they provided services in seventeen Kentucky counties to survivors of sexual violence and their families. During her tenure Ampersand received an innovative program award, began telehealth services and launched a mobile medical unit to serve survivors residing in rural counties.

Currently Ms. Lynch is serving as the Executive Director of the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. She is excited to continue the dynamic and life-changing legacy of the Carnegie Center—empowering people to explore and express their voices through imaginative learning and the literary arts. Ms. Lynch deems working at the Carnegie Center as a full-circle moment as she first fell in love with arts when she was two years old when she took her first ballet and tap class.

Ms. Lynch has been involved in several professional and community organizations throughout Lexington, Kentucky. She formerly served on the Fayette County Public School’s Equity Council and on the Ethics Commission for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. Ms. Lynch is a member of the Lexington Urban League Young Professionals, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and is 2019 graduate of Leadership Lexington.

Ms. Lynch is especially proud to be a part of the Neighborhood Healers Project, a new initiative in Lexington that amplifies the importance of mental health awareness and treatment for African-Americans in Lexington and surrounding counties. As a result of this work she is a certified Mental Health First Aid Responder. As working with young people is a passion of hers, Ms. Lynch also regularly volunteers with Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass and working with children and youth at her church.

kristen mcclure

founder
hollergirl music festival

Born and raised in Lexington, KY with strong Eastern KY roots. My passion for music started at an early age with my classical piano performance training. I studied music and art history as a result of this passion therefore expanding my thirst for knowledge within the arts. This passion lead me to, of all places, the wine world where I studied the history of wine and wine making as well as food and the art of cooking. With those particular studies I became a sommelier and began teaching wine classes as well as hosting wine events around KY. Within these events, I focus on enjoyment, slowing down and feeling the moment. I believe that all of these beautiful accomplishments lead me to where I am today with my passion for supporting local musicians as well as the development of HollerGirl Music Festival. When you slow down, take in your environment, there is a lot you see, feel, hear and certainly enjoy.

alex chadwell

moderator
lexphil learning & partnership programs manager

Alex Chadwell (he/him) is a musician, composer, teaching artist, facilitator, and administrator originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and currently based in Lexington, Kentucky.

His work as a composer is centered around the notion of “genre-fluid” music. The musical structures, harmonic language, instruments and technology he uses come from a wide array of genres which allows for the creation of hyper personal music. His music integrates non-musical and pre recorded sounds, innovative production methods, and storytelling.

As a teaching artist, he has designed and facilitated residencies and classes with Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Brooklyn Arts Council, the Center for Arts Education, Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra, Highbridge Voices, the New York Philharmonic's Very Young Composers program, the New School’s College of Performing Arts, PrimeLife Arts Learning, and St. Nicks Alliance. In the summer of 2021, he was selected to participate in the Arts Education Partnership's Arts and Literacy Thinkers Meeting Series and currently serves on their Equity Working Group.

In his current position as the Learning and Partnership Programs Manager at the Lexington Philharmonic, he is developing and implementing programming that is centered around the belief that all people should have opportunities to be invited and supported in individually and collaboratively creating art that examines and/or reflects their experiences, values and perspectives. Prior to joining the Lexington Philharmonic, he administratively directed the Arts Management and Entrepreneurship graduate program at The New School's College of Performing Arts.

He is currently a Civic Saturday Fellow at Citizen University.

Chadwell attended West Chester University and Mannes College of Music (The New School).

CONNECT: PROKOFIEV AND ART MUSIC OF WORLD WAR II

Dr. Terry Dean, Associate Professor of Musicology & Gender Studies, Indiana State University
Dr. Ben Arnold, Professor, Lewis Honors Faculty, Coordinator for Musicology & Ethnomusicology, University of Kentucky

In advance of LexPhil's performance of Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5 on May 21st, LexPhil Interim Artistic Advisor Kelly Corcoran was joined in conversation with Dr. Ben Arnold and Dr. Terry Dean to explore how the context of World War II influenced the music of Prokofiev and other composers. Composed in Soviet Russia in the summer of 1944, Prokofiev describes his Fifth Symphony as "praising the free and happy man". The conversation explored Prokofiev's life, this important symphonic work, and the cultural environment in which it was composed.

Dr. Arnold's research interests focus on music written in the context of war and Dr. Dean is a specialist in Russian and Soviet Music. Prokofiev was born in Ukraine and while the conversation did not focus on the current crisis and unfolding tragedy and violence occurring in Ukraine, LexPhil has shared general resources for those interested in learning more about Ukrainian music and culture.

May 4, 2022

CONNECT: JEWISH ART, FAITH & IDENTITY A CONVERSATION INSPIRED BY THE MUSIC OF ERNEST BLOCH

Rabbi David Wirtschafter, Temple Adath Israel - Lexington
Rabbi Shani Abramowitz, Ohavay Zion Synagogue - Lexington
Dr. Lorne Dechtenberg, Temple Adath Israel - Lexington Musician-in-Residence
Dr. Jonathan Glixon, Professor - University of Kentucky School of Music & Jewish Studies Program Advisory Committee Member

Inspired by Ernest Bloch who celebrated the perception of himself as a "Jewish Composer", this conversation will explore the ways in which art interacts with faith and identity. Conversation topics will explore the Jewish community in Lexington as well as broad discussions around Jewish music in the United States, historically and today. This installment of our CONNECT Series was in advance of LexPhil's performance of Bloch's Schelomo: Hebraic Rhapsody, part of his Jewish Cycle, at our February 25, 2022 concert Transfigurations at the Singletary Center for the Arts.

February 9, 2022

CONNECT: INDUSTRY & ATMOSPHERE AS MUSICAL INSPIRATION
Missy Mazzoli, Composer (River Rouge Transfiguration)
Loren Loiacono, Composer (Smothered by Sky)

In the first spring installment of our CONNECT series, guest composers Missy Mazzoli and Loren Loiacono join LexPhil Interim Artistic Advisor Kelly Corcoran in conversation to share their creative process and how outside influences shape their compositions. Missy Mazzoli’s River Rouge Transfiguration opened our return concert Transfigurations on February 25, 2022 at the Singletary Center for the Arts. Loren Loiacono’s Smothered by Sky will accompany other works at our 2021/2022 Season Finale Beyond the Sky on May 21, 2022.

January 12, 2022

CONNECT: THE LIFE & MUSIC OF JULIA PERRY
AND THE HISTORY OF LEXINGTON'S LYRIC THEATRE AND EAST END
Yvonne Giles, Historian
Kendra Preston Leonard, Musicologist
Whit Whitaker, Executive Director, Lyric Theatre
& Cultural Arts Center

This episode of our CONNECT series, The Life and Music of Julia Perry, features guests Yvonne Giles, Whit Whitaker, and Dr. Kendra Preston Leonard in conversation with LexPhil Interim Artistic Advisor, Kelly Corcoran! They explore the history of Lexington’s East End and Lyric Theatre, and share about the life and work of Lexington-born composer Julia Perry, our featured composer for LexPhil’s Sorrow, Strength & Love concert at the Lyric on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 7:30 PM.

CONNECT: THE STORYTELLING POWER OF MUSIC
Kelly Corcoran spoke with guest composers Carlos Rafael Rivera (The Queen’s Gambit) and Michael Abels (Get Out, Delights & Dances) about the storytelling power of music!

Known for both their concert works and their evocative scores for film and tv, composers Carlos Rafael Rivera and Michael Abels will discuss how music enhances story. Topics will range from writing for The Queen’s Gambit and Get Out, the similarities and differences in writing for the screen and the concert hall, compositional process, and a focus on specific works performed by LexPhil this season.

September 21, 2021