Newport String Project

The Newport String Project is a music performance and youth mentoring initiative that aims to build a community that crosses boundaries of generation, heritage, and economic circumstances through access to inspiring musical experiences for all. Inspired and incubated by nationally acclaimed organization Community MusicWorks (Providence), the Newport String Project is led by two graduates of CMW’s Fellowship Program, EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks and Ealaín McMullin. As resident mentor musicians, they are dedicated to exploring the intersection between artistry, education and social change. The project aims to strengthen the social and cultural fabric of the wider Newport community by presenting a professional chamber music concert series, featuring both classical and traditional music styles in keeping with Newport’s folk heritage. Now in its sixth season, the project is focused on growing the organization so that it can support a long-term, professional string quartet residency. In 2017, the project was joined by Ashley Frith (viola) and Jaime Feldman (cello) to form the project’s first quartet-in-residence. In the 2018/2019 season, EmmaLee and Ealain will be joined by violist Gillian Gallagher and cellist Zan Berry and together they will perform as the Newport String Quartet. In partnership with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, the Newport String Project engages students during the high-risk after-school hours. The project currently serves over 30 students ages 5-10, offering free weekly lessons, monthly community events, such as workshops, dances and student performances. The Newport String Project includes music making in both classical and traditional music styles, incorporating some of Newport’s rich Irish heritage and folk roots, and offers an accessible environment for a classical music repertoire.