05 Jan Press Release: Spring Outreach
LES DÉLICES’ SPRING EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FOCUS ON BAROQUE MUSIC FROM LATIN AMERICA
Local chamber music powerhouse Les Délices continues to expand its educational and free community programming in 2026, with the goal of extending access to Early Music in its Northeast Ohio community. In February and March 2026, the ensemble will host a number of educational and free community events in Cleveland and Akron in partnership with Bard HSEC, Firestone CLC, and The Music Settlement. These include:
- Feb. 22nd 9 am to 4:30 pm: Bolivian Baroque: An All-Day Baroque Strings Workshop (for intermediate and advanced string players age 10-18; registration required) at Cleveland Music Settlement School
- Feb. 26th at 7:00 pm: La Diosa FREE Preview Event at CentroVilla25 – A special community event including performances by members of Les Délices, a composer conversation with Gilda Lyons, PLUS orchestra students from Bard HSEC will perform music from the Chiquitos Missions in Bolivia.
- March 14th at 1:00 pm: Bolivian Baroque with Firestone Choirs Les Délices and student musicians from Firestone CLC join forces for a fun, free concert at Akron’s House 330 Cabaret!
Les Délices musicians will be coaching and mentoring student ensembles at Bard HSEC and Firestone CLC in the weeks anticipating these public events, deepening our relationship with the students and staff at these vital local schools.
Says LD Executive Director Laura Potter, “Les Délices continues to build momentum with our educational programs, connecting deeply with young musicians and providing exposure to Early Music concepts and topics. We have had great feedback on how meaningful this work is for students and teachers, and we’re honored to present fun, engaging programs that expand perceptions of Early Music in our local community.”
Earlier this season, Les Délices launched an Education Fund to power these and other outreach initiatives. This new Education Fund supports partnerships with public schools in Cleveland and Akron and will fund Les Délices’ future outreach programming. Donations to the Education Fund are now being accepted. To discuss a special gift, please contact Executive Director Laura Potter at laura@lesdelices.org.
Photo from the Fall 2025 Baroque Strings Workshop at The Musical Settlement
About Bolivian Baroque: An All-Day Baroque Strings Workshop
On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Les Délices, will host its third full-day strings workshop in partnership with The Music Settlement. This workshop, led by Les Délices Artistic Director Debra Nagy and teaching artists Liz Loayza Herrera (violin), Shelby Yamin (violin) and Rebecca Landell (cello), will offer intermediate to advanced student musicians (ages 10-18) an opportunity to explore vibrant musical traditions that flourished in Baroque Latin America. The curriculum will focus on how Indigenous, European, and African influences shaped a musical style full of rhythmic vitality, expressive contrast, and improvisatory flair. Students will use Baroque bows and perform alongside Les Délices’ all-star faculty during this unique, fun workshop.
This event is open to violin, viola, cello, and bass players, with a suggested prerequisite of having completed Suzuki Book 3 or an equivalent skill level. The event, held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Music Settlement on Sunday, February 22, will conclude with a public performance and reception for participants and their families. To ensure accessibility, the workshop is offered on a “Pay-what-you-can” model. Space is limited and registration is now open through The Music Settlement.
FREE PREVIEW EVENT: Gilda Lyons and Debra Nagy discuss Soy la Diosa at CentroVilla25
On Thursday, February 26th at 7:00 pm at CentroVilla25, Les Délices founder and Artistic Director Debra Nagy and composer Gilda Lyons will host a public conversation about Gilda’s new work Soy la Diosa, which will be premiered at performances of La Diosa on Feb. 28th and March 1st. Also at this event, student musicians from Bard HSEC will perform music from the Chiquitos Missions in Bolivia. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to explore CentroVilla25’s vibrant food hall.
Lyons’ composition Soy La Diosa celebrates the divine feminine in Central American myth and marks the second installment of Les Délices’ multi-year commissioning and performance initiative The Mythology Project. Performances of La Diosa will take place on Saturday, February 28th at 4:00 pm at the Heights Theater and Sunday, March 1st at 7:30 pm at Inlet Dance at the Pivot Center for Dance, Art, and Expression. Click here to view the press release for La Diosa.
About CentroVilla25
Situated in the heart of the Clark-Fulton neighborhood in Cleveland, CentroVilla25 is envisioned to be a vibrant hub that celebrates the rich Latino heritage while fostering substantial economic growth. This initiative is more than just a development project; it is a beacon of hope, a testament to the resilience and vibrant culture of the Latino community, and a catalyst for change in a neighborhood that holds a special place in the history and fabric of Cleveland.
A Special Concert at House 330 Cabaret
Les Délices returns to Akron’s iconic community events center for a free, one-hour performance with choral students from Firestone CLC. Les Délices’ ensemble of recorder, violins, baroque guitar, and percussion will perform 17th and 18th century instrumental music from Latin America as well as accompany Firestone choirs in works by Sebastian Durón and Manuel Correa that combine Indigenous, European, and African influences.
FREE programs from Les Délices in February and March:
Bolivian Baroque: An All-Day Baroque Strings Workshop
Sunday, February 22 from 9 am to 4:30 pm
The Music Settlement
11125 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland, OH
La Diosa FREE Preview Event
Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 pm
CentroVilla25
3140 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44109
Arrive early to eat dinner in the food hall!
Bolivian Baroque with Firestone Choirs
Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 pm
House 330 Cabaret
532 W. Market St. Akron, Ohio 44303
Les Délices maintains a robust schedule of educational and outreach programming, in addition to its traditional concert offerings. Explore all upcoming Les Délices events at