ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation brings nationally recognized artists to our community through partnerships with local arts and social service organizations.
UPCOMING ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Upcoming FREE Public Performances
Lenora Hammonds
Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds (Lenora Zenzalai Helm) is an award-winning jazz vocalist, composer, conductor, educator, author, and TEDx speaker whose career spans over four decades. A two-time Fulbright Music Specialist, U.S. Jazz Ambassador, and Dean of the Professional Education Division at Berklee College of Music, she has released eight acclaimed solo albums (with a ninth, The Sistering, arriving in Spring 2026) and performed alongside legends including Ron Carter, Branford Marsalis, and Stanley Cowell.
Lenora made her Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 2024 and leads the Tribe Jazz Orchestra, a groundbreaking ensemble featuring iconic women in jazz. She spent nearly two decades at North Carolina Central University as a tenured professor, department chair, and director of graduate programs, earning distinctions such as GRAMMY Music Educator quarterfinalist, Jazz Educator of Distinction, and induction into the Berklee College of Music Gospel Hall of Fame.
As a MacDowell Fellow, Chamber Music America/Doris Duke New Jazz Works awardee, and author of the forthcoming textbook Sing Vocal Jazz, Teach Vocal Jazz (Routledge, 2026), Lenora continues to shape the future of jazz education. Her TEDx talk, What Jazz Improvisation Can Teach You About Communication, reflects her passion for creativity, connection, and mentorship. Through performance, education, and innovation, Lenora continues to inspire and empower the next generation of artists worldwide.
January 2026
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Join Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds and local jazz leaders for a powerful conversation on the future of jazz and the voices shaping it.
What does the future of jazz look like—and who is shaping it? Join Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation’s Artist in Residence, Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds and local leaders from J azz Club of Sarasota (Ed Linehand and Danielle La Senna) for an thoughtful and inspiring conversation.
The event will feature a dynamic panel discussion followed by an interactive audience Q&A exploring how jazz is evolving across performance, education, and cultural institutions both locally and globally. Attendees will gain insight into the challenges, opportunities, and innovations defining jazz today and tomorrow, with the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists.
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Enjoy a free evening of live jazz and visual art at Art Center Sarasota, featuring Lenora Helm Hammonds and her trio. This special performance pairs world-class music with a relaxed, hands-on visual art experience led by teaching artist Katherine Sjogren. All art supplies are provided, with wine and beer available for purchase.
During the concert, audience members are invited to create their own visual artwork—an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and respond to the music and stories shared on stage.
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Enjoy a free, family-friendly afternoon of jazz at Selby Library with Lenora Helm Hammonds and her trio. This engaging performance brings the music and movement of American jazz to life with vibrant vocals, dynamic rhythms, and arts-integrated fun for all ages—often described as “the most fun we’ve had at an arts performance!”
Perfect for families, this relaxed and interactive concert invites audiences to experience jazz in an accessible, joyful way while celebrating creativity and connection.
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Enjoy a free, family-friendly jazz performance at The Bay featuring Lenora Zenzalai Helm and her trio. This joyful outdoor concert blends jazz tradition with fresh, expressive interpretations—creating an experience rooted in connection, creativity, and community.
The performance features bassist Mimi Jones, pianist Miki Hayama, and drummer Thomas Taylor, whose dynamic chemistry brings warmth and energy to the stage. The afternoon will also include special guest performers from the Booker High School VPA Jazz Program, highlighting the next generation of jazz artists.
About our Artist in Residence Program
The Foundation’s artist-in-residence program started in 2021 with Kennedy Center Citizen Artist, Olmeca. The program brings distinguished artists to the Gulf Coast Region to engage in artistic exploration of a community need. In 2025, Artists in Residence will explore building community while continuing to explore barriers to arts accessibility.
We’re looking forward to welcoming our next Artists in Residence, who will bring new ideas, energy, and creativity to Sarasota. Through performances, workshops, and community collaborations, these artists will help us explore the power of the arts to inspire, heal, and connect.
PAST ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE
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Paige Hernandez | October 2025
In October 2025, multidisciplinary artist Paige Hernandez brought her signature blend of theater, dance, and hip-hop to Sarasota through an inspiring community residency. She worked with students, families, and local teaching artists to explore creativity, confidence, and cultural expression—culminating in vibrant performances that celebrated movement, storytelling, and connection. With a focus on inclusion and empowerment, Paige’s residency inspired participants of all ages to find their voice through the arts.
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Dr. Kevin Spencer | April 2025
In April 2025, award-winning magician and educator Dr. Kevin Spencer made his Sarasota debut through the Foundation’s Artist in Residence program, bringing his internationally recognized Hocus Focus™ workshops to local schools and organizations. With a background in special education and decades of performance experience, Dr. Spencer uses magic to support learning and healing for individuals with disabilities, trauma, and developmental challenges. His programs have earned global recognition for innovation in health, education, and the arts.
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Adrian Anantawan | January 2025 | March 2024 | January 2023
Violinist and educator Adrian Anantawan has partnered with Sarasota organizations through multiple residencies, using music to explore accessibility, inclusion, and innovation in the arts. A graduate of Curtis, Yale, and Harvard, he has performed on renowned stages like Carnegie Hall and the White House, and leads programs that create meaningful opportunities for young musicians with disabilities. Adrian continues to perform, teach, and advocate globally for equity in the arts.
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Urban Bush Women | May 2024
In May 2024, Urban Bush Women brought their powerful blend of performance, collaboration, and community engagement to Sarasota through an inspiring residency. The ensemble worked alongside local artists and partner organizations to explore themes of connection, equity, and creative expression—culminating in a vibrant, free public event that combined performance and interactive workshops. With a mission to amplify underrepresented voices and transform the dance field, UBW continues to lead through performance, education, and artist development.
