“…one of the many “wow” moments in her performance. I definitely want to hear Njioma Grevious again.” – Louis Harris, Third Coast Review
From March 30 to April 4, 2026, Chicago Philharmonic launched its second annual Artist in Residence Week with violinist Njioma Grevious leading a dynamic series of performances, workshops, and community events. The residency reached over 1,400 students and community members, reflecting the program’s rapid growth since its inaugural year in 2025.
About Chicago Philharmonic’s Artist in Residence Program
The Artist in Residence program, established in 2025 and continuing through 2028, is designed around Njioma’s artistry and her ability to connect with young musicians and audiences across Chicago. It combines performance with deep community engagement, centering a young voice shaping the next era of orchestral music. Increased demand after the inaugural year led to expanding the residency into a full week, presenting the concert in a larger hall, and working with more than 700 students during the 2026 cycle.
“Our Artist in Residence program is the heart of our mission at Chicago Philharmonic, representing our most closely held values: joy, inclusion, and connection. Seeing the awe and excitement of our audiences and students is truly why we do what we do.” – Terell Johnson, Executive Director
A Landmark Premiere & Unforgettable Performance
The centerpiece of this year’s residency was a free public performance on April 1, marking Chicago Philharmonic’s debut at the Studebaker Theater and welcoming a full hall of 600 audience members from across the city. Families, affinity groups, university students, and first‑time concertgoers filled the hall, creating an atmosphere that reflected the Philharmonic’s commitment to access, joy, and community connection.
The program opened with the U.S. Premiere of Elżbieta Sikora’s Liquid Air, a work that brought a bold, imaginative sound world to the stage. Elżbieta Sikora is a Polish composer known internationally for her pioneering work in electroacoustic and contemporary orchestral music, making this premiere a meaningful moment for Chicago audiences. Although Sikora was unable to travel for the performance, she was deeply enthusiastic about the premiere and spoke at length with Artistic Director Scott Speck about the creation of Liquid Air, a conversation we are delighted to share below:
The evening continued with Njioma Grevious’s performance of Saint‑Saëns’ Violin Concerto No. 3, a reading marked by explosive virtuosity and breathtaking lyricism. Paired with Chicago Philharmonic’s world-class orchestra and led by Maestro Scott Speck, the concert became a vivid showcase of the creative voices shaping the future of orchestral music.
“We were all moved by the incredible talent of everyone on stage, especially Njioma’s. To celebrate a woman of color in classical music was beyond special. THANK YOU. And thank you for making it accessible to the public.” – Patron
Show above (clockwise starting top left): Violinist Helen Kim Lee poses with Artist in Residence Njioma Grevious; Chicago Philharmonic’s wind section performs “Liquid Air”, Violinist Caitlin Edwards; Percussionist Andrew Cierny
Community in Action
Throughout the week, Njioma worked with over 700 students ages 7-17, offering masterclasses, school visits, and interactive rehearsals across the city. At FAME Chicago, early music students laughed, danced, and discussed the critical differences between Boq from Wicked and Bach the composer, while pre‑professional musicians at Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative prepared Sibelius and Mozart concerto repertoire under her guidance.
High school orchestra students at Chicago Bulls College Prep participated in a rehearsal and Q&A session, asking about extended techniques and bow placement after attending the student performance the day before.
Njioma poses with students at the Hyde Park Suzuki Institute (above) and Victoria Soto High (below).
The residency’s free student concert on April 1 brought 600 young people in elementary, middle, and high school to the Studebaker Theater, many experiencing an orchestra for the first time.
Participating Schools and Organizations:
School City of East Chicago
Langford Elementary
Kelvyn Park High School
Hendricks Academy
North Lawndale College prep
H.B. Stowe Elementary
Chicago Bulls College Prep
Logan Square Elementary
Jones High School
Victoria Soto High School
Hyde Park Suzuki Institute
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
FAME Center
Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative
Thanks to our Supporters!
The 2026 Artist in Residence program is supported by Paul Kreider, The Alzenia Project, the Polish Cultural Institute New York, the Music Performance Trust Fund, and by Pamela Burns in honor of Mary and Emerson Appleby. We gratefully acknowledge generous in-kind support from The Chicago Club.
Additional Program Supporter Comes From:
Anonymous Donors (3)
Sadegh Aminsharie
Janina Arredondo
Mary Blackburn
Athina Bouroukas
Cristina Briseno
Lea Caen
Annie Chen
Tianjian Cui
Tracey Daniels
Laury De Avila
Rita Dibble
Amina Dickerson
Ariane Dolan
Meghan Dougan
Catriona Duncan
Charles Field
Kasia Firlej
Edward Foreman
Joymarie Funchess
Denise Gamble
James Goodridge
Gwendolyn Graham
Abiah Grant
Steve Grevious
Susan Harris
Imani Harris
Marcus Harvey
Benjamin Heidlage
Mary Hess
Stefanie Isenogle
Gizel Issa
Chunling Jiang
Rahshaun Jones
Elora Karim
Rowan Kramer-Mann
Raymond and Jane Leuthold
Francine Lynch
Zantraquilla Madkins
Indu Manickam
Shayla Mars
Nalani Mcclendon
Yaeesh and Sajdah Muhammad
Sam Ortiz
Meaghan Pabello
Destiny Peery
LaRob K. Rafael
Marquis Rahman
Simone Rempert
Yu Rong
Pamela Sherrod Anderson
in memory of Grandmother Ada
Stacy Sublette
Simone Suri
Gloria Talamantes
My Tang
Cheryl Tomblin
Nicole Valenzuela
Tamara Vasiljevik
Andre Walker
Stephen Walter
Louella Ward
Janis Wegner
Susan Wooten
Sean Wyland
Xinyuan Zhang
Photos by Kyle Dunleavy.