Essex Winter Series will present a four-day artist residency with members of Trio Animoso, thanks to funding in part by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, through a grant made possible by the generosity of the GSB Grant Making Fund, River View Cemetery Fund, and Ivoryton Congregational Church Community Enrichment Fund.
As part of its arts outreach programming, Essex Winter Series’ artistic director Tara Helen O’Connor is collaborating with schools and community organizations to schedule master classes, workshops and mini-concerts. On the weekdays leading up to the March 22, 2026, Fenton Brown Emerging Artists Concert the members of Trio Animoso – flutist Sophia Jean, violist Julian Seney, and harpist Subin Lee – expect to visit nearly a dozen sites throughout Middlesex County. These include elementary, middle and high schools as well as senior communities and at least one library.
This funding is a boon for Essex Winter Series and other nonprofits. “Our goal for 49 years has been to bring the finest music to our community … not just a small sector, but the greater community,” said the Board of Trustees president Susan Guernsey. “Essex Winter Series has a proud history of presenting world-class artists in the Valley Shore area, but this grant is invaluable to our commitment to bring quality and enriching arts programming to a greater audience, beyond the annual four-concert series.”
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY
The Community Foundation of Middlesex County (CFMC) was established in 1997 with a mission to improve the quality of life for the people of Middlesex County now and in the future by developing endowments, making grants that have impact, and assisting donors in meeting their philanthropic objectives. All 15 towns of Middlesex County – Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Saybrook, Portland, Westbrook – are served by the CFMC. Home to a variety of Funds, established by individuals and organizations working together to make Middlesex County the best place to live, work, and play, the CFMC awards grants to nonprofit organizations making a positive impact in Middlesex County through programs serving animal welfare, arts and culture, health and social services, history, education, the environment, economic security, civic improvements, recreation, and so much more. The Community Foundation of Middlesex County welcomes conversations with Good People Doing Great Things; contact CFMC at 860-347-0025 or visit us online at MiddlesexCountyCF.org.