Artistic Leadership Fellowship Program

AF’s groundbreaking Artistic Leadership Mentoring Program provides mentoring and growth opportunities for outstanding young professional baroque musicians who have demonstrated leadership potential. Artistic Director Jeannette Sorrell designed the program in 2018, seeking to address the lack of opportunities for aspiring artistic directors to develop their leadership skills under the guidance of an experienced mentor. Each of AF’s Leadership Fellows works with Sorrell to develop programs that he/she will lead and perform in. Fellows participate in Board meetings, attend donor events, and collaborate with AF marketing staff to promote the project(s) they are leading. More information at apollosfire.org.

Current Leadership Fellows

Alan Choo, violin

Alan Choo became a Leadership Fellow in September 2019. He made his solo debut with Apollo’s Fire at the Tanglewood and Ravinia Music Festivals in 2017, performing “La Primavera” in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. He is also Founder and Artistic Director of Singapore’s first professional period ensemble, Red Dot Baroque. Since its formation in 2018, the ensemble has enjoyed multiple sold-out concerts and critical acclaim. As a modern violinist, Alan has appeared as a soloist with the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Chinese Orchestra and many others. He has also given masterclasses and lectures in violin performance at several universities. Alan is in his final year at Case Western Reserve University pursuing a Doctorate in Historical Performance Practice under Julie Andrijeski. Alan's Fellowship responsibilities with AF in 2020-2021 include serving as concertmaster and soloist in the March and April programs and hosting several of AF's Virtual Pre-Concert Talks.

Brian Kay, plucked instruments

Brian Kay, lutenist and oud player, became AF’s first Artistic Leadership Fellow in September 2018. He has been featured on plucked instruments in many of AF’s most popular programs. He holds a Master’s degree in Historical Performance from the Peabody Conservatory. Developing a unique artistic identity as a modern-day troubadour, he often performs his own arrangements of medieval and Renaissance ballads, accompanying himself on the lute, lyre, or baroque guitar. Brian has toured extensively with the ensemble Ayreheart (led by renowned lutenist Ronn McFarlane) and has performed frequently with Hesperus and the Folger Consort. He served as co-director for AF’s Countryside Concerts in June 2017 and June 2018 and co-director of the Baroque Bistro series in 2018 and 2019. He is also featured on AF’s CD recordings Sugarloaf Mountain, Sephardic Journey, and Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain – all on the British label AVIE. Brian's Fellowship responsibilities in 2020-2021 include hosting several of AF's Virtual Pre-Concert Talks and Virtual Lobbies as well as performing on plucked instruments in nearly all of AF's subscription programs.

Four Ways to Support Your Baroque Orchestra

Community support from individuals and foundations is what makes the Passion possible. Help Apollo’s Fire continue making music that stirs our spirits and brings us together in a shared sense of community.

 Give to Apollo’s Fire via cash, check, or credit card.

 Shares of stock Avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of appreciated stock; receive a charitable income tax deduction.

 Distribution from an IRA account Avoid taxes on transfers of up to $100,000 from your IRA while satisfying required minimum distribution.

 Gifts from a Donor Advised Fund Obtain a charitable income tax deduction in the year of your gift and subsequently make annual recommendations on gifts from your Donor-Advised Fund.

Donations can be made online at apollosfire.org/support or by mail: 3091 Mayfield Road, Suite 217, Cleveland Heights 44118.

For additional information, please contact Howard Bender, Executive Director at 216.320.0012 x 2.

“It’s amazing to see AF rising to this challenge and helping your musicians. Thank you!” – Adriane Post, violin