Fischoff National Chamber Music Association Names 2024 Ann Divine Educator Award

Lineage Percussion will receive a cash prize and will undertake a residency in Indiana in the fall of 2024

Given to alumni of the Fischoff Competition, the Ann Divine Educator Award recognizes educational outreach work, celebrating an ensemble that delivers innovative and imaginative programming for children. The Fischoff National Chamber Music Association has announced that Lineage Percussion is the 2024.

As part of their prize, Lineage Percussion will receive an endorsement from Fischoff, a cash award, and a week-long residency in St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties in Indiana. The Fall 2024 residency will see the group give workshops and perform interactive concerts in schools, community centers, and libraries.

The group will bring its Stories and Music: S.A.M. I Am program to the residency, and will also work closely with Fischoff’s Chamber Music Academy and Elkhart County’s El Sistema students.

Comprising Trevor Barroero, Lauren Floyd, and Wesley Sumpter, Lineage Percussion was founded in 2014 at the University of Georgia. The group has presented clinics, recitals, and outreach events for elementary schools, high schools, retirement communities, and private organizations in Maryland, Georgia, Arizona, and most recently at the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival in South Africa.

"Lineage Percussion made history in 2016 when they were the first percussion ensemble to win a medal in our Senior Division, bringing home the bronze medal," said Kara Kane, Fischoff's Education Director. "Percussion chamber music has exploded since 2017, as seen with multiple percussion ensemble GRAMMY wins and nominations, so we are thrilled to be able to highlight incredible chamber music repertoire for this instrumentation."

"Lineage Percussion’s creative, interactive approach to music making will empower and inspire students to find their own inner musician," she continued. "We can’t wait to see what creative twists Lineage Percussion introduces to our Stories & Music program and how they will reach even broader music-making communities in our area."

"Fischoff’s commitment to education and community engagement is quite extraordinary," said Wesley Sumpter on behalf of Lineage Percussion. "It truly aligns with our vision and core values as a group in continuing to increase and expand accessibility to music for young audiences around the world…we can’t wait to share our love for music and percussion with many students."