sphinx virtuosi Residency at newport
An inspiring week of mentorship and world‑class performance.
5 Events | About Sphinx | Our Journey | Our Sponsors | Support
Newport Orchestra is honored to welcome the Sphinx Virtuosi to Newport High School for a return visit on March 1-3, 2027. What began with an inspiring residency in 2025 has grown into a meaningful partnership rooted in mentorship, artistic excellence, cultural connection, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for young musicians.
During the three-day residency, students, families, educators, and community members will experience performances, masterclasses, collaborative music-making, festival events, and community discussions. Together, these experiences celebrate the power of music to inspire learning, strengthen relationships, and build bridges across our community.
See highlights from the Sphinx Virtuosi’s visit to Newport High School in 2025 in the video below.
Highlights from Sphinx Virtuosi’s visit in 2025
Experience Sphinx Virtuosi at Newport
The Sphinx Virtuosi residency offers three days of performances, mentorship, educational experiences, and community engagement that inspire artistic excellence, strengthen cultural connections, and broaden access to meaningful musical opportunities.
Newport Masterclass
Personalized Coaching. Lasting Inspiration.
Newport Orchestra students perform chamber music and work directly with members of the Sphinx Virtuosi, gaining firsthand insight into the artistry, discipline, and excellence required to perform at the highest professional level.
Middle School Concert
Inspiring the Next Generation.
Bellevue School District middle school orchestra students experience a dynamic performance by the Sphinx Virtuosi, inspiring young musicians through artistic excellence, personal connection, and the transformative power of music.
Side-by-Side Concert
Performing Together. Growing Together.
Newport Orchestra and the Sphinx Virtuosi share the stage in a collaborative performance that builds cultural connections through music while celebrating artistry, mentorship, and musical excellence.
Eastshore Orchestra Festival
Inspiring Excellence Through Performance.
Members of the Sphinx Virtuosi serve as performers, clinicians, and adjudicators at the Eastshore Orchestra Festival, inspiring students through meaningful musical connections and expert feedback.
Roundtable Discussion
Listening. Learning. Leading.
Newport BOOM students lead Sphinx musicians, educators, and community leaders in meaningful conversations about opportunity, access, and excellence, exploring how music can strengthen communities, remove barriers, and create positive.
Click the header to learn more about each event.
Sphinx Virtuosi Residency at Newport
About the Sphinx Virtuosi
The Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic and inspiring professional, self-conducted chamber orchestra that serves as the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization – the leading non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the arts. Comprised of 18 Black and Latino artists who reflect the highest level of musicianship in America, a critical aim of the Sphinx Virtuosi is to evolve the breadth and impact of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement.
The Sphinx Organization
The Sphinx Organization is dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the arts and has reached more than 100 million people worldwide.Based in Detroit, Sphinx envisions a day where every young person has the opportunity to express themselves and learn classical music, where audiences reflect the people we see on our streets, and where leadership includes all deserving voices.
The Sphinx Virtuosi members serve as cultural ambassadors for audiences and communities around the United States during national tours. During community engagement events, the musicians interact with the audiences of all ages and demographics through a variety of engagement activities. Their work transforms lives by addressing the systemic lack of access within Black and Latino communities. Together, we will empower young artists by encouraging, developing, and recognizing classical music talent while addressing access and systemic obstacles within our community.
How We Met
Newport Orchestra had the opportunity to meet the Sphinx Virtuosi in March of 2024 when they performed in Louisville at the National Orchestra Festival, sponsored by the American String Teachers Association.
Inspiration
The Newport Chamber Orchestra was so moved by the Sphinx Virtuosi’s performance of the double Double Bass concerto Galaxy by Xavier Foley that many of them leaped to their feet and yelled “I love you guys!”
Performing Together
We were honored to perform Habari Gani alongside the Sphinx Virtuosi during the 2025 Residency Feature Concert. This inspiring collaboration showcased the power of music to connect, mentor, and uplift.
A Shared Vision
The Sphinx Virtuosi residency at Newport is the result of a shared commitment to excellence, opportunity, and the transformative power of music. Through collaboration between educators, school leadership, and community partners, students have gained access to inspiring performances, mentorship, and meaningful musical experiences that will have a lasting impact.
Connection
The Sphinx Virtuosi’s encore performance of Habari Gani by Quenton Blache was so inspiring that Newport Chamber Orchestra decided they wanted to work on it with the composer in preparation for the ASTA National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta.
Click the header to learn more about the journey.
How We Met
Featured Performance: Habari Gani
The Sphinx Virtuosi Residency Feature Concert, held on March 5, 2025 at the Newport High School Performing Arts Center, marked the culmination of an unforgettable three-day residency with the Sphinx Virtuosi. Bringing together all Newport Orchestra students, Sphinx musicians, educators, families, and community members, the concert celebrated the relationships, learning, and artistic growth that developed throughout the residency.
One of the evening’s most powerful moments was a performance of Habari Gani by Quenton Blache featuring Newport Orchestra students alongside members of the Sphinx Virtuosi. The collaboration embodied the spirit of the residency, demonstrating how music can inspire excellence, foster cultural connections, strengthen community, and create lasting memories.
Watch the featured performance of Habari Gani performed by Sphinx Virtuosi and Newport Chamber Orchestra in the Video below.
Habari Gani performed by Sphinx Virtuosi and Newport Chamber Orchestra
Our Sponsors
The Sphinx Virtuosi Residency at Newport is made possible through the generosity of community partners, donors, and organizations that believe in the power of music to inspire excellence, build connections, and create opportunities for all students. Their support helps bring world-class artists, educational experiences, and meaningful community engagement to Newport High School and the Bellevue community. Primary Sponsors of the Sphinx Residency at Newport High School are 4Culture, SONO, and the Eastshore Music Region.
Support Sphinx Virtuosi Residency at Newport
Bringing the Sphinx Virtuosi to Newport is an ambitious undertaking that depends on the support of individuals, businesses, and community organizations who share our commitment to artistic excellence, educational opportunity, and cultural connection.
Your contribution helps make possible:
- Student masterclasses and coaching
- Community performances and events
- Festival participation and adjudication
- Student leadership opportunities
- Meaningful conversations about access and opportunity in music
Together, we can ensure that this transformative experience reaches students throughout our community and leaves a lasting impact for years to come.
Interested in supporting the residency? Contact Newport Orchestra to learn more or click the donation button below. Thank you for being part of this inspiring
Help Support the Sphinx Residency at Newport
Your support helps make world-class performances, mentorship, and educational opportunities possible for students throughout our community.