VISITING ARTIST SERIES
Public PErformances
2025-2026 SEASON
Enjoy performances with world-class performing artists
VISITING ARTIST SERIES
Don’t miss your chance to see WORLD-CLASS performing artists from our Visiting Artist Series and support arts education in our community
VISITING ARTIST SERIES PUBLIC PERFORMANCES: Dynamic PerformanceS Showcasing International Talent
Throughout each Visiting Artist season, Quad City Arts collaborates with community partners to feature a diverse range of world-class artists. This carefully curated lineup showcases talent from across the globe, representing a wide array of music, dance, and cultural expressions. Your attendance also supports arts education in local schools, benefiting the Visiting Artist Series.
The Visiting Artist Series is a nationally recognized residency program that brings world-class artists from different artistic and cultural backgrounds directly into schools to do outreach performances that might otherwise be out of reach. Thousands of students each year are provided the opportunity to experience a Visiting Artist in their school.
Your attendance supports the Visiting Artist Series, a program that has brought GRAMMY Award winning artists to the Quad Cities since 1974! You can view all previous artists on our Archives page.
To be recognized as a sponsor of the concert series in our programs, website and communications, please contact Kristall Laursen at [email protected] or 309-793-1213 x104.
The Visiting Artist Series is a nationally recognized residency program that brings world-class artists from different artistic and cultural backgrounds directly into schools to do outreach performances that might otherwise be out of reach. Thousands of students each year are provided the opportunity to experience a Visiting Artist in their school.
Your attendance supports the Visiting Artist Series, a program that has brought GRAMMY Award winning artists to the Quad Cities since 1974! You can view all previous artists on our Archives page.
To be recognized as a sponsor of the concert series in our programs, website and communications, please contact Kristall Laursen at [email protected] or 309-793-1213 x104.
Sons of MystroFriday, Sept. 26, 2025 at 7:00pm
Galvin Fine Arts Center 2101 Gaines St, Davenport, IA 52803 
Born and raised in South Florida to a Jamaican father and Barbadian mother, brothers Malcolm and Umoja honed their violin skills through South Florida’s public school system before attending Dillard High School for the Performing Arts. Now performing as Sons of Mystro, they blend reggae classics, American pop hits, and original compositions with their signature violin sound, backed by a DJ and drummer. Mentored by the acclaimed duo Black Violin, they push the boundaries of violin performance and redefine the reggae experience.
Winners of the Emerging Artist Award at the International Reggae and World Music Awards, Sons of Mystro have earned acclaim for their ability to interpret songs instrumentally while preserving each track’s emotional integrity. They use their violins to mimic the human voice, creating connections that transcend cultures and languages. Their workshops guide students through the process of crafting original arrangements, balancing creativity with respect for the original composition. |
NOBUNTUFree Performances
Thursday, Nov. 13, at 2:00pm | Geneseo Public Library Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6:30pm | Butterworth Center 
Nobuntu, the female a cappella ensemble from Zimbabwe, captivates audiences with performances that span traditional songs, Afro Jazz, and Gospel. Their shows feature pure harmonies, minimal percussion, traditional instruments such as the mbira (thumb piano), and authentic dance movements. The group’s name reflects an African concept of humility, love, unity, and family from a woman’s perspective, and their mission is rooted in the belief that music can transcend racial, tribal, religious, gender, and economic barriers.
Nominated for Best Musician of the Year at the Zimbabwe International Women Awards, and twice named Best Imbube Group at the Bulawayo Arts Awards, Nobuntu has toured extensively across Africa, Europe, and North America. In addition to their three acclaimed albums, they are dedicated to community work, including The Nobuntu Pad Bank, which provides sanitary products to young women in the arts. Their performances are a vibrant celebration of heritage and a testament to the power of music as a force for change. |
Barron RyanPublic Performances
Coming Soon 
Raised in a musical household in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Barron Ryan grew up surrounded by a soundtrack that ranged from Chopin to Michael Jackson. Combining the classical training he received from an early age with his love for jazz, pop, and funk, Barron has developed a style that is both timeless and modern. His performances fuse technical mastery with engaging storytelling, leaving audiences inspired and entertained.
Barron’s career spans international tours, award-winning recordings, and acclaimed original compositions. His works include Classical with Attitude, The Masters’ Apprentice, and First of Its Kind, along with the historically inspired suite There Arises Light in the Darkness. Named one of Smithsonian Magazine’s “Ten Innovators to Watch,” Barron also publishes his music in the public domain, encouraging global collaboration. In student programs, he combines jaw-dropping piano skill with humor, pop tunes, and motivational messages, inspiring audiences to pursue excellence in their own lives. |
Ballet Folklorico del Rio GrandePublic Performances
Coming Soon 
Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande, directed by Miguel Peña, is composed of alumni from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, home to the only folklórico dance major in the United States. With a repertoire that highlights the rich regional traditions of Mexico, Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande has performed at prestigious venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and toured internationally to Canada, France, Italy, Argentina, and Mexico. They have also appeared alongside celebrated artists like Los Tigres del Norte and Aida Cuevas.
Known for their dazzling costumes, precise footwork, and dynamic staging, Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande offers students an immersive introduction to folklórico dance. In educational settings, they teach basic steps, showcase traditional attire, and perform professional-level choreography. By sharing the cultural stories behind each dance, they foster appreciation for Mexico’s diverse heritage and the artistry that keeps these traditions alive. |
