VISITING ARTIST SERIES Scheduling for Schools

Quad City Arts’ Visiting Artist Series is so excited to present artists from across the U.S. and around the world for in-person engagement activities for your students! Feel free to share this information with your colleagues and administration and help our mission of enriching the quality of life in the Quad Cities region through the arts.

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​Steps for scheduling

• Visiting artist engagements are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Scroll down to see the roster of artists for the 2025-2026 season, their residency dates, a brief description, and link to their website for more information.
• Then scroll further to review and complete the scheduling form. Read the entire scheduling form carefully, and ensure you understand all instructions before submitting.
• You may request visits from multiple artists to your school during the season.
• After the scheduling form is submitted, the “Preferred Scheduling Contact” will be emailed with a confirmation for the school.
• Prior to the scheduled performance, the contact person will receive a final confirmation email with details of the visit and how to prepare for the performance.
• We will send a post-performance survey afterward to gather details like attendance, artist preparation, and quality, plus comments about the artist.
• Invoices will be sent following the engagement. Payment is due 30 days from the receipt of invoice.
• If you have any questions about artist residencies, please contact Ben Gougeon at [email protected].
• If you have questions about invoicing, or payment, contact Operations Director, Ben Morris at [email protected]. We try to make these visits as accessible as we can.

​Information about our performances

• We do charge a subsidized fee of $250 for each performance; we work very hard to keep this cost as low as possible.
• Artists are generally flexible and able to collaborate with you on the best outreach for your students, whether that’s an all-school performance, a workshop, a masterclass, or Q&A.
• Artists can perform in a variety of settings, such as a classroom, a gym, or an auditorium.
• Performances last about 45 minutes to an hour
• Artists will travel to your school and may require equipment (chairs, music stands, microphone and a PA system, etc). We ask that you provide a volunteer to greet them and help them set up.

See below for a list of our artists for Fall 2025-Spring 2026, listed in order of residency dates.
The Scheduling Request Form can be found below the artist listings.

2025/2026 Visiting Artist Series Line-up

To See These Artists Live, view our Events Page

Sons of Mystro

Classical Crossover / Hip-Hop
EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS:
Sept. 22-26, 2025

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.
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sonsofmystro.com

NOBUNTU

Traditional & Contemporary Zimbabwean Rooted Music
EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS:
​Nov. 12-14, 2025

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.
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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.
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Nobuntu

​Barron Ryan

Pianist and Composer / Classical Crossover
EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS:
​Feb. 23-27, 2026

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.
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barronryan.com

Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande

Mexican Folklorico Dance
EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS:
​May 11-15, 2026

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.

Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande

Funding Partners 2025-2026 Season

The 2025-2026 season of Visiting Artist Series is supported by Scott County Regional Authority, National Endowment of the Arts, Rock Island Community Foundation, and Quad City Arts' Annual Fund.

Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series is the winner of the 1999 William Dawson Award for Programmatic Excellence awarded by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. For 50 years, this nationally recognized performing arts residency program has brought distinguished artists and ensembles to Scott, Clinton, and Muscatine counties in Iowa, and Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island county in Illinois.

Visiting Artist Series Archive