IRIS Musicans at Asbury 2025
At Back, L-R: Yoshi Horiguchi, Amyr Joyner, and Kimia Hesabi
Liz Hill at the piano
After a highly successful residency from February-June 2025, the IRIS Program will return in February 2026
Read about IRIS’ achievements in 2024
Upcoming Activities
See below for details:
- Musical Comedy Workshop: ongoing with a performance in February 2026
- NatPhil Chamber Players Concert, Oct. 17th
- Best Medicine Play Reading Series – Oct 22nd
- Claire Porter Residency, Oct. 31st and Nov. 1st, Dance, Comedy, Acting, Writing
- Discount tickets for National Philharmonic Concerts
The following is the first of a series of Musical Comedy workshops that began on September 8th 2025 and will culminate in a performance in February 2026.
The next in the Play Reading Series will be on Wednesday December 17th at 7 pm in the Hefner Auditorium
ON STAGE at Asbury: Mission
ON STAGE at Asbury is a group of residents from each AMV community whose careers and knowledge in Dance, Music, and Theatre span the Performing Arts. Working with Asbury Methodist Village’s Arts Administrator, we seek to enhance the quality of on-campus performances in the performing arts; develop master classes, workshops, lecture-demonstrations, and a diverse repertory; integrate the talents of Asbury residents with area professionals (as exemplified by the IRIS project), and area student performers; andencourage resident engagement and participation through new and inspiring experiences in Dance, Music, and Theatre.
Music
ON STAGE at Asbury’s first major achievement was to bring the IRIS Music Project on to the Asbury campus from February-June 2024. Read more about the Iris Music Project and the group’s activities at Asbury during 2024. The IRIS Music Project is now back on the AMV campus until the end of June 2025 with an extra musician, pianist Liz Hall.
Contact: Mary Ellen Bliss (Music Subcommittee Chair), (301) 216-4288, blissmeb@comcast.net
Dance
In the Fall of 2024, Susannah Newman, the chair of ON STAGE at Asbury’s dance subcommittee, partnered with the renowned Dance Exchange Company of Takoma Park, MD. Dance Exchange’s vision is to “harness— the power of creativity and inquiry through dance to connect communities, to deepen our understanding of ourselves and to foster a more embodied, resilient and just world.” Of specific interest to ON STAGE is Dance Exchanges’ “Dance On” program which celebrates aging with dance, creativity, and connection. Specifically, Susannah intends to develop dance/movement programs that will enhance the quality of life and wellbeing for seniors of all levels of mobility.
Contact: Susannah Newman (Dance Subcommittee Chair), (301) 987-6576, snewman6576@gmail.com
Theatre
Katherine Jay- Carroll, the chair of ON STAGE at Asbury’s theatre subcommitte, is working to bring more theatrical events to AMV. She works with Best Medicine Rep., a local, professional theatre company that specializes in new comedies. They are dedicated to the artistic, educational, and cultural development of the greater Gaithersburg area and strive to reflect and celebrate the diversity of that community through inclusive programming. Katherine will continue to focus on finding fun and exciting theatre and musicals for AMV residents to enjoy. as well as intergenerational productions.
Contact: Katherine Jay-Carroll (Theatre Subcommittee Chair), (240) 361-3187, kjaycarroll78@gmail.com
These programs are supported through philanthropy. To make a charitable donation to help sustain this program, please click on the “Donate Here” button above.
To make a donation through your IRA Required Minimum Distribution, please contact Susan Avitan at 301-216-4052.