Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival is offering the spring 2010 “IM: In Music” Musician in Residence for Orcas Public School during the week of March 22 to 26.

Now in its fourth season of IM: In Music, the Chamber Music Festival will host violinist Monique Mead, returning as the season’s visiting artist.

Mead will work with elementary teacher Pamela Wright’s music students and kids in Lizz Hanks’ high school and middle school music program. Mead serves as the Teaching Artist Guide for Matthew Olson, who began in November as the Festival’s Strings Technique Coach. Olson is present every week in the school’s strings music classes throughout the academic year.

In a special offering during her March residency, Monique is available for a Master Class for community soloists and ensembles on Wednesday, March 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. The Student (school-age) Master Class is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 25. Both will take place at the Orcas Senior Center; advance registration is requested. Students may participate free of charge. Tuition for community musicians is $15 for individuals and $25 for a group helping to defray the cost of venue rental.

“Welcoming a talented musician right into the classroom at their own school is very inspirational for students,” said Victoria Parker, Executive Director of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. “When visiting musicians guide the class, talk about their lives and their work, and answer questions, a lasting impression is made.”