Join us Tuesday to hear from Chris Lewis the Executive Director of The Great American Songbook Foundation. Founded in 2007 by five-time Grammy nominee Michael Feinstein and housed at the affiliated Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, the Great American Songbook Foundation offers education and outreach programs and maintains archives, a library and an exhibit gallery dedicated to the timeless jazz standards, Broadway and Hollywood tunes and other classic popular music of the early- to mid-20th century. 

Chris became Executive Director in January 2017 after five years as Director of Programs. He oversees all the organization’s activities, including management of the Songbook Archives & Library, the Songbook Exhibit Gallery, the Songbook Hall of Fame and all educational and outreach programming. 

During his tenure, Chris has spearheaded the national expansion of the Foundation’s most prominent education program, the annual Songbook Academy summer intensive, as well as the development of Perfect Harmony, a research-based program of therapeutic musical activities designed for people living with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Chris also cultivated the Foundation’s relationship with the Los Angeles-based Grammy Museum, which now recognizes the Foundation as one of its five Cultural Affiliates around the world.

An accomplished musician with professional vocal experience, Chris holds a master’s degree in education from Mercy College and has worked as a history teacher and special education liaison for the New York City Department of Education. He earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit executive leadership through the IUPUI School of Philanthropy and is a graduate of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy. Chris is a member of the Indianapolis Consortium of Arts Administrators, the National Association of Music Educators, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Jazz Education Network and the Recording Academy.

All are welcome at Rotary programs. If attending in-person at the Murat Shrine reservations and prepayment are appreciated, but not required. Register on Square at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. Lunch will be available starting at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.  

Unfortunately, Zoom will not be available this week.

Join us Tuesday to hear from Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch. Suzanne is the 52nd Lieutenant Governor of Indiana and has been in the position since January 2017. She previously served as County Auditor, County Commissioner, State Representative, and State Auditor. As Lieutenant Governor, Suzanne serves as the President of the Indiana Senate. She leads and oversees the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, Office of Community and Rural Affairs, and Indiana Destination Development Corporation. In addition, she chairs the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Task Force, the Indiana Roundtable on Mental Health, the Civic Education Task Force, the Next Level Veterans Initiative, and the Women’s Centennial Suffrage Commission. Recently, Suzanne was named a ‘Woman of Influence’ by the Indianapolis Business Journal. In addition, she has been recognized by the National Coalition of Capital as a ‘Champion of Small Businesses.’ Born and raised in southern Indiana, Suzanne was brought up in a hard-working family who placed importance on helping others, integrity, and kindness. After graduating from Mater Dei High School in Evansville, Suzanne graduated from Purdue University. She knew her professional career path would lead to helping others, and making a difference across the state. All are welcome at Rotary programs. If attending in-person at the Murat Shrine reservations and prepayment are appreciated, but not required. Register on Square at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/. Lunch will be available starting at 11:45 a.m. and the program runs 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.   To join our meeting via Zoom starting at 12:15 p.m. go to https://zoom.us/j/710170874?pwd=bFE4ejJTc29IMlNzVmx1Wlg4MTA1UT09. While our Tuesday programs via Zoom are free to attend a suggested donation of $3 – $5 is appreciated in lieu of the typical room fee. These contributions help defray the cost of our hybrid meetings. Please note that donations to the Rotary Club of Indianapolis are not tax deductible. You can support our hybrid meetings at https://rotary-club-of-indianapolis.square.site/.  Meeting ID: 710 170 874 Password: 821795 If joining via a mobile phone for audio only click one of the following numbers:  +13126266799,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (Chicago) +19292056099,,710170874#,,#,821795# US (New York) You can also join us from a landline phone.         +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)         +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)       Meeting ID: 710 170 874 Password: 821795 Save the Date for Our Upcoming Programs March 28: Chris Lewis, Executive Director, The Great American Songbook Foundation April 4: Tony Mason, President & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League