About - GreenRoom Exchange

About GreenRoom Exchange

Since 2017, and becoming a 501c3 nonprofit in 2020. GreenRoom Exchange has presented internationally acclaimed musicians through its annual Global Music Series, celebrating the richness of cultural traditions from around the world.

Our mission is rooted in the belief that we are more alike than different. We pursue this mission through three primary goals:

Music opens the door. Cultural exchange builds understanding.

Education extends the journey.

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HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL RICHNESS

Through the universal language of music and the arts, we introduce audiences to extraordinary international musicians and cultural traditions, celebrating the diversity of our world and our community. We highlight the art or photographs of the country when possible and partner with local cultural organizations, averaging 5-6 shows a year.

CREATE A CULTURE OF EXCHANGE

We create immersive experiences to foster meaningful connections between international artists and our community. The hospitality of meet and greet receptions and after parties that serve the artist’s cultural cuisine create better understanding. Creative collaborations through our record label give international artists, local musicians and recording artists the opportunity to co-create. KORSA by Alioune Guisse from Senegal is released. 3 more are being developed with artists from Cuba, Venezuela and Inda. We develop meaningful relationships that extend beyond the concert.

OFFER CULTURAL AND MUSIC EDUCATION

We provide opportunities for children and adults to learn directly from international musicians through workshops, masterclasses, and interactive educational programs. Our partnerships with schools, universities, and community organizations, like the Carnegie Center, help deepen cultural understanding and appreciation.

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OUR IMPACT

GreenRoom Exchange has presented artists representing 14 countries and cultural traditions, received local arts recognition, and developed international recording collaborations that connect visiting artists with Lexington musicians, the Lexington Recording Company, videographers and photographers and provide educational experiences.

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Music opens doors. Cultural exchange builds relationships.

Education extends the journey.

Our History

GreenRoom Exchange is an extension of founders Lee Carroll and Connie Milligan’s international travels and the friendships they have formed with people from other cultures. Humbled by their experiences, they want to share the joy of their discoveries and realization that across cultures, we are more alike than different.

The name is a reference to a “green room”, the lounge area off stage where performers relax, and the green room in Connie and Lee’s home where they have hosted many spirited music gatherings.

Here are some of the cultures and people they have highlighted through GreenRoom Exchange: To see more pictures and videos of their travels and events go to the EVENTS.

GHANA: Since 2014, GreenRoom Exchange has been hosting Gideon Alorwoyie and Afrikania drumming and dance troupe for concerts and workshops. Gideon invited Connie and Lee to his village in the Volta region of Ghana in 2016, 2018, and 2020, reinforcing GRE’s role in helping preserve their traditions.

CUBA: After a trip to Cuba in 2017, Lee and Connie hosted their Cuban interpreter, Alberto Gonzalez, in Lexington for a lecture and book launch, “Born to Translate Cuba”. It was GreenRoom’s first event. Later we brought Cuban musicians, singer Xiomara Laugart and her son pianist Axel Tosca here for three superb performances from 2018 to 2020, including a spectacular concert “Soul Of Cuba” with a Julliard trained string sextet. Album releases are coming soon.

SENEGAL: Through a chance meeting in Chicago, Connie and Lee became friends with Senegalese singer and songwriter, Alioune Guisse. They hosted him and Kora player Noumoucounda Cissoko in Lexington in 2019. In 2020 they traveled to Alioune’s home in Dakar and began a recording that resulted in the album KORSA; “Affection” from one side of the Atlantic to the other!

ON COMMON GROUND: On September 17, 2019, Lexington Community Radio organized a community conversation on immigration, featuring Pulitzer prize winning author, Jose Antonio Vargas. GreenRoom Exchange hosted local international musicians to play and dance during the event, from Brazil, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico and Portugal, illustrating the diversity of talent in our community.