FJA Impact
The Transformative Impact of Faith, Justice & The Arts (FJA) on Clare Longendyke's Career
“I will never forget that you asked me in my FJA interview whether the project could possibly happen without the support of FJA, and the answer was, simply, 'no.'“
FJA grant recipient, Clare Longendyke's musical journey has always been one of passion, dedication and remarkable talent. However, it was her association with FJA that truly propelled her into new realms of success and recognition. During her grant interview with FJA, Clare was asked a simple yet profound question: Could her ambitious project, “Requiem for the Adrift and Shattered,” come to life without the support of FJA? Her answer was a resounding "no."
Clare's relationship with FJA began during a pivotal moment in her career. The FJA award coincided with and contributed to her ability to finally step away from her “day jobs” to dedicate her career full-time to performance as a concert pianist. Both financially – and with FJA’s vote of confidence – she felt ready to make that leap.
Fast forward to today, Clare's career is soaring to new heights. As she enthusiastically shared:
Next season is going to be huge: I’m making my Carnegie Hall debut in January 2025 and am recording the Marion Bauer piano concerto with the Denver Young Artist Orchestra in the fall! AND I'm booked to perform the Requiem on the East Coast in February! I am so excited to bring that project back and see it grow outside of Indiana!! Thank you for the role you played in bringing that project to life. I will never forget that you asked me in my FJA interview whether the project could possibly happen without the support of FJA, and the answer was, simply, 'no.'
The support from FJA did not stop at “Requiem.” The release of Clare's debut CD garnered incredible attention, opening doors to new and exciting opportunities. The momentum from this release has given her the confidence and platform to set even more ambitious goals. As she prepares for the upcoming season and the end of 2024, Clare is focused on two major objectives:
Releasing her next CD on a critically acclaimed classical music label, a project that is already well into the planning stages.
Securing a performance opportunity with a major US orchestra in the 2025/26 season.
FJA's influence on Clare's career is evident in every milestone she achieves. FJA’s belief in her work and commitment to fostering artistic talent have allowed Clare to look toward the future with optimism and ambition. Clare’s journey from a hopeful artist to a celebrated musician, making her debut at Carnegie Hall and beyond, is a testament to the transformative power of support and belief in one's potential.
As Clare continues to break barriers and reach new audiences, she carries with her the lessons and support from FJA. FJA’s role in her story is a reminder of the impact that organizations dedicated to faith, justice and the arts can have on individual artists and the broader cultural landscape.
Clare Longendyke's story is one of talent met with opportunity, and St. Paul’s eagerly awaits the next chapters of her remarkable career. Click here to follow Clare’s professional journey and click here to learn about other FJA projects.
