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From Zoom Calls to Concert Halls: The Inspiring Growth of LOTUS Performing Arts




The LOTUS Project, the original founding ensemble
The LOTUS Project, the original founding ensemble

LOTUS Performing Arts is excited to begin a new chapter with a name that reflects our mission: creating transformative musical experiences that unite professional artistry, community voices, and cultural discovery.


What began in 2020 as a small circle of musicians meeting online during the pandemic has blossomed into a vibrant arts community. Today, LOTUS Performing Arts is enriching lives across New Jersey and New York with concerts, collaborations, and cultural initiatives that put connection at the heart of the music-making process.


Our Origins: Music Born in a Time of Uncertainty


Founded in Trenton during the height of the pandemic, LOTUS was created to meet a deep need for both artistic expression and human connection. At a time when the world felt isolated, our founders saw music as a way to bridge divides and bring people together.


What started with a few conversations on Zoom quickly grew into a movement—artists and audiences eager for cultural enrichment, meaningful dialogue, and the reminder that music could still unite us.


From Virtual Gatherings to Live Stages


When in-person events weren’t possible, we turned to virtual platforms as our stage. Zoom calls became interactive forums where local artists shared their music and stories. These digital gatherings created space for voices often left out of traditional concert settings and laid the foundation for future programs, including the LOTUS Chorale and our Artist-in-Residence series.


As restrictions lifted, we carried this spirit into the concert hall. Since then, LOTUS has presented more than 30 concerts across New Jersey and New York—ranging from intimate chamber recitals to large-scale choral works. Each performance is curated to reflect our mission of combining world-class artistry with the energy and warmth of community voices.

LOTUS Chorale together with Somerset Hills Chorus and The Sebastians (Dido and Aeneas, May 2024)
LOTUS Chorale together with Somerset Hills Chorus and The Sebastians (Dido and Aeneas, May 2024)

Collaborations and Humanitarian Impact


Collaboration is central to who we are. LOTUS has partnered with local and national arts organizations, broadening our reach and impact.


Our concerts often double as platforms for humanitarian causes—raising funds for Ukraine, honoring veterans, and supporting local initiatives. These partnerships have shown us how music can be a powerful force not only for beauty, but for justice and healing.


Looking Ahead: A Festival for Trenton


The next chapter of LOTUS is even more ambitious. We envision building a summer music and arts festival in Trenton—one that celebrates the city’s cultural richness while drawing audiences from across the region.


Launched in 2025, the LOTUS Festival will grow into a vibrant cultural bridge, connecting Philadelphia and New York with classical, contemporary, and world music. Our goal is to make Trenton a destination for artistic discovery, spotlighting both local talent and international voices.

Collaborative performance with LOTUS Chorale, LOTUS Festival Orchestra, Lawrenceville High School, The Cranbury School, and Trenton Children's Chorus, featuring visuals by Artist-in-Residnece, Alia Bensliman
Collaborative performance with LOTUS Chorale, LOTUS Festival Orchestra, Lawrenceville High School, The Cranbury School, and Trenton Children's Chorus, featuring visuals by Artist-in-Residnece, Alia Bensliman

A Commitment to Cultural Diversity


LOTUS Performing Arts is dedicated to amplifying historically excluded voices. Our stages welcome artists from diverse backgrounds, and our repertoire highlights underrepresented composers. Through initiatives like our Artist-in-Residence program, we are building an arts community that truly reflects the mosaic of cultures that surround us.


Join Us on the Journey


From Zoom calls to concert halls, our story is one of resilience, creativity, and community. LOTUS Performing Arts continues to grow—and we invite you to be part of this exciting journey.




 
 
 
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LOTUS Performing Arts

Trenton, NJ 

​​

thelotusprojectnj.org

info@thelotusprojectnj.org

LOTUS Performing Arts is a qualified not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the

Internal Revenue Code.

 

Contributions are tax deductible

to the full extent of the law.

 

Tax ID 87-1048667

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