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Iris Gross Derke

@irisdnyc

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Writer on NYC, running, sobriety & leadership | Subscribe to my Substack newsletter ↓ | Co-Founder DCINY | Back-of-the-pack runner

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My Chorus America board member hat firmly on my head, I spent yesterday on Capitol Hill for Hill Day, advocating for choral music and the nonprofit arts organizations that keep it alive. I was in good company with Anne Erps of Chorus America and Elizabeth McKinney Núñez of Young People's Chorus of NYC. We were quite the posse!

We sat down with staff from the offices of Rep. Congressman Jerry Nadler, Chuck Schumer D-NY and Kirsten Gillibrand, and I brought the stories I know best: the ones that unfold on the stages of New York City with DCINY. Singers travel from all over the country and the world to perform, and they fill our hotels, our restaurants, our Broadway show seats. Those travelers continue to be part of the engine of this city, and the experiences they carry home are priceless.

What I didn't expect was how much hope was in those rooms. And strength. The conversations affirmed that advocacy like this matters for the obvious reasons, and for a quieter one too: it gives me something to bring home to my people. That includes all of you, and this social media megaphone of mine. by @irisdnyc

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2 days ago

As promised, the stories from Jonathan’s celebration of life have found their tone.

I have written it all down for those who could not be with us in Oregon. The white chairs on wet grass. The twenty-four singers who traveled from everywhere. The leis from Hawaii. An 80 year old ballet star in white sneakers dancing to The Godfather. A joke that nearly broke the room, and then opened it. And glass after glass from Jonathan’s own cellar, toasted in his honor.

There was no livestream that day, no recording. This piece is my way of bringing you into those white chairs with us. If you loved Jonathan, or if you have ever lost someone who taught you how to celebrate life, this one is for you.

A Chorus of Crystal Glasses, now on my Substack. Link in bio and first comment. Pour something, take a breath, and join us. @dciny by @irisdnyc

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a month ago

The music continues... join us in celebrating Jonathan Griffith's life the way he loved best: by making music, together, on the world’s greatest stage.

This January, we are honoring DCINY Co-Founder and Artistic Director Dr. Jonathan Griffith by filling Carnegie Hall with the music of Composer-in-Residence Sir Karl Jenkins @karljenkinsofficial, which he so passionately championed and programmed.

We warmly invite choirs and singers to lift their voices and take part in this once-in-a-lifetime tribute. The Armed Man, conducted in Jonathan's honor by @franciscojnunez, is now completely full. Limited remaining spaces for Gloria, conducted in his honor by Dr. Marie Bucoy-Calavan @coachconductor, are filling quickly, so don't wait to apply at DCINY.org/opportunities#jenkins-gloria (link in stories & bio)

DCINY and Jonathan Griffith Singers Alumni, you are personally invited to join us sans-audition, but only while spaces remain, so register now. taken in Carnegie Hall by @irisdnyc

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3 months ago

The Chorus America board takes on the hill for arts advocacy! Chorus America by @irisdnyc

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2 days ago

DC warmup to Chorus America board meetings and hill advocacy. @chorus_america @dciny taken in Washington D. C. by @irisdnyc

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4 days ago

On to DC for Chorus America board meetings and a day of advocacy on the hill. This is going to be something!!! Beautiful Moynihan Train station to start reminding of past journeys and travelers. I loved this space (and coffee). #chorusamerica #dciny #irisdnyc @chorus_america @dciny taken in Moynihan Train Hall at New York Penn Station by @irisdnyc

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4 days ago

by @irisdnyc

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6 days ago

Welcome back to the hood @brasseriebouludnyc! We’ve been waiting for you and the most exquisite croissants and delights anywhere. And ohhhh the art! C’est ci bon! #nyc #irisdnyc #boulud #perfectcroissant taken in Bar Boulud by @irisdnyc

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8 days ago

Weekend long runs, Central Park loop — alongside an NYC triathlon, because there is always something happening in this city. Always my favorite kind of thinking time. I call it Mental Laundry.

I embrace this version of my life, with mornings that are clear and sparkling. Sober minded living delivers welcomed gifts. And somewhere along the miles I keep relearning the same leadership lesson: pace is a strategy. Don't sprint the first mile of anything — a race, a company, a hard conversation.

The longer version is on my Substack — link in bio. 🏃‍♀️

#nycrunning #nyctriathlon #centralpark #runnyc #sobriety #soberlife #leadership #backofthepack #mentallaundry by @irisdnyc

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9 days ago

So this week I went back to the Atacama Desert, 2018, where I learned Pocket Time. Run the flat road. Bank every minute. Trust the reserve when the hard section comes.

It’s also where a giant German shepherd came barreling across the Valley of Death straight at me. Heart rate 205. Trekking poles out. And it turned into the best moment of my whole week.

My training block is my pocket, and it’s full. My job now is to believe it, and to meet whatever comes at me on November 1 braced for wonder instead of disaster.

New on Camera Dark Notes: “Full Pockets.” Substack Link in bio.

Marathoners, what’s the dog barreling at you this week? Tell me below. See you at the back of the pack.

#NYCMarathon #TCSNYCMarathon #NYRR #MarathonTraining #irisdnyc @nyrr @racingtheplanet taken in New York, New York by @irisdnyc

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9 days ago

Pretty sure my Garmin crossed wires with another runner. I’m getting oodles of congratulations on my fastest mile ever this morning: 4 minutes!!!
For those who know me, I relish my back of the pack status. I can sprint, sure. But a 4 minute mile? Hilarious. And not for my 9th @nycmarathon (hello wave 5!).
Whoever you are out there, congratulations. I’ll happily hand back your glory!
#irisdnyc #nyc #running #nyrr taken in Central Park by @irisdnyc

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9 days ago

Rush hour in Central Park. NYC style. #nyc #irisdnyc #centralpark taken in Central Park by @irisdnyc

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9 days ago