HIGH NOTES

Bringing Nashville to Lake Forest for a unique fundraising event this summer also brings hope to children in Haiti, India, and Venezuela.

Lake Forest and Nashville, Tennessee, are separated by 500 miles. For the fourth year in a row, Music City will come calling—and singing, via the appearances of three esteemed singer-songwriters—here in Lake Forest on July 10.

“It’s going to be another special evening of performances in a spectacular setting (the renowned estate of Nancy and Adrian Smith),” promises Lake Forest native and ISTO Advisors cofounder Chris Fisher, whose brother Pete, a former Grand Ole Opry general manager and Academy of Country Music CEO, will serve as the executive producer and MC of the house party featuring Jacob Davis, Lauren Hungate, and Ray Fulcher.

“Artists behind some of the biggest hits by Luke Combs, Jordan Davis, and many more will take turns in a songwriter-in-the-round format, sharing the stories behind the songs before performing them,” Chris continues.

But the priceless entertainment value is only part of the engaging evening. The event doubles as a fundraiser, auction included, for Music Heals International (MHI), founded in 2014 by singer-songwriter Sara Wasserman after she witnessed the impact music education had on helping children heal and discover hope in Haiti, in the wake of that country’s devastating earthquake in 2010.

MHI now also serves children in India and Venezuela through the power of music. MHI emboldened 65 students at two schools at the outset. Those numbers today include more than 1,600 students at more than 10 sites. MHI inspires achievement, resilience, and creativity through music.

“These young kids, who live amidst violence and poverty, can find inspiration and hope as they escape to a world of musical instruments and instruction,” says Chris, adding that ISTO Advisors (a financial planning firm) is the Lake Forest house party’s presenting sponsor for the fourth year in a row. Other sponsors include the Smith Family, Just Rite IT, Epic Burger, Freshie, The Long Drink, and Miller Cooper.

“Our team at ISTO loves to serve and MHI exemplifies an organization dedicated to serving others.” After all, ISTO stands for In Service To Others.

Chris and his wife, Lesley, danced to music long ago—we’re guessing to a genre other than country—at consecutive proms as members of Lake Forest High School’s Class of 1990 and later raised Danny, Jake, and Molly in Lake Forest.

“As the father of three children who have access to so many resources in Lake Forest, I’ve always considered myself fortunate to live in such a supportive and inspiring community,” Chris says. “I’m thrilled we get to be part of something here in Lake Forest that will help make a difference for these children.”

The Smith estate is located at 830 North Green Bay Road, Lake Forest. For more information about MHI, to donate, or to purchase tickets for the Lake Forest house party, visit https://mhinternational.giv.sh/b8c3. The house party runs from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on July 10. ISTO Advisors, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.