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March
6 (Family Night)
Monday,
7:30 pm
Performance
pictures
Outreach Activity pictures: Liberty/Victory
Charter Schools
Van Buren Elementary
School
$8 - $12 adult; $4 - $8 student;
Special Family ticket is $25
Upper level seats are listed first. Includes all fees.
“His fingers race up and down the two strings at a speed that would startle most violinists, even Itzhak Perlman.” Zhao’s appeal to Western audiences lies not only in his mastery of traditional Chinese music, but in his ability to surprise listeners with his transcriptions of American or classic songs.” “Moon River,” “Danny Boy,” the “Air on the G String” by Bach and “The Tranquil Mountain with Birds Singing” all fit together in a fascinating and educational evening perfect for a family audience. He provided very interesting and imaginative children’s programs in 1998 under sponsorship of Caldwell Fine Arts. Students even responded by writing some Chinese words as he had
demonstrated the calligraphy. Their favorite selection was an original composition called “Ten Thousand Horses Galloping.”
The erhu is a traditional Chinese instrument that emerged more than a thousand years ago during the Tang Dynasty. Its resonating chamber of rosewood or jati (a heavy oriental wood), is covered on one end with python skin. The horsehair bow is placed between the strings. There is no fingerboard. The instrument comes in various sizes that correspond to the European style instruments: violin, viola, cello and double bass.
Zhao was born in Changchun in northeastern China. He was eleven when accepted as a student by the famous erhu virtuoso, Zhao Guo Liang. He completed advanced studies at the Jilin Art Institute and China Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. In 1992, the United States granted him permanent residency based solely on his talent. Two years later, his debut with the Cleveland Orchestra prompted resident conductor Jahja Ling to comment: “Zhao is an extraordinary musician. The beauty of his sound and the technical facility at his disposal are truly impressive. He is an artist of rare sensitivity with the power to
touch the emotions of his audience.”
Accompanist Robyn Wells
Born in Washington, D.C., pianist Robyn Wells considers herself a native of Idaho, where she began her musical studies at age six. Her undergraduate years were spent at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, studying with Dr. Calvin Knapp and Richard Farner; and one year at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, studying with Leander Bien. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Pacific Lutheran, after which she spent two years there as a staff accompanist.
Robyn received her Master of Music degree in piano performance from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she studied with Dr. Viktor Polonsky. While there, she held an assistantship in accompanying, and established and taught an undergraduate course in piano pedagogy. After graduating, she continued her work as an accompanist in the music department.
For the last eighteen years Robyn has been active as a private piano instructor, and currently maintains a studio of 28 students. She is an active member of the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Music Teacher National Association. Robyn is also in her second year as adjunct piano faculty at Albertson College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho.
In addition to accompanying and teaching, Robyn remains busy as a soloist. In the spring of 2005 Robyn performed with the Albertson College String Sinfonia. She has also performed with the Miami University Symphony Orchestra. Robyn has been a featured soloist on community concert series in Idaho, Michigan, Massachusetts, Colorado, and California; has given guest recitals at several universities; and has performed in Canada, Norway, and Italy. She has participated and won prizes in various piano competitions, including being named as a finalist in the 1998 Award-Debut Competition sponsored by the Ladies Music Club of Seattle. In 1998 and 1999, Robyn spent part of her summer in Siena, Italy, as a participant in the Sessione Senese per la Musica e l'Arte.
This year marks the eleventh year Robyn has managed and performed her own series of concert tours, which to date have included over 200 engagements throughout the United States. Robyn has four CD recordings: A Grand Adventure, A Grand Italian Adventure, A Grand French Adventure, and the latest release is A Grand American Adventure.
Outside of music, Robyn is an avid reader, a passionate cook, and an adventurous traveler. She loves to bike, camp, walk, and relax at home with her husband and their three cats.
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