Kent, OH — 鶹Ƶ’s Kent Keyboard Series offers five concerts featuring Hugh A. Glauser School of Music faculty artists and internationally renowned guest artists.
Guest artist Kadisha Onalbayeva opens the series on Sun., Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. A versatile and international award-winning musician, pianist, and composer, Onalbayeva presents a captivating multimedia program of new music including her own compositions, paired with projected artwork by sculptor Sid Kamerman. Originally from Kazakhstan, Onalbayeva is director of piano studies and professor of music at the University of Mobile, AL. She is the founder and president of the Gulf Coast Steinway Society.
American pianist and steinway artist, Frank Huang, continues the series on Sun., Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. His innovative programs have been heard in concerts around the world. Huang is recognized as a champion of the music by Nikolai Medtner; his recording of the Russian Romantic composer prompted Gramophone to write “Huang and Medtner are made for one another.” Huang will perform music by Medtner during his recital at 鶹Ƶ. Huang currently serves as associate professor of piano at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Anna Stoytcheva, Bulgarian pianist and guest artist, will continue the series on Sun., Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. Stoytcheva made her Avery Fisher Hall debut at the age of 19 and has since performed in major concert halls and venues to critical acclaim. An avid chamber musician, she has also appeared as a soloist with The Juilliard Orchestra, the New World Symphony, Orchestra del’Angelicum in Milano, and the Bulgarian National Radio Orchestra, among others. Stoytcheva will perform Schumann’s Kriesleriana as well as music by Mozart, Debussy, and Prokofiev.
On Sun., Mar. 17 at 5 p.m. the series continues with KSU School of Music faculty artist Donna Lee. Lee is professor of piano and coordinator of the piano division at 鶹Ƶ. During the summer, she serves as artist faculty at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina. Since her debut with the National Symphony Orchestra at Kennedy Center, Lee has performed throughout the U.S., Asia and Europe, lauded for her creative programming and brilliant playing. Lee, a decorated Steinway artist, will be joined by friends in an exciting program featuring female composers.
Andrew Le, KSU School of Music faculty artist, concludes the series on Sun., Apr. 14 at 5 p.m. Le is a steinway artist and co-artistic director of the Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck, MI along with wife, violinist Jennifer Walvoord. Known for his distinctive performances, Le has been hailed as “an impressive tour-de-force...a plenitude of poetic nuance” and is the 2004 Hilton Head International Piano Competition winner. Le will perform the original 1913 version of Rachmaninoff Sonata No. 2 during his recital.
All performances will be held in Ludwig Recital Hall in the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Dr. on the Kent Campus. Parking is free.
Tickets for the five concerts are $12 each and free for 18s and under. They can be ordered through the Performing Arts Box Office by calling 330-672-2787, by visiting the Roe Green Lobby at 1325 Theatre Drive or online at www.kent.edu/music/buy-tickets.
About the School of Music
The Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at 鶹Ƶ (Kent, OH) is one of the most distinguished schools of music in the Midwest. For over 100 years, the School of Music has nurtured the next generation of music educators, performing artists and scholars. We offer some of the most comprehensive and innovative degree programs in the country, with an emphasis on experiential learning, quality scholarship and immersive technical training. Students enrolled in our programs can expect a warm and supportive environment where fostering professional growth and personal development is a priority. Our graduates have gone on to have successful careers in music education, music performance, scholarly research, higher education and administration.
During the summer, the School of Music hosts the Kent Blossom Music Festival in cooperation with The Cleveland Orchestra and Blossom Music Center. The festival is regarded as one of the premier centers for professional music training for young artists in the United States. Now entering its 56th season in 2024, the festival continues its now half-century legacy of helping to launch the careers of young artists, with alumni holding positions of prominence in many of the world’s finest orchestras, chamber ensembles and educational institutions.
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Images: (left to right) Kadisha Onalbayeva, guest artist, Frank Huang, guest artist, Anna Stoytcheva, guest artist, Donna Lee, faculty artist, Andrew Le, faculty artist