In this project I was tasked with editing down the artist bio’s for website publication, revising the final drafts for error, placing the bios on the website, and preparing a document with graphics for press use.
#IMOMSOHARD: The Flashback Tour
From the creators of #IMOMSOHARD, Jen and Kristin are heading out on a fall tour! Guaranteed to make you laugh, and maybe pee your pants, these two dive into all things womanhood, motherhood and friendship. There are new things to talk about and some old things to talk about in new ways, like surviving marriage, fashion and the tween-teen years. These two may be older but they are only getting better. Or bitter. Let’s go with better. “Let’s all get together and find a way to laugh at the stuff that usually makes us cry.” This show is rowdy, raucous and a little bit naughty. Get a group of your girlfriends or fly solo—you can even bring your husband (make sure he sits in the front row)—and get ready to laugh. #IMOMSOHARD LIVE is the night moms need and deserve.
The Romm Trio
International performing artists Ronald, Avis and Aaron Romm come together in The Romm Trio, a unique two-trumpet-and-piano ensemble that enthralls audiences with their versatile, warm and deeply personal concert experiences.
Ronald Romm, a performer who has appeared worldwide on the stages of most major concert venues, music festivals and international music conferences, is widely acknowledged as one of the preeminent trumpeters and clinicians of today. Ronald attended The Juilliard School in New York, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and studied with William Vacchiano, legendary teacher and former principal trumpeter of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1971, Ronald joined the newly formed Canadian Brass, which later established itself as the premiere brass ensemble in the world. In June 2000, he retired from the group after participating in over 4,500 concerts, 60 recordings, numerous television concert specials, videos and hundreds of master classes. He has performed with major orchestras and some of the greatest living conductors in the world. Ronald has recorded CDs and shared the stage in live performances with leading artists including Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, Jon Faddis, Doc Severinsen as well as brass performers from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and Berlin Philharmonic. His most recent recording project is a collaboration with Mike Vax of the Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra, entitled Collaboration. In 2002, Mr. Romm accepted the distinguished position of professor of trumpet at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a position he held until his retirement in 2021. Ronald Romm is a Warburton Signature Artist and a Yamaha Performing Artist.
Avis Romm’s love affair with the piano began as early as age three. This passion led her to studies at The Juilliard School, where she received Bachelor of Music and Master of Science degrees. While in New York, as a member of the Juilliard accompanying staff and as a freelance performing/recording pianist, she gave performances at Alice Tully Hall, Studio 58 and with the Juilliard Ensemble (a contemporary music ensemble founded by Luciano Berio and conducted by Dennis Russell Davies). In addition, she performed as a solo and ensemble pianist for radio, television and on stages throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, Russia and Asia. Avis is highly respected in the field of opera, having coached, directed, conducted and performed in hundreds of opera productions internationally. Much of her work was recorded for broadcast on television and radio, and she performs regularly with internationally renowned soloists. She is a frequent collaborative pianist for the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute in Denver.
Aaron Romm has had the privilege of performing as a soloist and in ensembles of various genres, shapes and sizes throughout the U.S., Mexico, Europe and South Korea. He joined the faculty of the University of Kansas School of Music in 2023, where he currently performs with the Kansas Brass Quintet. Prior to his move, Aaron served as co-principal trumpet of Sarasota Orchestra (FL), was a staff musician at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church along with his wife, violinist SunYoung Shin, and maintained an active freelance performance career. July 2025 will mark his third season performing with the world-renowned Summit Brass as a faculty member of the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute in Denver. Aaron Romm is a Warburton performing artist and clinician.
Charles Goold Ensemble
Charles Goold is one of New York City’s hardest working jazz drummers of his generation. Being the son of jazz tenor saxophonist Ned Goold and a Haitian mother, Goold has used both experiences in his upbringing to form a style of jazz blending modern hard-bop stylings with traditional Haitian and Afro- Caribbean rhythms.
Goold graduated from The Juilliard School and was awarded The Juilliard Career Advancement Fellowship Grant in May 2017. Following his graduation, Goold performed with the best in the jazz industry, such as Javon Jackson, Johnny O’Neal, Steve Nelson and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, including the world premiere of Rock Chalk Suite.
His debut album, Rhythm In Contrast, released in February 2022 on the La Reserve Label, highlights a wide variety of these influences and was critically acclaimed by The New York Times and featured in playlists and radio stations like TSF Jazz, Spotify (All New Jazz, Jazz X-Press, Jazz Today) Amazon Music (front picture of Fresh Jazz), Tidal (Out There) and Apple Music (Jazz Currents).
After winning the 2023 New York State Council of the Arts Grant he embarked on his sophomore album, Triptych Lespri, which further explores the depths of Haitian rhythms and compositions, featuring his touring quartet as well as a collaboration with an ensemble consisting of New York jazz musicians, all with Haitian diasporic roots. It was written up in The UK Times, and his version of “Caravan” garnered over 500k streams worldwide.
TINA–The Tina Turner Musical
An uplifting comeback story like no other, TINA–The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the queen of rock ‘n’ roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, this electrifying sensation will send you soaring to the rafters. One of the world’s bestselling artists of all time, Tina Turner won 12 Grammy Awards, and her live shows were seen by millions—with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history. TINA–The Tina Turner Musical is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall.
“PREPARE TO BE ECSTATICALLY BLOWN AWAY!” – The Daily Beast
“I’VE RARELY HEARD AN AUDIENCE WITH THIS MIGHTY A ROAR!” – The New York Times
“MIND-BLOWING AND LIFE CHANGING!” – ABC News
“ROOF-RAISING! IT HITS THE RAFTERS. THIS IS TINA AS WE KNOW AND ADORE HER.” – Variety
“UNDENIABLE! SOMETHING EVERYBODY EVERYWHERE SHOULD COME SEE.” – New York Magazine
“SHEER OUT-OF-YOUR-SEAT EXCITEMENT!” – Deadline
“A CELEBRATION OF TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY. THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS.” – The Guardian
Imagination Movers
Audiences of all ages will be captivated by the Imagination Movers’ high-energy, interactive musical performance. As seen on Disney+, this Emmy Award-winning group has a fresh take on family fun and is sure to bring smiles to all who attend. Whether singing about ice cream sandwiches, brainstorming or making music using buckets and cans, the group delivers witty lyrics and an eclectic pop sensibility that encourages creativity and movement. So, expect flying toilet paper, vortex rings, confetti/streamers, ginormous balloons and live music. Come and experience the wonderment of live music for families in this interactive show, where everyone can jump up, get down, stand up and turn around.
Ellis Paul
Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitar-carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves and losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream. Much like the artists who have influenced him—from Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to the singer-songwriter who is undoubtedly his greatest inspiration, Woody Guthrie—Paul weaves deeply personal experiences with social issues and renders them as provocative works that are as timely as they are timeless. Born and raised in Maine, Paul attended Boston College on a track scholarship and in the evenings became a fixture on the city’s open-mic circuit. After winning a Boston Acoustic Underground songwriter competition, he caught the ear of folk luminary Bill Morrissey, who produced his indie album Say Something in 1993. This led to a seven-album contract with Rounder Records and the 1994 album Stories.
His songs have appeared in several blockbuster films (Me, Myself, and Irene; Shallow Hal; Hall Pass) and have been covered by award-winning country artists (Sugarland, Kristian Bush, Jack Ingram). Through a steady succession of albums of his own—a remarkable 23 releases so far—and a constant touring presence around the world, Paul’s audience has grown into a loyal legion of fans. Along the way, he has picked up an impressive number of awards, including the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Award, 15 Boston Music Awards, an honorary doctorate from the University of Maine, the 2019 International Acoustic Music Awards Artist of the Year, and most recently his album The Storyteller’s Suitcase was named the 2019 NERFA Album of the Year. His new album, 55, touches on the necessity of gratitude in a difficult era of the pandemic and divided political stances on his own imprint, Rosella Records.
Matthew Morrison: Rhythms & Revelations
Matthew Morrison, known for his standout role as Will Schuester on Glee, is a dynamic performer whose charisma and versatility have captivated audiences for years. With a background in musical theatre, Morrison effortlessly blends his impressive vocal talents with a strong acting presence, bringing depth and charm to his performances. Recognized for his work on-stage and on-screen, he has been nominated for Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Awards.
Morrison describes his brand-new show, Rhythms & Revelations:
“Step into a world where music and dance become more than just entertainment—they become a journey into the heart of what makes us human. Welcome to Rhythms & Revelations—a car wash for your soul. In this show, I’m not just here to perform. I’m here to spark something within you. I want you to leave with a sense of inquiry, curiosity and wonder about your own life. Many concerts entertain, but I invite you to take a closer look inside, to see the beating heart of music and dance, not just as art forms but as reflections of our deepest selves. This show comes from my heart—it’s a piece of my soul laid bare. I’m stepping outside of all the characters I’ve played, shedding every mask and diving deep into my authenticity and vulnerability. In Rhythms & Revelations, I’m fully alive, and I want you to feel that aliveness too. Join me on this journey, and let’s explore the depths within us all.”
Morrison made his debut on Broadway in Footloose, but his big break came when he was cast as heartthrob Link Larkin in the hit Hairspray. Morrison was later nominated for a Tony Award for his role in The Light in the Piazza and received a Drama Desk Nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for 10 Million Miles. He also starred in the Tony-winning revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center Theater in New York and as J.M. Barrie in the musical Finding Neverland, for which he received two Drama Desk nominations and won the category of Favorite Actor in a Musical in the Broadway.com Audience Awards.
In addition to his Broadway tenure, Morrison is probably best known for starring in Fox’s musical comedy series Glee, where he played the director of the glee club, Mr. Schuester. The show was created by Ryan Murphy and received the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series–Comedy or Musical in 2010 and 2011. Morrison was also nominated for Best Actor those years.
Morrison has many other iconic roles on TV/film, but most notably on the hit CBS show The Good Wife, where he played the role of U.S. Attorney Conor Fox through the series finale, and as Paul Stadler throughout season 13 and 14 of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.
Morrison has released four studio albums. His debut, self-titled album through Mercury Records in 2011 featured an A-list lineup of guest artists, including Sting, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sir Elton John. His recent release, Where It All Began, is a Broadway-standards record that was produced by the legendary Phil Ramone.
Ziggy & Miles, guitar duo
Ziggy and Miles, Australian guitarist brothers, are recognized as two of their country’s finest young musicians with a burgeoning international career. Their performances are lauded for “deeply considered musicianship, immaculate care and superlative technique” by the Australian radio station 5MBS. Winners of the 2023 YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, they are the first guitar duo and only the second guitarists to receive this prestigious award in the organization’s 63-year history.
Their album Sidekick was featured as one of WQXR’s Best New Classical Albums of 2023. Praised by Soundboard Magazine for its “perfect unanimity and admirable virtuosity,” it includes new works written for the brothers, their “transfixingly beautiful” (Limelight) arrangement of Debussy’s Clair de Lune, and pieces from Spain, Latin America and Australia that have shaped their musical identity. The title track, composed by Katie Jenkins, highlights the dynamic between the brothers—playful, competitive, yet stronger together.
Ziggy and Miles have earned over 50 awards in guitar competitions, including major prizes from the Guitar Foundation of America and the Adelaide International Guitar Festival. Their 2014 debut album, Recollections, served as a tribute to the music that inspired them and marked a professional milestone.
In the 2024–25 season, they debuted at The Kennedy Center and Merkin Hall, and served as musicians-in-residence at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C. Other highlights included performances at the Alys Stephens Center, Hayden’s Ferry Chamber Music Series, the Allegro Guitar Society of Dallas and the Dame Myra Hess Series in Chicago.
Committed to community engagement, Ziggy and Miles are passionate about bringing music to underserved communities. They have collaborated with organizations like the Melbourne Recital Centre, The Juilliard School and Project: Music Heals Us. Their Music Always tour, in partnership with Melbourne Recital Centre, took them to aged-care facilities, community centers and medical facilities—a deeply rewarding experience.
Graduates of The Juilliard School, they were the first Australians and first guitar duo accepted into the artist-diploma program, where they studied under Grammy-winner Sharon Isbin. They play guitars by Australian luthier Jim Redgate and use Savarez strings.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis:
World Premiere Honoring 15 KU Icons
The world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (JLCO) brought down the house premiering Rock Chalk Suite, a commission honoring 15 KU basketball legends, at the Lied Center in 2018. The resounding feedback made it clear—we must build upon this groundbreaking and remarkable work.
The JLCO members will, once again, compose a new work commissioned by the Lied Center, this time inspired by seminal figures in KU history—from athletes to an astronaut, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and more. Through the generosity of private donors, each movement of the new commission is sponsored, and proceeds from the project will help fund bus transportation for all students in USD 497 to attend free, school-only performances. Join us for a truly memorable moment in the KU community when the world’s greatest jazz orchestra commemorates iconic Jayhawks at the world premiere on November 6.
Jazz at Lincoln Center is led by Chairman Clarence Otis, Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, and Executive Director Greg Scholl. JLCO, comprising 15 of the finest jazz soloists and ensemble players today, has been the Jazz at Lincoln Center resident orchestra since 1988 and spends over a third of the year on tour across the world. Featured in all aspects of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s programming, this remarkably versatile orchestra performs and leads educational events in New York, across the U.S. and around the globe; in concert halls; dance venues; jazz clubs; public parks; and with symphony orchestras; ballet troupes; local students; and an ever-expanding roster of guest artists. Under Music Director Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra performs a vast repertoire, from rare historic compositions to Jazz at Lincoln Center-commissioned works, including compositions and arrangements by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Thelonious Monk, Mary Lou Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Charles Mingus, and current and former Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra members Wynton Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon, Ted Nash, Victor Goines, Sherman Irby, Chris Crenshaw and Carlos Henriquez.
Sharel Cassity & Richard Johnson
Saxophonist, composer and educator Sharel Cassity is a nationally acclaimed saxophonist prominent in the New York and Chicago jazz scenes. Named in Downbeat Magazine as “Rising Star Alto Saxophone” of 2023 with a cover story, Sharel has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, The Colbert Show, and she is in the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award. Sharel has worked with multi-Grammy Award-winning artists Jennifer Hudson, Natalie Merchant, Aretha Franklin, Vanessa Williams and Trisha Yearwood, among others. She has performed alongside NEA Jazz Masters as well as Grammy Award-winning artists Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jimmy Heath and Christian McBride, and has been a featured guest soloist with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. As a bandleader, Sharel’s five albums have received top-rated reviews in publications like The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, JazzTimes, Jazziz, Downbeat, American Indian News and a cover feature in Saxophone Journal. She earned a master’s degree under full scholarship at The Juilliard School in New York and gives back to the next generation by teaching at DePaul University and Elgin Community College. Sharel is a current member of the Dizzy Gillespie Afro Latin Experience, Nicholas Payton’s TSO, and the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, while running her record label “Relsha Music.” Sharel is the director of her non-profit educational program Jazz Up and is a proud Yamaha and Vandoren performing artist.
Richard D. Johnson—born in Pittsburgh, home to jazz greats Art Blakey, Ray Brown, Jeff “Tain” Watts and Ahmad Jamal—has strong territorial jazz roots. He was first introduced to the piano at the age of five by his father, a gospel pianist from Baltimore, MD. Since then, he has cultivated a rich and pedigreed musical background, being schooled by some of the most legendary jazz musicians and studying at the most esteemed institutions of music. After receiving a scholarship and graduating from the Berklee College of Music in just two years, Richard entered the Boston Conservatory where he earned a master’s degree in jazz pedagogy in three semesters. He then went on to receive an artist-performance diploma at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at the New England Conservatory under the direction of the influential Ron Carter.
Richard was invited to become a member of the Wynton Marsalis Septetand the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, which he did from 2000 to 2003. He also played as part of the Russell Malone Quartet, Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet and The Bobby Watson Quartet. After completing his tenure with those groups, Richard started the Reach Afarprogram for young people ages 7–17, educating them about elements of jazz in hip hop.
Richard has traveled extensively, sharing the gift of jazz to audiences around the world. As a representative of the United States through the U.S. State Department, he was named U.S. Musical Ambassador. During that time, he did six state-department tours that took him to Central and South America, Africa and the Middle East, affording him the opportunity to perform in more than 76 countries. Richard has also accompanied such jazz icons as Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Heath, and recently, Stevie Wonder.
As an associate jazz professor at Peabody Conservatory of John Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, he also serves as the piano instructor for the Ravinia Jazz Program and Jazz Up in Chicago. Richard is an accomplished composer and arranger with eight musical releases as a leader. His latest release, No Voy a Parar, is a salsa recording made in Colombia and features J. Cadenas, former member of Grupo Niche. Look out for his Music is Business…What is this podcast as well on YouTube, Spotify and iTunes. Richard is a Yamaha-endorsed piano artist.
KU Symphony Orchestra with special guest Xavier Foley, bass
Xavier Foley is known for communicating his virtuosity and passion for music on the double bass, which is rarely presented as a solo instrument. Xavier is a first-prize winner of the 2016 YCA Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, winner of the 2014 Sphinx Competition and a 2018 recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant. He has performed recitals at Shriver Hall, Rockport Music, La Jolla Chamber Music Society, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, National Gallery of Art and the Harriman-Jewell Series. An avid chamber musician, he has appeared with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival and the Skaneateles Festival.
As a composer, Xavier’s For Justice and Peace was premiered by the Sphinx Organization at Carnegie Hall in October 2019, and co-commissioned by both organizations. It has since been performed by such orchestras as the Atlanta Symphony, New West Symphony, Oregon Symphony and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Xavier’s bass concerto, Soul Bass, was commissioned and premiered by the Atlanta Symphony, with follow-up performances with the Baltimore Symphony under Jonathon Heyward and with the Kansas City Symphony under Michael Stern.
A native of Marietta, GA, Xavier is an alumnus of the Perlman Music Program and earned his Bachelor of Music from the Curtis Institute of Music, working with Edgar Meyer and Hal Robinson. His double bass was crafted by Rumano Solano.
Xavier will perform with the KU Symphony Orchestra (KUSO), the premier orchestral organization at the KU School of Music conducted by Director of Orchestral Activities Creston Herron. KUSO provides performance majors with the highest quality preparation for a professional career in orchestral playing. KUSO offers a comprehensive course of orchestral studies and performs repertoire spanning from the Baroque to the 21st century, including premieres of new works. In addition to large-scale symphonic programming, each season includes performances of major solo works featuring faculty, student and leading international guest artists, including Blake Pouliot, PROJECT Trio, Tiempo Libre, Juan-Miguel Hernandez, Joshua Roman and Simone Porter, to name a few.
PEABO BRYSON: The Golden Touch Tour
Peabo Bryson has established a career as one of the premier male vocalists in contemporary music of the last few decades. Possessing a beautifully rich, almost operatic voice, this two-time Grammy Award-winner has survived and prospered despite the passage of time and changes in popular musical trends. With 20 albums to his credit, Peabo Bryson has enjoyed an unprecedented, across-the-board level of international success, Bryson has the distinction of being the first artist in music history to have separate records topping four different charts.
Bryson began singing at age 14 as a star of the traveling revue Al Freeman & The Upsetters. Two years later in 1968, he left home to tour the now-famous Southern “chitlin’ circuit” with another local band, Moses Dillard & Tex-Town Display, gaining the experience that would help prepare him for a solid career as a recording artist and entertainer.
His first break came during a recording session at Atlanta’s Bullet/Bang Records, where he caught the ear of the label’s then-general manager, Eddie Biscoe. Biscoe signed Bryson to a contract as a writer, producer and arranger and encouraged Bryson to perform his own songs. For several years, Bryson worked with hometown bands and wrote and produced for Bang. In 1976, he released his debut LP, Peabo. The project featured Bryson composing nearly all of the songs (some with the great Thom Bell) and a young Luther Vandross among the background vocalists, and film star Tamara “Cleopatra Jones” Dobson showing him love on the back jacket.
Bryson moved to Capitol Records in 1978, where his album Reaching for the Sky went gold and the title track was a number six R&B hit. With his LP Crosswinds (gold, 1978), he truly penetrated the hearts of soul fans everywhere with the title tracks “Feel the Fire” and “I’m So Into You,” which spent two weeks as the nation’s number two R&B hit. He was paired with Capitol label-mate Natalie Cole for the 1979 project We’re the Best of Friends, and a year later with Roberta Flack for the double-LP Live & More (on Atlantic Records). He delivered four more albums for Capitol before making a second, even bigger album with Flack titled Born to Love, a gold-seller that featured the smash “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” (Top 5 R&B and #16 Pop). That led him to sign a deal with Elektra Records for four albums, the second of which, Take No Prisoners, featured the crossover smash “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again” (Top 10 Pop and Top 10 R&B).
With each move in his career, applause for Bryson became louder. The New York Times music critic Jon Pareles called Bryson the “Pavarotti of soul singers.” His duets with Natalie Cole (“What You Won’t Do for Love”) and Roberta Flack (“Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,” a Top 15 pop smash) had earned Bryson the tag “King of Balladeers.” With “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” which landed in the number 10 spot on the pop charts, he scored another crossover hit and solidified his mainstream audience. Both songs went to number one on the adult contemporary charts. A return to Capitol in 1989 for the album All My Love, earned him his first R&B #1 single with a remake of the late Al Wilson’s “Show & Tell” (a song for which he proudly keeps the torch lit for in all of his shows). He hit the top of the R&B chart a second time with the smash “Can You Stop The Rain,” the title track of his R&B chart-topping first of two albums for Columbia Records. The single won Bryson a 1991 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a male, as did “Lost in the Night” in 1992.
But it was two songs for Disney animated films that earned Bryson his two Grammys. The first was 1991’s “Beauty and the Beast” with international pop-singer Celine Dion, which was a number one pop hit. The very next year, Peabo struck gold again, receiving another Grammy for “A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme)” from Aladdin, which he performed with Regina Belle. Both “Beauty and the Beast” (1991) and “A Whole New World” (1992) won Oscars for Best Song. Since these milestones, he has been even more sought-after as a guest vocalist and duet partner, resulting in his collaborations with Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga on “We Kiss in the Shadows” (#1 on the Classical Crossover chart from a new recording of The King and I score), Melissa Manchester’s “Lovers After All” and Kenny G’s “By The Time This Night is Over” (from the chart-topping contemporary jazz CD Breathless), which enjoyed a three-month run on the Hot 100 in 1993. In June 1993, Bryson sold-out seven consecutive shows at Radio City Music Hall.
Demonstrating his skills as an actor, he appeared in the lead role for the touring production of the Tony Award-winning Raisin (based on Raisin In The Sun) and in the role of the wizard in a touring-company of The Wiz. In 1998, he appeared in the Michigan Opera Theater’s 100th-anniversary production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, and he also recorded two songs for the soundtrack of the Barney movie, one of which, the Bryson-produced “Dream,” became the lead song for the album. For 2007’s Missing You, the 20th album of his career, Bryson continued to do what he does best on 11 tracks that showcase the broad palette of his skills.
Peabo Bryson is, at his intimate best, a legendary vocalist offering a timeless mix of pop and soul as only he can. Bryson has amassed a loyal fan base, critical acclaim and an avalanche of awards by being one of the “truly best friends” a song could ever have.
Jonatha Brooke
Merging evocative folk, melodic pop and an edgier roots rock sensibility, singer/songwriter/guitarist Jonatha Brooke began releasing music in the early 1990s, first as a member of the duo The Story, and more enduringly, as a solo artist. After four major label releases, she started her own independent label, Bad Dog Records in 1999, and has since released 10 more albums—including the companion CD to her critically acclaimed, one-woman Off-Broadway musical, My Mother Has Four Noses.
Jonatha has co-written and/or produced songs with Katy Perry, The Courtyard Hounds and Jessica Simpson. She’s also written for four Disney films, numerous television shows, and she composed and performed the theme song for Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse.
Jonatha teaches online and in-person master classes in songwriting and recording. She is working on three musical projects—Quadroon, with the late, legendary jazz pianist/composer Joe Sample; Switched with playwright Geoffrey Nauffts; and TEMPUS with Jaclyn Backhaus.
Jonatha was the recipient of a McKnight Artist Fellowship Grant in 2018. She won the 2019 International Acoustic Music Award for Best Female Artist for her song “Put the Gun Down” and was the competition’s overall grand-prize winner. In 2020, she was awarded an Independent Music Award (IMA) for her EP Imposter. Throughout the pandemic, Jonatha performed weekly livestreamed concerts from her home on Facebook and YouTube, The Kitchen Covid Concerts, all archived on her YouTube page. Her 14th record, The Sweetwater Sessions, was released in 2020.
A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL
From the songwriting team behind the smash-hit, Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen and the critically acclaimed films La La Land and The Greatest Showman, A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL brings the classic 1983 movie to hilarious life on stage! Set in 1940s Indiana, a young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Nominated for three 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical, the Associated Press calls A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL “a joyous Christmas miracle,” while The New York Times writes “I was dazzled. You’d have to have a Grinch-sized heart not to feel a smile spreading across your face.”
Takács Quartet with Joyce Yang, piano
In its 50th anniversary season, the world-renowned Takács Quartet, comprising Edward Dusinberre, Harumi Rhodes (violins), Richard O’Neill (viola) and András Fejér (cello), maintains a busy international touring schedule. In 2025, the ensemble will perform in South Korea, Japan and Australia. The Australian tour is centered around a new piece by Cathy Milliken for quartet and narrator. As associate artists at London’s Wigmore Hall, the group will present four concerts featuring works by Haydn, Britten, Ngwenyama, Beethoven, Janáček and two performances of Schubert’s Cello Quintet with Adrian Brendel. During the season, the ensemble will play at other prestigious European venues, including Barcelona, Budapest, Milan, Basel, Bath Mozartfest and Bern. The group’s North American engagements include concerts in New York, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., La Jolla, Berkeley, Ann Arbor, Chicago, Tucson, Portland and Princeton, and collaborations with pianists Stephen Hough and Jeremy Denk.
The members of the Takács Quartet are Christoffersen Fellows and artists-in-residence at the University of Colorado, Boulder. During the summer months the Takács join the faculty at the Music Academy of the West, running an intensive quartet seminar. In 2021, the Takács won a Presto Music Recording of the Year Award for their recordings of string quartets by Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn, and a Gramophone Award with pianist Garrick Ohlsson for piano quintets by Amy Beach and Elgar. Other releases for Hyperion feature works by Haydn, Schubert, Janáček, Smetana, Debussy and Britten, as well as piano quintets by César Franck and Shostakovich (with Marc-André Hamelin), and viola quintets by Brahms and Dvorák (with Lawrence Power). For their CDs on the Decca/London label, the quartet has won three Gramophone Awards, a Grammy Award, three Japanese Record Academy Awards, Disc of the Year at the inaugural BBC Music Magazine Awards and Ensemble Album of the Year at the Classical Brits.
Known for their innovative programming, the Takács became the first string quartet to be awarded the Wigmore Hall Medal in 2014. In 2012, Gramophone announced that the Takács was the first string quartet to be inducted into its Hall of Fame. The ensemble also won the 2011 Award for Chamber Music and Song presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society in London.
Blessed with “poetic and sensitive pianism” (Washington Post) and a “wondrous sense of color” (San Francisco Classical Voice), Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang captivates audiences with her virtuosity, lyricism and interpretive sensitivity. She first came to international attention in 2005 when she won the silver medal at the 12th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The youngest contestant at 19 years old, she took home two additional awards: Best Performance of Chamber Music (with the Takàcs Quartet) and Best Performance of a New Work. In 2006, Yang made her celebrated New York Philharmonic debut alongside Lorin Maazel at Avery Fisher Hall, along with the orchestra’s tour of Asia, making a triumphant return to her hometown of Seoul, South Korea. Yang’s subsequent appearances with the New York Philharmonic have included opening night of the 2008 Leonard Bernstein Festival, an appearance made at the request of Maazel in his final season as music director. The New York Times pronounced her performance in Bernstein’s The Age of Anxiety a “knockout.”
Over the last two decades, Yang has blossomed into an “astonishing artist” (Neue Zürcher Zeitung), showcasing her colorful musical personality in solo recitals and collaborations with the world’s top orchestras and chamber musicians through more than 1,000 debuts and re-engagements. She received the 2010 Avery Fisher Career Grant and earned her first Grammy nomination (Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance) for her recording of Franck, Kurtág, Previn & Schumann with violinist Augustin Hadelich (“One can only sit in misty-eyed amazement at their insightful flair and spontaneity.” – The Strad).
Prairie Winds Festival with special guest Jason Treuting, percussion
A founding and current member of the influential quartet, Sō Percussion, composer/percussionist Jason Treuting has appeared in performance throughout the world, from the Barbican to Lincoln Center, to Carnegie Hall, DOM Moscow, Walt Disney Hall and elsewhere. His compositions, widely noted for their compelling rhythmic language and evocative expressivity, have been performed by artists including Shara Nova, the JACK Quartet, TIGUE, Susan Marshall and Company and others.
Additionally, Treuting explores and composes music in collaboration with artists including laptop artist/composer Cenk Ergun; guitarist Grey Mcmurray; and guitarist/composer Steve Mackey (their New Amsterdam album, Orpheus Unsung, has received widespread critical acclaim), among others. Treuting’s original compositions include Amid the Noise, an evolving suite of musical explorations scored for a flexible range of instruments; this work has been performed widely by Sō Percussion, Matmos and other artists, at the Lincoln Center Festival, the Barbican, the Walker Arts Center, National Sawdust and elsewhere. It has been presented by Fast Forward Austin, Kadence Arts Boston, Chatterbird, and others, and was recorded by Sō Percussion for release on Cantaloupe Records.
Jason Treuting is co-director of the Sō Percussion Summer Institute, an annual intensive course on the campus of Princeton University for college-aged percussionists. He is also co-director of a new percussion program at the Bard College Conservatory of Music and is a lecturer of music at Princeton University, where Sō Percussion is ensemble-in-residence.
As part of the KU School of Music’s Prairie Winds Festival, Treuting will perform with multiple ensembles, including the KU Wind Ensemble. Described by The New York Times as “one of America’s most esteemed concert bands,” the KU Wind Ensemble (KUWE) is the premier wind band at the University of Kansas. The group has several highly acclaimed performance credits for commercial CDs on the Klavier, Naxos, Ecstatic, Summit, Cantaloupe and Mark Custom labels. Their Carnegie Hall debut in 2013 was pronounced by Feast of Music as “showing amazing chops in their transitions and an impressive range of dynamics.” Besides Carnegie Hall, KUWE performed for President Obama in 2015, the national convention of the College Band Directors National Association in 2017, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2018, the Milan, Italy Festival of Bands in 2022, the American Bandmasters Association national convention in 2023 and was recently recognized as the 2023 college/university recipient of The American Prize in Band/Wind Ensemble Performance. KUWE performs a diverse repertoire of the highest caliber, from chamber works to large ensemble pieces, and has a strong commitment to new music and to the finest standard band repertoire.
Kings Return
Dynamic and soothing four-piece vocal group Kings Return take pride in crafting a diverse yet supremely cohesive a cappella sound. The blend of their unique vocal timbres is so rich and so smooth that, at times, it sounds more like a full choir than merely four men. Discovered after posting a series of bare-bones stairwell performances that went viral, their music is balm to the soul, laced with expansive harmonies that flex the agility and effortless range of their vocal talent.
Their sound has earned comparisons to iconic acts like Take 6 and Boyz II Men. But what sets Kings Return apart is their seamless integration of a wide range of genres and styles. Drawn to the flexibility of a cappella music, they take full advantage of the genre-mixing aspects of the tradition. Their brand of R&B is entwined with free moments of jazz, soulful bursts of gospel and bright touches of pop—all built on a solid, classical foundation. Theirs is the kind of talent that makes virtuosic performance look (and sound) like sublime, effortless playtime, defying the constraints of any single genre to explore a myriad of sonic shades and textures.
Kings Return was first conceived in 2016, when Gabe Kunda asked some friends to perform with him for a college recital. The a cappella performance captivated the crowd and soon led to local gigs, where the group cut their teeth before finalizing their lineup in 2020. Composed of tenor Vaughn Faison, bass Gabe Kunda, tenor JE McKissic and baritone Jamall Williams, the Dallas-based quartet has since captured the hearts of millions of fans in-person and online. They earned their first taste of fame that summer, when they arranged, performed and posted a video of their soul-stirring, a cappella rendition of “God Bless America,” which went viral. The next year, they posted a more classical a cappella performance of “Ubi Caritas,” which also went viral, amassing over 10 million views. A pivotal moment for the budding act, Kings Return began to shift away from a strictly gospel focus to explore a more diverse musical repertoire. They dropped their debut EP in December 2021, a warm, jazz-leaning holiday album titled Merry Little Christmas, followed by the June 2022 release of their stunning Bee Gees cover “How Deep is Your Love” off the debut LP ROVE, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement Instrumental or A Cappella. Epic, expansive and polished, ROVE was released in September 2022, showcasing a nuanced attention to detail and a remarkable fusion of four distinctive, classically trained voices into one elegant and intricate whole. They released their first full-length holiday LP, aptly titled We 4 Kings, in November 2023.
The group’s name perfectly embodies their intentions as artists: “Kings” because they possess a charismatic power, moving forward with confidence to conquer whatever challenges arise. The “Return” signifies another important part of their mission: to give back to the communities that have supported them along the way.
Kings Return continues to defy expectations, charming audiences with their signature smoothness and sophisticated, down-to-earth charisma.
2025 Gold Medalist, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
Widely considered “one of the most prestigious contests in classical music” (The New York Times, 2022), the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition exists to share excellent classical music with the largest international audience possible and to launch the careers of its winners every four years. Building on a rich tradition that began with its 1962 origins in honor of Van Cliburn and his vision for using music to serve audiences and break down boundaries, the Cliburn seeks, with each edition, to achieve the highest artistic standards, while utilizing contemporary tools to advance its reach. Beyond cash prizes, winning a Cliburn medal means comprehensive career management, artistic support and bolstered publicity efforts for the three years following.
On March 5, 2026, the Lied Center will host a performance by the gold medalist of the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (May 21–June 7, 2025).
Peppa Pig–My First Concert
Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and George are coming to the Lied Center of Kansas for Peppa Pig–My First Concert, a fun, interactive introduction to a live orchestra for ages 18 months and older. Peppa and George learn all about the different sounds that instruments make together and enjoy some of their favorite music from the show, as well as discovering some other exciting orchestral pieces from Mozart to Beethoven. Little piggies can join in with Peppa and her family and make music of their own!
IL DIVO
Since their debut in 2004, IL DIVO has captivated audiences with their fusion of operatic mastery and pop appeal. Created by Simon Cowell, the group has won the hearts of millions worldwide, selling over 30 million albums and earning more than 160 gold and platinum records across 35 countries. Their repertoire takes listeners on a musical journey across cultures, featuring songs in Spanish, Italian, French, English, Portuguese and even Japanese. With their unique blend of classical elegance and contemporary style, IL DIVO continues to enchant music lovers around the globe.
IL DIVO is not only about exceptional vocal talent but also about delivering breathtaking performances that linger in memory for years. They have graced some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Royal Albert Hall and Madison Square Garden, and have performed at global events such as the Summer Olympics and FIFA World Cup. The group has had the honor of singing for some of the most influential figures, including Queen Elizabeth II and U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Their concerts are passionate, emotional spectacles that seamlessly blend classical music with modern influences, creating an unforgettable experience.
The history of IL DIVO is also marked by moments of deep emotion. In 2021, the music world suffered an irreplaceable loss with the passing of Carlos Marín, one of the group’s founding members, due to complications from COVID-19. His unparalleled voice, stage charisma and passion will forever remain part of IL DIVO’s legacy. Despite this heartbreaking loss, the group decided to carry on, honoring his memory. In 2022, talented baritone Steven LaBrie joined IL DIVO, bringing fresh energy while preserving the group’s unique style. The current IL DIVO lineup consists of Urs Bühler (tenor, Switzerland), Sébastien Izambard (tenor, France), David Miller (tenor, U.S.) and Steven LaBrie (baritone, U.S.).
Stephane Wrembel Ensemble
Stephane Wrembel stands as one of the world’s most celebrated guitarists. Originally from Fontainebleau, France, Wrembel is renowned for his masterful blend of jazz, gypsy swing and world music, enchanting audiences across the globe with his unique sound.
Wrembel is also a highly respected composer. His original compositions have graced the acclaimed films Midnight in Paris (“Bistro Fada”), Vicky Cristina Barcelona (“Big Brother”) and Rifkin’s Festival (original score). Midnight in Paris won the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack at the 2012 Academy Awards, and Wrembel was handpicked by renowned composer Hans Zimmer to join his all-star band, performing alongside luminaries like Esperanza Spalding, Pharrell and Shelia E.
With an already impressive discography of 19 albums released under his name and the pseudonym, The Django Experiment, Wrembel recently released a triptych—three CDs, entitled Phase 1, 2 and 3, recorded with his band and Canadian improvisational pianist Jean-Michel Pilc. Released in April 2024, the triptych has received glowing press in Downbeat, Guitar Player Magazine, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, New York Jazz Record and more. Wrembel’s collaborations with other top musicians, such as mandolinist David Grisman and Grammy-nominated guitarist Raul Midon, highlight his remarkable versatility.
Additionally, Wrembel is a dedicated musical director and educator. Since 2003, he has curated the Django a Gogo Music Festival, a celebrated week-long event honoring the Sinti guitar style, held in Maplewood, NJ, and in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and The Town Hall featuring a series of master guitar classes.
Wrembel has shared the stage with legends, including Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, The Roots, Medeski Martin & Wood, Me’shell Ndegeocello, John Scofield, Larry Keel, Stochelo Rosenberg and Sam Bush. His performances on NPR’s prestigious Mountain Stage and the syndicated radio show WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour further showcase his diverse talent. His performances transcend genre boundaries, offering something different to every music enthusiast. As he himself puts it, “I just play my own music. It’s not only for the rock music lover, the Django Reinhardt lover or jazz lover. It’s for the music lover.”
“Perhaps the most creative improviser in Gypsy jazz today, Mr. Wrembel plays the guitar with a rich and colorful lyricism.” – The New York Times
“Stephane Wrembel just might be the greatest acoustic guitarist alive.” – The Aquarian
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company
Over the past 40 years, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company has shaped the evolution of contemporary dance through the creation and performance of over 140 works. Founded as a multicultural dance company in 1982, the company was born of an 11-year artistic collaboration between Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane. Today, the company is recognized as one of the most innovative and powerful forces in the modern dance world. The company has performed its ever-enlarging repertoire worldwide in over 200 cities in 40 countries on every major continent. In 2011, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company merged with Dance Theater Workshop to form New York Live Arts, of which Bill T. Jones is the artistic director and Janet Wong is the associate artistic director.
The repertory of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company is widely varied in its subject matter, visual imagery and stylistic approach to movement, voice and stagecraft, and includes musically driven works as well as works using a variety of texts. Some of its most celebrated creations are evening-length works, including Last Supper at Uncle Tom’s Cabin/The Promised Land (1990, Next Wave Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music); Still/Here (1994, Biennale de la Danse in Lyon, France); We Set Out Early… Visibility Was Poor (1996, Hancher Auditorium, Iowa City, IA); You Walk? (2000, European Capital of Culture 2000, Bologna, Italy); Blind Date (2006, Peak Performances at Montclair State University); Chapel/Chapter (2006, Harlem Stage Gatehouse); Fondly Do We Hope… Fervently Do We Pray (2009, Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL); Another Evening: Venice/Arsenale (2010, La Biennale di Venezia, Venice, Italy); Story/Time (2012, Peak Performances); A Rite (2013, Carolina Performing Arts at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill); and Deep Blue Sea (2021, Park Avenue Armory).
Still/Here
30 years after its premiere, the groundbreaking dance theater work Still/Here by Bill T. Jones returns! The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company remounts this timeless “landmark of 20th-century dance,” underscoring its ongoing resonance with today and its ability to evoke a spirit of survival. Created during one of the most contentious and terrifying periods, the AIDS epidemic, Still/Here broke boundaries between the personal and the political and exemplified a form of dance theatre that is uniquely American. In spite of it being at the center of the culture wars, or because of it, the highly formal multimedia work defined and ultimately transcended its era. In the intervening years, much has changed in the world. Though with another pandemic behind us, wars raging, the planet failing and technology rising, somehow the questions around mortality remain.
The highly formal structures of Still/Here are delivered with simplicity and sophistication, marked by spoken text, video portraits, dance and the abstract nature of gesture. Gretchen Bender’s visual concept and multimedia environment is joined by music from Kenneth Frazelle (sung by Odetta) and Vernon Reid. Long-time collaborators include Liz Prince (costumes) and Robert Wierzel (lighting). At the heart of Still/Here are the “Survival Workshops: Talking and Moving about Life and Death.” These workshops were conducted across the country with people living with life-threatening illness. The participants living on the front lines of the struggle to understand our mortality are in possession of information—info possible of being a gift and a burden. The participants’ generosity of spirit and willingness to express their experience both with words and gestures was both inspiring and difficult. They are the essence of Still/Here; their gestures inform the choreography, their words the lyrics, their images the stage. They will always be still here. This work is dedicated to them.
KU Jazz Ensemble I with special guest Ingrid Jensen, trumpet
Ingrid Jensen has been hailed as one of the most gifted trumpeters of her generation. As a sought-out teacher, collaborator and soloist, it is easy to see why The New York Times calls her “as versatile as she is vigorous.”
After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 1989, Jensen was offered a position at the prestigious Bruckner Conservatory in Linz, Austria. In the 1990s, she recorded three highly acclaimed CDs for the ENJA record label, becoming one of the most in-demand trumpet players on the global-jazz scene. Settling in New York City, she joined the innovative jazz orchestras of Maria Schneider (1994 to 2012) and Darcy James Argue (2002 to present). She has performed with a multigenerational cast of jazz legends, ranging from Clark Terry to Esperanza Spalding. Jensen has also performed alongside British R&B artist Corrine Bailey Rae on Saturday Night Live and recorded with Canadian-pop icon Sarah McLachlan. Jensen is prominently featured on the Grammy Award-winning Mosaic Project, led by drummer Terri-Lyne Carrington.
A dedicated jazz educator, Jensen has resided on the jazz trumpet faculties at the University of Michigan, Peabody Conservatory and Manhattan School of Music. She also served on the jazz faculty, teaching composition and arranging, at Purchase College and the New School for Jazz in NYC. She performed and lectured as a guest artist with the Thelonious Monk Institute High School group featuring Herbie Hancock; and she also performed and taught regularly at the Centrum Jazz Workshop, the Brubeck Institute, the Banff Center for Jazz and Creative Music, the Stanford Jazz Camp, the Geri Allen Jazz Camp for Young Women and the Betty Carter Institute under the direction of Jason Moran. She is currently the dean and director of Jazz Arts at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.
She is an integral member of the highly acclaimed Blue Note recording-band Artemis and continues to write for and perform with her own projects both in New York and beyond. Jensen plays a custom Monette trumpet, built personally by the master builder Dave Monette.
Jensen will perform with the KU Jazz Ensemble I, led by Dan Gailey, director of Jazz Studies. Jazz Ensemble I is the flagship ensemble within the Jazz Studies program at the University of Kansas. The program has received 33 Downbeat Student Music Awards, including Jazz Ensemble I’s 2023, 2021, 2019 and 2015 awards in the Graduate Division for Best College Big Band in the United States or Canada, and their Outstanding Performance Awards in the same division in 2024, 2022 and 2017. In April 2022, the band was one of 10 college jazz ensembles invited by Wynton Marsalis to compete in the Rudin Jazz Championship at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, where they were selected as one of five finalists for the evening concert. The ensemble also performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City with internationally acclaimed vocalist Deborah Brown in 2016 and toured Europe with Brown in 2018, performing 10 shows in 13 days, including appearances at three of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals: the Montreux Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz and the Jazz À Vienne Festival. The band returned to Europe in July 2024, with performances at Umbria Jazz and multiple festival performances throughout Spain. KU Jazz Ensemble I has had the distinction of performing with such noted guest artists as Remy LeBoeuf, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Clark Terry, Camila Meza, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Anat Cohen, Sean Jones, Camille Thurman, Kneebody, Renee Rosnes, Michael Dease, Steve Wilson, Tia Fuller, Dave Douglas, Louie Bellson, Jeff Coffin, Tim Ries, Peter Erskine, Vince Mendoza, Conrad Herwig, Bob Sheppard, Gary Foster, Steve Houghton, Bob Mintzer, Bobby Shew, Carl Fontana, Dick Oatts, Frank Mantooth, Jon Hendricks, Pete Christlieb and many others.
Oliver Moore, piano
Oliver Moore is currently completing his Master of Music degree under the tutelage of pianist Garrick Ohlsson at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has performed Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Totentanz with the North State Symphony and Hollywood Chamber Orchestra, and in 2022, substituted at late notice for the Bear Valley Music Festival performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue under the baton of Alexander Mickelthwate. In fall 2024, he performed the Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1 with the North State Symphony.
In July 2023, Oliver presented a recital of works and transcriptions by Liszt, Busoni, Saint-Saëns and Brahms inspired by composers Bach and Handel for the American Bach Soloists’ San Francisco Bach Festival and was nominated for Favorite New Discovery by the San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards. In 2024, he was a semifinalist in the Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Competition and featured as an Emerging Young Artist on the Noontime Concert Series in San Francisco. Oliver has attended the Piano Texas International Festival and has served on faculty at the Butte MTAC Summer Chamber Music Festival.
Oliver completed his undergraduate studies under Garrick Ohlsson at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has previously studied with John McCarthy and Dr. Robert Bowman. He has played in master classes and lessons for musicians such as Fabio Bidini, Jonathan Biss, James Giles, Stanislav Ioudenitch, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Boris Slutsky, Arie Vardi and Shai Wosner.
Oliver enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring nature, and is passionate about historical recordings. He also has interests in new music, improvisation, and jazz, and was pianist in the Downbeat award-winning KU Jazz Ensemble I. He seeks to explore the many corners of the keyboard repertoire, spanning from William Byrd to William Bolcom. Oliver’s repertoire includes works by composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms and Scriabin, as well as Morton Feldman, Meredith Monk, Scott Joplin, and Thomas Àdes.
Renée Fleming’s Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene
Renée Fleming is one of the most highly acclaimed singers of our time, performing on the stages of the world’s great opera houses and concert halls. A 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree, winner of five Grammy Awards and the U.S. National Medal of Arts, she has sung for momentous occasions from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to the Diamond Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace to the Super Bowl. A groundbreaking distinction came in 2008 when she became the first woman in the 125-year history of the Metropolitan Opera to solo headline an opening night gala. In 2023, the World Health Organization appointed her as a Goodwill Ambassador for Arts and Health, and this year, she became an inaugural member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Arts and Culture Council.
Renée’s latest recital and concert program, Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene, inspired by her 2023 Grammy-winning album, includes an original film created by National Geographic to reflect the musical selections. In 2024 at the Metropolitan Opera, she reprised her role in The Hours, an opera based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and award-winning film. In 2023, she portrayed Pat Nixon in a new production of Nixon in China at the Opéra de Paris.
Renée’s anthology, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, was published in 2024. A prominent advocate for research at the intersection of arts, health and neuroscience, as artistic advisor to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Renée launched the first ongoing collaboration between America’s national cultural center and its largest health research institute, the National Institutes of Health. She created her own program called Music and the Mind, which she has presented in more than 50 cities around the world. She is now an advisor for major initiatives in this field, including the Sound Health Network at the University of California San Francisco and the NeuroArts Blueprint at Johns Hopkins University.
Renée has recorded everything from complete operas and song recitals to indie rock and jazz. In 2023, Decca released a special double-length album of live recordings from Renée’s greatest performances at the Metropolitan Opera. That same year, Renée received the Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo for her album Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene, with Yannick Nézet-Seguin as pianist. Known for bringing new audiences to classical music and opera, Renée has sung not only with Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli, but also with Elton John, Paul Simon, Sting, Josh Groban and Joan Baez. Renée’s voice is featured on the soundtracks of Best Picture Oscar-winners The Shape of Water and The Lord of the Rings.
Co-artistic director of the Aspen Opera Center and VocalARTS at the Aspen Music Festival, Renée is also advisor for special projects at LA Opera. Renée’s other awards include the 2023 Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal, Germany’s Cross of the Order of Merit, Sweden’s Polar Music Prize and honorary doctorates from 10 major universities.
Kinky Boots
Kinky Boots will lift your spirits to high-heeled heights! Celebrated with six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album and London’s Olivier Award for Best Musical, this big-hearted musical hit will have you strutting out of the theater saying “Yeah!”
Kinky Boots captivates and entertains audiences around the world with the dazzling Tony-winning score by pop legend Cyndi Lauper, hilarious and uplifting book by four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, and original direction and Tony-winning choreography by Jerry Mitchell.
Based on true events, Kinky Boots follows the journey of two people with nothing in common—or so they think. Charlie Price reluctantly inherits his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As Charlie and Lola work together to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they realized… and discover that you change the world when you change your mind.
John Gorka
Rising from a milieu of lovelorn singer-songwriters, John Gorka illuminates instead with his trademark wordplay, twisting, turning and tying words and phrases in the way a balloon artist creates complex creatures from simple balloons. Few contemporary songwriters coax language as deftly as Gorka.
For over two decades, Gorka’s keen ear has picked up the stories of those along his path, folding them into poetry and song. His keen perceptiveness inspires people from all over the world to share their stories. By involving those tales in his music, he escapes the trap of introspection that hobbles less-gifted singer-songwriters.
Gorka flies below the pop-culture radar with an almost cult-like following that never fails to fill concerts. Speak with any of his fans, and one instantly feels their enthusiasm and genuine affection. His shy, almost self-effacing stage presence rightfully focuses attention on the songs. His versatility on guitar and piano keeps his sets musically interesting, while his rich baritone effortlessly executes his bidding. And he’s never short of the sly comment or clever joke that invariably ignites his audience.
With his uncanny ability to work every nuance of language, capturing a wide array of topics and experiences woven into memorable melodies, John Gorka’s career continues to prosper and to garner ever-increasing attention.
CHICAGO The Musical
CHICAGO is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz, with one showstopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen.
In the whirlwind of Chicago’s Jazz Age, two of the Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses—vaudeville star Velma Kelly and chorus girl Roxie Hart—become fierce rivals as they compete for headlines amidst a media frenzy.
Broadway’s longest-running musical has been razzle dazzling audiences for over 28 years, and after more than 10,000 performances, 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards and a Grammy, they’re just getting started.
360 ALLSTARS
A non-stop energy packed urban circus complete with dancing, beat boxing, acrobatics, BMX biking and more, 360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture. Boasting a stellar international cast of world-champion and world-record-holding athletes and artists, the show has had sold-out runs on Broadway, the Sydney Opera House and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Seen by over one million people worldwide, 360 ALLSTARS entertains audiences of all ages!