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Chamber Music with a Twist

Anna Steenson

The Zenith Chamber Music Festival showcases professional musicians across the globe in addition to local artists. This year’s artists include Anna Reider and Helen Hwaya Kim on violin, Sheldon Person on viola, Ashley Sidon and Paula Kosower on cello, and Kelly Kuo on piano, along with the Damani Phillips Jazz Quartet. These national and international artists pair with local musicians to celebrate the arts and bring classical music to the Des Moines area.

"The people I bring in are not only amazing players, they are really interesting and warm people. And, they love to talk to audience members. That's part of my goal, to break down the barriers between the artists and the audience." - Dr. Ashley Sidon

A t-shirt release party kicks off the festival at noon on Saturday, August 11th , followed by a week of concerts. The festival heads to The Temple for Performing Arts Theater, Jasper Winery, Johnston Public Library, Plymouth Church, and Sheslow Auditorium. These world-renowned and local musicians will be performing chamber works by Chopin, Schubert, Dvorak, Piazzolla, Stravinsky, Ravel, Higdon, and many more!

The festival is directed by Dr. Ashley Sidon, who is also the Brigg’s Endowed Professor of Cello at Drake University. Ashley shares details about how The Zenith Chamber Music Festival uniquely “includes both highly regarded professional musicians, and selected local aspiring professionals, and also provides opportunities for mentoring young artists.” The festival is free and open to all ages.

Credit Anna Steenson
Dr. Ashley Sidon

For more information, visit http://zenith.wp.drake.edu/

Jacqueline Halbloom is a Sr. Music Producer and Classical Music Host