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Hancher, DMMO, UNI Suzuki and More for May IAS

May is flowering with an abundant array of arts events around the state. This month’s Iowa Arts Showcase features:

·         Charles Swanson, Executive Director of Hancher, detailing the launch of their new season and their historic opening gala following the flood of 2008

·         The Des Moines Metro Opera’s General and Artistic Director, Michael Egel, diving into the DMMO’s new summer season operas and the stars that will grace the Blank Performing Arts Center stage in Indianola

·         Jason Weinberger, wcfsymphony Artistic Director and Conductor, revealing the rundown on the symphony’s new 2016-17 season

·         The UNI Suzuki School Director, Suzanne Bullard and Coordinator, Cathy Craig outlining their long history in the Cedar Valley, as the UNI Suzuki School celebrates their 40th Anniversary

·         And Cofounders, Co-Directors, and pianists extraordinaire Sean Botkin and Dmitri Vorobiev presenting exciting details about their upcoming 2016 Midwest International Piano Competition

Hancher Executive Director, Charles Swanson, shares the new Hancher season with us. He also provides the scoop on the opening of their gorgeous new performing arts center. The season includes a solo cello performance by world-renowned Yo-Yo Ma, the comedy duo Steve Martin and Martin Short, and the Broadway hit The Book of Mormon.

The Des Moines Metro Opera’s General and Artistic Director, Michael Egel, delves into the DMMO’s summer festival season operas. Three main stage operas will be performed, including Giuseppe Verdi’s Falstaff, Jules Massenet’s Manon, Christoph Gluck’s Orphée et Eurydice, and Philip Glass’ Galileo Galilei as part of their Second Stage series. Michael talks about the music and their talented pool of singers.

The wcfsymphony Artistic Director and Conductor, Jason Weinberger, dives into the symphony’s new 2016-17 season. The eclectic rundown includes a Broadway review, a Harry Potter concert, and Ellington’s jazzy Nutcracker in collaboration with Iowa’s own artist Gary Kelley.

This year marks The UNI Suzuki School’s 40th Anniversary. Suzanne Bullard, UNI Suzuki School Director and Cathy Craig, School Coordinator outline their long history in the Cedar Valley. The UNI Suzuki Talent Education Program (UNI STEP) was founded in January of 1976 as a pilot program of string education at the University of Northern Iowa. Dr. Suzuki’s program focuses on not only the development of musical ability, but on family involvement and the student’s character as a whole.

And details about the Midwest International Piano Competition, the brainchild of pianists Dmitri Vorobiev and Sean Botkin. This year’s competition will grace the Great Hall stage of UNI’s Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center June 5-11. The competition, which occurs every two years, showcases pianists from around the world competing for cash prizes and a CD recording with the Blue Griffin label.  

 

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