Past Events

The October 4 concert will feature Lang Lang International Music Foundation Young Scholars, Aliya Alsafa and Jeffrey Chin. Thirteen year old Aliya Alsafa began studying piano at the age of four at the Music Institute of Chicago and currently attends the Juilliard pre-college program as a student of Prof. Matti Raekallio. She won First Prize in numerous piano competitions including the Emilio Del Rosario Concerto Competition. Jeffrey Chin is 16 years old and attends the Juilliard School as a Pre-College student of Hung-Kuan Chen and Tema Blackstone. At age 11, he won the Denver Steinway Piano Concerto Competition (Middle School Division) and was invited to perform Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

The Lang Lang Young Scholars Program is a music education initiative designed to identify and support talented young pianists in their professional development and in the delivery of live performances. After reviewing hundreds of applicants, Lang Lang personally selects a limited number of exceptionally talented young pianists from around the world, offering them mentorship, tutelage, and unique opportunities for performance. In order to be considered, scholars must be no more than 16 years of age at the time of their application.

On Friday, June 29, the Series will continue with a concert by Dr. Rhea Olivacce, soprano. Dr. Olivacce grew up on the island of Dominica in the Caribbean listening to reggae and calypso, country and gospel. She began her career in opera while in college. Olivacce is an adjunct professor of voice at Western Michigan University. She received master’s and Ph.D.degrees from the University of Michigan.

Pianist Ikuyo Nakamichi from Japan, a student at South Haven Schools before returning to Japan in her freshman year, will perform on Sunday, August 5 at Listiak Auditorium, South Haven High School and will begin at 4:00 pm. While a student here, Nakamichi studied under Phyllis Rappaport at Western Michigan University before continuing her education in Japan. After taking numerous prizes in Japan and abroad, she began her performing activity in Europe and Japan in 1987. With a broad repertory ranging from Classical to Romantic, Nakamichi has performed as a soloist with Japan’s leading orchestras as well as many European and American orchestras. She is recognized as one of the leading Japanese pianists in terms of both popularity and ability.

The summer portion of the Series will conclude on Friday, August 31, with a concert by Grammy winner Rhonda Larson, flute, with backup musicians from her band, Ventus. Born and raised in the mountains of Montana, Larson entered the national music scene by winning first prize in the National Flute Association’s Young Artist Competition at the age of 22. Composing much of her own music, Larson’s visionary force showcases her gold flute and an array of ethnic flutes in a new and refreshing light. As a sought-after teacher, she conducts master classes at universities, flute organizations, community outreach events, and gives individual instruction.