Kent State University’s Piano Institute Presents Its Sixth Annual Gala Concert and Series of Performances, July 17-26

The 2011 Piano Institute, in association with the Piano Division of the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University, will present a series of concerts and master classes from July 17-27 at various locations on the campus of the university. The six-year-old program is a highly intensive festival for talented piano students in grades 7 – 12. The July 26 gala concert at Severance Hall’s Reinberger Chamber Hall in Cleveland will feature 11 highly gifted pre-collegiate pianists from around the world.

Instructors of the Piano Institute include Dr. Donna Lee, associate professor and coordinator of the Piano Division at Kent State, and Dr. Jerry Wong, associate professor of piano at Kent State. This year’s guest artists are Joela Jones, principal keyboardist with the Cleveland Orchestra and Spencer Myer, international concert pianist.

Piano Institute participants receive four hours of one-on-one lessons daily; attend master classes; and study sight-reading, technique, practicing and audition/competition preparation. They also will have the unique opportunity to share in the Kent/Blossom Music program, a premiere summer institution for summer collegiate level study of solo, chamber and orchestral literature.

All concerts and master classes are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information, please call 330-672-1061 or visit www.dept.kent.edu/music.

Piano Institute Activities

SUNDAY, JULY 17, 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Alumni Recital and reception
Ludwig Recital Hall, Kent State University

MONDAY, JULY 18, 3:45 p.m.-5 p.m.
Masterclass with Jerry Wong (Kent State faculty)
University Auditorium in Cartwright Hall, Kent State University

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 3:45 p.m.-5 p.m.
Masterclass with Donna Lee (Kent State faculty)
University Auditorium in Cartwright Hall, Kent State University

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 3:45 p.m.-5 p.m.
Masterclass with Spencer Myer (international concert pianist)
University Auditorium in Cartwright Hall, Kent State University

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Masterclass with Joela Jones (Cleveland Orchestra)
University Auditorium in Cartwright Hall, Kent State University

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 7:30 p.m.
Spencer Myer recital
Ludwig Recital Hall, Kent State University

MONDAY, JULY 25, 3:45 p.m.-5 p.m.
Recital dress rehearsal
University Auditorium in Cartwright Hall, Kent State University

TUESDAY, JULY 26, 7 p.m.
Gala Concert
Featuring all Piano Institute participants
Reinberger Chamber Hall at Severance Hall in Cleveland

Ludwig Recital Hall is located at 1325 Theatre Drive in the Music and Speech Center in Kent.
University Auditorium in Cartwright Hall is located on Terrace Drive, off of Main Street, in Kent.
Reinberger Chamber Hall at Severance Hall is located at 11001 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland.

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Photo Caption:
Kent State University Associate Professor of Music Dr. Donna Lee helps a Piano Institute student perfect her techniques. The student was performing Sonata in D major by Franz Joseph Haydn.

Media Contacts:
Monica Brately, mbratel1@kent.edu, 330-672-1061
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595