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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday Musical Presents
Living Concert Notes on February 4
Moderated by Composer Tiffany M. Skidmore
MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL – On February 4, 2016, the Thursday Morning Artist Series will feature Living Concert Notes with guest moderator, composer Tiffany M. Skidmore, who will interview musicians about the repertoire that they will be performing. On the program is Nicola Melville, piano, the Semada Trio (Dana Donnay, oboe, Matthew Bertrand, bassoon, and Seth Engelby, piano), and Jennifer Kennard, flute.
Tiffany M. Skidmore holds degrees in vocal performance and music composition from Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, and the University of Minnesota. She has studied with acclaimed Scottish composer, James Dillon, and her work has been featured in master classes with Brian Ferneyhough, Chaya Czernowin, and Julio Estrada. She has been a featured composer in the Hildegard von Bingen Festival of Women in the Arts and the Rimon Artist Salon, and her work has been performed throughout Europe and the United States by the CSU Stanislaus Concert Chorale, the EWU Concert Chorale, Opus7 Vocal Ensemble, the Kiev Philharmonic, Duo Gelland, Peter Wright (principal clarinetist for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra), the Hark Quartet, Ensemble Dal Niente, Jeffery Kyle Hutchins, and Nanyi Neil Qiang among many others. She has received commissions from organizations including the University of Minnesota, Rimon: the Minnesota Jewish Arts Council, and the Jerome Fund for New Music. She is a member of the American Composers Forum and a founding member of the Minneapolis composer collective, 113.
US-based New Zealand pianist Nicola Melville has been described as “having an original and intelligent musical mind” (Waikato Times), “a marvelous pianist who plays with splashy color but also exquisite tone and nuance” (American RecordGuide), and “the sort of advocate any composer would love” (Dominion Post). She is a champion of the music of living composers, and has been involved in numerous interdisciplinary projects with dancers, filmmakers and visual artists, including performances at the Kennedy Center and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Nicola attended Victoria University School of Music, New Zealand, and earned post-graduate degrees from the Eastman School of Music, NY. Nicola was a winner of both the New Zealand National Concerto Competition and the Auckland Star Concerto; while at Eastman, she was awarded the Lizzie T. Mason prize for Outstanding Graduate Pianist, and the prestigious Performer’s Certificate. Nicola has recorded for the Innova and Equilibrium labels, and has commissioned and premiered works by dozens of composers, including Augusta Read Thomas, Gareth Farr, John Psathas, and Stephen Paulus. She is a founding member of the cross-cultural ensemble, Intersection, and is the pianist for the Minnesota-based new music ensemble, Zeitgeist. Nicola is Associate Professor at Carleton College, Minnesota and is Artistic Co-Director of the Chautauqua Music Festival Piano Program in New York.
Dana Donnay, oboe, studied music performance at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA, and at the University of Minnesota. She also studied instrument repair at Red Wing Technical College, MN. Dana teaches at Mt. Calvary Academy of Music, Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church School of Music, MacPhail Center for Music, and her home studio. As a freelance musician, Dana has performed on multiple instruments with the Bloomington Civic Theater and the world folk music ensemble, Eclectic Blend.
Matt Bertrand, bassoon, has been a member of the bassoon section with the South Dakota Symphony since 2003. Prior to this, he was a member of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony for six seasons. Matt has also been a substitute bassoonist with the Minnesota Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Bach Society of Minnesota as well as various other ensembles in the Twin Cities. Outside of orchestral playing, Matt is a member of the Semada trio and occasionally performs with other chamber groups. Along with performing, Matt maintains a small private teaching studio out of his home in Coon Rapids, MN. Matt graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a Bachelor of Science degree in music education. His principal teachers include John Miller and Russell Peterson.
Seth Engelby, piano, performs as a soloist chamber musician and accompanist throughout the Twin Cities. In addition to performing, he also carries a full load of students at Schmitt Music in Edina, MN. Other musical interests include music administration and computer music. Seth holds a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education with emphasis in piano from Indiana University. His primary teachers include Luba Edlina-Dubinsky and Michel Block. Seth is currently the keyboard/organist at Epworth United Methodust Church in Minneapolis.
An avid educator and performer, Jennifer Kennard has developed a broad musical career that combines her interest in both performance and education. Kennard has performed with the Minnesota, Chautauqua, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and West Shore symphony orchestras and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. She has performed as a solo and chamber musician throughout the United States and in Australia and has worked with such reputable flutists as Paula Robison, Mathieu Dufour, Emmanuel Pahud, Walfrid Kujala, Jeffery Zook, and others. Kennard completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in flute performance at Michigan State University in 2006, where she has served as a teaching assistant in inter-arts and humanities and was also a concerto soloist with the Michigan State University Philharmonic Orchestra. Kennard received her Master of Music degree in flute performance from Michigan State and her Bachelor of Music degree (magna cum laude) from the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam in education and performance. Her teachers have included Richard Sherman, Ervin Monroe, Randy Bowman, and Kenneth Andrews. She has also served as the assistant principal librarian of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
ABOUT THURSDAY MORNING ARTIST SERIES
The Thursday Morning Artist Series has been presented since 1892 at 10:30 am on Thursdays. It is the organization’s longest-running recital and chamber music series with a legacy of featuring some of the most talented classical musicians in Minnesota. Programs are currently being held in the acoustically impressive Antonello Hall at MacPhail Center for Music. Complimentary coffee and donuts are provided in the lobby starting at 10:00 am served by members of Thursday Musical. Detailed program information is announced throughout the season. For the most up-to-date information, please visit thursdaymusical.org or 612-333-0313.
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