2004-2005 Season Performances



Robert Gardner Baritone Saturday, September 25, 2004 Born to a family of musicians in Denver, Colorado, Robert Gardner received his first apprenticeship with the Santa Fe Opera which led to vocal training with Doris and Richard Cross and Sherrill Milnes at Yale University. He now enjoys regular appearances with the symphonies in concert halls in the U. S. and Europe. He also has sung numerous operatic roles throughout the same geographical area. This past year he spent the 2003 season at the Santa Fe Opera and the 2002-2003 season at the Bavarian National Opera in Munich, Germany. Audiences and critics agree, "Robert Gardner is a baritone whose voice, rising from basso depths to an angelic lyric register, is an instrument of awesome power and natural beauty."

	Russian Seasons Dance Company A Celebration of World Dance Tuesday, October 12, 2004 Russian Seasons Dance Company, formed in 1991 by the famous Russian choreographer Nikolai Androsov, returns to the United States as a result of unanimously rave reviews. It has been called "spectacular," "superbly creative" and "stirring" during tours of France, Chile, Japan, Taiwan, and Macao, as well as within Russia. In "A Celebration of World Dance" the company takes audiences on a journey through the folk dances of many nations, from the athletic hopak of Russia and the wild energy of Gypsy to the passionate flamenco of Spain and the tangos of Argentina, from the footwork of Irish dances to spectacular choreography of Broadway. This is a breathtaking display of beautiful music and brilliant choreography which put together makes this evening of dance EXCEPTIONAL.

Three Hits and a Miss Popular Vocal Group Wednesday, November 3, 2004 Incorporating original and fresh arrangements, coupled with versatile vocals and a very classy, entertaining stage presence, Three Hits and a Miss have delighted audiences of all ages throughout the United States and Europe with their "high fidelity harmonic vocals." Composed of four accomplished singers, Three Hits and a Miss evoke a classic smooth vocal blend singing a marvelous selection of songs featuring traditional "hits" from the 40s and 50s, bringing to mind the original Pied Pipers, the Andrews Sisters and the Merry Macs, as well as some of today's favorites. Last year found them performing at Carnegie Hall, Bob Hope's McCallum Theatre and La Cortina in Belgium. They recently completed taping for the PBS Television concert, An Evening of Romance." Three Hits and a Miss website:ThreeHitsandaMiss.com

	Dr. Fenia Chang Classical Pianist Thursday, January 20, 2005 Born in Taiwan, Dr. Chang began to perform and compete at a very young age, winning her first Taipei piano competition at the age of eleven. Since then she has won or placed in numerous competitions throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. She earned both her Master and Bachelor of music degrees from the Julliard School of Music and her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Maryland. Dr. Chang has performed in concert halls, universities, and conservatories throughout the world including Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, National Concert Hall in Beijing, and National Concert Hall of Taipei. Presently she is Assistant Professor of Piano at Texas A & M University-Commerce.

One Enchanted Evening (Remembering Richard Rodgers) Monday, February 7, 2005 Enchanted Evening is a Matt Davenport Production showcasing the "two part" career of Richard Rodgers, a man responsible for some of the most beautiful melodies ever composed. The show's two acts portray Rodgers in partnership first with Lorenz Hart and then with Oscar Hammerstein. These two remarkable partnerships created some of the most memorable songs and musicals in popular music history, such as The Sound of Music and Oklahoma. A company of fifteen featuring eight talented singer/dancers and an orchestra of five take the stage in a Broadway-style setting combined with sparkling costumes, exciting choreography and rich musical arrangements. It's truly one enchanted evening of entertainment. Matt Davenport Productions website: MattDavenportProductions.com

	Artie Shaw Orchestra Featuring Dick Johnson Thursday, March 3, 2005 In 1983, after finally retiring from the music business, Artie Shaw asked Dick Johnson to lead a new Artie Shaw Orchestra featuring the original Shaw sound. Asked what he thought of Johnson's clarinet playing, Shaw said "At this time he is the best I've ever heard, bar nobody." Since then the Artie Shaw Orchestra featuring Dick Johnson continues to be one of the best of the remaining big bands from the swing era. Following Artie's original format, the band spotlights many jazz soloists and recreates the sound of one of the greatest swing bands of all time. Hits such as Stardust, Begin the Beguine, Moonglow, Frenesi and Carioca are but a few of the original bands repertoire.

Bethany and Big Sky Country & Western Monday, March 28, 2005 Brought up in Montana, National Champion fiddler/singer/songwriter Bethany Dick and her band Big Sky provide an evening of bluegrass, "newgrass" and jaw-dropping musicianship. The sound this group creates is reminiscent of Nickel Creek and Alison Krauss, but under Bethany's leadership they already have a good running start on carving out their own niche in the world of contemporary bluegrass. Bethany brings a new level of meaning to the phrase "lovely and talented." When she isn't gracing the stage with her own music, usually an eclectic array of originals, bluegrass standards and unique interpretations of cover tunes, she can be found in the demo studios of Nashville or on tour with top country artist Sara Evans.

	Robert Post A Unique Comedian Tuesday, April 12, 2005 An overzealous ballerina. A wacky chef. An accountant in overdrive. A British inspector. A corpse. Four murder suspects. All are expertly played to the hilt by improvisational comedian Robert Post. With remarkable physical dexterity, playful satire and wit, Post creates an unforgettable host of character changes. He is witty and wise, verbal and visual, humorous and hysterical, all rolled into a one man show that has taken place in almost every conceivable setting including street corners, dinner theaters, prisons, schools, TV commercials, homeless shelters, festivals, river boats, and with symphony orchestras. Post is an alumnus of the Affiliate Artists program and has toured his one-man performance to forty-five states, Canada, Mexico and Japan. Robert Post website: RobertPost.org