Chopin for All FREE Concert Series
presents
Piano Recital by Young Emerging American Pianist, Micah McLaurin
solo and with the Miami Virtuosi String Quartet
May 17 & 18, 2014 – 3 pm
Miami, – The Chopin for All FREE Concert series presents the last concert of the season featuring the 19-year old phenomenal American pianist Micah McLaurin in an all-Chopin program. Micah will be joined by the Miami Virtuosi String Quartet in a special arrangement of the Chopin Piano Concerto in F minor Op. 21.
When & Where:
Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 3:00 PM Broward County Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave, Ft. Lauderdale
Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 3:00 PM Granada Presbyterian Church, 950 University Drive, Coral Gables
What: Concert recital featuring pianist Micah McLaurin and the Miami Virtuosi String Quartet in a program of Chopin’s music.
FREE ADMISSION; No Tickets Required
Nineteen year old pianist Micah McLaurin is from Charleston, SC. He has distinguished himself at several international competitions, including 2nd Prize in the Ettlingen International Competition for Young Pianists in Germany, 3rd Prize in the Thomas and Evon Cooper International Piano Competition, 1st Prize in Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, 5th Prize in the Hilton Head International Young Artists Competition and 2nd Prize in the IIYM International Piano Competition.
Micah has performed to great critical acclaim as soloist with the Orquesta Filarmonica de Montevideo, Orquesta Juvenil de El Salvador, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, the Youth Orchestra of the Low Country, the South Carolina Philharmonic, and the Perugia Festival Orchestra. He made his debut with the Cleveland Orchestra under the baton of Jahja Ling in July 2012. He has also played recitals and chamber music at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Music Fest Perugia, Southeastern Piano Festival, the International Institute for Young Musicians, and the International Piano Series at the College Of Charleston. He was the youngest of eight pianists chosen worldwide to participate in the prestigious Verbier Festival Academy in Switzerland in summer, 2011. Most recently, he performed Rachmaninoff’s second concerto with Joann Falletta and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and was invited to perform the Gershwin Concerto with the Virginia Symphony next season.
A former student of Marsha Gerber, Micah now studies with Enrique Graf.
“His range of emotional intensity is sweeping, his virtuosity bright, clear, and secure. Besides his velvety ‘touché’ the total balance of the hands and exceptional mastery of the pedals makes this pianist in our view one of the best talents we heard in recent years. Every moment was a miracle of majestic interpretation. It seemed that this concerto would have been especially written for him.” – EL PAIS, Uruguay
“McLaurin’s ruminative and poetic playing was beautiful, he projected the solo line well over the ensemble and his voicing was elegant. His feathery touch produced beautiful, well organized runs with shape and a sense of destination. “– Cleveland Classical
Miami Virtuosi String Quartet
Zachary Piper, Violinist
Zachary Piper performs with the Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, and Miami Bach Society. Mr. Piper recently moved to Miami from Rochester, NY, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Eastman School of Music under the instruction of renowned violinist Oleh Krysa. Zachary has also studied with Scott Flavin, Kyung Sun Lee, Richard DiAdamo, and John McCarthy. In addition to his orchestral pursuits, Mr. Piper performs chamber music and serves as assistant violin instructor at St. Philip’s Episcopal School in Coral Gables. He is also an avid fiddler in American and Celtic styles.
Charles Hardt, Violinist
Charles Hardt received his bachelor of music degree from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. He currently plays with the Florida Grand Opera orchestra and the Naples Philharmonic. Charles’ previous orchestral engagements include the Miami City Ballet, the Miami Symphony, the Palm Beach Opera orchestra, and many other local orchestras in South Florida. As a soloist, he has performed with the Simon Bolivar Orchestra in Caracas, Venezuela.
Ross DeBardelaben, Violist
Violinist and violist Ross DeBardelaben is a freelance performer and teacher in Coral Gables, Florida. He is founder and director of Miami Virtuosi, an entrepreneurial start up providing professional musicians for concerts, special occasions, and music instruction. Ross has performed with many orchestras including Nashville Symphony and the Miami Symphony. He received his bachelors and masters degrees in viola performance from Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music and the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College (SUNY) respectively. He completed the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Viola Performance with a cognate in music business from the University of Miami. He received additional musical training at the Aspen Music Festival, Encore School for Strings, and Portland String Quartet Workshop. Dr. DeBardelaben is the Head Violin Teacher at St. Philip’s Episcopal School in Coral Gables, Florida.
Brent Charran, Cellist
Brent Charran was born and raised in Miami, Florida and began playing the cello at a local elementary school music program. Brent is a graduate of New World School of the Arts High-School where he studied with Wells Cunningham and won the school concerto competition with the Dvorak Cello Concerto in B minor. Other highlights of his career include performing for a master class for principal cellist of the Cleveland Orchestra Mark Kosower, studying with Darrett Adkins at the Aspen Music Festival, performing with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and performing as soloist for the corporate airing of Ralph Lauren’s “Love” Fragrance. Currently, Brent is a scholarship student of Ross Harbaugh at the University of Miami Frost School of Music.
Chopin Foundation of the U.S.
1440 79th Street Cswy, Suite 117
Miami, FL 33141
ph. 305/868-0624 fax 305/865-5150
www.chopin.org
