ANNAPOLIS (Md.) – A world-renowned percussionist and a highly acclaimed tenor and soprano will take the stage at Lenna Hall this August in a series of free concerts for the public presented by Encore Creativity for Older Adults during its 12th Annual Summer Institute at Chautauqua Institution.
Encore welcomes the local community at these three eclectic events at no charge. WNYNewsNow spoke with Jeanne Kelly, Encore’s Founder and Artistic Director, on Tuesday. Kelly said that Encore Creativity’s Summer Institute at Chautauqua, one of three programs offered nationally, opens up a new world for both seasoned and new singers in their later years, often filling a void, creating a new community of friends and bringing back fond childhood memories.
“It’s a treat. We have been coming up, I think this is our 12th year,” Kelly said. “We love coming to Chautauqua, we have built a community audience. They look forward to us coming back each year.”
Kelly said that Encore performs at numerous venues in the Washington, D.C. area, including the Kennedy Center. Every year, Kelly stated that Encore performs at the Kennedy Center every Dec. 26.
“We are invited to perform at excellent venues. We love it.”
Tom Teasley, a solo percussionist, composer and collaborator, will perform Mon. Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Teasley has been an artist-in-residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and has collaborated with the National Symphony as both a soloist and composer. A six-time recipient of a Fulbright-Hayes grant for performances in the Middle East, he has collaborated with indigenous musicians and gave historic performances by invitation of U.S. embassies.
Teasley, who has produced eight CDs, has also performed by invitation in Europe, South America, New Zealand, Samoa and Korea. A winner of numerous awards, he’s a three-time Helen Hayes Theatre Award recipient for outstanding sound design and four-time WAMA (Washington Area Music Award) World Music Instrumentalist of the Year.
Tenor Matthew Hill and soprano Amy Broadbent perform together on Tues., Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. singing Oh Happy We from Bernstein’s Candide, Loewe’s On the Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady, Donizetti’s Nocturne from Don Pasquale and many other Broadway and classical favorites.
A Washington, D.C.-based soloist and ensemble singer, Hill performs regularly with the American Bach Soloists, Washington Bach Consort, and Washington National Cathedral Choirs and is a member of the United States Air Force Band Singing Sergeants. Broadbent, also Washington, D.C.-based, has garnered recognition as a versatile performer who excels in everything from the concert stage to chamber music to opera.
According to Washington Classical Review, she sings “with consummate poise, limpid clarity, and faultless intonation.” She is currently a vocalist and assistant conductor of the official chorus of the United States Navy, the Sea Chanters, with the rank of Musician 1st Class.
Both singers are frequent award winners with credits as soloists in leading roles in top operas at major performing arts theaters in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Pianist and award-winner Maribeth Gowen, who will accompany this recital on piano, has performed as a soloist with major symphonies across the country and summer chamber music festivals worldwide. She has also appeared on public television’s Debut series.
Encore singers at Chautauqua, who hail from across the nation, will gather together for the Summer Institute’s grand finale concert on Fri., Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. singing a varied repertoire of favorite compositions by Frank Loesser, Nat King Cole, Schubert and others. This performance will be conducted by Ingrid Lestrud and Kelly.
Lestrud currently serves as the Principal Associate Conductor for the National Children’s Chorus in Washington, D.C., and her choirs perform at major concert halls throughout the country. In addition to being Encore’s Founder and Artistic Director, Kelly has maintained a diverse career spanning over 40 years as a vocal performer, teacher, conductor and music administrator. Her extensive background includes performing major roles at opera houses across the country, conducting the Women’s Glee Club at the United States Naval Academy, maintaining a private voice studio and serving as Executive Director of the Houston Conservatory of Music.
Kelly said that there are plenty of activities for those locally who are interested in joining Encore for the performance. There are six spots left. Visit http://www.encorecreativity.org for more.
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