MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile announces the fourth annual Alabama School of the Arts Piano Festival, a yearlong series of special events spotlighting ASOTA’s undergraduate and graduate programs in piano performance.
The series includes master classes and seminars, student and faculty recitals, and special performances by Elite 88, UM’s piano ensemble.
All events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited; for reservations and information on streaming of performances, visit umobile.edu/pas or call 251.442.2285. In accordance with Centers for Disease Control guidelines, State of Alabama and University of Mobile mandates, face masks or face shields will be required for all presentations. For COVID-19 guidelines, visit umobile.edu/coronavirus.
The full ASOTA Piano Festival schedule can be viewed at umobile.edu/pas. Information on the ASOTA Performing Arts Series, featuring musical theatre productions, plays, opera and classical performances, also is at umobile.edu/pas.
Most ASOTA Piano Festival events will be held in Moorer Auditorium, located in Martin Hall on the University of Mobile campus, 5735 College Pkwy, Mobile, Alabama 36613.
Weekly master classes are open to the public and UM students. They will be held each Wednesday from 3-4 p.m. They will feature instruction and performances by Steinway Artist Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva, director of piano studies and professor of music. Occasionally, extended master classes will be led by special guests.
The Alabama School of the Arts Piano Festival includes:
Master Class, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 3 p.m. – Presentation: “The Orchestra, Soloist Collaboration” by Dr. Claire Fox Hillard, music director of Albany Symphony Orchestra, vice president of International Conductors Guild, and conductor of Gulf Coast Steinway Society Competition Orchestra.
Elite 88 Piano Ensemble “Out of This World,” Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m.
Master Class, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 3 p.m. – Dr. Natsuki Fukasawa, Steinway Artist, Orfeo Music Festival and Talis Festival & Academy, artist and faculty at American River College in Sacramento, California.
Junior Recital – Conrad Erskine, Friday, Nov. 20, 6 p.m.
Annual Gulf Coast Steinway Society Music Competition VI, Saturday, Jan. 23, 9 a.m.
Junior Recital – Lexie Smith, Thursday, Feb. 11, 6 p.m.
Master Class, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 3 p.m. – Dr. Robin Williams, professor of music, University of New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Piano Duet Recital, Thursday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m. – Dr. Robin Williams, professor of music, University of New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva, Steinway Artist, director of piano studies and professor of music, Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile.
All-Steinway School Anniversary Concert, Thursday, March 4, 6:30 p.m. – Location: George & Pat Dorsett Auditorium, Weaver Hall, University of Mobile.
Master Class, Wednesday, March 17, 3 p.m. – Dr. Marian Y. Lee, associate professor, head of keyboard area, director of SAU piano camp, at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.
Elite 88 Piano Ensemble “Showtunes and the 88s,” Tuesday, March 23, 7 p.m.
Junior Recital – Rebecca Reed, Thursday, March 25, 6 p.m.
Piano Faculty Recital, Tuesday, March 30, 7 p.m. – Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva, Steinway Artist, director of piano studies and professor of music, Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile, and Greg Wiggins.
Master of Musical Arts Solo Recital – Rebekah Lipscombe, Saturday, April 17, 2 p.m.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For more information about the University of Mobile, visit the website at www.umobile.edu or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Zac Douglas is the marketing communications specialist for the University of Mobile. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in integrated marketing and communications. As marketing communications specialist, Zac is responsible for writing and strategizing content about the university, assisting with media relations, and handling other marketing and communications projects. He is an active member at Cottage Hill Baptist Church and enjoys spending his time surfing, skating and climbing.