Immerse yourself in a diverse range of artistic performances that inspire, entertain, and provoke thought. Whether you’re passionate about music, theater, or visual arts, there’s something for everyone in our vibrant community gatherings.
All concerts are free and open to the public. Donations are always welcome!
World Premiere of “Emily Sings!”: The Dickinson Ensemble
Sunday, March 3rd, 2024 @ 7pm
Emily Dickinson was a most musical poet. The melody of her words sings in the ear and the rhythm of her verses calls us to manifest them in harmony as well. And so still she sings. The Dickinson Ensemble is a chamber group devoted solely to composing and performing musical works inspired by Dickinson’s rich literary legacy. We also seek to collaborate with artists in other disciplines to create new expressions of her visions in sound, sight, imagination, and motion. While there are hundreds of compositions based on her work, there is always room for new musical, literary, dance, and visual art collaborations and expressions that bring the creations of her mind into the world of tone, color, and movement. We are, we believe, the only musical group dedicated to conserving Dickinson’s musical legacy while focusing on creating new artistic collaborations built upon her work. Rather than being limited by this commitment, we are exploring her vast but largely unknown compositional heritage while making our own original contributions to the legacy of this most musical of poets. Visit: thedickinsonensemble.org
“Home”: Joseph To, baritone and scholar
Sunday, April 7th, 2024 @ 3pm
Joseph To is an accomplished music director leading multiple organizations, including the Norwegian Ladies Chorus of Seattle, the Magnolia Chorale, Northminster Presbyterian Church, and Northwest Girl Choir. With a master’s degree in choral conducting and a bachelor’s degree in music education, Joseph’s expertise shines through his passion for world music, particularly Chinese choral music. He has conducted extensive research and captivating presentations on Mandarin and Cantonese choral music, successfully integrating ethnomusicology into secondary music education. Joseph also serves as the World Music and Dance Repertoire and Resources Chair for the Washington Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (WAACDA). An active presenter on ethnomusicology at local and regional music conferences, Joseph is dedicated to fostering Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in choral music-making, ensuring a meaningful musical experience for all.
“In Remembrance of the Holocaust”: The TraverSura Duo
Sunday, April 14th, 2024 @ 3pm
Flautist Nathalie Simper and pianist Miles Andrew Sutton’s common interests and musical perspectives birthed the Traversura Duo. Nathalie and Miles met during their time at Stetson University, where they collaborated on various projects. Although Miles and Nathalie are based in Chicago and Knoxville respectively, the duo has returned to their home state of Florida for performance since 2022. Their recital programs “Colores Latinos” and “Women of Our Time” were presented at the Florida Flute Association Conventions. The Duo dedicates their programs to composers who are underrepresented, such as Latinx, living, and women composers. Their most recent recital program, “In Remembrance of the Holocaust,” honors composers of Jewish heritage and their virtuosic contributions to the flute repertoire. The word “traversura” is a combination of two words: “traverso” meaning flute, and “travesura” which means mischief.
“One or Two Songs”: Clare Sullivan, soprano and comedian
Sunday, May 12, 2024 @ 3pm
Clare Sullivan is known for her ability to sing high-notes and toss dough, making her equally at home on the operatic stage and in a gourmet pizza kitchen. Clare received her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Washington State University (WSU) as a student of Dr. Sheila Kearney Converse and Dr. Julie Anne Wieck. At WSU, she appeared as a soloist with the WSU Concert Choir and various vocal ensembles. On the stage she has portrayed roles in Le nozze di Figaro, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Into the Woods, and Young Frankenstein. Clare was invited to participate in the “Si parla, si canta!” festival in Italy as a student of Nicole Cabell, Chris Merit, Jennifer Cano, Donna Lowry, and Ksenia Laletkina. On the comedic stage, Sullivan was the winner of the 2018 Palouse Comedy Cup and has appeared on stages in Washington state and the Chicago-land area. Her visual art was featured in a multimedia music project with the WSU Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Lori Wiest in 2016. In her spare time, she enjoys flexing her songwriter and guitarist skills. In 2023, Clare trained and participated in the Chicago Marathon. Clare is a strong 7 on the enneagram and enthusiastically continues her work in all her artistic endeavors
Aaron Agulay, baritone
Sunday, June 2nd, 2024 @ 3pm
Dr. Aaron Agulay is acclaimed for possessing a “[…] strong sound and stage craft[…] an acting baritone,” (The Baltimore Sun) and “[…] rich and exciting baritone timbres[…] executes a fine technique in an almost tenorial tesitura role,” (Kultureagenda, Bern, CH). He has extensive performing experience at venues and organizations worldwide ranging from summer-stock theaters to nationally and internationally renowned opera houses including Opernhaus Zürich, Konzert Theater Bern, Theater Magdeburg, Central City Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Carnegie Hall, The Aspen Opera Center, and The Opera Program at The Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity. Dr. Agulay cofounded the Elson S. Floyd Cultural and Performing Arts series, which affirms WSU’s commitment to culture and diversity by providing creative and educational programming that engages diverse populations and increases cross-cultural understanding. He is an Assistant Professor of Voice at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts
