Guerino Mazzola (creativity and mathematical music theory), theater professor Carl Flink, and electrical and computer engineering professor Guillermo Sapiro were advisors on U of M student Laruen Butler's (dance and mechanical engineering) upcoming project Voices of Fire. Voices of Fire features dancers using electronic sensors to control the music with their movement. As they dance a process of re-creation using imagery of fire, the dancers also transform the music using the "fire" of electricity. The music gives the movement an additional voice, and the audience can listen to the dancing and see the sound. Voices of Fire is directed by Lauren Butler with dancers Katie Taintor and Lauren Butler. With music by Michael Legan, programming by Patrick Flanagan, and visual design by Aleksey Polukéyev. Choreography, system design, and hardware by Lauren Butler. Voices of Fire will take place on Saturday, May 12 at 5 p.m. at TekBox Theater in downtown Minneapolis.
Fernando Meza (percussion) presented a clinic on Latin Drumming and offered master classes at the Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia on April 20 and 21. He recently performed under conductors Mark Wigglesworth and Kristjan Järvi with the Minnesota Orchestra and performed on marimba for the world premiere of Bulgarian composer Vassil Kazandjiev's Fantasy Concertante for flute, horn, cello and marimba for the 2012 Balkanicus concert at the U of M School of Music.
Listen to Mark Russell Smith (orchestral conducting) in conversation with Classical Minnesota Public Radio host Alison Young in "The Inspiring and Innovative Mark Russell Smith." Professor Smith talks about his favorite works and the University Symphony Orchestra concert which took place on Friday, May 4 at Ted Mann Concert Hall.
Dean Sorenson's (jazz) book First Place for Jazz, was recently published by Neil A. Kjos Music Company. Visit the First Place for Jazz website to watch the video overview of the publication.
Listen to School of Music professor Lydia Artymiw (piano) and School of Music alumnus Andrew Staupe (B.M., M.M., piano, student of Lydia Artymiw) on America Public Media's Performance Today on Friday, May 11 at 1 p.m. on Classical Minnesota Public Radio (KSJN-FM 99.5) and nationwide on public radio stations throughout the U.S. in a broadcast of their performance of Mozart: Concerto No. 10 in E-flat major for Two Pianos and Orchestra, K. 365/316a with the Minnesota Orchestra. The original performance took place under the baton of Osmo Vanska at Orchestra Hall on January 14, 2011. To find out where and when Performance Today is broadcast in your area, please visit the Performance Today website.
