Noteworthy Duo

Michael Nigro, Classical Guitar & Lisa Schroeder, Flute

Wednesday, July 29th

7pm

$15 donation requested

Call 970-243-4958 to reserve your seat, 12+

"If listening to great flute music, performed by a superb musician, is what you are looking for, look no further than Lisa Schroeder. She delivers on all levels." (Steven Allen Fox, Composer/Artistic Director/Conductor of the Golden State Pops Orchestra)

"Nigro is an excellent guitarist, drawing a multitude of tone colors from his instrument and displaying great technical dexterity. He has a wide dynamic range, a very pretty sound, and an ability to vary his articulation for expressive purposes. Guitarists have to be able to play melody and accompaniment at the same time, while differentiating the two, and also provide their own percussive effects. All of these tasks Nigro performed with ease and a sense of style."
(Jim Ruggirello, Long Beach Gazzette)

Lisa Schroeder and Michael Nigro join their musical talents, creating an experience of pure elegance and classical artistry. Their vision is to reach a non-classical audience, inspire the classical listener, and to touch just one life with a "noteworthy" performance. Their interest in South American Music can be heard throughout their extensive flute and guitar repertoire. Lisa and Michael are both on faculty at Vanguard University of Southern California.

During the course of the concert, in an informal manner, Michael and Lisa often include commentary, information, and anecdotes about the composers and pieces they are performing. Their striking ability to communicate with their audience makes "Noteworthy" performances seem more like an intimate gathering of friends than a recital for strangers.

Flutist, Lisa Schroeder is a Los Angeles based performer, teacher, and clinician. As a Solo Artist with Altus Flutes, and as flutist with Noteworthy Duo, Lisa has established herself as a first-rate artist and teacher, performing in Concerts and giving Master Classes across the United States and Europe. In California, she is the acting principal flutist of the Golden State Pops Orchestra. In August 2008, Lisa was selected to perform bass flute with the National Flute Association’s Professional Flute Choir at the Kansas City Convention. Her expressive playing transports the audience into the music and has received praise from the flute community. Gary Schocker, a renowned flutist/composer/pianist, states “Lisa Schroeder is a dynamic performer who brings her own style to the flute.”

As a high school junior, she attended the esteemed Interlochen Center for the Arts and knew from that moment on that she was destined to be a flute performer. Lisa began her collegiate music studies at Eastern Michigan University and later relocated to Nashville, Tennessee where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in flute performance from Middle Tennessee State University.

While in Nashville, Lisa gained experience in performing, teaching, and recording session work with area singer/songwriters. She held the piccolo position in the Tennessee Philharmonic and the flute position with the Music City Winds.

In 2002, Lisa performed in the John Barcellona Master Class in Kentucky, after which the internationally acclaimed flute performer/teacher invited her to study with him in Southern California. She in turn received her Master of Music degree in flute performance from California State University Long Beach. Her interest in new music inspired a thesis entitled, “Twentieth-Century Techniques in Flute Literature: Learning and Teaching Multiphonics”.

Lisa Schroeder has performed in Master Classes with Gary Schocker, Peter Lloyd, Michel Debost, Debora Harris, Angeleita Floyd, John Barcellona, Jim Walker and Sir James Galway. Her primary teachers have included Dr. John Barcellona, Dr. Yvonne Chavez-Hansbrough, Dr. Deanna Hahn-Little, Dr. Julie Stone, and Ann Richards of the Nashville Symphony.

Mrs. Schroeder currently teaches flute at Vanguard University of Southern California, Cerritos College, Golden West College, and directs the Rolling Hills Flute Choir. Her passion for teaching has brought about her annual “Flute Loops” camp held in Palos Verdes, CA.

Michael Anthony Nigro showed an interest in the guitar at an early age and began playing by the age of 12. After several years of lessons with local teachers and self-study, he attended the prestigious Indiana University School of Music where he graduated with his Bachelor of Music Degree in 2000 under the direction of Ernesto Bitetti.

After moving back to his native Southern California, he attended California State University, Fullerton and earned a Master of Music degree under the tutelage of David Grimes.

Michael Nigro’s debut recording, “Homage to Piazzolla; Argentine Dances, Songs, and Rhythms,” is released on the label, Music & Arts. The American Record Guide stated, “Nigro has a big sound, a smooth tone, and sure-footed interpretive instincts.” His latest CD, “Guitar Sudamericana,” is released on the Austrian label, Balcon Records and features guitar works by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Antonio Lauro, Adolfo Luna, Jose Luis Merlin, and many others.

As a performer and teacher, Michael has played concerts and Master Classes at many esteemed colleges which include Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, University of Wisconsin, Glendale Community College in Glendale, Arizona, Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, Marlyhurst College in Portland, Oregon, William Jessup University in Rocklin, California and many others.

Michael is an active member of the guitar community; he is co-founder of the Long Beach Classical Guitar Society, independent reviewer of new music publications for Soundboard Magazine, and sought after teacher and performer.

In January 2006, Michael joined the faculty at Vanguard University of Southern California where he teaches private guitar, class guitar, and guitar ensemble.

www.noteworthyduo.com

Classical guitarist, Javier de los Santos

Javier de Los Santos

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

7PM

Seating is limited.
Call Willow Pond to reserve your seat.
970-243-4958

$15 donation requested.
Well-behaved children 7+ welcome!

Visit the music page at http://www.willowpondbnb.com/ for directions and more information.

Javier de los Santos
Classical Guitar

Biography

Javier de los Santos, guitarist, son of Mexican Parents was born in the USA. When he was a child his family moved to Jerez, Zacatecas, México where he lived until 2001. Javier started learning to play the guitar when he was 15 years old. Javier began his formal music studies in 1998 in Guitar Performance under Francisco Javier Muro Guevara at the Unidad Academica de Música of the Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas (UAMUAZ) in the State of Zacatecas, México. In the same year, he was awarded a Diploma for his outstanding dedication to the study of the instrument. In the University of Zacatecas, Javier studied Music Theory and Solfege, Choir, Music History, and Piano. During the three years of guitar study in Zacatecas, he performed at the solo final concert every semester and participated frequently in concerts with the Guitar Ensemble of the UAMUAZ under the Direction of Daniel Escoto Villalobos, performing in Fresnillo, Jerez, and Zacatecas (municipalities of Zacatecas State).

In 2002, under the guidance of Mr. Eric vanDiver Nohe, Javier began his undergraduate studies in Guitar Performance at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado. Studied Music Harmony and Theory and Orchestration under Mr. Kirk Gustafson, Ear Training and Concert Choir under Dr. Monte Atkinson, Percussion and Composition under Dr. Darin Kamstra, Jazz and Music Technology under Dr. Michael Waldrop, Conducting under Dr. Calvin Hofer, Chamber Music and Symphonic Literature under Mr. Carlos Elias, and Music History under Dr. Jack Delmore. Javier Graduated from Mesa State College in 2006. During his studies at Mesa State College, Javier performed and participated in different musical ensembles such as Chamber Music, Concert Choir, Mariachi Concert, and accompanied Students and Faculty in Voice and Choir Concerts. In 2004 Javier was awarded the Helen Krey scholarship and in the same year he was granted the Instrumentalist Wednesday Music Club Competition Award celebrated at the Moss Performing Arts Center.

Javier, currently, is finishing a Masters of Music Degree in Guitar Performance at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music under Maestro Ricardo Iznaola. Javier was awarded a Dean’s Scholarship, a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, and was a recipient for the Private Scholarship Jimmie L. Spulecki towards tuition; all three from 2006 to 2008. Javier studied Music History under Dr. Antonia L. Banducci, Chamber Music and Guitar Lessons from Masakasu Ito (Japan) and Jonathan Leathwood (England), under Jonathan Leathwood Guitar History, Pedagogy and Repertoire, and Orchestration under Dr. Chris Malloy. During his studies at DU, Javier performed every Quarter in the Guitar Ensemble Concerts with guitar duos, guitar quartets, and violin and guitar duo, and he accompanied voice majors in their Recitals.

Reviews:

‘Javier mesmerized the audience with the classical guitar composition “Concierto de Aranjuez” by the Spanish master Joaquin Rodrigo.’
The Chronicle of Catholic Life, December 2008.

For Javier’s Contact Information and history of past and upcoming performances please log on to:https://portfolio.du.edu/pc/port?portfolio=jdelossa

Ernesto Tamayo House Concert

Ernesto Tamayo

is coming back to Willow Pond!

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

7pm

Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear this incredible artist!

Call to reserve your seat! 970-243-4958, seating is limited.

Well-behaved children 7+ welcome!

http://www.ernestotamayo.com/

Ernesto Tamayo – Classical Guitarist
FIRST PRIZE WINNER of the 1995 NGWS in New Milford, Connecticut, Ernesto Tamayo has toured extensively throughout North and South America and Europe. He is one of the most accomplished and sought-after guitarists of his generation. Ernesto is often praised for his brilliant technique, artistry, and his exceptionally warm tone and expressive interpretations on the guitar. Born in Havana, Cuba, Ernesto began studying the guitar with his father when he was five. He made his television debut at the young age of nine. Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Classical of Mexico enabled Ernesto to come to the United States where he received a full scholarship for advanced studies at Peabody Conservatory with well-known guitarist Manuel Barrueco. In Cuba he studied with Antonio Alberto Rodriguez (Biki), and Leo Brouwer.Since his arrival in the United States, Ernesto has performed in numerous concert series' and with orchestras in the United States and abroad. In September of 1999, he made his Carnegie Hall debut with a sold-out performance. Past engagements at guitar festivals include appearances at the Fourth International Guitar Festival in Cuernavaca, Mexico, the Sixth International Guitar Festival in Long Island, New York, the "Classical Guitarists of the World" concert series in Fullerton, California and the Connecticut Guitar Summer Workshop. Ernesto has also given solo recitals for the classical guitar societies of Baltimore, Miami, Reno, Cheyenne and Northern Colorado, among others.Ernesto has recorded four albums, Ernesto Tamayo Plays Bach, Melodias Cubanas, The Cuban Guitarist, and Classical Persuasions. The Cuban Guitarist album featurestwo world premier recordings, “The Havana Suite” by Cuban guitarist and composer Aldo Rodriguez, and “Five Inspirations” composed by Ernesto himself. The Classical Persuasions album was released in September of 2006 where he feature works by Borges, Canonigos, Lauro, Weiss, Sor, Brouwer, Albeniz, and Rodrigo.Ernesto is a recipient of career development grants from the Maryland State Arts Council, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the Bossak/Heilbron Foundation. He is sponsored by Bacardi Foundation, Del Mar Foundation, La Bella Strings and performs with a David Daily, and Thomas Humphrey guitar.When not playing the guitar, like most Cubans, Ernesto enjoys playing chess, and sipping Cuban coffee with friends.

Noteworthy Duo

http://www.noteworthyduo.com




Lisa Schroeder and Michael Nigro join their musical talents, creating an experience of pure elegance and classical artistry.
Their vision is to reach a non-classical audience, inspire the classical listener, and to touch just one life with a "noteworthy" performance.
Their interest in South American Music can be heard throughout their extensive flute and guitar repertoire.
Lisa and Michael are both on faculty at Vanguard University of Southern California. Michael is is the head of the guitar department.

The program will feature works by prominent and less known South American composers.
The program is varied from folkloric dances and songs to sophisticated works full of colorful impressionism.

Flutist, Lisa Schroeder is a Los Angeles based performer, teacher, and clinician. Lisa is the founding member of Noteworthy Flute
and Guitar Duo and West Coast Winds, both of which are on the artist roster for the Orange County Performing Arts Center "Arts Teach" program.
She also holds the piccolo position with the Golden State Pops Orchestra.



The acclaimed guitarist, Michael Nigro, has released a new recording, "Guitar Sudamericana," which he will highlight during his performance.
His debut CD, "Homage to Piazzolla," is released on the label, Music and Arts.

The American Record Guide writes, "Its a pleasant collection of spiky Argentine rhythms interspersed with soulful milongas.
Nigro has a big sound, a smooth tone, and sure-footed interpretive instincts.



Nigro is an active member of the guitar community; he is co-founder of the Long Beach Classical Guitar Society, independent reviewer
of Soundboard Magazine, and sought after teacher and performer.

James Smith and Endre Balogh

“We were under the spell of a formidably brilliant artist.” (The London Times)

“Poise and assurance, technical precision, tonal refinement and personal charm.” (New York Times)

“ Dazzling technique and great gusts of temperament...eloquent master of his instrument.” (Los Angeles Times)




Endre Balogh Bio:

www.endresphotos.com

Violinist and Photographer

On the occasion of his New York debut when he was only 16, the New York Times called Endre Balogh “a major new talent” and concluded that
“his accomplishments are nothing less than prodigious”. In the fall of 1973 his first European tour included concerts in Berlin and London.
The Die Welt critic declared that he “produces an inexplicably mature interpretation”, and the London Times reported, “the audience was well rewarded.
We were under the spell of a formidably brilliant artist”. He also performed in Austria, Holland, Italy and other countries with equal success.
His visits to England have included a one-hour recital in London for the BBC, and in Amsterdam a live, on-the-air radio recital.

Since his New York debut Endre Balogh (it is pronounced EN-dray BAL-og with the accents on the first syllables) has achieved an enviable reputation
on the international concert scene. He has appeared several times with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the symphony orchestras of
Washington D.C., Seattle, and Honolulu to name just a few, and is a well-known recitalist in the key cities of the United States.
His record in Europe is equally impressive. Because of his frequent performances in Germany he was engaged to play concerts with the Berlin Philharmonic.
Under Edo de Waart he also performed with the Rotterdam Philharmonic. The Frankfurt Symphony, the Tonhalle of Zürich, the Basel Symphony
and several orchestras in Holland and Yugoslavia, as well as numerous European recitals are also on the list of the artist’s list of notable credits.

Endre Balogh played concerts up until two weeks before he was born! His Hungarian mother had been a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for many years,
so his first exposure to music was a kind of prenatal osmosis. His Hungarian father, a chemist, also played the violin, so when Endre was only eleven days old
his picture appeared in the Los Angeles Times with the caption: “A Newly Arrived Violin Talent!” Unfortunately, his extreme youth was wasted in the dissolute pastimes of infancy,
and it was not until he was three and a half that his musical activities began in earnest. Under the nurturing care of his mother and the guidance of Joseph Piastro, his teacher,
he played nine public concerts at age four and his first concerto with orchestra when he was six.

Though his mother worked with him every day, other first-rate musicians were his mentors. For three years he studied with the well-known musician and pedagogue,
Manuel Compinsky. Then, when he played for Yehudi Menuhin, he was awarded the first full scholarship ever given for study at the great masters school in London.
He accepted the honor and spent a season in England; but as a child of nine, the distance from home and family became intolerable.
He returned to America and began work with Mehli Mehta, the esteemed father of Zubin Mehta. Under his skillful training, the artist soon won both the First Prize and
Grand Prize in the Denver Symphony Solo Competition and the top violin prize in the prestigious Meriweather Post Competition — all at age 13!
At 15, he gave his debut recital in Los Angeles and the following year marked his New York debut.
He eventually also did advanced coaching with the renowned violinist Henryk Szeryng.

As soloist with orchestra, he has performed with such eminent conductors as Zubin Mehta, James De Priest, Lawrence Foster, Henry Lewis, Vladimir Golschmann,
Erich Kunzel, and Christoph von Dohnányi. He appeared as guest soloist with the American Youth Symphony, conducted by the late Mehli Mehta,
in more than a dozen different violin concertos.At a very young age, he became enthralled with chamber music. As a result, he has been the recipient of several
Coleman Chamber Music Awards and has made music with such luminaries as Vladimir Horowitz and Leonard Pennario.
In 1993 he performed with André Watts in the critically acclaimed series of chamber concerts, “André Watts and Friends.”
He also founded and toured with the Pacific Trio for nearly 30 years in regular performances throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Currently he performs frequently with his friend and colleague, James Smith – head of the Guitar Department at USC.
Over the years they have amassed a unique body of repertoire consisting of original and arranged works for violin and guitar.
Lately he has also explored the rich Violin and Viola Duo literature with the fine violist Steven Gordon as well as joining forces with cellist Dennis Karmazyn
and pianist Genevieve Lee to perform Piano Trios and Quartets.

In a slightly different vein, he performed the solo violin background score to Dennis Prager’s film documentary “Israel In A Time Of Terror”,
which focuses on the heroic strength of everyday Israelis in coping with the Palestinian terror bombings.
Recently, Endre was asked by the nationally known repertory company “A Noise Within” to compose original music for their repertory run of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale”. Throughout their 40 performance run, Endre played his music as a costumed character in the play, garnering unanimous audience enthusiasm and critical acclaim.

In 2004, after severely curtailing his touring concert schedule in order to spend more time with his children, Endre rapidly began to hone his passion for photography.
It wasn’t long before he was winning top awards in contests and his unique aesthetic vision and reputation for consistently beautiful work soon earned him
an enviable reputation among his photographic colleagues. His photos are prominently displayed in the collections of several connoisseurs of fine photographic arts.
In 2007 he was honored with a one man gallery showing of 47 of his photographs at the Karpeles Museum in Santa Barbara, California.
Following that, two of his photographs were chosen for inclusion in the prestigious Santa Barbara “Art Walk” exhibition. Then, in late 2007 one of his photographs
was chosen from among 3000 submissions by the Curator of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to be among the 87 pieces displayed in the
2007 “International Art Of Digital” exhibition. Additionally, he has been commissioned to create commercial graphics projects.
Most notably, after being hired to provide the solo violin tracks for a CD of new music, the composer asked Endre to also create the cover art.
The resulting design for “A World Unseen – Music by David Sudaley” was described as “…by far the most beautiful album cover we’ve ever seen!” by the publishers.
His constantly expanding gallery of photos can be seen and purchased at his online gallery: www.endresphotos.com.

Above all, he is devoted to his wife, Mona, and his four delightful children, Csilla, Antal, Katalin, and Eva.



JAMES SMITH

James Smith is chairman of the Classical Guitar Department at the University of Southern California, where he is an Associate Professor of Music.
His students include prizewinners in national and international competitions, and two ensembles trained at the university, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and
the Falla Trio, have successful professional careers. He has given masterclasses at the Manhattan School of Music, Eastman, Yale, and the
New England and San Francisco Conservatories, to name a few. Smith is very active as a performer, and has given recitals throughout the Americas and Asia.
He is an expert chamber musician, and performs frequently with the Bel Arts Trio (David Shostac, flutist, John Walz, cellist), Canto Claro (Sun Young Kim, soprano),
Windwood (Douglas Masek, winds) and with guitarist Dusan Bogdanovic and violinist Endre Balogh. Mr. Smith has performed concertos and solos with the Glendale,
Marina del Ray, Long Beach, Antelope Valley, Topanga, Brentwood, Los Angeles Opera, and New Orleans Orchestras.

A highly skilled arranger, several of his works for four guitars are frequently played by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, the North Carolina
and the Alexandria Guitar Quartets, and the LAGQ has recorded a number of them, including his arrangement of Brandenburg Concerto Nr. 6 by Bach.
Recordings with flutist David Shostac on Excelsior and Douglas Masek on Massax include numerous arrangements by Smith.
An ardent supporter of new music, Mr. Smith has given the first performances of works by Hartke, Crockett, Reich, Bogdanovic, Johanson, Musgrave,
Delerue, Leisner, and Linn, to name but a few, and his recordings for Orion and Protone records have first recordings of works by Schickele,
Pfister, Crockett and others. His solo playing is featured in the acclaimed movie Sleepy Time Gal starring Jacqueline Bisset.
He has been president of the Guitar Foundation of America, was on the advisory committee of the First American Guitar Congress, serves as a board
member of ASTA-LA, and has served as a judge for many international guitar competitions. He organized the Stotsenberg International
Classical Guitar Competition held at USC in 1996, an event that attracted superior guitarists from around the world. In 1986 he
organized the Andres Segovia Masterclasses and Commemorative, a two-week long tribute that was an event of historical significance.


"Masterful, insightful reading by Smith."- L.A.Times

"Smith played caressively [his] irresistible arrangements."- L.A.Times

"Smith's expert...stylings."- Bellevue, Washington, Journal-American

"Mastery of interpretation."- Portland, The Oregonian

Ernesto Tamayo

www.ernestotamayo.com



Ernesto Tamayo – Classical Guitarist


FIRST PRIZE WINNER of the 1995 NGWS in New Milford, Connecticut, Ernesto Tamayo has toured extensively throughout North and South America and Europe.
He is one of the most accomplished and sought-after guitarists of his generation. Ernesto is often praised for his brilliant technique, artistry, and his exceptionally warm tone
and expressive interpretations on the guitar. Born in Havana, Cuba, Ernesto began studying the guitar with his father when he was five.
He made his television debut at the young age of nine.
Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Classical of Mexico enabled Ernesto to come to the United States where he received a full scholarship for advanced studies at
Peabody Conservatory with well-known guitarist Manuel Barrueco. In Cuba he studied with Antonio Alberto Rodriguez (Biki), and Leo Brouwer.
Since his arrival in the United States, Ernesto has performed in numerous concert series' and with orchestras in the United States and abroad. In September of 1999,
he made his Carnegie Hall debut with a sold-out performance. Past engagements at guitar festivals include appearances at the Fourth International Guitar Festival in
Cuernavaca, Mexico, the Sixth International Guitar Festival in Long Island, New York, the "Classical Guitarists of the World" concert series in Fullerton, California
and the Connecticut Guitar Summer Workshop. Ernesto has also given solo recitals for the classical guitar societies of Baltimore, Miami, Reno, Cheyenne and
Northern Colorado, among others.
Ernesto has recorded four albums, Ernesto Tamayo Plays Bach, Melodias Cubanas, The Cuban Guitarist, and Classical Persuasions. The Cuban Guitarist album features
two world premier recordings, “The Havana Suite” by Cuban guitarist and composer Aldo Rodriguez, and “Five Inspirations” composed by Ernesto himself. The Classical Persuasions album was released in September of 2006 where he feature works by Borges, Canonigos, Lauro, Weiss, Sor, Brouwer, Albeniz, and Rodrigo.
Ernesto is a recipient of career development grants from the Maryland State Arts Council, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the Bossak/Heilbron Foundation.
He is sponsored by Bacardi Foundation, Del Mar Foundation, La Bella Strings and performs with a David Daily, and Thomas Humphrey guitar.
When not playing the guitar, like most Cubans, Ernesto enjoys playing chess, and sipping Cuban coffee with friends.