Repertory Dance Theatre is bringing the talented artists from Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation to Ring Around the Rose for the first time as part of the series’ 20th anniversary season. Gina Bachauer will perform on Saturday, February 10 at 11 am in the stunning Jeanne Wagner Theatre to celebrate the history of great American piano music.
Soprano, Laurel Elizabeth Hofer will join pianist, Janae Williams to introduce the audience to brilliant, virtuoso piano music. The artists will focus on music inspired by American songs and written by American composers including Aaron Copland, Louis Gottschalk and George Gershwin. The audience will be invited to sing along throughout the show to favorites like “Camptown Races” and more.
Pianist Janae Codner Williams began taking piano lessons at the age of four and made her symphony debut at the age of seven, performing with the Utah Valley Symphony under the direction of Ralph Laycock. She has performed with many other orchestras in Russia, Illinois, Florida, California and Utah. Janae also performed as a soloist with the Utah Symphony’s annual Salute to Youth concert at the ages of eight, ten and thirteen. Janae graduated with a Master’s of Music in April 2017 from Brigham Young University and is now pursuing a doctorate at the University of Utah studying under the direction of Dr. Ning Lu.
Like all Ring Around the Rose performances, the audience will have a chance to participate in the action with an invitation to sing-along to well-known tunes. This wiggle-friendly show will delight young audiences as well as educate them on the history of American piano music.
Laurel Elizabeth Hofer is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music. She has performed in many Opera and Musical Theatre productions in Utah and Ohio. She is presently head of the Vocal Department at The Gifted Music School in Salt Lake City.
The mission of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation is to further the pianistic art, foster excellence in performance and teaching, develop opportunities for pianists beyond the scope of the organization and offer leadership in developing a musically-educated citizenry. While they are well-known for their international piano competitions, they perform around Utah in the schools as part of their “Music-In-Our-Schools” program.
The Music-In-Our-Schools program is designed to introduce students to the finest classical piano literature, develop young piano audiences, and instill a life-long desire to seek beautiful music, as well as teach concert manners and more.
Like all Ring Around the Rose performances, the audience will have a chance to participate in the action with an invitation to sing-along to well-known tunes. This wiggle-friendly show will delight young audiences as well as educate them on the history of American piano music.
Who: GINA BACHAUER INTERNATIONAL PIANO FOUNDATION
What: RDT’s Ring Around the Rose
When: Saturday, February 10 at 11 am
Where: Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (138 West 300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101)
How: $5 tickets available through ArtTix (www.arttix.org, 801-534-1000, or at the box office)
