Program: DORIS ANNE McMULLENl

Topic: "Brahms"

Program: Jeffrey Biegel

Topic: "Bach and embellishments"

Program: CRISTIANA PEGORARO

Topic: "Beethoven's Sonatas"

Cristiana Pegoraro, pianist and composer, has devoted years to perfecting her technique and mastering the works of the great composers. Critics recognize her as one of the best interpreters of Latin-American composers and an interesting composer herself.

Currently she is performing all 32 piano sonatas of Beethoven in Italy and Germany, the first female Italian pianist to do so. It is a project of 8 concerts, the sonatas grouped according to Cristiana's personal criteria.

Cristiana studied with Jorg Demus, Hans Leygraf and Nina Svetlanova. She was the winner of various international competitions. In  1989 in Prague she won Best of the Year for Classical Music Award "for her natural talent, great personality, mastery of phrasing and expressive maturity." She had a stunning 1996 debut at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.

Ms. Pegoraro has performed since childhood as a soloist and with orchestras in the US, South America, the Middle East, Asia and Australie She has appeared on RV and radio broadcasts worldwide.

Her vast discography counts 22 CD's on the Decision Products, Nuova Era, Dynamic and Diva labels. 3 alums are of here original compositions: A musical Journey, Ithaka and La mia Umbria. Others present music of classical composers, new interpretations of Piazzolla's tangos and performances of Cuban composer Ernest Lecuono.

Cristiana regularly presents master classes at universities and colleges in the US and abroad. She is the author of "Ithaka", a book of poems; and a series of children's books based on Italian operas.

She supports various international organizations - among them UNICEF, Amnesty International, World Food Programme - in their humanitarian efforts. For these efforts in advancing world peace. she received the "World Peace Award" from the Circolo Culturale Italiano in 2005 at here 10th concert at Lincoln Center. Cristiana is Ambassador of the Right to Music and a supporter of the Umbrian tourist campaign throughout the world.

Program:  Blair McMillen
"Win-Win - new and recent piano music that your students (and you!) will love"
Featuring music of John Adams, Gyorgi Ligeti, Meredith Monk and more

Blair McMillen has established himself as one of the most sought-after and versatile pianists today. His repertoire spans from late-medieval keyboard manuscripts to the 21st century. Recent performances include solo appearances with the American Symphony Orchestra, the Albany Symphony? Dogs of Desire, Miller Theatre's 15th anniversary "Piano Revolution, Orchestra of St. Luke's , Caramoor, CalArts, the Institutes for Advanced Study, and "Music for the New Century at Columbia University. Mr. McMillen recently made his Carnegie Hall debut as soloist, under the baton of David Robertson. His first CD "Soundings" , featuring music of Debussy, Scriabin, Liszt and Bolcom, was released to wide critical acclaim. Other recent solo recording include "Powerhouse Pianist" on Lumiere, "Concert Music of Fred Hersch" on Naxos, and "Multiplicities: Born in "38" on Centaur.

Dedicated to new and groundbreaking projects,  Blair McMillen is intensely committed to performing the music of today. He has premiered hundreds of pieces and constantly works with both established and emerging composers in commissioning new works for the piano. Pianist for the Naumburg Award- winning Da Capo Chamber Players; Mr. McMillen plays regularly with the downtown-NYC based Avian Orchestra, St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble, the locrian Chamber Players, and the American Modern Ensemble, among others. An active educator, improviser and self-taught jazz pianist, he serves on the faculty at  Bard College and Conservatory

Program: CARLO MONTPARKER
Topic: A pianist's Journey and Homecoming: Chronicle Two

Carol Montparker speaks about her upcoming new book, "A pianist's Journey and Homecoming: Chronicle Two", a sequel to her much-acclaimed first book, "The Anatomy of a New York Debut Recital", a diary of her preparation for her recital at Carnegie Hall in 1976. More than 30 years later, with three more books published, hundreds of articles, concerts and lectures behind her, Montparker returned to the same hall to give a special birthday concert. This is an account of new perspectives and reflections. She will also talk about her recent " Composer's Landscape" workshop on Mozart and will play for us.

Carol Montperker is a pianist and the author of 4 books and numerous articles on music. The New York Times called her 1976 recital at  Carnegie Recital Hall " a splendid debut", and her diary of the experience evolved into her first book, "The Anatomy of a New York Debut Recital" leading to Montparkers' tangential career in music journalism. This chronicle spurred enthusiastic response from hundreds of musicians including Glenn Gould ( who was planning to write a sequel to it)

Montparker's over 200 feature articles written both as an editor of Clavier Magazine for over 20 years and for other publications as well, included here monthly column, "Carillion", interviews of world-famous concert artists, essays and reviews. She received 3 Awards of Excellence from the Educational Press of America.

Invited to john the distinctive roster of Steinway Artists,  Carol Montparker continues to be an active recitalist. Her CD's , Pianogarden I and II, have received praises including from the New York Times which called here "a real artist, whose playing is unfailingly graceful and affecting," and International Piano ( Jan. 2008): " Carol Montparker sparkles radiantly across a broad spectrum of repertoire ... the grace and sheer communicated warmth of here playing in the Mozart, spill over into the Bach and the Schubert, and in Revel's Sonatine, an enchanting reading that brims over with affection."

Montparker's two professions of playing music and writing have provided bountiful material for her lecture-recitals. She has been a guest lecturer and recitalist at conservatories, museums and universities, as well as at piano festivals and conferences. Her books, "The Blue Piano and Other Stories" (31 Tales from the life of a musician- 2004), and "A pianist's Landscape" (essays on music), in its 2nd printing, have received excellent reviews A children's book, "Polly and the Piano" , written and illustrated by Montparker also contains a CD of live performances.

Carol Montparker maintains and enjoys an active teaching studio in here residence in Huntington, Long Island, Please visit www.montparker.com

Program:EVELYN ULEX
Topic: "Schumann's Birth Bi-Centennial:" Scenes From Childhood" and Other Pieces

Evelyn Ulex, pianist, born in Berlin, Germany. At  the age of ten she won the national " Festival of Young Talent" competition in Dresden, and later received top medals in the J. S. Bach competition in Leipzig. She was placed in the prestigious Speciall School for Music in Berlin and continued her studies at the Hanns Eisler University. She graduated from the UdK and further studied with Boris Bloch at the Folkwang Hochschule, where she got her artist diploma.

Ms. Ulex was a finalist in the Frienna Awerbuch International Piano Competition in New York City, Laying the cornerstone of her careers in both the US and Europe. She has performed as a soloist, with orchestras, and intensively in chamber music concerts throughout Europe and Americas, including such venues as the Philharmonie & Konzerthaus (Berlin), Philharmonie Gdansk, Southampton  Int'l Pianofest, Weill Hall Symphony Space, 92nd Street Y, Donnell Library Center, Rutgers University and at the German Consulates in New York, Miami and  Vancouver. In her native Germany she has appeared ion Culture Radio Berlin and on the " Artist Portraits" series on Radio3.

Ms. Ulex collaborates directly with contemporary composers, providing input and performing their works (recording for Koch Records of Music by John David Earnest 2007). Along with her solo performances, Ms. Ulex participates in innovative chamver music events, such as " Classical Brecht" with renown German film and stage actor Hartmut Becker and " 200 Years of Brazilian Classical Songs" with soprano Katia Huedes.

Of special notice is her work with the TransAtlantic Ensemble and " Sight & Sound" , a brilliant collaboration with visual artist Ade Frey.

Program: ANDREW ARMSTRONG
Topic: "Mendelssohn at the intersection: a look at the influences of Bach and the Romantic Movement on his Art.

Andrew Armstrong has been praised for his passionate expression and dazzling technique. He has delighted audiences around the world. He has performed solo recitals and appeared with orchestras in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the US. Mr.  Armstrong has performed chamber music with Alexander, American, and Manhattan String Quartets; as a member of the Caramoor Virtuosi; and as a member of the Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players.

Mr. Armstrong has impressed his international audiences with a large repertoire ranging from Bach to Babitt. Before starting his career as a  concert pianist, he received over 25 national and international First Prizes. He was the youngest entrant in the 1993 Van Cliburn Competition and received the Jury Discretionary Award.

His 2CDs were released in  2004 and 2007 to critical acclaim. Mr. Armstrong is devoted to outreach programs and playing for children. His is regularly heard on NPR and  WQXR radio.