HILLSBORO, Kan. – “From Russia with Love,” the first recital of the 2017-18 Tabor College Recital Series, will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17, at Tabor College in the Wohlgemuth Music Education Center’s Rehearsal Hall.
The recital showcases soprano Jen Stephenson and pianist J. Bradley Baker, both members of Tabor College’s music department faculty. Stephenson and Baker will perform selections by Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. The recital will include a multi-media presentation of images of Russian life and culture to accompany the music.
Baker serves Tabor as director of the Tabor College Music Preparatory School, the department vocal coach and collaborative pianist. In addition to his work at Tabor, he is also the principal pianist of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra.
Baker, who earned degrees from North Dakota State University, Cleveland Institute of Music and The University of Alabama enjoys a versatile career as a performing artist, vocal coach and educator. He has held appointments at Tabor College, The University of Alabama, The University of Texas at Tyler and Stillman College. His performances have been heard on public radio throughout North America and Great Britain.
Stephenson, assistant professor of music and director of vocal studies at Tabor College, holds degrees from The University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Westfield State University, The University of South Florida and The University of Alabama.
She has performed throughout the world, as a recitalist and with opera companies including Opera du Perigord in France, Utah Lyric Opera, and New Century Opera in Florida. Stephenson has also worked behind the scenes as an operatic stage director for university and community opera programs, and has won numerous awards for her work from the National Opera Association.
The first recital of the 2017-18 Tabor College Recital Series, features performances by internationally renowned music professionals from around the world. This season’s recitalists include Grammy-nominated cellist Leonid Shukaev as part of the Central Kansas Piano Quintet, and Metropolitan Opera singer Hugo Vera, among others.
The Wohlgemuth Music Education Center is located on the campus of Tabor College at 400 S. Jefferson Street in Hillsboro. There is no charge for admission to the recital. For further information, please contact the Tabor College Music Department at 620-947-3121 x 1403 or email jenniferstephenson@tabor.edu.