Acclaimed pianist Dr. Juyeon Kang, a Steinway artist and educator, will present a concert at ����vlog���� on Wednesday, March 4.

The concert begins at 7 p.m in the Rowntree Recital Hall in the Walton Fine Arts Center. There is no cost for admission and the public is invited to attend.

A native of Korea, Kang is a professor of music at Northwestern College in Iowa. She brings the perfect blend of exquisite sound and formidable techniques to her audiences.

She earned a master’s and doctoral degrees in piano performance and literature, as well as a master’s degree in pedagogy of music theory at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She has performed in four continents and over a dozen countries, and her 2013-2014 concert season highlighted a debut recital at Carnegie Weill Hall in New York City.

In 2007 her debut recording of Joyful Noise was released from Fleur de Sons Classics, Ltd. and her second recording of Joyful Dances from Blue Griffin Recording in 2013 to critical acclaim. This present offering, Joyful Praise, which are hymn and worship music arrangements for solo piano, was released in 2022.

She spent two years in Vienna, Austria, working on her sabbatical leave research projects of “Viennese Culture and Its Music” and Orchestra Conducting by affiliating with the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna during the 2010-2011 and 2018-2019 academic years.

The post Pianist Kang to Present March 4 Concert appeared first on ����vlog����.

The ����vlog���� Music Department will present a concert featuring the Triptych Trio, an instrumental ensemble made up of West Texas A&M University faculty musicians, at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 24.

The concert will be held in the Rowntree Recital Hall, located in the Walton Fine Arts Center. There is no cost for admission and the public is invited to attend.

Formed in the spring of 2022, the trio is made up of James Barger on saxophone, Evgeny Zvonnikov on violin, and Dr. Sarah Rushing on piano. According to their website, the trio “enjoys exploring and performing innovative repertoire for saxophone, violin, and piano.”

Barger, an associate professor of saxophone, is an active performer of solo and chamber music throughout the United States and is in demand as a classical and jazz saxophonist and educator. In 2016, he joined the faculty of WTAMU where he teaches courses in applied saxophone and jazz improvisation and directing jazz ensembles. Additionally, he teaches during the summer on the faculties of the WTAMU Band Camp, WTAMU Chamber Music Strings Camp, the Young Saxophonist’s Institute, and the Asia Pacific Saxophone Academy in Bangkok, Thailand.

Zvonnikov is the Harrington Lecturer in Violin at WTAMU. The Russian violinist joined the music faculty and Harrington String Quartet in Canyon, Texas, in 2017. He previously taught violin at Wichita State University. He served for several years as associate concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and as Concertmaster of the Wichita Grand Opera Orchestra. He also appeared as�� Acting Concertmaster at Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. He has extensive experience performing as a soloist and as a chamber musician, enjoying both classical and contemporary repertoire. Frequently invited as a solo and ensemble performer, Zvonnikov has taken part in many concerts in the main concert halls in the U.S. and around the world.

Rushing is an assistant professor of piano at WTAMU where she teaches applied piano, class piano, and piano pedagogy. Her commitment to teaching is evidenced through her years of experience teaching private and group piano classes in the community and university settings in Louisiana, New York, Colorado, Virginia, and Texas. She has been an active member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) since 2009, serving as a faculty advisor, local competitions coordinator, adjudicator, and presenter for state and national conferences. As a performer, Rushing enjoys playing music off the beaten path and has appeared in competitions and recitals throughout the US. In 2013, she was featured on American Public Media’s “Performance Today.”��

The post Triptych Trio to Perform Concert Sept. 24 appeared first on ����vlog����.

When it came time for Duban Figueroa O. Palma to choose songs for his senior piano recital, the ����vlog���� student put careful thought and consideration into selecting each piece.

Figueroa will present his senior piano recital at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, in the Rowntree Recital Hall in the Walton Fine Arts Center.

Figueroa, an ecology and wildlife major from Fort Smith, Ark., will perform a variety of pieces, including Sergei Rachmaninov’s Prelude in B Minor, Gabriel Fauré ‘s Après un Rêve Op. 76 No. 1 and Frédéric Chopin’s Prelude in E minor and Prelude No. 20 in C minor Op. 28.

“Each piece I’ve chosen holds a special significance; there’s a purpose behind why I’m playing them which resonates with a particular memory or moment in my life,” Figueroa said. “Rachmaninov’s Prelude in B Minor, for example, often recalls my journey over the past four years at Ozarks. The quiet, delicate beginning reflects my freshman year—full of curiosity and uncertainty. The intense and weighty middle section mirrors the challenges and growth of my sophomore and junior years. And finally, the deep, calm ending captures the reflective peace of this final semester. Another meaningful piece is Fauré’s Après un Rêve, which tells the story of two people head over heels in love—a sentiment that reminds me of someone I met who felt like the right person, but at the wrong time. I believe every piece in this program carries an emotional thread—something that stirs a memory or feeling, whether of a person, a moment, or something more. That’s what makes music so powerful, it invites us to feel deeply and to remember.”

Figueroa, who is minoring in music as well as chemistry and athletic coaching, began playing the piano in the second semester of his sophomore year and has been involved in various music programs since then, including student piano recitals and in the Halloween Concert in the fall of 2024. 

“Learning about music in the classroom with [Ozarks Professors] Dr. Sharon Gorman and Dr. Jisook Park throughout my time here has made me a better listener and a hungry pianist,” he said. “I’ve been in music ever since junior high, starting with the trombone and moving towards the guitar and using my singing abilities at times.  Since being at the Ozarks, the music department has significantly broadened my understanding of music, more than I ever imagined and now with all the experience and growth I’ve gained, I’m excited to pursue a career as a pianist.”

Following graduation in May, Figueroa plans to pursue a master’s degree in plant science or botany in Europe, but first he will spend 3-4 months backpacking across Europe.

“I see this as an opportunity to experience new cultures, reset, and transition into the next chapter of my life as well as the chance to see the friends I made when I went abroad last year,” he said. “In addition to my academic goals, I plan to continue developing my musical career, particularly in piano, and aim to earn a musical certificate. My long-term vision is to work as a researcher in botany and mycology, contribute to scientific knowledge, and teach at the university level, while also maintaining a professional career as a pianist.”

The post Figueroa to Present Senior Piano Recital May 6 appeared first on ����vlog����.

The ����vlog���� music program will present several events over the next few weeks.

A recital featuring students in the applied voice class will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30. Students in applied piano will perform their class recital at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 5. Both events will be held in the Rowntree Recital Hall, located in the Walton Fine Arts Center on campus.

The University Choir will perform its annual spring concert at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 7 in Munger-Wilson Chapel.

In addition, Duban Figueroa Palma will perform his senior piano recital at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 6, in Rowntree.

Katrina Twitty, assistant professor music, said the concerts “will include a variety of spring-inspired classics in a variety of genres including classical, musical theatre, jazz, folk and contemporary commercial.”  

All of the events are free and open to the public.

The post Music Program Presents Recitals, Concert appeared first on ����vlog����.

Dr. Jisook Park, assistant professor of music and piano/staff collaborative pianist at ����vlog����, will present a pair of solo piano recitals in the coming weeks.

Park will perform at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 31, at Arkansas Tech University’s Witherspoon Auditorium. She will also perform at U of O’s Rowntree Recital Hall in the Walton Fine Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8.

There is no cost for admission to either concert and the public is invited.

Park, who joined the Ozarks faculty in July 2024, will present music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Joseph Haydn, Claude Debussy and Frederic Chopin.

Park holds a doctor of musical arts (DMA) degree in piano performance with a minor in opera coaching and accompanying from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in piano performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

She most recently served as visiting assistant professor of piano and collaborative piano at Eastern New Mexico University, where she managed the piano program and accompanied students, guest artists, and faculty concerts.

The post Park to Present Piano Recitals March 31, April 8 appeared first on ����vlog����.

The ����vlog����’ music and theatre programs will join forces to present the musical “The Great Broadway Radio Hour, Live” at 7 p.m, Friday, March 14.

The event will be held in the Seay Theatre, located in the Walton Fine Arts Center. There is no cost for admission and the public is invited.

The show is based on the award-winning KUOZ radio show, The Great Broadway Musical Hour, which is presented by U of O theatre professor emeritus Dr. Pat Farmer.

The performance will include students from the University Choir and the Musical Theatre Ensemble. The play is being co-directed by Ozarks professors, Dr. Macy Jones, Dr. Jisook Park and Katrina Twitty.

Among the movies and shows that songs that will be performed from include, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Hamilton, The Greatest Showman, Anastasia, Big River, and The Color Purple.

The post Music, Theatre Programs to Present Musical March 14 appeared first on ����vlog����.

Five ����vlog���� music students will compete in the 2025 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Arkansas Chapter vocal competition, to be held at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville on Feb. 28 through March 1.

The students participating are freshmen Emily Cross, Wannessa Lanthe Hanna, and Chelsea Sauceda Rodriguez, and sophomores Chase Akana and Carol Samaniego Montenegro. They will be performing multiple solo pieces of contrasting styles and languages in the categories of musical theatre, classical and commerical music.

The students, accompanied on piano by Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Jisook Park, will prepare three pieces, fully memorized in front of a panel of adjudicators of vocal professors and teachers from around the state of Arkansas. The judges will provide invaluable feedback and scores on their performances in the areas of vocal tone/quality, vocal technique, lyric diction, musicianship, characterization and overall presentation.

“The music students and Ozarks’ music program are excited to represent the University in this rewarding, competitive performance event,” said Assistant Professor of Music Katrina Twitty. “Voice students from all over the state of Arkansas will gather to compete in their respective categories and age-ranges in three rounds — preliminary, semifinals and finals — for monetary awards, as well as experience the opportunity to observe performances and masterclasses with internationally renowned vocal artists in the music industry.”

The post Music Students to Perform at State Competition appeared first on ����vlog����.

Dr. Jisook Park, assistant professor of music and piano/staff collaborative pianist at ����vlog����, will present a piano recital at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, in Munger-Wilson Memorial Chapel on campus.

There is no cost for admission and the public is invited to attend.

Park, who joined the Ozarks faculty in July 2024, will present music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Joseph Haydn, Claude Debussy and Frederic Chopin.

Park holds a doctor of musical arts (DMA) degree in piano performance with a minor in opera coaching and accompanying from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in piano performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

She most recently served as visiting assistant professor of piano and collaborative piano at Eastern New Mexico University, where she managed the piano program and accompanied students, guest artists, and faculty concerts.

The post Dr. Park to Present Music Recital Feb. 18 appeared first on ����vlog����.

����vlog���� will present its annual time-honored Christmas tradition, A Service of Lessons and Carols, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, in Munger-Wilson Memorial Chapel.

There is no cost to attend the service and the public is invited to attend.

The service will feature the University Choir, under the direction of Katrina Twitty, assistant professor of music.

Among the songs the choir will sing include, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel;” “Ave Maria;” “In the Bleak Midwinter;” “Joy to the World;” and “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent.”

The choir will be accompanied on the piano by Dr. Jisook Park, assistant professor of music, and on the organ by Dr. Sharon Gorman, professor emeritus of music. The service will also include accompaniment of guitar by Matt Bewley and violin by Marion Philippart.

The candlelight service will be directed by Rev. Jeremy Wilhelmi, University chaplain, and will include scripture readings by University students, faculty and staff.

“The Service of Lessons and Carols is Ozarks’ way of celebrating Christmas with our campus and local community before we break for the holiday,” Wilhelmi said. “We invite the community to come out and join us for this special Ozarks tradition.”

The post Service of Lessons and Carols set for Dec. 11 appeared first on ����vlog����.

Dr. Jisook Park has been hired to join the ����vlog���� faculty as assistant professor of music – piano/staff collaborative pianist, beginning the 2024 Fall Semester.

Park most recently served as visiting assistant professor of piano and collaborative piano at Eastern New Mexico University, where she managed the piano program and accompanied students, guest artists, and faculty concerts.

Park holds a doctor of musical arts (DMA) degree in piano performance with a minor in opera coaching and accompanying from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in piano performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

At ENMU, Park said she worked with students at various levels of musical ability, “from complete beginners to those who were passionate about pursuing a career in music and piano. Additionally, I collaborated with local high school music teachers to organize a piano day event, where I performed concerts and recruited students interested in learning the piano.”

Park has also worked as a full-time music teacher at a high school in Phoenix, and as a foreign lecturer at the UCSI University of Institute of Music in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In addition, she has served as a visiting music instructor and accompanist at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, a collaborative pianist at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and an artist pianist at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts in New Orleans. She also taught piano and accompanied the school choir and musical productions at one of the most prestigious boarding schools in Switzerland, Leysin American School.

“Having such a diverse teaching experience all over the world during my early career has helped me to become a better educator,” she said. “I learned to collaborate with all sorts of staff members and students regardless of their racial or ethnic background, gender, age, language, religion, physical or mental limitations, or country of origin. As a Korean immigrant who has spent most of her adulthood in the U.S. while also teaching extensively in Europe and Asia, my multicultural background and teaching experiences have helped me become a better communicator, mentor, performer, and educator. Embracing diversity, I can relate to and interact with a broad spectrum of ethnic groups, utilizing various aspects of international cultures, along with my passion for music, to accomplish my mission as an educator.”

The post Park Joins Faculty as Music Professor and Collaborative Pianist appeared first on ����vlog����.