On Saturday, November 21, 2020, we hosted Dr. Elly Toyoda, a world-class violinist, and her artist/composer friends for a fun salon of music and discussion.

The program was streamed LIVE on Facebook and YouTube – although we had some difficulties with the YouTube stream and resorted to inviting participants into the zoom room. We will do that in the future so they can participate in Q/A if they desire.

The artists and composers who will joined Dr. Toyoda are as follows:

• ·      Martin Bresnick – Composer
• ·      Cherylyn Lavagnino – Contemporary Dancer
• ·      Scott Ordway – Composer
• ·      Sabina Petra – Actor, singer, composer, writer
• ·     Matthew Duvall – Percussionist and co-founder of Eighth Blackbird

You can view the entire event by clicking HERE. The actual event starts at approximately 3:50 into the video. Enjoy!

On Saturday, May 30, we hosted opera singers Patrice Michaels and Evan Bravos for “A Taste of Opera LIVE!” This is a prelude to our upcoming October 24 salon, “The Notorious RBG in Song!”

This was the first of our “virtual salons” – graciously given to us by the COVID-19 “stay at home” policy. So – we “stayed at home” and connected with our guests and guests from all over the nation.

There were a few technical difficulties – it took us about five minutes to go live (and I take the responsibility for those difficulties!).

You can view the recording of the salon by clicking HERE!!

An entertaining evening for all – fun variety of percussion sounds with detailed explanations. Participation from audience members made the evening very special. THANK YOU, Matthew and Lisa! Well done!

On Monday evening, December 5, the Big Shoulders Ensemble joined enthusiastic guests with a delightful “chamber jam!”

Musicians traded off as they filled the evening with works of Mozart, Wagner, and others – playing together unrehearsed for the first time and filling the room with chamber music – the “way it was originally conceived.”

As the philosopher Goethe explained, chamber music is an “Intelligent conversation” – and the musicians of the Big Shoulders ensemble proved his point completely!

The ensemble WILL BE BACK in the spring – so stay tuned!!

Former Secretary of the Navy, John H. Dalton, delivered an inspiring talk to about 40 enthusiastic Navy fans at our second salon of the season. Thanks, John! Bravo Zulu!