The West Shore Piano Trio continues the second annual President’s Chamber Music Series at Light Hall Theater on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
Founded on the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay in 2008 and based in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, the West Shore Piano Trio has been praised for “fluid” and “sultry” playing.
Made up of Jay DeWire (piano), Heather Haughn (violin) and Diana Flesner (cello), the trio has performed all across the nation at places like the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Chautauqua Institution.
The group plays with colorful passion and also provides insight to the works on the program through commentary and interaction with their audiences. Because they believe that “education and live performance enhance each other,” the trio provides biographical details about the composer, frames the work in the context of its time, and highlights the piece’s thematic and compositional elements—all in jargon-free language accessible to non-musicians and musicians alike.
Pianist DeWire is a frequent solo performer who is known for both his “dynamic interpretations of twentieth century works and his old-world flair.” Playing since age four, he gave his first solo recital at age 12 and went on to earn a B.A. with High Distinction and a Master of Arts in piano performance from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory. DeWire has recorded several live performance solo CDs that include works by Ravel, Debussy, Brahms and others.
In addition to playing with the West Shore Piano Trio, violinist Haughn is an orchestral player and teacher who currently plays with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Maryland Symphony Orchestra and the National Philharmonic, among others. She is a Goucher College and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts faculty member and was once a member of a Santa Fe-based quartet and the assistant principal second violinist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra.
Cellist Flesner has always been active as a chamber musician. She studied at the San Francisco Conservatory, University of Illinois and Middlebury College and has participated in Manchester Music Festival and The Quartet Program at Bucknell. Flesner served as principal cellist for the University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra and has played with Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana, Opera Illinois, Illinois Symphony and Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Learn more about the trio and preview their music at westshoretrio.com
This performance is sponsored by James Edd Hughs/Edward Jones Investments and co-sponsored by the Western Institute for Lifelong Learning.
Tickets to the West Shore Piano Trio’s concert at WNMU cost $15 each, or a President’s Chamber Music Series Season Pass is available for $60. Tickets can be purchased at WNMU Office of Cultural Affairs located in Hunter Hall or online at wnmu.edu/culture. Call 575-538-6469 with any questions.