The Mississippi University for Women Department of Music will host the 59th annual Mississippi Music Teachers Association state conference, which will feature Grammy award-winning pianist Angelin Chang.
The conference will be held Nov. 1-2 with Chang’s performance Friday evening Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Kossen Auditorium, Poindexter Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Chang is noted for her sense of poetry and technical brilliance. She has performed concerts in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Her concerts have led her to such venues as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia and the Lincoln Center in New York.
Chang is the first pianist of Asian descent and the first female American classical pianist to win a Grammy for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra for her recording of Olivier Messiaen’s “Oiseaux Exotiques” with the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, conducted by John McLaughlin Williams.
As the first Artist-in-Residence at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Chang participated in the development and launching of the Arts for Everyone initiative. She has performed at the U.S. Department of State, for the United Nations Women’s Organization and for World AIDS Day in New York for the United Nations before the secretary-general.
An active chamber musician, she performs regularly with the legendary violist Joseph de Pasquale, The de Pasquale String Quartet and with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra.
MMTA was awarded a $3,800 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission, which will be used to support the conference.
The annual conference provides Mississippians a venue to come together to experience performances, workshops, newly composed music and competitions to develop both student and teacher skills.
“We are very honored to host the conference this year,” said Julia Mortyakova, department chair.
The W also will host collegiate competitions Saturday, March 1.
Mississippi Music Teachers Association is a non-profit, statewide organization whose purpose is to promote music education and professional development of music teachers, music students, and all people of Mississippi.
For additional information, contact the Department of Music 662-241-6399.
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