Please join us Sunday, November 24th at 3 PM as we welcome Kristi Hanno, Julian Nguyen, Neilson Chen, and Victor Mercado to Shepherd of the Hills. This concert is part of our 60th Anniversary Concert Series, celebrating 60 years in Arcadia and the Southwest Conference, as we honor our past and look toward the future. As an audience member, you'll experience a live performance of music that might otherwise only be heard in a concert hall. In recognition of the musicians’ dedication and artistry, donations will be solicited at the concert. Please give as you are able. In consideration of what to give, suggested ranges are: for an individual, $15 – 30; for a couple or a family, $25 – 40. All donations are appreciated. We anticipate a joyful afternoon of Violin, Piano and Voice, and we’d love to see you there!
Clarinetist Kristi Hanno, a native Iowan currently based in the Phoenix metropolitan area as a teaching artist, has performed for various communities across the United States, Chile, and throughout Europe in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Iceland, and Croatia as both a soloist and as a chamber musician. Discussing and workshopping various topics concerning the clarinet, chamber music, sustainability, interdisciplinary and sociological aspects are what Ms. Hanno enjoys to share with communities of all ages and levels of ability in masterclass and recital settings. As an advocate for utilizing her instrument in all genres of music, Ms. Hanno strives to shatter any traditional assumptions towards what it means to be a musician today. Presently, Ms. Hanno is on the 2019 cohort for the Global Leaders Program while completing her degree for Clarinet Performance as a Doctoral candidate at Arizona State University.
In 2015, Julian Nguyen earned a Bachelor's of Music in Violin Performance with a Business Minor from Rice University. He currently studies with Dr. Jonathan Swartz at ASU where he is earning his Masters of Music in Violin Performance. Outside of his studies, Julian devotes his time to his students and his ensembles, giving back to his community through mentorship and performance.
After graduating from Rice, Julian won the title of Assistant Principal Second Violin in the Symphony of Southeast Texas, performing three seasons with them. Additionally, he has performed as a substitute for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, augmenting the violin sections as needed at their home in New Orleans. He taught privately in Pasadena ISD and Clear Creek ISD, worked as a substitute private instructor at the University of Houston Moores School of Music Preparatory Program and Vivaldi Music Academy, and maintained a private studio serving the Houston area before moving to Tempe. Teaching violin brings Julian immense satisfaction, as he knows firsthand the efficacy of the teaching methods passed on to him by his undergraduate professor Kenneth Goldsmith and current professor Dr. Jonathan Swartz. He strives to unlock the potential of all his students, much in the same way Mr. Goldsmith and Dr. Swartz have for him, shaping them into thoughtful, well-rounded musicians who will be set up for success in today's rapidly shifting classical music scene.
Most recently, Julian has won Concertmaster of the ASU Symphony, performed with his string quartet in masterclasses for Brooklyn Rider, and continued experimenting with creating aesthetically tailored performances designed to engage and excite new audiences. In his latest installation, senza suono (commissioned by KTRU Rice Radio), he created a hand-painted set and customized lighting effects (performed in real time) to maximize the visual impact of his performance. Julian looks forward to the continued exploration of these and additional stimuli to be paired with his future performances.
Neilson Chen, a native of Taiwan, is a highly sought-after recitalist and collaborative pianist, whose dazzling technique and thoughtful interpretations have been described by the L.A. Times as "stunning." The recipient of two Master's degrees from Taipei National University of the Arts and University of Texas at Austin, Neilson has studied under esteemed teachers such as Constance Lee and Anne Epperson. Currently, he is pursuing his doctoral degree in collaborative piano at Arizona State University under Dr. Andrew Campbell. Over the course of his career, Neilson has been the recipient of many prestigious honors and awards. Also, he has performed extensively throughout the United States and internationally, having given performances in Germany, Luxemburg, France, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. In 2009 he had the honor of performing at the National Concert Hall in Taiwan in conjunction with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Neilson spends his summers participating in music festivals as a staff pianist all over the world, including the Kathaumixw Choir Festival in Canada. In 2014 and 2016, Neilson was invited to be a guest artist at both the Saarburg International Music Festival in Germany and the Vianden Music Festival and School in Luxemburg. When he is not traveling, Neilson is highly active in his community.
Victor Mercado, a Los Angeles based performing artist, he is excited to be here in Phoenix, AZ to continue his professional development at ASU’s Music Theatre and Opera through their Master of Music in Music Theatre & Opera Performance. Although he is classically trained, his experiences include a wide variety of genres and styles from Oratorio to Vocal Jazz. Some of his favorite stage experiences include the role of Fenton in The Merry Wives of Windsor and featured roles in Jekyll and Hyde, Nine, and The Magic Flute. As an accomplished performer, Victor has performed for many events at the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall and Segerstrom Center including Bernstein’s Mass, Legend of Zelda Symphony of the Goddesses, and John Williams: Maestro of the Movies. When he is not honing his performance skills for the next production, as an aspiring linguist and diction coach he studies many world languages. He is very happy to share his love of languages, music, and world cultures with others in and outside of his performances.