Aloha International Piano Festival Features Concerts, Workshops and Masterclasses

HONOLULU - June 8, 2015 - PRLog -- The 10th annual Aloha International Piano Festival (AIPF) continues un at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu with events for students, teachers and music lovers. To celebrate 10 years of music-making in Hawaii, AIPF presents a Jubilee Extravaganza Concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 14 featuring encore performances of the most exciting and memorable concerts from the first Festival in 2006 through to the ninth Festival in 2014. AIPF guest artists Jon Nakamatsu, Thomas Sauer, Haewon Song, Sara Davis Buechner, Noriko Uenaka, and Lisa Nakamichi will be joined by acclaimed musicians from across Hawaii in this one-of-a-kind concert.

Music lovers are also invited to participate in a workshop titled Conversations with the Artists at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 12. A rare opportunity in the classical music world, the event is an open forum with all AIPF guest artists. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with questions, whether they’re curious about how these artists schedule enough practice time or combat pre-concert jitters and the demands of international touring.

“This type of open forum is possible at AIPF because of the friendly environment at the Festival; we always try to be as communicative as possible with the audience,” explains AIPF Founder, Lisa Nakamichi. “Why put a barrier between us? This is a rare opportunity to bring artists and audience members together. We're honored that all visiting guest artists are willing to share their thoughts and artistry with Hawaii's music community.”

The week’s events include:

Masterclass with Sara Davis Buechner
Tuesday, June 9, at 9:30 a.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center
Tickets: General $15, Students $5 (Tickets available at the door)
Back by popular demand, acclaimed concert pianist and University of British Columbia professor Sara Davis Buechner will conduct a masterclass performed by students enrolled in the Aloha International Piano Academy.  This is an excellent opportunity to get inspired from one of music’s most respected artists in a friendly setting.

A Celebration of Dance – Let’s Dance!
Wednesday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center
Tickets: General $25, Students $10
A Celebration of Dance – Let’s Dance! features AIPF guest faculty including Jon Nakamatsu, Thomas Sauer, Haewon Song, Sara Davis Buechner, Noriko Uenaka and Lisa Nakamichi, as well as violinist Ignace (Iggy) Jang in an enchanted evening of dance music highlighting works by Brahms, Dvorak, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky. This magical program includes fan-favorites including Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.

Mozart Workshop by Thomas Sauer
Thursday, June 11 at 10 a.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center
Tickets: General $15, Students $5 (Tickets available at the door)
Form, Style and Performance in Mozart’s Piano Sonatas: For many pianists, Mozart’s music presents the paradox of seeming at once readily playable yet extremely difficult, easily accessible yet remote.  In this talk, celebrated concert pianist and Mannes College – The New School professor Thomas Sauer will address form and style in Mozart’s piano sonatas with a view toward opening interpretive possibilities in this essential corner of the pianist’s repertoire.

Workshop: Conversations with the Artists
Friday, June 12 at 10 a.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center
Tickets: General $15, Students $5 (Tickets available at the door)
You’re invited to meet the guest artists of the Aloha International Piano Festival at this unique event featuring a fun question and answer period. All guest artists - Jon Nakamatsu, Thomas Sauer, Haewon Song, Sara Davis Buechner and Lisa Nakamichi - will be present to answer questions from the audience. Come prepared with questions about being a professional musician!

AIPF 10th Anniversary Jubilee Extravaganza “Encore!”
Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 4 p.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center
Tickets: General $25, Students $10
AIPF presents an encore performance of the most exciting and memorable concerts from the first Festival in 2006 through the ninth Festival in 2014. Audience favorites such as “Pianomania,” “Tango Extravaganza,” and “Gershwin Extravaganza” will each make a comeback. Artists include concert pianists Jon Nakamatsu, Thomas Sauer, Haewon Song, Sara Davis Buechner, Noriko Uenaka and Lisa Nakamichi, as well as special guests Timothy Smith, Mark Wong, Lauren Nguyen, Kai Wong, and Mari Yoshihara. In addition, Melanie Yamada (clarinet), Ignace “Iggy” Jang (violin), Guy Merola (voice), Todd Yukumoto (saxophone) and Shima Rossitto (flute) will be featured in a program that also includes works by Bizet, Piazzolla and Bernstein.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit alohapianofestival.comand follow AIPF on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AlohaPianoFestival).

About the Aloha International Piano Festival
Founded in 2006 by pianist Lisa Nakamichi, the Aloha International Piano Festival (AIPF) is a non-profit organization committed to educating Hawaii’s children and teachers. AIPF addresses three main needs: the need for music teacher training, the need for low-cost music concerts and music education opportunities, and the need for high-caliber classes and lessons for piano students. AIPF strives to elevate the awareness of classical music in Hawaii while offering people of all ages the opportunity to experience music in a welcoming and educational setting. As a result of volunteer efforts and work to minimize administrative costs, AIPF has consistently offered programs at low and affordable rates for more than eight years. Visit alohapianofestival.com (http://www.alohapianofestival.com/) for more information.

The Aloha International Piano Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of The Atherton Foundation, the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu, and the Music Teachers National Association Foundation.