The Music Department at Ģý is pleased to announce the first Sunday Recital of the season at 3 p.m. on September 25 when the Meraki Duo will take the stage at Francis Auditorium. The duo, clarinetist Anastasia Christofakis and pianist Elizabeth Hill, will treat the audience to a program of Latin-American composers, in honor of Latino-Hispanic Heritage month, including two pieces by Argentine composer Carlos Guastavino (the charming Tonada y Cueca and the Sonata for Clarinet and Piano); some short, lively works by Mexican composer Manuel Ponce; and Arturo Márquez’s Zarabandeo, a piece full of dance rhythms. The duo will close the program with Cuban composer Paquito D’Rivera’s Cape Cod Files, a fun, jazzy suite that includes movements with titles such as “Benny at 100” and “Chiquita Blues.”
The Meraki Duo is dedicated to making a social impact through music. “Our program features musical elements that reflect on traditional folk-song and dance styles,” explains pianist Elizabeth Hill. “We chose these pieces not only because of their rich cultural connections, but also because they aren’t performed or recorded often; giving us the great opportunity to share such unique music with audiences today.”
Hill is an accomplished soloist, chamber musician, orchestral pianist, and educator, and she is the principal pianist with Baltimore-based chamber orchestra, Symphony Number One. She has a doctorate from The Catholic University of America, a master’s degree from James Madison University and a bachelor’s degree in music performance from Ģý, where she was a student of Dr. Lise Keiter.
“We are so pleased delighted to bring Elizabeth back to campus, along with Anastasia Christofakis, for our first Sunday Recital of the season,” says Keiter, who is chair of the Music Department at Ģý. “They have chosen a wonderful program — many of the pieces may be unfamiliar, yet they will be very appealing to the listener.”
Clarinetist Anastasia Christofakis enjoys an active career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator. She has presented solo and chamber performances at numerous universities, conferences, and music festivals. She has a doctorate from Florida State University, where she was the winner of the Presser Music Award for her project relating to Armenian music.
Ģý’s Sunday Recital Series also includes performances by pianist Clement Acevedo on October 23; flutist Erin Murphy, soprano Melissa Sumner, and pianist Tonya Menard on November 13; hornist Ian Zook with pianist Tracey Schimmel Reed on January 22; cellist Elizabeth Cantrell on February 7; and pianist Lise Keiter on March 19. Audiences will also not want to miss the opening Carl Broman Concert — the award-winning Weiss-Kaplan-Stumpf Trio performs at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1.
Single tickets for September 25 may be purchased at the door and are $5 for the general public and $4 for students and seniors (free for Ģý students). Season tickets are also available. To purchase tickets online or find more information, visit or call 540-887-7294.