OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Governor’s Chamber Music Series is back in full-swing after the Covid hiatus. The Washington State Governor’s Mansion Foundation (GMF) will present “Dances of the Seasons” Monday, March 27, 2023 at the mansion in Olympia. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with the concert beginning at 6:45 pm (PDT). Light appetizers and Washington wines will be served before the concert.
For more information on “Dances of the Seasons” or to make a reservation go to https://wagovmansion.org/product/spring-concert/. Deadline for tickets is March 15, 2023. Seats are limited to 50 guests with tickets costing $48 for GMF Friends and $68 for non-GMF Friends (to save money and be invited to “Friends” only events, become a Friend at https://wagovmansion.org/how-to-become-or-renew-as-a-friend-or-renew-as-a-trustee/ ).
Steinway Artist Judith Cohen will be featured in the concert along with Brian Wharton, cellist, and Svend Ronning, violinist.
Cohen made her European recital debut in 2002, performing two solo recitals in Budapest, Hungary, and since then has returned three times for concert tours of Hungary. She has performed solo recitals in Mexico, under the sponsorship of the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes. Critic Robert Somerlott of the Mexico City News hailed her as “an artist of unusual talent who captivated the audience with both her musicianship and stage presence.” She has performed solo and chamber music recitals throughout the Pacific Northwest, in Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Kentucky and Texas. She has also been presented in solo recitals by the Dame Myra Hess Recital Series in both Chicago and Los Angeles, and by the Florence Conservatory of Music in Italy.
Wharton performs with Pacific Northwest Ballet, is the principal cello of the Auburn Symphony and has appeared with the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, and the Northwest Chamber Orchestra. In addition, he has appeared on public radio, including KING-FM and KUOW. His love of chamber music has led him to create the Auburn Symphony Chamber Series. Mr. Wharton has been featured as a soloist with the Auburn Symphony, Spokane Symphony, Olympia Chamber Orchestra, and the Tacoma Youth Symphony.
Violinist Ronning enjoys a varied career as an artistic director, chamber musician, concertmaster, educator, and soloist. He is Chair of the String Division at Pacific Lutheran University where he is Professor of Music and violinist in the Regency String Quartet. His prior teaching appointments have included faculty positions at the Eastern Music Festival, the Shenandoah Conservatory, and the University of Virginia. One of the most active performers in the Puget Sound, Dr. Rønning serves as Concertmaster of Symphony Tacoma, as well as performing frequently as soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and recording artist. He is also Artistic Director of the Second City Chamber Series, Tacoma’s award winning producer of chamber music concerts and chamber music educational programs. Additional activities have included period instrument performance with the Puget Sound Consort, Tacoma’s ensemble for early music.
The Governor’s Mansion Foundation, with more than 200 members, is an all-volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan organization, that honors the historical and cultural importance of the Washington State Governor’s Mansion by maintaining and enhancing furnishings and art for the nine public rooms of the Mansion, educating the public about the Mansion and its history, and advocating on its behalf. GMF is not affiliated with the Governor or the Governor’s office.
