pianoSonoma announces 'Vino & Vibrato,' a 4-concert series

pianoSonoma, under the leadership of Co-Founders and Artistic Directors Jessica & Michael Shinn, enthusiastically announces its return to the concert hall with Vino & Vibrato, a 4-part concert series held at the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California with performances on July 20, 22, 27, and 29. 

This year’s series features performances by Bay Area favorite Peter Dugan (piano) and wife, Kara Dugan, (mezzo-soprano), cellists Michael Dahlberg and Anita Graef, Christine Wu (piano), San Francisco native Doori Na (violin), and the Shinns. Program highlights include an arrangement of Bach’s Concerto for Four Keyboards in A minor, BWV 1065 for five Artists in Residence, one guest artist, and the Shinns; selections from David Baker’s Roots II performed by Doori Na, Mike Dahlberg, and Peter Dugan; and the World Premiere of Trinity Pass by Thomas Cabaniss.

“It gives us goosebumps to know that we are returning to beautiful Schroeder Hall for our 2021 Vino & Vibrato concert series to present live music for the first time since the pandemic began,” says Jessica Shinn. “We gave thoughtful consideration to this year's programming and look forward to sharing our music with audiences.” Michael adds, “I can't begin to express how excited we all are to get back to live performances at pianoSonoma. The lineup of Artists in Residence is nothing short of outstanding, and I am particularly thrilled to be welcoming Anita Graef for her first year in the program. It will be pure joy to present our carefully curated programs to our dear friends in Sonoma, and Jessica and I are especially energized to deliver another premiere by Tom Cabaniss, Trinity Pass, for two pianos. Special thanks to the Green Music Center for welcoming us back and also to Yamaha Artist Services for their incredible support of the festival.”

All concerts take place at Schroeder Hall at GMC and begin at 6pm PT. Tickets go on sale to the public on July 8 at 12pm PT at gmc.sonoma.edu.

Click here for a full program information
Click here for information on the Artists in Residence

Click here for a digital press kit

About pianoSonoma

pianoSonoma is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to providing a unique forum for emerging Artists in Residence to interact with serious adult musicians through concerts, chamber music rehearsals, classes and community engagements. By helping to educate festival participants in the arts of musicianship and performance, Artists in Residence (current conservatory music majors or recent graduates) develop leadership and communication skills, while gaining valuable teaching experience. Through this intersection of musicians and their collaborations in community concerts, pianoSonoma creates new audience awareness and appreciation of classical music.

pianoSonoma is kept uniquely small in order to create the most supportive and collegial atmosphere possible. Each week-long session offers private lessons taught by faculty members, guided rehearsals with Artists in Residence, daily masterclasses, and public performances.

Established in 2011, pianoSonoma co-founders and Artistic Directors Jessica and Michael Shinn met as students at The Juilliard School in New York City, and after spending time in the beautiful wine regions of California, the two Yamaha Artists were inspired to create a summer music festival in Sonoma County. The combination of wine and music is a natural fit, and the location is a beautiful one for musical stimulation.

About Michael Shinn & Jessica Chow Shinn
Co-Founders and Artistic Directors 

Pianists Jessica and Michael Shinn perform regularly throughout the United States. Passionate advocates of new music, The Shinns have given world premieres by composers such as Adam Schoenberg and Thomas Cabaniss. They commissioned the latter to write a major two-piano concerto, Double Rainbow, which saw its premiere in 2017 with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. The work was performed again in 2018 with the San Luis Obispo Symphony and will be the centerpiece of a forthcoming album featuring the music Cabaniss has written for the duo. As Yamaha Artists, the Shinns have been invited to speak about the role of the arts in society and to perform at the Pebble Beach Authors and Ideas Festival. 

Michael Shinn joined Boston Conservatory at Berklee in 2017 as dean of music. In this capacity, he oversees Music Division faculty, students, and curriculum development. Michael’s diverse career in music reflects his deep passion for performance, education, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the arts. Learn more about Michael here. 

Jessica Chow Shinn is associate professor of piano and is head of collaborative piano at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She was a faculty member at The Juilliard School in the College and Evening Divisions from 2012-2017. Learn more about Jessica here.