Dr. Jody Graves

The Okanogan County Chapter of the Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA) is thrilled to bring Dr. Jody Graves of EWU to our area on Friday, Nov. 2.

Dr. Graves holds a Doctorate Degree in Piano Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where she was the recipient of the distinguished “Teacher of the Year” award for her excellence in teaching. Dr. Graves is especially interested in promoting concert art music, creating unique ways to foster a collaborative experience between artist and listener and she is dedicated to maintaining the life of music in our schools and culture. She is recognized for her creative ability to engage the audience during her concerts with anecdotes, historical perspectives and humor.

The following performances are partly funded by grants from the National Music Teachers Association and the Omak Performing Arts Foundation.

An American Pianist in the Persian Gulf will be presented (by Dr. Graves) at 2 p.m. at the Omak High School in the PAC, students are free, and visitor’s admission is by donation. Jody Graves, pianist, served a cultural ambassador to the United States in the Persian Gulf in May 2006. She performed 14 concerts in a tour of Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. This was an historical event sponsored by the U.S. State Department. The following is a quote from the U.S. State Department report published in June 2006: “The impact of this kind of cultural program cannot be overstated. Many of our contacts marveled at this display of American culture and stressed the importance of cultural outreach in winning over skeptics of American society and values. Since Sept. 11, 2001 and the onset of the Global War on Terrorism, cultural programs have steadily declined in the Middle East. We applaud ECA’s Performing Arts Initiative for supporting this vital effort to increase mutual understanding in the Gulf region. Now is the time to bring cultural programs back in earnest, to remind the region that America’s strength is not just its military and political muscle, but the creativity, free-expression and leadership qualities of its society.”

This compelling presentation includes video clips, stores and power-point slides.

Tales from the Piano, a piano concert, will be performed at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. Adults are $12, Seniors are $10 and Youth (includes college students) are $5, ages 12 and under are free. Dr. Graves will perform selections from a variety of composers from 18th and 20th century, engaging the audience with historical perspectives and anecdotes.

Teaching the Spirit of Musicianship, a lecture/ workshop for any teacher of music with a piano emphasis to be followed by Piano Master classes with students. This will be held at Nora Ridenour’s Piano Studio between Omak and Riverside from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Adults cost is $15, participating students are just $5; their families at no cost.

Private Lessons, Dr. Graves is available Saturday afternoon for private lessons, $75/ hour. Please contact Nora Ridenour at (509) 826-4323 to set a time.

Please contact (509) 486-4673 or (509) 422-4660 for more information or visit www.wsmta.net.