Friday, May 08, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Guys and Dolls This Weekend!

PAI's Celia Hottenstein and Taylor Delvecchio star in Wyoming Valley West's production of "Guys and Dolls." Words and music by Frank Loesser. Make sure you see all of PAI's guys and dolls in the cast: Taylor Delvecchio, Evan Frace, Sarah Galante, Celian Hottenstein, A.J. Klopotoski, Jillian Puhalla and Amanda Shaffern.
Date: April 2, 2009 - April 4, 2009. There will be a free senior citizen performance on April 1, 2009.
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Wyoming Valley West High School, Wadham Street, Plymouth, PA 18651
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Let Us Entertain You!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
PAI Percussion Duo in Concert on March 17th
Gene Koshinski and Mike Correa will be performing in Clarks Summit on March 17th. They are doing 6 shows in 6 days, all percussion duo works including the premiere of Gene's newest original work entitled "And So the Wind Blew...".
"Soundings"
March 17, 7:30 pm
1st Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit,
300 School St
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
Admission: FREE
More information available at http://www.genekoshinski.com/.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wyoming Seminary presents A Schubert Festival - This Weekend!
A weekend of free concerts featuring Sophie Till – Violin, Christiane Appenheimer-Vaida – Cello, Ron Stabinsky and Cathy Liu – Piano, Kevin Grace – Baritone, and the Wyoming Seminary Madrigal Singers with John Vaida
Friday, February 20, 2009
8:00 p.m.
Piano Trios Op 99
and Op 100
Saturday, February 21
8:00 p.m.
A Major Duo D 574
“Fantaisie” D 934 for Violin and Piano
“Arpeggione” Sonata D 821
for Cello and Piano
Sunday, February 22
4:00 p.m.
Excerpts from
“Schwanengesang”
Tenor and Piano
Wyoming Seminary Madrigal Singers
This festival is supported by the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts and Wyoming Seminary.
All performances are held on Wyoming Seminary’s Upper School campus,
in the Great Hall, 228 Wyoming Avenue, just north of Kingston Corners.
Concerts are Free and Open to the Public.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Shanghai String Quartet Returns July 6, 2009

We are pleased to announce that the world renowned Shanghai String Quartet will join us this summer on July 6th for a day of masterclasses and an evening performance. We consider the quartet to be very good friends of PAI and we are fortunate that they are so generous with their time and talents.
The Quartet regularly tours the great music centers of North and South America, Asia, and Europe. They have appeared frequently at New York's Carnegie Hall, and their travels have taken them from London, Vienna and Prague, to Australia's Sydney Opera House. Strad magazine recently praised the group saying, “Exquisite taste... stunningly beautiful... their playing of the entire work was one of the most distinguished accounts of a Mozart quartet I have ever heard in concert” -The Strad
More information about the Shanghai Quartet at http://www.shanghaiquartet.com/main.php.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Arrive Early and attend Tim's Dance Masterclass!
Tim also will present a masterclass on Saturday afternoon, March 7th for intermediate and advanced dancers, which is included in the price of the student ticket - a mere $7.50!
Like all the best tales of enchantment, "Swan Lake" involves a beautiful princess, a passionate prince, and a really major obstacle to their happiness. Set to Tchaikovsky’s enduring score, this production features the beautiful prelude and second act of this popular ballet.Other Works include "Joplin", original choreography by Artistic Director, Kristin Degnan and her late husband Peter Degnan, set to a Scott Joplin ragtime composition, as well as selected works from Ballet Northeast’s Emerging Choreographers’ Workshop.
Tickets and more information is available at balletnortheast.org,
by phone at 570-287-5802,
or at the box office prior to the performance.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Musical Theater Scholarship Competition - Round One
First Round: Sunday, April 5, 2009
Buckingham Performing Arts Center
Five finalists will advance to the final competition at our Gala Benefit (date to be announced) where three winners will be selected.
A full scholarship to attend PAI’s 2009 Musical Theater Program
A $1000 scholarship to attend PAI’s 2009 Musical Theater Program
A $500 scholarship to attend PAI’s 2009 Musical Theater Program
More information at: http://www.wyomingseminary.org/pai/mtaudition.htm
Friday, January 30, 2009
Join us on Facebook!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - On the Importance of Jazz
Thanks to Tom Tallitsch for sending this to us!
Opening Address to the 1964 Berlin Jazz Festival
God has wrought many things out of oppression. He has endowed his creatures with the capacity to create-and from this capacity has flowed the sweet songs of sorrow and joy that have allowed man to cope with his environment and many different situations. Jazz speaks for life. The Blues tell the story of life's difficulties, and if you think for a moment, you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph. This is triumphant music. Modern jazz has continued in this tradition, singing the songs of a more complicated urban existence. When life itself offers no order and meaning, the musician creates an order and meaning from the sounds of the earth which flow through his instrument. It is no wonder that so much of the search for identity among American Negroes was championed by Jazz musicians. Long before the modern essayists and scholars wrote of racial identity as a problem for a multiracial world, musicians were returning to their roots to affirm that which was stirring within their souls. Much of the power of our Freedom Movement in the United States has come from this music. It has strengthened us with its sweet rhythms when courage began to fail. It has calmed us with its rich harmonies when spirits were down. And now, Jazz is exported to the world. For in the particular struggle of the Negro in America there is something akin to the universal struggle of modern man. Everybody has the Blues. Everybody longs for meaning. Everybody needs to love and be loved. Everybody needs to clap hands and be happy. Everybody longs for faith. In music, especially this broad category called Jazz, there is a stepping stone towards all of these.
WPFW News (Washington), [23 August 2002]
www.tomtallitsch.com
www.tomtallitschblog.com
Friday, January 16, 2009
Auditions in Asia
Nancy Sanderson will travel to Asia to host auditions and catch up with PAI alumni. She will visit Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. For more information and to schedule an audition, please visit http://www.wyomingseminary.org/pai/PAI2007AsiaScholarship.htm.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sem's Music Department Hosts Edna Golandsky
The Taubman Technique applied to String Players
11am- 1pm
2pm-5:30pm
morning session 11-1
afternoon session 2-5.30
Wyoming Seminary
201 North Sprague Avenue
Kingston, PA 18704
Family Rate $20 Per Family
Monday, December 08, 2008
Ballet Northeast presents The Nutcracker December 12-14
Dance on over to the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA and support the many PAI dance students who will be a part of Ballet Northeast's production of The Nutcracker. It is an excellent way to get into the holiday spirit and support fellow PAI performing artists.
Ballet Northeast schedule and information:
http://www.balletnortheast.org/
Cast list:
The Nutcracker
An Invitation to Join Mark Hardy at Carnegie Hall

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Mark Hardy will be conducting Vaughan Williams’ "Dona Nobis Pacem" at Carnegie Hall on February 28, 2010. If you or your high school choir would like to join him, please contact the concert sponsor, MidAmerica. They will be delighted to send you information along with a concert package. In the meantime, if you have questions, please feel free to contact Andrea Rose Rousseaux from MidAmerica.
Her contact information is as follows:
Andrea Rose Rousseaux
MidAmerica Productions, Inc.
"25th Anniversary Season"
132 West 36th Street, Fourth Floor
New York, NY 10018-6903
Tel: (212) 239-0205
Fax: (212) 563-5587
www.arousseaux@midamerica-music.com
www.midamerica-music.com
www.carnegiehall.com
We encourage you to inform your choral conductor about this valuable opportunity!
Klung!
PAI Percussion Director Gene Koshinski's debut CD features a diverse collection of contemporary music, highlighting new music for percussion. Carried by Equilibrium Records, it is available now at www.equilibri.com; through iTunes where you can download one piece or the entire album; and soon from Amazon.
Sound samples and additional information is available at Gene's Web site: http://www.genekoshinski.com/live/
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Suzuki School for Strings Holiday Show and Fiddlers' Clinic
The Suzuki School for Strings is having a fundraising event at the Wyoming Seminary Lower School on Dec. 12th at 8pm. The Holiday Show will feature the Hunt Family Fiddlers, a family of award-winning Celtic dancers and fiddlers. Please see www.huntfamilyfiddlers.com for more info. Tickets for the Holiday Show cost $25 Adults; $15 children under 18. There will also be a raffle and auction.
There will also be a Fiddlers' Clinic held at the Lower School's Amato Auditorium at 4pm on Dec. 12th. Advanced violinists from both the Upper and Lower Schools are invited to attend and participate; there is music available and practice sessions will be held before the event. Interested musicians must contact Mr. Kubasek or the Suzuki School for Strings at 287-6671. The clinic is open to anyone who would like to observe.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Little Shop of Horrors!
One of the longest running off-Broadway shows of all time, this hilarious spoof of the 1950’s sci-fi movies is an outrageously entertaining show that never fails to catch the audience off guard.
Don't miss the Wyoming Seminary Players as they present "Little Shop of Horrors" on Friday, Nov. 7th at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8th at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 9th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $3.00 in advance and $4.00 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in the Activities Office or from any cast member.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Rutgers Woodwind Day
On Sunday, November 9, 2008 from 11 am to 5 pm.
Maureen Hurd, PAI clarinet faculty member, says, "We have a great day planned featuring faculty and students of the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, as well as a guest master repairperson and many instrument and accessory vendors. You will hear performances, master classes, a session on successful auditioning, and presentations on instrument design and care, reeds, and music business. You'll have the chance to try instruments and accessories. Don't miss this informative day!
We hope to see you on Nov. 9. Please let me know if you have questions, and
feel free to share this (information). (flyer)
Best wishes,
Maureen Hurd
Chair of Woodwinds and Asst. Prof. of Clarinet
Department of Music
Mason Gross School of the Arts
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
81 George St.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 932-8862
mlhurd@rci.rutgers.edu"
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sophie Till's Performances Broadcast on WVIA-FM!
Sophie Till, renowned violinist, PAI string faculty member and artist in residence at Sem, recently recorded all 10 of Beethoven's violin and piano sonatas with her accompanist, pianist Ron Stabinski.WVIA-FM made the recordings, and you'll have an opportunity to hear those recordings on two Sundays this month:Sunday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 28, both at 2 p.m. on WVIA-FM, 89.9. Each two-hour program is introduced by Sem parent and WVIA-FM Program Manager Larry Vojtko and includes discussion and interviews with Sophie and Ron.
If you aren't in the local listening area, you may listen live at http://wvia.org/.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tim Broscious says "Hello" from Amman, Jordan!

Beth is also on Campus Duhr-ing the School Year!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Lafayette College Presents: A Theater Workshop
On Thursday, October 30, Lafayette College will present "A Theater Workshop."
Starting at 9:45 am, the day will include a campus tour, theater workshops, lunchtime theater, and a question and answer session with Michael O'Neill, Director of Theater. There is no charge for this event.
For more information, please visit the Lafayette College Web site http://www.lafayette.edu/admissions/ , e-mail lichtenj@lafayette.edu or call 610-330-5106 by October 15th.
The Demon Barber appears on Hughes Street
The Music Box Dinner Playhouse presents Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street September 18 - 21 and 25 - 28. PAI musical theater students Kyle Seggara, Amanda Shaffern and Mitch Burke are all involved in this fine production.
Music Box is offering the "Close Shave Special" for students - present your student ID and receive a "show only" ticket for $12.50.
For ticket information, dinner and show times, please visit the Music Box Web site: http://www.musicbox.org/
The Music Box Dinner Playhouse
196 Hughes Street
Swoyersville, PA 18704
Ballet Northeast Announces Open Company Auditions
When: Saturday, September 20, 2008
Where: Degnan Ballet Center
239 Schuyler Avenue, 3rd Floor, Kingston, PA 18704
Master Instructor: Karla Kovatch, formerly of Boston Ballet and Ballet Northeast alumnus
Who:
Audition for Company I and Company II Members
Dancers ages 13 and older From: 12:00 - 1:30
Audition for Company Apprentices
Dancers ages 11 and 12 From: 2:00 - 3:30
Attire: Dancers should wear black leotards, pink tights, black or pink ballet shoes and bring pointe shoes.
Costs: No fees are due at the time of the audition class.
Dancers who are invited to become Company Members will be charged annual company dues of $175, which will cover all costs of auditions, rehearsals and costumes.
Parents' Meeting: Members of Ballet Northeast's Board of Directors will be available to discuss events and plans for the upcoming season and answer any questions.
Dancers who are interested in becoming a member, but are unable to attend the audition should contact Ballet Northeast at 570-287-5802 or BNE@ballet northeast.org.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Natalie Weiss Performance at Gala Benefit 68th top viewed video on YouTube
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Percussionist Gene Koshinski Tours with his Musical Inspiration
Gene Koshinski
Gene grew up with Zivkovic's music, one of the major inspirations that pushed him to pursue a solo/chamber music career. Gene says, "That's what makes this tour so special."
Gene first met Nebojsa Zivkovic at Rowan University when he played one of the composor's pieces for him in a masterclass. For a sophomore at West Chester University, it was a surreal experience. Gene went on to grad school at the Hartt School of Music where his percussion teacher often toured with Zivkovic.
Zivkovic refers to Gene as a "Strong musician, fast and accurate hands, it is always a pleasure to listen to his playing." Gene's role on tour will be as a member of Zivkovic's Jovan Percussion Group, a 3 member group designed to perform Zivkovic's's chamber music along with the conductor).
Nebjosa Jovan Zivkovic
The German-based percussionist and composer Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic has developed a searingly intense, forcefully masculine percussion world.... his grand gestures are characterised by an astonishing intensity and often fierceness..... the range and combinations of sounds he creates are startling, and all is delivered in hugely virtuosic performances which can't help but impress the listener. BBC-Music Magazine, Nov. 2000
For more information, including concert dates and audio samples, please visit the following Web sites:
http://www.genekoshinski.com/
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Zane Forshee to Tour Taiwan in June
Monday, April 21, 2008
Joe Boga and Nate Larsen play for a Candidate
The day before the Pennsylvania primary, PAI's Joseph Boga and Nate "Mookie" Larsen had an audience. A special audience.
View Photo
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Second Sunday Classical Guitar Concert Series presents Zane Forshee
Sundays at Three Presents
Carrie Ellmore-Tallitsch
Whitney V. Hunter
Virginie Mécène
Gathered together by Erica Dankmeyer, four former and present Graham Company dancers will present an exciting afternoon of new, individual choreography along with a special presentation of Graham’s Satyric Festival Song. The performance will be followed by a discussion of the Graham Legacy and philosophy with the contributing choreographers Erica Dankmeyer, Carrie Ellmore-Tallitsch, Whitney V. Hunter and Virginie Mécène.
SUNDAYS AT THREE, established in 1988, features new and reconstructed works by emerging and established choreographers once a month.
This afternoon performance includes a post-performance discussion with the dance artists.
92nd Street Y ♦ School of the Arts ♦ Harkness Dance Center
An agency of UJA-Federation ♦ The 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center receives major support from the Harkness Foundation for Dance and The Arnhold Foundation
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
PAI alum Nellie McKay
With the new album "Obligatory Villagers" and "P.S. I Love You" track on the 2007 movie soundtrack of the same name, Nellie McKay continues to make a name for herself.
She has a busy tour schedule, including appearances on the live broadcast of Prairie Home Companion this weekend (April 12, 2008).
For more information about her recordings and tour dates visit http://nelliemckay.com/
Read more about this PAI alum at http://www.welkmg.com/streetteam/artist/nelliemckay.asp
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
New Canaan High School Madrigals Tour South Africa
- The New Canaan High School Madrigal Ensemble, under the direction of PAI choral conductor Arthur Sjögren, is currently on tour in South Africa. No strangers to travel, this talented group has toured internationally 15 times in the past 26 years. Joining them on this tour is PAI voice faculty member Alyss Haecker.
An Old Friend from South Africa
PAI choral conductor, Dr. Johann van der Standt, was on campus earlier this month for a week-long residency. While here, Johann worked with both the Wyoming Seminary Chorale and Madrigal Singers, focusing on the traditions of South African choral singing.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Buen Viaje a Cornell Winds!
1 Cornell Wind Ensemble
+ 70 Refurbished Instruments to donate
+ 3 Costa Rican schools
+ 1 Santa Cruz Cultural Festival
= A trip worth taking twice!
Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner, PAI Wind Ensemble conductor, and Matthew Marsit, PAI staff conductor, are off to Costa Rica January 9, 2008 with the Cornell University Wind Ensemble.
While there, the ensemble will deliver donated refurbished instruments to two schools and catch up with a third they visited in 2006.
"The 2006 tour was transformative for all parties involved. One of the things that we learned is that we got just as much, if not more, out of the giving than the students and communities to whom we gave," said Cynthia Johnston Turner, director of wind ensembles in the Department of Music. "CU Winds believes in service and trying to make the world a bit better. We also believe that giving the opportunity to make music to a young person can change their life for the better. This year, we've doubled our efforts."
Read the entire article at the Cornell University Chronicle Online site: http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Dec07/CostaRica.return.da.html
More about Cornell University Wind Ensemble http://www.cuwinds.com/
Cornell University Music http://www.arts.cornell.edu/music/index.html
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
In Memoriam
Over the past eighteen months, PAI’s dear friend, Denise Taylor, courageously fought a battle with lymphoma. Last summer, her devoted husband (PAI’s musical theater director) tirelessly provided her with love and support at the same time he directed Oliver.
We are deeply sorry to announce that Denise passed away on December 29th.
For several years, Denise came to PAI with her husband, Bill Roudebush. While she was here, she generously shared her vast knowledge of the acting profession with PAI students, who quickly developed strong bonds of friendship with her. At PAI, Denise will always be remembered for the way her smile could light up a room and for her sincerity in every interaction.
Your thoughts, prayers and expressions of concern will be of great comfort to Bill. If you would like to send him a note, please contact the PAI office for his mailing address.
Details about Denise’s memorial service are as follows.
Wednesday, January 16th, 11:00 AM
Saint Denis Cathedral
2401 Saint Denis Lane
Havertown, PA 19083
Zane Forshee and Sara Casey will participate in the service.
We plan to take two vans to Philadelphia, leaving the upper school campus promptly at 8:00 AM. If you would like to have a seat reserved, please contact us by Friday, January 11th at onstage@wyomingseminary.org or 570-270-2177.
Because Denise loved animals so much, memorial donations can be made in her honor to the humane society’s Kindred Spirits Memorial Fund. For your convenience, here is a link to their website: https://secure.hsus.org/01/kindredspirits?qp_source=gabahw.
Monday, December 17, 2007
New Maya Release Available Now!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Prepare Ye the Way to Ephrata!
Chris Cannon would like to share some great news with his friends from PAI! Chris is currently appearing as John the Baptist/Judas in "Godspell" at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center (EPAC), one of the community theaters in the Lancaster, PA area. The show opened on November 8th and closes on November 25th, with a total of 15 performances. Chris is excited to be part of this amazing show which has received wonderful reviews in our local newspapers.
Read the review: http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/212211
You still have time to catch this show! More information, including directions and ticket sales at http://www.ephrataplayhouseinthepark.org/.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Martha Graham Dance Company in Selinsgrove, PA
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Kudos to Sophie Till!
Sophie holds an advanced music degree from the Royal College of Music in London and a master of music degree from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) where she studied under Charles Treger. She is persuing a PhD on the Beethoven Violin Sonatas at The University of Leeds (UK).
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Rock Doves
Jamie Kurtz, PAI set and lighting director, says it took Renaissance Entertainment Technologies just four days to build their first set headed to New York City. Like the set for PAI's production of Oliver, it was built and painted in their studio then loaded into the theater, which in this case was the Irish Arts Center in New York City.
Charlie Corcoran, set designer for "The Molly Maguires" at the F.M. Kirby Center in April, designed this set for the play “Rock Doves,” by the Northern Irish playwright Marie Jones.
A photo can be seen in the New York Times review of the play.
Opera Hause
Mind control, torture, biological weapons, LSD, and defenestration are ingredients for a new opera that could only be about "Man." Evan Hause's final Defenestration opera, "Man: Biology of a Fall," about the infamous 1953 CIA cold-cocking of army bio-weapons researcher Frank Olson, runs for four nights only: October 4, 5, 6, and 7 (matinee). Libretto is by Gary Heidt.
San-ky Kim, PAI voice faculty, sings the part of Gottlieb.
Tickets ($15-35) and Directions available from the Kumble Theater box office: http://www.kumbletheater.org/; (718) 488-1624. Showtimes: October 4, 5, 6 (Th-Sat) at 7:30 PM; October 7 (Sun) at 3:00 PM.
More information: http://www.manbiologyofafall.com/
Don't Miss Carrie and Martha!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Victor Liva to Conduct the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra
Victor Liva, PAI orchestra conductor, was recently named music director and conductor of the Cleveland Philharmonic starting with the 2007-2008 season. The first concert of the season is scheduled on October 14, 2007 and includes Rossini's Overture to "The Barber of Seville”, Saint-Saens' Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, and Sibelius' Symphony No. 2. For more information about the Cleveland Philharmonic, please visit their website : http://www.clevephil.org/.
Victor also serves as Orchestra Conductor and Director of String Studies at Cleveland State University.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Wishing You PAI Blessings!
Many of you have requested a copy of the blessing from the Grand Finale banquet. Here it is!
In this final gathering, we give thanks
for time spent together;
for friendships new, and old ones strengthened;
for the food that nourishes our bodies, allowing us to work;
for the music we've created,
lessons we've learned,
and the isnpiration that continues to fuel our creative spirits.
Bless us tonight in our final performances, and give us strength, compassion and love to accompany us into our future journeys.
BethDuhr
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Warm greetings to family and friends of the PAI community!
PAI Counselors
Walk this way! PAI students on game night.
Musical Theater students reach for the stars with the help of dialect coach, David Howie.
Music Makers making musicMonday, June 04, 2007
PAI Alums Attend Gala Benefit
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
MAYA: Uniquely Compelling
Monday, May 28, 2007
PAI Voice Teacher or Frosty Alaskan Beast?

Mark Kratz spent much of his time in Alaska this past winter. His first production was playing Tamino in The Magic Flute with Opera to Go! based out of Juneau, Alaska. They toured in Anchorage, Nome, and even north of the arctic circle in the village of Kotzebue.
He then played the beast in the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast with the Juneau Lyric Opera. The production took place in the middle of March.
In May he warmed up a little as he returned to sing Beethoven's 9th with the Northeast Philharmonic and he should be fully defrosted by June when he returns to PAI.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Concert This Week: Quey Percussion at Marywood
Quey Percussion Duo will perform at Marywood University at 4:00 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2007.
Need more information? Contact the PAI office at 570-270-2186.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Quey Percussion Duo: Mission? Commission!
For more info, visit their website at www.queypercussion.com.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
That Wacky B flat!
National Public Radio (NPR) ran a story about B flat recently which included alligators, a piano tuner, and black holes. Take a look and listen at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7442915. Do you have B flat stories of your own? Let us know!
Monday, February 19, 2007
What do Winnipeg, Costa Rica, Kentucky, Edmonton, Salzburg and Vancouver have in Common? Cynthia Johnston Turner!
We're glad she's carved out a chunk of time this summer to return to PAI!
Happy Trails!
White Cello Case Spotted in Texas!
When Bo Zhang (PAI '06) traveled from Beijing, China to the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in January to attend Texas Christian University he was worried. He didn't quite know what to expect. When he left the terminal, the friendly faces of Dr. San-ky Kim (PAI voice faculty) and Irina Schuck (PAI violin faculty) were there to greet him and erased his fears. Bo is settling in nicely in Texas and says the homesickness is fading. He's working hard on his English and his cello. One of the great benefits of PAI is the network of friends and colleagues we build. We are grateful and rely on those ties in times like these!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Roudebush Corrals Cleveland! "Equus" Opens to Impressive Reviews!

PAI Music Theater director, William Roudebush, directs the Beck Center for the Arts production of Equus through February 25, 2007.
00
-Shane Gleason, The Cauldron, Monday, February 5, 2007
full review
full review
0000
"Peter Shaffer’s "Equus" should be seen by packed houses every night of its run at Lakewood’s Beck Center for the Arts. And not just because this is a brilliant and beautiful and riveting production, but because it is the kind of theater experience that is enhanced by being shared. "
and...
"This is a magnificent play. Roudebush calls Shaffer’s drama "one of the great plays of the 20th century." His inventiveness and that of his actors in bringing this show to life is sure to repay audiences who, however it affects them, will not forget it. "
-Mark Moran, Lakewood Observer
full review
Equus runs through February 25. more information
Monday, January 29, 2007
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Pull Strings!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Movin' on Up!
The time has come to bid a fond farewell to Jason Eck, beloved PAI counselor and baritone extraordinaire! Jason came to PAI as a student in 2001 after finishing his freshman year at a high school in Binghamton, New York. As a student at PAI, he played leading roles in Mystery of Edwin Drood, Les Miserables (Javert), Cabaret (Herr Schultz) and West Side Story (Tony). In 2004, he was invited to join the PAI staff as a junior-counselor and in subsequent summers he returned as counselor. Since then, his career has been moving at an amazing pace. Currently in his junior year at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Jason has just recently learned that he was accepted to Marilyn Horne's vocal program at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara CA. There, he'll be singing Colline in their production of La Boheme. Before he joined PAI for the 2006 season, he spent the month of June participating in the Young Artists Opera program with the Saint Louis Opera Company. Both of these honors are usually awarded to graduate students and young professionals---it is amazing that someone as young as Jason has already been the recipient of two such prestigious awards! There is no question that we can expect to hear great things about Jason's future! Having said that, his presence in the PAI dormitories, rehearsals, recitals and backstage will be sorely missed. Please join me in wishing Jason our very best.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Top Ten Reasons to visit Scranton, PA on May 11th.

10-It's the Electric City, and who doesn't need electricity in May!
9 - To see what those April Showers (and 2006 floods) have achieved.
8 - It's a great excuse to stop by Kingston and visit Nancy.
7 - The Yankees are here!
4 - The World Premiere Composition Series Concert at the University of Scranton, 8:00 pm
3 - To experience "A Noiseless, Patient Spider," for chorus
2 - To hear "Lughnasa," a new piece for wind ensemble
1 - To catch up with PAI's Matt Herman, the Guest Composer/Conductor (and the king of PAI Top Ten lists!)
Information: www.scranton.edu/music
Monday, January 22, 2007
Listen Up!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Watch for "A Sacred Circle" this Summer
Monumental Brass Quintet (MBQ), with PAI’s Michael Parker among them, is set to release their fourth album, Michael’s first with the band. Titled "A Sacred Circle" after one of the tracks by Jazz Composer John Harmon, (a work composed for MBQ in 1995). The album will consist of Sacred and Secular music including works by Byrd, Duruffle, Vivaldi, Walton, Duke Ellington, and an Argentine Tango. Many of MBQ's exclusive arrangements & compositions will be featured on the album. Michael will be primarily playing tuba on the album with one track on bass trombone and one track on cimbasso. The anticipated release for the album is the summer of 2007.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Three Ways to Hear Evan Hause
Webcast and Broadcast
Tune in to "live at Miller Theater" Friday, January 19, 4:30 EST on www.wkcr.org (WKCR FM 89.9 in New York City)to hear a discussion of Evan Hause’s music and especially his new all-acoustic transcription/arrangement for singing chamber orchestra with extra percussion, for the group Alarm Will Sound, of Edgard Varese's seminal 1958 electronic music masterpiece "Poeme Electronique."
Live Performance
The live performance of the work will be on Alarm Will Sound's Saturday, Jan. 20 (8 PM) one-of-akind all-Varese concert at Miller Theater of Columbia University.
Need more information?
Evan Hause: www.hausemusic.com
Alarm Will Sound: http://www.alarmwillsound.com/about/bio.html
Columbia University Radio in New York: www.wkcr.org
Miller Theater: www.millertheater.com
Monday, January 15, 2007
Mark Your Calendar and Meet Shostakovich at Temple!
(PAI faculty members to perform!)
Coordinated by PAI's Matt Herman, the Shostakovich Centennial Chamber Music Festival, a two day intercollegiate event at Temple University, celebrates Shotakovich's 100th birth-year. Students and faculty from four universities (Temple University, West Chester University, Millersville University and Marywood University/Wyoming Seminary) will play representative chamber works from throughout the composer's life. The festival will conclude with a panel discussion, moderated by Matt Herman, about the legacy and future of Shostakovich's music.
The Last Works of Shostakovich
Friday, January 19, 2007, 7:30 pm, Rock Hall, Temple University
Shostakovich - Michelangelo Verses (Temple University faculty, including PAI's Cathy Liu)
Shostakovich - Viola Sonata (Millersville University Faculty)
Chamber Music of Shostakovich
Sunday, January 21, 2007, 3:00 p.m., Rock Hall, Temple University
Cello Sonata (Temple University Students)
Piano Quintet (Temple University Students)
Piano Trio #2 (Sophie Till, violin, Christane Appenheimer Vaida, cello, and Cathy Liu, Piano)
Violin Sonata (West Chester University Faculty)
Post Concert Panel Discussion: The Challenges and Rewards of Playing Shostakovich's Music (Matthew Herman, moderator)
Questions? E-mail Matt Herman (mherman@temple.edu)
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Mum's Not the Word This Time!
PAI Music theater director, Bill Roudebush is currently in Lakewood, Ohio (outside Cleveland) where he is directing a production of Equus at the Beck Performing Arts Center. It will open on February 2nd, and run until February 25th. PAI students and faculty near Cleveland should plan to attend.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
David Canary to join PAI's 2007 Music Theater Production of Oliver!
Roudebush said he cast Canary in the role because he will be an inspiring mentor for PAI’s musical theater students and Fagin, in a much darker theatrical sense, provides a similar leadership role for Dickens’ street urchins in “Oliver Twist.” “What the PAI students will learn from David Canary is professionalism and a high level of preparation,” he said. “Soap opera actors are some of the most astute actors in the business and have the ability to adapt themselves to an ever-changing creative environment. These PAI students will be on stage with a true professional. “I think it is a great musical and David loves the role. It will be an exciting journey for all involved.” Canary has appeared in “All My Children” since 1983 and is also known for his portrayal of Candy in “Bonanza,” Russ Gehring in “Payton Place” and for numerous guest appearances in other television programs. He also has performed in major Broadway productions such as “Clothes for a Summer Hotel,” “The Father,” “The Fantasticks” and “The Happiest Girl in the World.”
Canary said he is excited to be a part of the PAI production of “Oliver!” and added that he has always loved working with young people and teaching them about the theater. “Musical theater was the beginning of my career and I have done a lot of musicals,” he said. “The theater is my first love. I call it ‘push-ups for the brain,’ to go out there on the stage without a net, without someone to yell ‘cut.’”
Click here to find out more about PAI's Theater program.
Welcome to the PAI Blog!

Welcome to the Performing Arts Institute Blog! Our students and faculty are busy during the school year with performances, projects and other creative endeavors. This blog will be a great vehicle for keeping everyone up to date. Please don't be shy---let us know about your artistic pursuits when you're away from PAI. And for those of you who are new to PAI, please read about our community of musicians, actors and dancers. They are a great group of people!
All the best,
Nancy Sanderson, Director
The Performing Arts Institute of Wyoming Seminary
onstage@wyomingseminary.org
www.wyomingseminary.org/pai


























Winter 2007




