Bassoonist

Shepherd students join forces with faculty for Sharing the Spotlight performances. 

EPSG:4326

Faculty Wind Quintet & Friends

Alice Pratt Brown Hall

Miró Quartet Plays Schubert

Sarasota Orchestra

A concert of songs and chamber music by André Previn.

Susan Dunn-Rachleff, Mezzo-Soprano

Richard Lavenda: Upon Reflection for 2 violas, vibraphone, and harp
Richard Lavenda: Upon Further Reflection for soprano, baritone, and chamber ensemble (Shepherd School 50th Anniversary commission)
and more

Featuring faculty members Thomas Jaber, Marianne Gedigian, Benjamin Kamins, and James Dunham, plus Shepherd School alumni and current students.  

Richard Lavenda, Composer

Benjamin Kamins

Marianne Gedigian, Flute

Join us for an extraordinary evening featuring the world-renowned teaching artists of the Music Academy of the West. This showcase presents an opportunity to experience the virtuosity and artistry of our esteemed faculty in an intimate setting.

Teaching Artists At The Lobero

Lobero Theatre

Join us for an enchanting evening at the Lobero Theatre on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 7:30 PM, as the Music Academy of the West presents the Teaching Artists Showcase. This special event features a curated program of chamber music and art song, performed by the academy's distinguished teaching artists. 

Experience the beauty and complexity of classical music through pieces by Franz Danzi, Maurice Ravel, Christopher Cerrone, and an arrangement of Richard Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder by Alain Bonardi. The showcase will highlight the talents of Timothy Day (flute), Eugene Izotov (oboe), Richie Hawley (clarinet), Benjamin Kamins (bassoon), Jennifer Montone (horn), Martin Beaver (violin), Alan Stepansky (cello), Natasha Kislenko (piano), Michael Werner (percussion), Conor Hanick (piano), Sasha Cooke (mezzo-soprano), Yoonshin Song (violin), Sibbi Bernhardsson (violin), Milan Milisavljević (viola), David Geber (cello), and John Churchwell (piano).

Ticket Information:
- Section A Aisle: $60
- Section A: $55
- Section B Aisle: $45
- Section B: $40
(Ticket prices include a per ticket Lobero Facility Fee; other fees may also apply.)

Reserved seating is available, ensuring you have the perfect spot to immerse yourself in the music. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the artistry of the Music Academy’s teaching artists in one of the most beautiful theaters in the world, as praised by Architectural Digest.

For tickets and more information, visit the Lobero Theatre's website or contact the box office. Prepare for an unforgettable night of classical music that celebrates the talent and dedication of teaching artists and their contribution to the arts.

Teaching Artists Showcase

Join us at the Music Academy of the West for an enriching Bassoon Masterclass series, set against the beautiful backdrop of Santa Barbara, CA. This unique educational experience offers a rare glimpse into the journey of classical greatness, providing an opportunity for audiences to observe one-on-one teaching sessions between renowned teaching artists and talented fellows.

**Event Details:**
- **Dates:** June 20 - July 25
- **Location:** Weinman Hall, Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
- **Featured Teaching Artists:** Dennis Michel (Festival weeks 1-4), Benjamin Kamins (Festival weeks 5-8)
- **Schedule:** 
  - Dennis Michel: June 20, June 27
  - Benjamin Kamins: July 11, July 25
- **Time:** 1:30 pm
- **Ticket Information:** 
  - Regular Price: $10
  - Special Offer: Masterclass Voucher Pack - 20 classes for $150
  - Admission for ages 7-17: FREE

**About the Artists:**
- **Benjamin Kamins** brings a wealth of experience as a former Principal Bassoon of the Houston Symphony and current Lynette S. Autrey Professor of Bassoon at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. An alumnus of the Music Academy ('68, '69), Kamins is celebrated for his contributions both as a performer and educator.
- **Dennis Michel**, serving as the second bassoon of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, is renowned for his extensive performance and teaching career. With a rich history as principal bassoon of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and a faculty member at The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, Michel brings invaluable insights to the masterclass.

**Why Attend?**
This masterclass series is an unparalleled opportunity to:
- Witness the art of bassoon performance and pedagogy by leading musicians in the field.
- Gain insights into the techniques and practices that define classical music excellence.
- Engage with a community of music enthusiasts and aspiring musicians.

Whether you're a budding musician, a classical music aficionado, or simply curious about the world of music education, the Bassoon Masterclass at the Music Academy of the West promises to be an inspiring and educational experience. Don't miss this chance to support and learn from tomorrow's classical music stars. Reserve your tickets now and be part of this extraordinary musical journey.

Bassoon Masterclass

Music Academy of the West

Combine these 20th-century works for two, three, and four musicians, and the result is an intriguing concert that expands horizons. Written in 1994, Jean Françaix’s lighthearted Trio for Oboe, Bassoon, and Piano is charming and witty. Folk and classical idioms intertwine in Erwin Schulhoff’s 1925 Duo for Violin and Cello, while Maurice Ravel’s revolutionary encounter with jazz reverberates throughout his electrifying second Sonata for Violin and Piano. The Borromeo String Quartet, heralded for their “edge-of-the-seat performances” (Boston Globe), takes on the intelligent intensity of the String Quartet No. 6 by Polish composer Grażyna Bacewicz.

Two, Three, Four

Imagine as an aspiring tennis pro, you get an hour on the court with Venus Williams or Rafael Nadal. Or, as an early career golf talent, hitting the links with Tiger Woods? x2 is the classical music version of this dream – realized before a live audience. This unique series features our Academy Artists paired with the brilliant 2023 fellows – the energy is explosive as emerging talents dance with legends.

x2: Sundial & Dvořák’s String Quintet No. 2

Our masterclasses give audiences a glimpse into our fellows’ journey to classical greatness. It’s an opportunity to observe a one-on-one teaching session between teaching artist and fellow.

Bassoonist

Benjamin Kamins

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 3, 2026

Erin Hannigan, Benjamin Kamins & Lyndsi Maus · The Shepherd School of Music

Past events

Sep 12, 2025

Faculty Wind Quintet & Friends · Sammons Center For The Arts

Jun 12, 2025

Miró Quartet Plays Schubert · Sarasota Orchestra

Future and recently performed repertoire

Bassoon in Trio for Oboe, Bassoon, and Piano by Françaix

Sarasota Music Festival

Bassoon in Concert Champêtre by Tomasi

Sarasota Orchestra

Bassoon in Upon Reflection by Lavenda

The Shepherd School of Music

Bassoon in Berceuse for Bassoon and Piano by Beach

The Shepherd School of Music

Bassoon in Pena Tiranna, from “Amadigi di Gaula” by Handel

The Shepherd School of Music

About

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