Valrie Kantorski, left, and Ann Almond Pope are the award-winning Kantorski-Pope Piano Duo.IF YOU GOWhat: Kantorski-Pope Piano Duo in concertWhen: 7:30 p.m. today, May 30Where: Museum Center at Five Points, 200 E. Inman St., Cleveland, Tenn.Admission: $10Phone: 423-715-2126
The Kantorski-Pope Piano Duo -- Valrie Kantorski and Ann Almond Pope -- will perform a benefit concert for the Cleveland Music Club tonight, May 30, at the Museum Center at Five Points.
According to a news release from the club, "the artists will offer a mix of music, from the sparkle of Mozart and the drama of Brahms' Gypsy-like 'Hungarian Dances' to the excitement and pathos of 'Wizard of Oz.' "
There also will be music by Richard Rodgers, arranged for two pianos by Pope, who promises a surprise of particular interest to Tennesseans.
Proceeds from the concert will go the club's scholarship fund, which has been providing financial assistance to eligible Bradley County high school seniors for the past 45 years. Eligibility requires that a student plan to major in vocal or instrumental music in college.
Formed in 1988, the two-piano ensemble is a three-time first-prize winner in the Graves Duo Piano Competition, among other honors. A recording by the duo features the 21 Brahms' "Hungarian Dances" to be featured in tonight's program.
Kantorski, a nationally certified teacher of music, maintains a private piano studio in Toledo, Ohio, and is on the music faculty of Adrian College in Michigan. She is the principal keyboardist of the Toledo Symphony, performing as orchestral, chamber and solo pianist.
Pope, a native of Cleveland, Tenn., resides in Chattanooga, where she maintains a private piano studio. She has been on the faculties of Bryan College and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Before 1998, she was adjunct instructor of piano and piano pedagogy in the College of Music Arts at Bowling Green State University (Ohio) and instructor of piano in the Creative Arts Program.