Jon Nakamatsu, one of the most sought-after pianists of his generation, will open the 19th Presidential Concert Series at Lee University on Tuesday.
A former high school German teacher, Nakamatsu earned global attention in 1997 when he received the gold medal in the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, which included a profile in the documentary “Playing With Fire.” Countless appearances with orchestras in the United States, Europe and Japan followed, as well as an appearance at the White House in 1998.
Other accomplishments include being named Debut Artist of the Year in 1998, first-prize winner of Miami’s Fifth United States Chopin Piano Competition in 1995 and a profile in Reader’s Digest.
Nakamatsu’s performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Dixon Center on the Cleveland, Tenn., campus.
Tickets will be available at the box office, 1053 Church St., NE, or by phone at 423-614-8343 from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays. For more information, call the School of Music at 423-614-8240.