The Anderson-Sasaki Duo is shown here performing at the Rite of Summer Festival in Governor’s Island, New York, in 2018
String Theory, in partnership with Lee University and the Hunter Museum of American Art, will present violinist Rebecca Anderson and pianist Mika Sasaki for a Community Engagement Residency during the last week of April, which will culminate in the Annual Family Concert on May 1.
“We are excited to continue our commitment to the community by hosting The Anderson-Sasaki Duo as our artists-in-residence,” said Gloria Chien, String Theory Artistic director. “It is a breath of fresh air to be able to bring musicians to schools and community spaces once again."
The Residency will begin on Tuesday, April 26.
Anderson and Sasaki will perform for students at Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts, Barger Academy of Fine Arts and Zan Young School of Music and Hope.
Throughout the following day, they will perform at CHI Memorial Hospital to support the hospital’s efforts to integrate arts and healing into the regular program for staff and patients. Anderson and Sasaki will also play for schools in the Chattanooga area, as well as present at the Alexian Village Retirement Community.
On April 28 and 29, the duo will perform for five more elementary schools and at East Lake Expression Engine, an after-school music program in Chattanooga's East Lake neighborhood.
Anderson and Sasaki will also perform at Mizpah Congregation in Chattanooga on April 30. Tickets for that event can be purchased by contacting office@mizpahcongregation.org or 423-267-9771.
This week of school and community performances will culminate with the String Theory Annual Family Concert on Sunday, May 1, at 2 p.m. at the Hunter Museum of American Art. Guests are invited to stay for art-making activities following the family concert. The concert and art-making are free with Hunter Museum admission. Guests 17 and under, Hunter members and String Theory donors will receive free admission to the Hunter Museum. Admission rates for other guests are listed at
https://huntermuseum.org/visit.
Officials said, "Sharing a passion for chamber music and a strong belief that everyone in any community should have the opportunity to find a personal connection with music, Anderson and Sasaki joined forces to create imaginative programs of the violin-piano repertoire that can forge lasting and meaningful connections with audiences. Together, the Anderson-Sasaki Duo presents unique concerts and educational workshops that encourage dialogue and guide listeners through a personal musical exploration. They aim to share their zeal for the chamber music literature and the artistic process of performance with as many audiences as possible.
"The award-winning artists have garnered much acclaim as soloists, collaborators and educators, each pursuing a multitude of artistic projects, appearing in major concert venues around the world, and collaborating with renowned ensembles. Both alumni of Music@Menlo and The Juilliard School, the duo began collaborating during their two-year fellowship with Ensemble Connect, during which they took part in dozens of chamber music performances at Carnegie Hall, Skidmore College, public schools and community venues around New York City and Saratoga Springs."
General admission to the Hunter Museum is $20. Tickets are $18 for seniors, educators and students, $17 for retired military and veterans and free for those 17 and under, Hunter members, and String Theory donors. Tickets may be purchased at the Hunter Museum the day of the Family Concert.
The Residency is sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Commission and Performing Arts League of Chattanooga.
For more information about the concert or String Theory, call 423-414-2525 or visit https://www.stringtheorymusic.org/concerts/outreach-week-anderson-sasaki-duo.