Thanks to attendees, sponsors, volunteers, and of course

all the superb performers!

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January 8, 2011

The Beggarmen

Based in Iowa City since 2001, known for their wonderful vocals and fine instrumental work, the Beggarmen find their roots in the traditional music of Ireland and other Celtic regions. By crafting exciting arrangements of traditional and original songs, the quartet of Brad Pouleson (mandolin, tin whistle, low whistle, uilleann pipes and vocals), Tara Dutcher (fiddle and vocals), Keith Reins (guitar and vocals) and Joe Dutcher (bodhran), will provide a varied, energetic and entertaining concert. 

www.beggarmen.com

 www.iowaartscouncil.org This project supported in part by a grant from the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

February 12, 2011

Dana Starkell 

A classical guitarist who fine-tuned his skills during a world record 12,000 mile canoe trip from Canada to the Brazilian rain forest. Music from his Fantastic Voyage project is slated to accompany an upcoming film based on the book "Paddle To The Amazon". A graduate of the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe, AZ, Dana has performed extensively in Classical, Renaissance, Spanish and Baroque styles, and has won 1st Place in the Senior Classical Guitar category at the Manitoba Music Festival. Now living in the Quad Cities, his concerts have been enjoyed throughout North America.

 www.danastarkell.com

March 19, 2011

Susie Thorne & Ron Cooley

Ron Cooley has been a professional guitarist, composer and educator for 40 years. He has toured, recorded and performed with the nationally acclaimed group, Mannheim Steamroller, for the last 25 years. In addition to being an original recording member of Mannheim Steamroller, Ronhas recorded six solo projects of his own; four on the American Gramaphone label and two on his own label, Nebraska Sky.  He received Gold and Platinum Records for his work on the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas recordings. Ron has appeared on  NBC's "TODAY" show as well as Jay Leno's " TONIGHT SHOW" and ABC's "GOOD MORNING AMERICA".  He has also performed on the White House lawn for President Clinton's Tree Lighting Ceremony and with C.W. McCall at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.  As an educator, Ron has taught at Creighton University, University of Nebraska at Omaha and Iowa Western Community College - in addition to numerous regional Jazz Camps and Arts Projects. 

www.susiethorne.com

www.ronccoley.com

April 16, 2011

 Dan Knight - Steinway Artist 

As one of the world's finest improvising musicians, Dan has earned a reputation whose wit, personality and musicianship fills concert halls and jazz clubs alike. Whether in the field of "modern" classical music or the clubs and halls of the world of jazz, he has performed in some of the world's finest venues. He teaches and performs in a style he calls "painting with sound". This is best displayed in his composition "The Walt Whitman Suite", which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music. As a jazz musician and composer, Dan has appeared across the United States and Europe, and include three consecutive performances in the Acoustic Concert Series of the Montreux Jazz Festival. As a composer, pianist and improviser, Dan Knight continues to extend the boundaries of style in his music performances of classical, jazz, and free improvisation.

www.danknight.com