Performing Arts Series

New York based, Canadian born musician Bria Skonberg stormed onto the jazz scene with her smoky vocals, blistering trumpet, and compelling compositions and arrangements. She’s been described as one of the “most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” by the Wall Street Journal. Skonberg sold out our hall almost a decade ago, and returns to Middlebury just in time for the holidays with a new program entitled “Jingle Bell Swing,” featuring her take on seasonal favorites including her hit cover of “All I Want For Christmas is You.”

Join us for the Vermont premiere of Sky Was Possible, a song cycle for soprano, flute, and piano composed by Middlebury’s own Fletcher Professor of the Arts and Music Department Chair Su Lian Tan, with texts by Middlebury President and Professor of Religion Laurie Patton. Sky Was Possible consists of four poems from Patton’s books Fire’s Goal: Poems from a Hindu Year and House Crossing, taking us on a journey through love, love lost, and love passing. Soprano Kristen Watson and pianist John McDonald will start the evening with J.S.

Choral Chameleon is a dynamic ensemble renowned for their innovative programming and fearless exploration of vocal artistry. Sometimes called “America’s Test Kitchen for choral music,” they fearlessly experiment and champion unexpected and new combinations of music. In demand since their recent sound bath and concert performances at Middlebury, Choral Chameleon returns to campus for a dynamic mixed-repertoire concert. See related event on January 22.

Choral Chameleon deepens their campus connection with an exciting mixed-repertoire concert performed alongside Middlebury students, featuring a new work written just for Middlebury by Founding Artistic Director Vince Peterson. From classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions and cross-disciplinary collaborations, Choral Chameleon’s rich harmonies and adventurous spirit redefine what it means to experience choral music today, captivating audiences with a kaleidoscope of musical experiences and setting a vibrant standard in the world of vocal ensembles.

Join Professors Claudio Medeiros (Theatre) and Jerry Philogene (Black Studies) for a cozy book club session about August Wilson’s Two Trains Running. Refreshments provided!  Sign up in advance to get a free copy of the script by Jan. 4 to read before the discussion. This event is a lead-up to the production at Wright Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 13, performed by The Acting Company and presented by the Middlebury Performing Arts Series.

Play by August Wilson, performed by The Acting Company, directed by Lili-Anne Brown. From the writer of The Piano Lesson, Fences, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom comes the story of Memphis Lee, a diner owner in Pittsburgh in 1969 who must decide if he should allow the government to take over his building or sell the property to a ruthless businessman.

Learn more about this concert’s music in a free pre-concert lecture by Professor Emeritus of Music Larry Hamberlin.

Acclaimed Jordanian-Palestinian pianist Iyad Sughayer embodies a captivating blend of exceptional skill and profound musicality. A prize-winner with the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) International Auditions, he was named a ClassicFM Rising Star Artist, and “One to Watch” by International Piano Magazine. His performances traverse the gamut of classical repertoire with spellbinding precision and emotive depth, captivating audiences worldwide.

Making their Middlebury debut, the Isidore String Quartet are winners of a 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition. Their concert program “Unrequited” explores the intersection of treasured classics and contemporary perspectives, providing a winding path into the complicated labyrinth that is human compassion and love, featuring works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Billy Childs. Thanks to the Sunderman Family Concert Endowment Fund, this concert is free and open to all.

Pianist Steven Osborne, OBE is one of Britain’s most treasured musicians. His performances exude an immense depth of musicality and exceptional refinement of expression across diverse repertoire, be it in Beethoven or Messiaen, Schubert or Ravel, Prokofiev, or jazz improvisations. His many honors include The Royal Philharmonic Society’s Instrumentalist of the Year, two BBC Music Magazine Awards, and two Gramophone Awards.

Learn more about this concert’s music in a free pre-concert lecture by Professor Emeritus of Music Larry Hamberlin.

We close our 105th season with the dynamic duo of violinist Alina Ibragimova and pianist Cédric Tiberghien. The two developed a tremendous rapport during their term as individual BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists, where their unique partnership was observed by The Times of London: “Both of these players have the potential to conquer the world.” During this Middlebury return, Ibragimova and Tiberghien will play Janácek, Enescu, Gerald Barry’s vivacious Triorchic Blues, and Beethoven’s iconic “Kreutzer” sonata.

Sean Dorsey is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer, dancer, writer, educator, and activist. Long recognized as the U.S.’ first acclaimed transgender modern dance choreographer, Dorsey brings his newest work—and his explicitly trans-positive pedagogy—for his Performing Arts Series debut. The Lost Art of Dreaming is a full-evening fusion of full-throttle dance, intimate storytelling, intricate costuming, and exquisite queer partnering, all performed with Sean Dorsey Dance’s signature technical precision, guts, and deep humanity.

This trans-friendly movement workshop is suitable for terrified beginners through all-levels and are led by Sean Dorsey and Sean Dorsey Dance company dancers. These classes and workshops are designed to be supportive of transgender, trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming bodies and creative expression. All-gender bathrooms are available.

This community class is free and open to anyone.

Sean Dorsey is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer, dancer, writer, educator, and activist. Long recognized as the U.S.’ first acclaimed transgender modern dance choreographer, Dorsey brings his newest work—and his explicitly trans-positive pedagogy—for his Performing Arts Series debut. The Lost Art of Dreaming is a full-evening fusion of full-throttle dance, intimate storytelling, intricate costuming, and exquisite queer partnering, all performed with Sean Dorsey Dance’s signature technical precision, guts, and deep humanity.