Performing Arts Series

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 andpianist John McDonald will start the evening with J.S.

Jillian Meyers is an Emmy Nominated LA based Choreographer who has been an assistant to Brian Friedman, Tovaris Wilson, Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Gil Duldulao and Mandy Moore. She worked with Moore on the award winning film La La Land and both herself and Moore earned Emmy nominations for their work on the hit series Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Myers has been fortunate to work with leading musical acts such as The Lumineers, Vance Joy, Hozier, Janet Jackson, and more. Ultimately, Jillian loves to dance and is excited by any experience related to her passion.

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.

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 restrooms are available.

Open to public, but geared towards students, faculty, and staff.

Balla Kouyate and Matchume Zango will introduce you to the rhythm and culture of their respective African traditions.  You’ll have a chance to learn some of these rhythms and play them on five-gallon buckets! No experience needed. Ear protection recommended/provided. 

Registration will be open to Middlebury College students only until 09/25, then any remaining spots opened to the Middlebury Community Music Center and general community. 

Signup at https://forms.gle/uotptXWtrcBfxn5v5

Jazz trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg leads an engaging jazz improvisation workshop just for Middlebury College students.  Please note: There is a limited capacity for this popular workshop and signup is required. Please come warmed up and ready to play!

Visiting artists So Percussion and Caroline Shaw share favorite recordings or what they are listening to and why. Are the works inspiring, influential, or impactful to the artist? Come find out and expand your own listening library. This is limited to students.

Perennial favorite cellist Sophie Shao returns to open our 105th season with an accomplished, all-female ensemble, performing a stunning program of sonatas and piano trios. Violinist Jennifer Frautschi and pianist Christina Dahl join Shao in an evening featuring Nadia Boulanger’s Three Pieces for Cello and Piano, Peteris Vasks’ Castillo Interior (The Interior Castle), Marguerite Canal’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, and Franz Schubert’s beloved Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat Major, D.898.

BALA BILA brings together two African master musicians—Balla Kouyate on balafon, calabash, bass guitar, and voice, and Matchume Zango on timbila, mbira, percussion, and voice—in an intimate, living-room style concert and intercultural musical conversation between two extraordinary artists. Kouyate hails from the West African country of Mali, and Zango calls the East African nation of Mozambique home. They are leading exponents of their respective principal instruments, BALAfon and timBILA—two world heritage instruments that will be played together in harmony.

So Percussion has redefined chamber music through their commitment to the creation and amplification of new work. The ensemble is celebrated for a dazzling range of activities: live performances, contributions to education and community, and the creation of opportunities and platforms for music and artists. In their Middlebury debut, they’ll collaborate with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw, featuring songs and highlights from their latest co-composed album Rectangles and Circumstance.