Fine Arts Concert Series 2000

Derek McNatt  is currently pursuing a Master of Sacred Music degree at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, with an emphasis on Choral Conducting and Voice Performance. Derek, former choir director at Lord of Life, is presently ministering as choir director for Flower Mound United Methodist Church.   Derek's life goal is to give honor and glory to Christ by seeking towards the excellence of music in praise and worship.

Alexandre Dossin, a native of Brazil, has given piano performances around the globe. In 1989, after winning a full scholarship from the Russian Ministry of Education, he moved to Moscow to complete his Master of Fine Arts degree, as well as a post-graduate course in Piano Performance, under Sergei Dorensky. Mr. Dossin has won several international piano competition awards, and was also selected as a participant in the 1997 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth. Now studying for his doctorate of Musical Art at the University of Texas, Mr. Dossin serves as a full-time Teaching Assistant at UT’s School of Music.

Naoko Nakamura Stromberg, harpist, a native of Japan, now maintains an active performing and teaching schedule in the Dallas area. She holds the Bachelor of Music degree in Harp Performance and Piano from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, as well as   a Masters Degree in Harp Performance from the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University. Ms. Stromberg has performed with the Fort Worth Symphony, the Dallas/Ft. Worth Ballet, the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Ballet, and the Shreveport Symphony

Lorenzo Micheli is recognized throughout Europe as a guitarist of brilliance. Although he is still in his twenties and is just now concluding his studies at the Music Academy of Basel, Switzerland, a long list of high rankings in juried competitions shows that he is an accomplished artist. He graduated with honors from Tartini Conservatory, Trieste (Italy), then studied under world-famous Oscar Ghiglia in Siena, earning the "diploma of merit" there for two consecutive years. In 1999, he won the Guitar Foundation of America’s Solo Guitarist Competition held in Charleston, South Carolina. He has composed and recorded a movie soundtrack and is currently working on a CD project. Mr. Micheli appears courtesy of the Dallas Classic Guitar Society.

Festival Service of Lessons and Carols - The Festival of Lessons and Carols originated at King's College, Cambridge, England in 1918 as a way to bring members of the university and the community together in a celebration of the nativity in music. Churches around the world now take part in this Advent tradition of readings combined with music. This year’s service at Lord of Life will be under the direction of organist Benjamin Kolodziej, with participation by the Handbell Ensemble, Choir, and special solo performers. The congregation invites the greater Plano community to witness this beautiful service, hear the scriptural prophecies, and join the choir in singing the carols and hymns that foretold the coming of the promised Savior.

Maud LaForest Born in France, Maud LaForest began guitar studies at age four, and gave her first public appearance at age ten. In 1996, she settled in Texas where she now studies at Southern Methodist University, Dallas under Robert Guthrie -- but she continues studies abroad and takes master classes with internationally-know guitarists. In 2000, her achievements so far include: national finalist of the A.S.T.A. competition; third place, Collin County Young Artists Competition (strings division); third prize (2nd division) at the "Andrés Segovia" European Competition for Young Guitarists (Germany) and 2nd prize (1st division) at the Concours International (France). Last year, she was the youngest (at age 14) musician ever to be selected by the Dallas Classic Guitar Society to perform in the Dallas Museum of Art concert series. She now performs on a regular basis in recitals and other occasions.

Orchestral Chamber Ensemble of Berkner High School, Richardson, Texas. The L.V. Berkner High School has an energetic music program under its Fine Arts curriculum, with band, orchestra and other musical groups regularly taking high honors in competitions with other public school music students. At the annual Richardson Independent School District Chamber Music Festival in February of this year, BHS students were winners in 28 categories, including First Division Solos and First Division Ensembles. Performers this evening represent the young orchestra’s "best of the best," directed by Mrs. Ruth Kurtis of the Berkner faculty.