Get to Know Our 2017-18 Rising Stars

The Gilmore Rising Stars Series begins its 18th season this September, presenting emerging artists from around the world at Wellspring Theater in Kalamazoo, MI. Come hear these leading pianists of tomorrow!

Drew Petersen — September 17, 2017

Born in Oradell, New Jersey in 1993, Drew Petersen was presented at Carnegie Hall at age 5, and at 10 he performed a solo recital for Steinway’s 150th Anniversary. He is the winner of the 2017 American Pianists Award, and, as a child, he was featured in the documentary Just Normal, shown below.

Program

BACH	Toccata in F♯ Minor, BWV 910
GRIFFES	Fantasy Pieces, Op. 6
BARBER	Piano Sonata in E-flat Minor, Op. 26
CARTER	Piano Sonata
CHOPIN	Three Waltzes, Op. 34

Buy Tickets to Drew Petersen.

Zlata Chochieva — October 15, 2017

Born in Moscow in 1985, Zlata Chochieva began her musical education at the age of four. In 2012, she graduated with distinction from the Moscow State Conservatory and went on to attend the Mozarteum University of Salzburg with Professor Jacques Rouvier, who, in 2013, appointed Chochieva his assistant. 

Program

CHOPIN	Trois nouvelles études, B.130
	12 Etudes, Op. 25
	Mazurka in C Major, B. 82
	Mazurka in A Minor “Emil Gaillard”, B. 140
RACHMANINOFF	Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op. 22

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Christina and Michelle Naughton — November 5, 2017

Twin sisters Christina and Michelle Naughton were born in New Jersey and grew up in Wisconsin. Graduates of The Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music, they were awarded the Festorazzi Prize. As Steinway Artists, they recently signed an exclusive recording contract with Warner Classics.

Program to Include

RAVEL	“Mother Goose Suite” for Four Hands
CHOPIN	Rondo for Two Pianos in C Major
JOHN ADAMS	“Hallelujah Junction”
MENDELSSOHN	Andante and Variations in B flat Major, Op.83 for Four Hands
TCHAIKOVSKY	“The Nutcracker” for Two Pianos, Op. 71

Buy Tickets to Christina and Michelle Naughton.

Andrew Tyson — December 3, 2017

2013 Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, Andrew Tyson, is a native of North Carolina. He made his orchestral debut at 15 and later earned his master’s degree and artist diploma from The Juilliard School, where he won the Gina Bachauer Piano Competition and received the Arthur Rubinstein Prize in Piano.