Faculty & Friends Concert Celebrates Music by Asian Composers

The Department of Music will present a Faculty & Friends Concert on February 8, featuring Associate Professor of Voice Brian Arreola, tenor. The program, which takes place on the Chinese New Year’s Day, is a celebration of music by Asian and Asian-American composers, with songs sung in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and English.

Performing with Arreola will be guest artists Kelvin Chan, baritone; Wei-En Hsu, piano; Kari Giles, violin; and UNC Charlotte Associate Professor of Cello Mira Frisch.

Based in New York City, Kelvin Chan is the artistic director of Vital Opera and works also as a freelance singer. He has been featured with the Houston Grand Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, and others. Pianist Wei-En Hsu, winner of the 2010 Los Angeles International Liszt Piano Competition, is currently on the faculty of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Violinist Kari Giles is assistant concertmaster of the Charlotte Symphony.

Arreola is director of the Department of Music Opera Workshop and a frequent performer on opera stages at home and abroad. His most recent appearance was in the role of Tybalt in Opera Carolina’s production of Romeo & Juliet, January 24-30.

The concert will take place at 7:30 pm in the Rowe Recital Hall. Tickets are $18 for general admission; $12 for UNC Charlotte faculty, staff, and alumni; $10 for seniors; and $8 for students and can be purchased at the door or in advance at 704-687-1849 or online.