2019–20 CATS Recitals

All CATS events have free admission. Additional artists will be added as their recitals are scheduled.

CATS Visiting Artist – James Dunham, viola 

James Dunham was the violist of the Grammy-winning Cleveland Quartet and founding violist of the Naumburg Award-winning Sequoia Quartet. He collaborates with the American, Jupiter, Pacifica and Takács Quartets, and is violist of the Axelrod Quartet, in residence at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Friday, October 11, 1 p.m.
Williams Recital Salon
Free admission

CATS Lecture/ Performance – Sheryl Staples, violin with Stephanie Cheng, piano

Violinist Sheryl Staples joined the New York Philharmonic as Principal Associate Concertmaster, The Elizabeth G. Beinecke Chair, in September 1998. She made her solo debut with the Philharmonic in 1999 performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, led by Kurt Masur.

Thursday, October 24, 2 p.m.
Hamilton Recital Hall
Free admission

CATS Guest Artist – Horacio Contreras, cello with Ana Maria Otamendi, piano

Horacio Contreras is currently considered one of the finest Venezuelan cellists of his generation and Ana Maria Otamendi was studio artist at the Houston Grand Opera Studio and is director of LSU’s collaborative piano program.

Wednesday, January 8, 7:30 p.m.
Hamilton Recital Hall
Tickets $10, Complimentary Parking

CATS Faculty Recital – Igor Pikayzen, violin 

Award-winning Russian-American violinist and new Lamont faculty member Igor Pikayzen is confidently establishing himself as one of the most prodigious and in-demand soloists of his generation. He has been praised on four continents by critics and audiences alike. 

Friday, January 24, 7:30 p.m.
Hamilton Recital Hall
Tickets $10, Complimentary Parking

CATS Faculty Recital – Linda Wang, Violin & Matthew Zalkind, Cello

Since her debut with Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic at the age of nine, Linda Wang has performed concerti with more than 70 ensembles and maintains a worldwide presence as a performer and educator.

Praised for his “impressive refinement, eloquent phrasing, and singing tone” by The New York Times, following his concerto debut at Avery Fisher Hall, American cellist Matthew Zalkind has performed throughout the United States and abroad as a recitalist, soloist and chamber musician.

Friday, February 7, 7:30 p.m.
Hamilton Recital Hall
Tickets $10, Complimentary Parking

CATS Guest Artists Recital – Kathleen Winkler, violin & Timothy Pitts, double bass 

The artistry of Kathleen Winkler has earned her the plaudits of critics and audiences alike worldwide since her solo debut at the age of seventeen with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Timothy Pitts has distinguished himself as one of the most versatile double bassists of his generation. As a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, he has performed in many of the world’s greatest concert halls.

Friday, February 21, 7:30 p.m.
Hamilton Recital Hall
Tickets $10, Complimentary Parking

Recital & Scale Class – Richard L. Aaron, cello

Richard L. Aaron presently serves as professor of cello at the University of Michigan, The Juilliard School and The Robert McDuffie Center for Strings. Previously he taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory.

Thursday, March 5, 5 p.m.
Hamilton Recital Hall
Free admission 

Recital & Chamber Music Class – Alan Rafferty, cello

Alan Rafferty is rapidly gaining recognition as a preeminent musician and master teacher.  In demand as a clinician around the world, Mr. Rafferty has presented Master Classes at numerous schools including the Cleveland Institute of Music, Northwestern University and Depaul University, and has been a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra since 2007.

Friday, April 17, 1 p.m.
Hamilton Recital Hall
Free admission 

Recital & Music Class – James Stern, violin

James Stern is a multi-faceted musician whose violin playing has been heard worldwide and cited by the Washington Post for “virtuosity and penetrating intelligence.” He has performed at the Marlboro, Ravinia, Banff and Bowdoin festivals as well as at New York’s Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall. 

Friday, May 1, 2:30 p.m.
Hamilton Recital Hall
Free admission

CATS Faculty Artist Recital – Basil Vendryes, viola

Basil Vendryes has been Principal Violist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra since 1993. He is a former member of the San Francisco Symphony, the New York Philharmonic and the Rochester Philharmonic orchestras. As violist with the Aurora String Quartet (1986-95) Mr. Vendryes performed extensively, including recitals in New York, London and Tokyo.

Monday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.
Hamilton Recital Hall
Tickets $10, Complimentary Parking

CATS Visiting Artist Recital & Master Class – Masumi Per Rostad, viola

The Grammy Award-winning violist Masumi Per Rostad of the Pacifica Quartet, has received praise for his rich and expressive tone, energy, and commanding presence, and has been described by critics as an “electrifying, poetic and sensitive musician.” In addition to performing, Rostad teaches and has contributed to online and print publications.

Friday, May 22, 1 p.m.
Williams Recital Salon
Free admission