Calendar

Sep
10
Fri
Live Stream Concert – A Recital of Gratitude and Thanksgiving featuring Dr. Carol Ann Barry @ Ruggero Piano Live Stream
Sep 10 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Dr. Carol Ann Barry is a Nationally Certified member of MTNA. Her piano training has included several degree programs as well as study abroad. Sel​ected to serve as a Rotary International Fellow, she studied at the Goethe Institute in Munich, and the Hochschule für Musik und Darsteleende Kunst in Hamburg, Germany. Dr. Barry is interested in the pedagogical work of internationally renowned pedagogue Abby Whiteside. Her doctoral work included extensive studies in New York City with pianist Sophia Rosoff.

Dr. Barry is a frequent presenter at music conferences at the state and national levels. Her creative teaching style has enhanced her ability to work with children with diverse learning needs. Dr. Barry served on the organizational committee of the 2005 WPPC Conference in Anaheim, California, and has presented several papers for the organization, including the lecture, Outlining-A Crucial Practice Technique, at the 2009 national conference in Arizona. A lecture recital featuring the Preludes, Op. 64, by Cesar Cui, was presented at the College Music Society national conference in 2010.
Between 1995 and 2000, Dr. Barry served as the Director of Keyboard Studies at the Columbia Institute of Fine Arts, in Falls Church, Virginia. During her tenure at Columbia, she developed and directed the Columbia Pedagogy Series, which served as an outreach to teachers and musicians throughout the Washington area. She was the founding director of the Columbia Concert Series at CIFA, which presented some of Washington’s finest artists and performance ensembles.
Orchestral appearances have included the McLean Symphony, Reston Community Orchestra, and the Columbia Orchestra in performances of Addinsell’s “Warsaw” Concerto, and the Carnival of the Animals, by Camille Saint-Saens,. She also performed Mozart’s Concerto in D Minor, K. 466 and Chopin’s F Minor Piano Concerto. Dr. Barry spends significant time teaching in her private piano studio, located in Cary, N.C.
A collaborative pianist, Dr. Barry currently serves as an accompanist for the widely diverse voice department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the fall of 2015 she performed a piano trio concert with local artists Samford Enseln and violinist Petia Radneva Mantalova. Solo performances have included an all-Beethoven program featuring the piano sonatas of Beethoven’s middle period.
Dr. Barry received a Baccalaureate degree from Old Dominion University, a Masters of Music in Piano from the University of Louisville School of Music and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Oct
22
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series @ Ruggero Piano
Oct 22 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Feb
12
Sat
My Funny Valentine: A Night with the Hillsborough Street Jazz Trio @ Ruggero Piano
Feb 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
My Funny Valentine: A Night with the Hillsborough Street Jazz Trio @ Ruggero Piano
The Hillsborough Street Jazz Trio is a Raleigh-based jazz piano trio with broad-ranging influences from from Brad Mehldau to Tom Waits. This Valentine’s concert will feature classic love songs as well as some offbeat favorites that celebrate the twists and turns of a relationship.
This event will be ticketed at the door: $13 adults, $10 students/seniors and children. Masks are required during the performance, capacity will be limited to 60, and social distancing is encouraged.
*If you have already purchased a ticket for the Free Spirits Ensemble concert that was originally scheduled for this day, you may choose to redeem it for this performance; alternatively, you can save it for either the March 26th Free Spirits concert or the ensemble’s postponed concert to be announced next season.
Feb
25
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, February 25th, at 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Feb 25 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Mar
25
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, March 25th, 2022, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Mar 25 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Mar
26
Sat
The Free Spirits Ensemble – Let’s Dance @ Ruggero Piano
Mar 26 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
The Free Spirits Ensemble - Let's Dance @ Ruggero Piano

After almost two years, the Free Spirits Ensemble is back in Bosendorfer Hall at Ruggero Piano – and ready to dance! Our concert begins with Michele Mangani’s “Tre Danza Latine”. Next is featured “Four Unknown Dances” by Lanette Lind. We then shift to South American with four selections from Jobim and Piazzolla, arranged by Jim Williams – all designed to warm an early spring evening with Terpsichore.

 

MICHELE MANGANI

Tre Danza Latine for clarinet and piano

LANETTE LIND

Four Unknown Dances for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA

Inveirno Porteno for violin, cello and piano

Oblivion for violin, cello and piano

FOUR LATIN SELECTIONS (ARRANGED BY JIM WILLIAMS)

FOR CLARINET, VIOLIN, CELLO AND PIANO

Girl from Ipanema | Antonio Carlos Jobim

Shadow of Your Smile | Johnny Mandel

Ausensias | Astor Piazzolla

Street Tango | Astor Piazzolla

Apr
22
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, April 22nd, 2022, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Apr 22 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, April 22nd, 2022, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Apr 22 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Jun
24
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, June 24th, 2022, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Jun 24 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Sep
23
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, September 23rd, 2022, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Sep 23 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Oct
28
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, October 28th, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Oct 28 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Jan
27
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, January 27th, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Jan 27 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

We are excited to host the 2023 Fourth Friday Concert Series. Masks are optional and seating is limited to the first 100 guests on a first-come, first-served basis. This concert series will be available to attend via live stream on our YouTube channel and a link to each concert will be available on the home page of our website, www.ruggeropiano.com. Please contact our office at 919-839-2040 with any questions!

Feb
24
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, January 27th, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Feb 24 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

We are excited to host the 2023 Fourth Friday Concert Series. Masks are optional and seating is limited to the first 100 guests on a first-come, first-served basis. This concert series will be available to attend via live stream on our YouTube channel and a link to each concert will be available on the home page of our website, www.ruggeropiano.com. Please contact our office at 919-839-2040 with any questions!

Presto was founded in 2007 in San Diego. The club was started to offer amateur pianists an outlet for performance. The club meets once a month at members’ homes. When one of the founders moved to Carrboro in 2011, a second section was created for the Chapel Hill/Durham area and then expanded to a third section for the Raleigh/Cary area in 2015. Presto’s mission is to bring serious pianists together to share classical piano music through performance and to inspire growth and instill confidence in all participants. Presto also organizes and develops musical opportunities for the group such as piano master classes, social gatherings, recitals, and workshops. The group offers a nurturing environment to its members, honoring each at their particular performance level. Presto promotes a lifelong study and enjoyment of piano performance. New members join by referral. Please contact any of the performers at the concert if you’d like to join or learn more about Presto. http://www.prestopiano.org/index.htm

 

 

 

Mar
24
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, March 24th, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Mar 24 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

We are excited to host the 2023 Fourth Friday Concert Series! This series will be available to attend in person or via live stream on our YouTube channel – a ink to each concert will be available on the home page of our website, www.ruggeropiano.com. Please contact our office at 919-839-2040 with any questions!

This Special Edition Fourth Friday Concert will feature UNC Chapel Hill Music Department Pianists & Meredith College Faculty!

Apr
28
Fri
Special Edition Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, April 28th, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Apr 28 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

We are excited to host the 2023 Fourth Friday Concert Series! This series will be available to attend in person or via live stream on our YouTube channel – a ink to each concert will be available on the home page of our website, www.ruggeropiano.com. Please contact our office at 919-839-2040 with any questions!

This Special Edition Fourth Friday Concert will feature Meredith College Department of Music Faculty & Staff!

Jun
23
Fri
20th Anniversary Fourth Friday Concert & Celebration – Friday, June 23rd, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Jun 23 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

As we celebrate two decades of Fourth Friday Concerts, we are excited to announce the return of our original emcee, Eric Hale, and accompanist, Sue Timmons, for this extraordinary evening. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of the performers and devoted audiences who have supported Fourth Friday Concerts over the last 20 years. We hope you will be able to join us!

Founded in June, 2003, the Fourth Friday Concert series, formerly know as the 4th Friday Mix, stands as one of our area’s longest-running concert series. We remain committed to providing free and inclusive concerts that welcome musicians with a passion for sharing their talents. All attendees, including children capable of listening attentively, are warmly welcomed. Fourth Friday Concerts typically feature 2-4 performers or performance groups, although special occasions may showcase a single performer or group for the entire concert. Contact Richard Ruggero at richardcruggero@gmail.com if you or your group are interested in performing!

Sep
22
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, September 22nd, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Sep 22 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Click here for Livestream link!

Performer Bios 

15-year-old Olivia Li from Cary, NC studies the piano with Florence Ko and has over the years garnered myriad awards and scholarships. She placed first in various competitions including the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs (NCFMC) Young Artist Auditions, 6 years consecutively from divisions Senior I until Concerto IV, as well as the Princess category of the NCFMC Royalty Competition, the SYMF Southwestern Youth Music Festival Competition, the USA IMAE Music & Art Exchange International Piano Competition where she had a masterclass with the renowned Gary Graffman, RTPA Scholarship Competition, CAPTA Bullard Competition, and 2nd prize of the prestigious NC symphony concerto competition and 3rd Annual Hayes School of Music Piano Competition. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys sharing her music with others and frequently hosts performances at local retirement centers, and hospitals. She has also been invited to perform at various events, such as 5 consecutive meetings for the 2023 Cary Environmental Symposium at the Cary Arts Center, where many esteemed speakers and mayor are invited as well.

Chris (Yuanduo) Li, who is 17 years old and currently in the 11th grade, attends Green Level High School in Apex, North Carolina. He was born in China in 2006 and began his musical journey when he was just six years old. He started taking piano lessons in June 2021 after moving to the United States, and he’s been guided by Florence Ko. Since then, Chris has achieved some impressive accomplishments: he came in second place in the 2022 Young Artist Auditions (YAA) competition at the Prince level. He also got first place in the Senior level of the 2022 Raleigh Piano Teacher Association (RPTA) scholarship competition, the Bullard piano competition (High School level), and the Raleigh Music Club Scholarship Auditions. It’s worth noting that he got second position in the Senior division of the 2022 Music Teacher National Association (MTNA) competition, and he won in the Senior division of the International American Protege competition. Additionally, he had the chance to be part of the East Carolina University piano festival and their master classes. In 2023, he achieved second place in the North Carolina Royalty Competition at the King level. He also won the National Federation of Music Clubs competition at the King level and the Hinda Honigman piano scholarship in Statesville, NC, performed in Environmental Symposium at Cary Arts Center. Apart from his dedication to playing the piano, Chris enjoys taking part in basketball and tennis, which brings him joy.

Jared Alan Yoakem is a pianist from Grand Rapids, MI. As a recitalist, he has performed at the Brendle Recital Hall, Wake Forest University, NC; Covington Arts Center, Radford University, VA; Katzen Arts Center, American University, DC; and Porter Arts Center, Brevard College, NC. As a collaborative artist, he has performed with ACDA, NATS, the National Orpheus Competition, and a variety of choral projects including two national PBS broadcasts at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. He has been awarded with the Dean’s Advisory Council Award for outstanding achievement in music from Belmont University in 2019. Yoakem has participated in the Collaborative Piano Institute at Louisiana State University, the Leon Fleisher Academy of Washington D.C., and the Vivace Music Foundation of Wilmington, NC. He has participated in masterclasses by Stanislav Ioudenitch, Marina Lomazov, Julian Martin, Anne-Marie McDermott and Robert McDonald. Yoakem holds degrees from Belmont University & East Carolina University, under the instruction of Elena Bennett and Kwan Yi. He currently serves as a piano faculty member at the Cary School of Music and as a teaching assistant to Kwan Yi.

 

 

 

Oct
27
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, October 27th, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Oct 27 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Click here for Livestream link!

Performer Bios 

[caption id="attachment_10955" align="alignleft" width="150"] Grace Ueng[/caption]

Grace began studying piano last year to honor the memory of her mother, her first teacher. With an older sister who consistently placed first in their state and would go on to compete nationally and internationally, Grace quit after only a few years of lessons. She went on to study at MIT and Harvard Business School, pursuing interests outside music. Her sister, Vivian Fang, went on to earn two degrees from Juilliard and her doctorate from Peabody Conservatory. Vivian teaches in her private studio, serves on faculty at The Fay School outside Boston, and is President of New England Piano Teachers’ Association. After purchasing her Steinway from Ruggero, Grace started studying with Teddy Robie.  Additionally, Vivian provides sisterly coaching. Grace also enjoys being a part of the Presto piano performance group. Grace is an ardent lifelong student of positive psychology studying under Tal Ben Shahar, the creator of Harvard’s most popular course ever on happiness, Arthur Brooks of Harvard Business School and Noa Kageyama, Juilliard’s performance psychologist. Grace is the founder of Savvy Growth, a leadership coaching and strategy consulting firm, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.  Prior to that, she served on the leadership teams of five technology companies. She writes a weekly column on Happiness & Leadership and has been covered in Inc. Magazine, The Daily Beast and The Wall Street Journal.

[caption id="attachment_10957" align="alignleft" width="150"] Triocha[/caption]

This trio features Erin Munnelly, flute, Sanford Enslen, cello, and Stephanie Schmidt, piano.

 

 

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_10956" align="alignleft" width="150"] Newnew Hong[/caption]

Kangqi Hong, also known as “Newnew,” is a 14-year-old student born in Zhuhai, China, and currently resides with her aunt and uncle, Hong Schulte and Stuart Schulte, in Moore County, North Carolina. She attended Episcopal Day School from 3rd to 5th grade and is now a 9th grader at the O’Neal School. Newnew started learning to play the piano at the age of 6 in China, taught initially by her mother. She studies under Dr. Kristina Henckel and practices daily on a 1931 Baldwin grand piano. In February 2023, Newnew had her first public performance at a sold-out concert sponsored by the Arts Council of Moore County. She performed pieces by Mendelssohn, Chopin, Beethoven, and Saint-Saëns, impressing the audience with her skills. Newnew has taken part in numerous music competitions, winning first place in the solo piano category at Carmel Klavier 2022, Carmel IN, Fayetteville Piano Teacher’s Association competition in 2022, Fayetteville, NC, and Weymouth Young Musician’s Festival in 2020, Southern Pines, NC. Furthermore, she was a finalist in the 2023 North Carolina Symphony Concerto Competition. Newnew is also a laureate of the Piano League competition, participated in the MTNA competition, and received the Grand Prize in the Rising Talents Festival 2021, allowing her to perform at Carnegie Hall. Apart from concerts and competitions, Newnew has performed for local nursing homes, art shows, fundraisers, and Habitat for Humanity. In addition to her love for music, she is also interested in art, history, and science-fiction.

 

Jan
26
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, January 26th, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Jan 26 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Click Here for Livestream Link

Program Notes

Mozart: Sonata KV 570 in B-flat Major

Mozart’s Sonata K570 is a late work which shows the composer at his absolute best. The opening movement is unusual: each theme serves as a springboard to the next one. Thus, the opening melody is a counterpoint to the second one, and the second transfigures to become the third one. In fact, the contrapuntal mastery must have been so appealing that soon after Mozart’s death the Sonata was reworked for violin and piano by an admirer, and is still sometimes performed in that manner, ostensibly as an authentic Mozart piece.

The second movement is an extensive rondo, drawing on the wealth of vocal and instrumental traditions, almost ready to be orchestrated. The frequent use of strophic variation allows the performer to introduce a variety of ornaments, something which was expected in both vocal and instrumental performances of the time.

The last movement is yet another, very much abbreviated rondo; in its center lives a pecking bird, engulfed by contrapuntal lines, very reminiscent of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 and violin sonata K. 378. In both cases, the tempo suddenly accelerates for the sake of that very bird, and I have taken the brazen liberty of doing the same.

Beethoven: Sonata Op. 28 in D Major

The so-called “Pastoral” Sonata owes its nickname to a publisher. This is, without a doubt, inspired by the ostinato in the left hand, prominent in movements one and four, clear stand-in for bagpipes. Yet, while as certain pastoral feeling cannot be denied, it by no means shapes the entire work. In his second and last D Major sonata, Beethoven chooses yet again to keep all four movements in the home key, with the second, slow movement, taking the minor mode. But the contrast between major and minor in our sonata is much less violent then in the earlier Op. 10 No. 3. A possible musical twin for the work is rather the “Spring” sonata for violin and piano, written at about the same time; undeniably handsome, tender, poignant, and positive, with a dash of humor.

Schumann: Kreisleriana Op. 16

Every December, our country falls under the spell of the German author E. T. A. Hoffmann. In fact, we eagerly await the experience of seeing a most garbled version of his short novel “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” now in the form of a famous ballet. Hoffmann, a near-contemporary of Schumann and his undeniable alter ego, had a double career as an author and a musician (Schumann’s stated aspiration as well); his views, aesthetics, and artistic goals were also very close to Schumann’s. And just like Schumann with his Florestan and Eusebius, the fiery and the meek aspects of oneself, Hoffmann had invented for himself a literary stand-in, a certain Kapellmeister Kreisler, is whose bizarre personality these aspects are fused in a strange way, compelling in the eyes of some, repulsive for most others. Such split personality is more than a child of an erratic mind, sophisticated one moment and childish the next; here, we also have the inability, and the unwillingness to put up with the world the way we see it. Kreisler’s life, inasmuch as Hoffmann’s or Schumann’s, is a struggle against a mounting tide of mediocrity, indifference, and pointless small talk. Ironically, Hoffmann tells us, Kreisler’s unpublished autobiography became scrap paper for a memoir by… a cat. Schumann’s eight scenes are not, apparently, descriptive of specific Hoffmann moments; they describe mental states.

 

Performer Bio

A native of Moscow, Dmitri Shteinberg holds a Doctorate in piano performance from the Manhattan School of Music, and is currently the Clifton Matthews Distinguished Professor of piano at UNCSA. His performance credentials include Jerusalem Symphony, The Italian Filarmonica Marchigiana, Israel Chamber Orchestra, Israel Camerata Orchestra and Porto National Symphony under the batons of Massimo Pradella, Roger Nierenberg, Florin Totan and David Shallon, among others. In the United States, he appeared with the Baton Rouge, Richmond, Charlottesville, Salisbury and Manassas symphony orchestras. In 1995, he won the first prize at the Senigallia International Piano Competition in Italy, where he was the youngest competitor.  Shteinberg was a guest artist at the Mostly Mozart Festival, Summit Music Festival, Music Festival of the Hamptons, the ”Oleg Kagan” Festival in Germany, Festival Aix-en-Provence in France and Open Chamber Music in Cornwall, England. Chamber music appearances include the Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Alice Tully Hall in New York and the Saunders Theatre in Boston. Most recently, he gave the world premiere of Permutations for piano and orchestra by Robert Chumbley.

Feb
23
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, February 23rd, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Feb 23 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Click Here for Livestream

We are so excited to have students and faculty from Community Music School performing for this month’s Fourth Friday Concert Series! Repertoire to include selections from Bach, Liszt, Tchaikovsky and others from a variety of genres and styles.

Performer Bio

Founded in 1994, CMS is the only organization in Wake County that provides private, 1:1 personalized music instruction in multiple genres at just $1 per lesson for children who have limited or no access to music education. For the last 30 years, CMS has worked to ensure that every child with a passion for music has access to affordable, high quality music education; and empowers families to foster their children’s love for music; and raise awareness of the benefits of musical instruction in the development of the whole child. Please join in supporting the young musicians of Community Music School by donating $30.00 in honor of the school’s years of service OR become a CMS sustainer at $19.94/month, reflecting on the school’s year of establishment! Learn More Here

Feb
29
Thu
Ruggero Presents Maestro William Henry Curry, Conductor of the Durham Symphony Orchestra @ Ruggero Piano
Feb 29 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mar
13
Wed
Triangle Youth Philharmonic Honors Recital @ Ruggero Piano
Mar 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mar
22
Fri
Fourth Friday Concert Series – Friday, March 22nd, 7:30PM @ Ruggero Piano
Mar 22 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Click Here for Livestream Link!



Performer Bio

Czech pianist Kristina Henckel and Cuban pianist Amanda Virelles formed 4HANDS Piano Duo in 2019. Their duo repertoire includes master pieces from the Classical, Romantic and 20th century periods. Both pianists started performing careers in their countries of origin, and completed doctoral degrees in piano performance and pedagogy in the United States. Currently, both Kristina and Amanda hold faculty positions in North Carolina, at Sandhills Community College and Fayetteville State University.

Dr. Kristina Henckel, an accomplished pianist and teacher, is a native of the Czech Republic. She is a graduate of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, under the tutelage of Professor Peter Toperczer. During her study she received several awards in competitions held in the Czech Republic: third prize in the Chopin Piano Competition and Smetana International Piano Competition, and first prize in the National Piano Competition of Conservatories, including an award for best performance of Antonín Dvořák’s composition. At 18 Kristina debuted with Beethoven’s Concerto No. 5 Op. 73 “Emperor” with the Hradec Králové Philharmonic Orchestra. She further collaborated as a soloist with other regional orchestras in the Czech Republic.

After relocating to the United States in 1999, Kristina continued her studies by earning a doctorate in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma. In Oklahoma she acquired additional awards for her performances: first prize in the Donna Turner-Smith Piano Competition and first prize at the Graduate Concerto Competition 2012. In addition, her dissertation “Pianistic Analysis of Bedřich Smetana’s Piano Cycle Dreams” was nominated for the University of Oklahoma Provost’s Dissertation Prize 2016.

Kristina has performed numerous solo and collaborative recitals in Europe and United States. She also made several recordings for Radio Vltava, Czech Republic. In the fall of 2015 she became a Ritmüller piano artist. In May 2016, she released a CD with the piano trio Turnía featuring the piano trios of Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana. In April 2016 the ensemble was featured on the radio show Northwest Focus on King FM 98.1 in Seattle, WA. Kristina is also a member of the 4HANDS Piano Duo with Cuban-American pianist Amanda Virelles.

Currently she serves as music faculty at Fayetteville State University and Sandhills Community College in North Carolina.

Amanda Virelles has played for audiences around the world captivating them with her unique sound and deep interpretations. Her performances have been described as sensible, profound, and energetic. She has performed as a soloist as well as collaborative artist throughout the United States, Europe, South and Central America and the Caribbean.

Amanda began her piano studies in Cuba with Emilio Morales, and later with Serguei Leschenko, continued with Heirinch Neuhaus’ protegé Margarita Fyodorova at Moscow State Conservatory Tchaikovsky, and received her Master of Fine Arts Degree from the Russian Academy of Music Gnessins in Moscow, Russia, under the guidance of Inna Malinina, former disciple of Alexander Goldenwieser. Virelles also holds a Master Degree and a Doctoral Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she received both a full assistantship and a fellowship as the winner of the Doctoral Assistantship Competition. While at USM, Amanda was a student of Dr. Lois Leventhal.

After winning First Prize and an Special Prize for best Cuban and Latin-American music performance in the “Amadeo Roldan” Piano Competition, in Cuba, she was given a full scholarship to study in Russia. She appeared as a soloist with several orchestras in Europe and South America under the direction of renowned conductors such as Yoshikatsu Fukumura, Mikhail Shervakov, Dmitir Manolov, Fillipo Zigante, Kimbo Ishii – Eto, and Miguel Harth-Bedoya. She was a featured winner of the William T. Gower Concerto Competition with the USM Symphony Orchestra under conductor Jay Dean. She has also performed under the baton of Raul Munguia and Alejandro Drago.

As a pedagogue Dr. Virelles has served as an Associate Professor of Music at Universidad del Atlántico in Colombia, in the fields of classical piano, theory, and chamber music from 1997 to 2003. Previously, she was on the piano faculty at the Conservatorio Nacional in Lima, Peru. Since her arrival to the United States, she has also served at Lane College, Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music and at the School of Music of Belmont University. Currently, Dr. Virelles is an Associate Professor of Music at Fayetteville State University, in Fayetteville, North Carolina and teaches piano at Fayetteville School of Music

Amanda is an avid performer of chamber music and plays regularly with “Duo Guitiano” with Colombian-American guitarist Carlos Castilla and 4HANDS Piano Duo, with Czech pianist Kristina Henckel. Her solo and duo recordings are available in digital platforms.


Founded in June, 2003, the Fourth Friday Concert Series, formerly know as the 4th Friday Mix, stands as one of our area’s longest-running concert series. We remain committed to providing free and inclusive concerts that welcome musicians with a passion for sharing their talents. All attendees, including children capable of listening attentively, are warmly welcomed. Fourth Friday Concerts typically feature 2-4 performers or performance groups, although special occasions may showcase a single performer or group for the entire concert. 

Customer Reviews

I purchased a new Schimmel grand from Ruggero Piano in 2013. After looking at all the various piano dealerships and several independent technicians, it was clear that Ruggero Piano was set apart by their integrity and excellence. Since then, they have maintained my piano and other instruments for concerts/recitals. Richard, John, and the entire team have been excellent to work with, but I am especially grateful for their long-term partnership and their commitment to taking exceptional care of their customers. I look forward to working with them for many years to come! - Tanner Winchester

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