Opening Nights - International Guitar Night

Emerge inspired.

Proud supporter of Opening Nights and their mission in Arts Education at Florida State University

TAYLOR • BLACKBURN FAMILY FUND

We are proud to support Opening Nights.

from the director o

n behalf of Opening Nights, we are thrilled to share the second half of our 25th Anniversary Season with you! We’ve saved the best for last this spring with so many incredible performances coming your way. In February, we kick off the vibrant lineup with:

The Other Mozart by Sylvia Milo at Turner Auditorium on February 4. This captivating one-woman show tells the story of Mozart’s forgotten sister, Nannerl, a piano virtuoso in her own right. Television, stage and film star Katharine McPhee will perform live at the home of the FSU President on February 6.

A month-long celebration of Black History Month kicks off with Step Afrika! on February 7 and is sure to delight all ages with an exciting blend of percussive dance styles that integrate songs, storytelling and humor. Pulitzer Prize winning author, Colson Whitehead will speak on February 9 about his writings and engage the audience with insightful discussion.

The Queens of Soul, Morgan James and Erica Gabriel take center stage with our very own Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra on February 11 for a celebration of the music of Motown, R&B and soul; celebrate Valentine’s Day with a breathtaking performance by contemporary dance company MOMIX and their visually stunning repertoire entitled Alice, inspired by Alice in Wonderland; and Ethiopian jazz singer, Meklit, will perform on February 28.

French-based Zodiac Trio will perform Benny Rides Again, a celebration of the songs of Benny Goodman on March 3; country and folk music legend Emmylou Harris takes the Ruby Diamond stage on March 4 for an unforgettable evening of the music that has thrived for more than 50 years; theatre fans get ready for New York Gilbert & Sullivan Player’s The Mikado on March 11 for a matinee performance; and families won’t want to miss

The Jungle Book performed live by the Panto Company on March 23.

Legendary late-night comedian and television host Jay Leno will pack Ruby Diamond for a memorable evening of laughs on March 29; Opening Nights continues its collaboration with the Chain of Parks Arts Festival with digital media artist John Ensor Parker on April 13; FSU’s PRISM is back with its traditional spring performance on April 16; and the season concludes with Piano Battle, a rollicking good time, on April 25.

Sponsorships and memberships make each season possible, and we are very grateful to the many people who have generously supported us this season. As we continue to celebrate the Opening Nights 25-year legacy into the next season, we invite you to renew or become a member or a sponsor of our 2023–24 Season. From town to gown, Opening Nights is a vital university and community performing arts program with a mission worthy of supporting and celebrating! These performances create a thriving cultural life in our community and create priceless educational experiences on campus and throughout the community. Ask any Opening Nights associate about these philanthropic opportunities. We hope you join us!

Thank you again for your support of the Opening Nights 25th Anniversary Season at Florida State University. Please enjoy these outstanding performances!

Jennifer Wright Director, Opening Nights at Florida State University

THAT EMPOWERING EACH OTHER GIVES US THE POWER TO CHANGE THE WORLD FOR THE GOOD OF ALL.

Potential is just the start of a push toward greatness. At FSU, the collaborative culture and supportive community helps to cultivate an environment that encourages innovative thinking. Because when we all bring our own unique perspectives and work together toward a common goal, we can all help make tomorrow better than today. Start your journey at fsu.edu/belivingproof

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

Be living proof.

Carlos Rodriguez, College of Business Shanquell Dixon, College of Medicine

Florida State University

Richard McCullough President

Opening Nights Staff

Jennifer Wright Director

Lori Elliott Development Director

Grace Atkins Program & Operations Manager

Brad Lister Business & Patron Services Manager

Calla MacNamara Education & Engagement Manager

Amanda Cole Graphic Designer University Communications, Creative Services

Rodney Johnson Assistant Director of Creative Services University Communications, Creative Services

Opening Nights Development Council

Eric Friall, Chair

Gus Corbella, Immediate-Past Chair Susan Stratton, Secretary Kathleen Daly Brooke Hallock

John Marks

David Mica, Jr. Heather Mitchell

Nan Nagy Tom Nelson Ron Sachs

Florida State University Office of the President College of Fine Arts College of Motion Picture Arts College of Music

College of Social Sciences & Public Policy

FSU Panama City University Communications University Relations

upcoming performances

january

International Guitar Night classical, flamenco, guitar, jazz

Voctave vocal, a cappella

The Other Mozart theatre Sponsored by Tallahassee Community College

Katharine McPhee vocal, Boradway, Sponsored by Capital City Bank and Chris & Beth Corum

Step Afrika! dance, world music Sponsored by The Jane & John Marks Foundation

Colson Whitehead author, speaker Sponsored by Bernadette & Roger Luca

Queens of Soul with Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra tribute, orchestral, r&b

MOMIX dance Sponsored by Taylor Blackburn Family Fund

Meklit jazz, world music, vocal Sponsored by FSU License Plate

Zodiac Trio instrumental, jazz

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

Arts the

Arts the

Stay connected to Tallahassee’s latest activities and attractions. Read Tallahassee Magazine in print and online, plus like and follow on social media for the latest events and happenings.

Stay connected to Tallahassee’s latest activities and attractions. Read Tallahassee Magazine in print and online, plus like and follow on social media for the latest events and happenings.

@tallahasseemag | tallahasseemagazine. com

@tallahasseemag | tallahasseemagazine. com

2022–23 members

producer’s circle

Mr. & Mrs. Bart Aiken ✽

Jann & Ray Bellamy H

Phillip & Betty Brown ✽

Kathleen Daly & Reinhart Lerch ON Liz Dudek ✽

Richard & Judi Earls ✽ Sharon & John Harris

Jimmie Crowder Excavating Paull & Nita Kirkpatrick

Carol Lees, Gregg & Kathy Villacorta ON Geof Mansfield & Jennifer Fitzwater ON Mike & Judy Pate ON Piekarewicz Family ✽ Sherrill & Jimmy Ragans ON 20+ Jayne M. Standley H

John D. Woods MD

partner level

Anonymous ✽

Cathy & Jim Bracher

Kathryn Karrh Cashin, Ph.D. ON Mike & Jeri Damasiewicz ✽ Bob Davis

Bill & Caryl Donnellan ON Patrick & Kathy Dunnigan ✽

Lori Elliott & Doug Hall Jack & Susan Fiorito ✽

Grossman Furlow & Bayo LLC ✽

Dave & Margaret Groves H Brenda & Tracy Hatch H Bill & Bunnie Hunter ✽

Linda & Rick Hyson ✽ Susan & Al Kaempfer

In Memory of Helen Keaton u

Los Robles Animal Hospital u

Stacey Lampkin ✽

Tom Nelson & Lisa Mergel

Raymond & Rhonda Merritt

Heather & Mark Mitchell

Kristine & Tom Parker

Johanna Van Lierop Plummer u Mary Anne Price ✽

Terry & Marilyn Reisman u

Stephen & Barbara Roberts ✽

Barbara Shapiro ✽

AS OF 12/14/22

Del Suggs & Denice Jones ON Warren W & Paula E Sutton H

The Rodney David Reeves Trust Fund

The Three Sisters

David Waters u Bernie & Lisa Waxman ✽

friend level

Greg & Sharon Beaumont H Nada Carey

Ellen Berler & Bob Contreras ✽

Mr. & Mrs. Bill Davis ✽ Sandy & Jim Dafoe H

The Hon. Stephen Everett & Meghan Everett ✽

Bill Graham & Shelley Hill Royce P. Gray, M.D. u Ken & Debbie Hodges ✽

John & Linda Kilgore H David & Linda Knopf

Mr. & Mrs. Lee H

Jimmy Martin & Carlos Fernandez Marjorie Masterman ON

Joan May Randi & Chris New ✽ Fred & Anna Roberson ✽ Eleanore Rosenberg & Larry Sack H Jason & Brenda Watts ✽ Bonnie & Woody Woodward David & Mary Jean Yon H

associate level

Dr. John Bailey & Bonnie Gaughan-Bailey

Greg & Karen Boebinger H Eileen & Don Bourassa ✽ Jennifer & Scott Boyles ✽

Karen Bradley

Bob Cohen & Karen Asher-Cohen ✽ Ms. Carol Cooper

Pamala J Doffek ✽ Colonel & Ms. Dunn ✽ Keith & Vangie Fields David & Paula Fountain ✽

Carole Goodyear u

Karen Herrick Robert G. Knight H

James Lee & Gordon Bedwell ✽

Shawn McCauley & Suzanne Smith u Susan McConnell ✽

McNeal/Dunn Family ✽ Emily Millett ✽

Mr. & Mrs. Jon Moyle, Jr. u Ed & Linda Oaksford ✽

Patsy Palmer

Dianne Phillips H

John Stephen Pirtle u

Bill & Connie Reinhardt H

Dr. David & Mrs Rhonda Saint u

Pat & Gary Smith H

Michael G. Stephens u Heather & Rob Telfer

Phillip Tomberlin Jr. & Martin Kavka H Mike & Angie Wallenfelsz u

debut level

Francisco Alarcon & Kathleen Kearney ✽

Cheryl Anderson

Kathleen Barnett & Dr. Lonnie Draper Mark & Patsy Bates u Adrienne J Bowen

Brafford Davis, CPA, PLLC Ann Brattain ✽

Bruce Campbell & Susan Stephens ✽

Robert & Linda Clickner ✽

Mary & David Coburn Ellen & Robert Crabtree ✽

Susan Crawford & Joseph Travis u Liz Dameron ON

Lynda deMarsh-Mathues ✽

Michael & Nancy Diamonti

June Dollar & Grady Enlow

Virlindia Doss u

Marcy P. Driscoll

Tom & Valeria Dudley u Anita Renee Favors

Rick & Joyce Fausone ✽ Robert Fingar H

✽

Member for 5 years or more H Member for 10 years or more ON Member for 15 years or more u First year members

www.bergersingerman.com

Thank you for supporting our students yesterday, today, and tomorrow with your purchase of the FSU tag.

Let’s brag with the tag for another 35 years!

mytag.fsu.edu

Visit any Florida tax collector’s office or mytag.fsu.edu to purchase your FSU tag. Proceeds support student scholarships and academic enhancements. FSU provides a $25 rebate for first time buyers.

Berger Singerman proudly supports Florida State University's Opening Nights and its efforts in bolstering arts education within the Tallahassee community.

2021–22 members, cont.

Mark Fontaine ✽

Tim & Jamela Fordyce ✽

Belinda T. France u Joy & James Frank u Meg Gibson

Tom & Daleen Gilpin u Richard & Christine Gordon ✽

Freddie Groomes-McLendon Drs. Vasken & Sharon Hagopian

John & Eleanor Hawkins ✽

Dr. & Mrs. Hayden H

Maura & William Heebink ✽ James & Hillary Hodges u Myles Hollander H

Gary Hudson u Susan & Bill Hurlbut u Keith Ihlanfeldt

Liz Jameson ✽

Dallas & Rita Johnson

Dr. David & Dottie Jones

Mr. Keelean & Mrs. Kampert H

Christine M Keller ✽

Kira Derryberry Photography

John & Sylvia Labie u

Bruce & Lametria Lamont

Brian R. Lockwood ✽

Terry & Fran Lewis ✽

Catherine May Tom, Leisa & Sean McCullion ✽

Tricia & Randy Merchant Mike & Karen Mobley

Corbin & Murray Moore

Dr. Debbie Justice Obley & Ross Obley H

Orange State Construction, Inc. u Susan Potts & Michael Mesler u David & Jo Ann Prescott H

Nikki Pritchett & Stephen Fox ✽

Cathy & Barney Ray Billie Reardon

David Reed

Mark E. Reichert

Charles & Mary Rooney u Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ross u Joann Sapolsky Susan Schatzman u

Sarah & Terry Sherraden u N. Stratis u

Sharon Strickland & Richard Pearlman ✽ Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Suber ✽

Dan Taylor & Tony Archer ✽

Phyllis Thomson & Steve Carter u Michael & Ressa Tomkiewicz Judith Underhill ✽

Marilynn Wills ON Ronald & Annette Wilson ✽ Nancy Wright H Kathy & Richard Zorn ✽

solo level

Robert Andrews u Senait Ashenafi u

Bob Atwood u Adrienne Barnes ✽

Dr. Bradley & Mr. Madden u Douglas E. Brodbeck

Terry Burgess, In Memory of Mark Burgess u

James & Kathleen Carr u Anthony & Janet Carro u Lisa & Ken Cashin ✽ David & Karen Cherni u Jim & Pam Cooke u Cheryl Cox u Julie Decker

Louise Divine u

Michael Erickson & Maria Cabrero u

Sharon & Rick Fallon u Kevin & Suzanne Fenton u

Kim Gabbard

Jim & Lori Keller

Janet Kistner

Mrs. Jo Anne Koch-Owens Mark Leadon u

Dian & Chas LaTour H Jan LeBar ✽

Stephen D. McDowell u Mike & Michelle McGinley u

Joe Picklesimer u

Joe Sigler u

Kelvin Wallace u Glenn Woodsum, DJ Wright u

distinguished artists fund

Mr. & Mrs. Daly

Kathleen Daly & Reinhart Lerch

Dr. & Mrs. Hayden Meghan Jankelow Lourdes Madsen

The Rodney David Reeves Trust Fund

opening nights in class

Dr. & Mrs. Hayden

The Rodney David Reeves Trust Fund Dan & Ashley Barrow

For more information and to become a member, visit openingnights.fsu.edu/support/membership

✽

Member for 5 years or more H Member for 10 years or more ON Member for 15 years or more u First year members

Herb & Mary Jervis

Congratulations Opening Nights for fostering the Arts in Tallahassee for the past 25 years.

The students, faculty, and staff of FSU and the citizens of north Florida have been enriched by your efforts.

We eagerly await what the next 25 years will bring.

WHERE GREAT SERVICE

IS

ALWAYS THE

STAR OF THE SHOW

international guitar night

International Guitar Night (IGN), the longest-running guitar show in America, is now in its 23rd year. Each year, IGN brings together a new group of renowned guitarists from around the world to tour the United States. The 2023 troupe includes Canadian jazz guitarist, vocalist, and recipient of the 2021 Juno (Canadian Grammy) for Jazz Album of the Year, Jocelyn Gould; riveting Gypsy Jazz Guitarist Olli Soikkeli from Finland; Classical Guitar Soloist and Chamber Musician Stephanie Jones from Australia, and Flamenco Master Jesus Guerrero from Spain. The guitarists will play solo sets in the first half and an all-collaborative second set, including duets and quartets.

Olli Soikkeli

Jesus Guerrero

Jocelyn Gould

Stephanie Jones

International Guitar Night

Continued from pg. 19

OLLI SOIKELLI was born in Nurmes, Finland in 1991. He started playing guitar at age of 12. After a few years of playing Olli was introduced to the music of great Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz has been Olli's main focus ever since. Soon Olli was playing in jazz clubs and festivals all around Finland. After touring all around Europe with musicians such as Paulus Schäfer and Arnoud Van Den Berg Olli decided to move to New York City in 2014. Olli has played legendary venues such as Birdland Jazz Club, Blue Note and the Lincoln Center.

Despite his young age he’s already played with stars such as Bucky Pizzarelli, Stochelo Rosenberg, Tommy Emmanuel, Andreas Öberg, Cyrille Aimee, Anat Cohen, Antti Sarpila and Marian Petrescu.

In 2011 Olli recorded his first album Trois Générations with Hot Club de Finlande and Vitali Imereli and in 2012 he recorded his second album Kouvola Junction with Paulus Schäfer and Arnoud van den Berg.

In 2014 Rhythm Future Quartet’s debut album was released. Rhythm Future Quartet’s second album Travels was released to rave reviews including Best albums of 2016 by Huffington Post and All About Jazz magazines.

The Wall Street Journal wrote: “Olli Soikkeli, a riveting Finnish guitarist who combines astonishing dexterity and speed with pure soul in a way that places him among the worthiest current day successors to the legacy of the great Django.”

STEPHANIE JONES is an active soloist and chamber musician who is currently based in Germany. She has recently finished her Masters and is currently studying Classical Guitar Performance with Thomas MüllerPering at the prestigious University of Music Franz Liszt.

Stephanie won first prize in both the Uppsala International Guitar Festival Competition and the Hannabach Guitar Competition. She was also a finalist in the Deutscher Gitarrenpries and the Salzburg International Guitar Festival. In 2014, through the Fine Music Network National Competition, Stephanie was awarded the Young Virtuoso of

the Year. In 2012, Stephanie competed in the prestigious Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition and subsequently won second prize.

Stephanie has performed extensively around the globe, being invited to a number of festivals and concert series. She has also released two albums, Colours of Spain (2015), and Bach, the Fly, and the Microphone (2009). Stephanie is also a member of the renowned Weimar Guitar Quartet, this year releasing their debut album. Stephanie is passionate about sharing her music with others and is recognized as an innovative and deeply musical artist.

JESÚS GUERRERO was born in 1985, in San Fernando (Cadiz), Spain. He started playing guitar at the age of 11 under the tutelage of master teacher José Luis Balao. Jesús’ natural virtuosity with the instrument and his musical creativity have led him to be one of the most sought-after figures of the current flamenco scene, performing with his trio, in duet with his wife Alba Carmona, and assisting many of the great singers, including Nina Pastori and Miguel Poveda, with their records and live shows.

Jesús graduated in Teaching with a specialty in Musical Education at the University of Cádiz. He won the Premio Flamenco Hoy 2014 for Best Guitar Accompaniment. He has been the musical composer of numerous dance shows for artists like Merche Esmeralda, Last Stop; Molina choro, Notice, Bayles Gypsy; David Coria, Spiral; Ana Morales, ReciclArte and De-Heeled Sandal; Andrés Peña, A Fuego Lento, Órdago To The Big, and The Air That Brings Me; and Joaquín Grilo, Belmonte.

Jesús was asked to compose the music for One Silverio… and Flamencolorquiano for Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía, directed by Rafael Estévez. He collaborated in the film by Carlos Saura, Flamenco Flamenco and has worked with numerous artists like Eva la Yerbabuena, Rafael Campallo, Farruco and Joan Albert Bitter.

Jesús’ passion for American folk music has also led him to collaborate with the Mexican artist Lila Downs, and Soledad Pastorutti, one of the greatest exponents of Argentine folk. In 2016, he released Calma, his first solo album, which further displayed his musical versatility. With flamenco as its cornerstone, Calma was influenced by the numerous

musical styles he has discovered along the way which are now part of his personality and identity as a guitarist. It is created from his musical and cultural ambition and, most certainly, from his deep love for well-made and cared for things, with the intent to show the audience his point of view, his vision and his contribution to the flamenco guitar.

JOCELYN GOULD is a Canadian jazz guitarist. Passionate about the tradition of jazz guitar, she cites Grant Green, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass as primary influences of the instrument. Originally from Winnipeg, Canada, Jocelyn holds a Bachelor of Jazz Studies from University of Manitoba (UM) and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University.

Jocelyn’s passion for music began very young. Both of Jocelyn’s parents played guitar throughout her youth, and Jocelyn learned piano and voice at a young age with her father, who was an elementary music teacher. After completing high school, Jocelyn initially studied science before switching to music at UM to pursue a jazz studies degree on guitar.

In 2016, Jocelyn relocated to the United States to pursue her Masters in Jazz Studies at Michigan State University. Upon graduating, she moved to New York City, where she worked as a guitarist until her relocation to Toronto in the summer 2019 to begin a professorship at Humber College.

Jocelyn Gould has been called “a leader in the next generation of great mainstream jazz guitarists” by Howard Paul, CEO of Benedetto Guitars.

Jocelyn Gould has performed internationally in the groups of GRAMMY® nominated vocalist Freddy Cole, Trumpeter Etienne Charles and DownBeat Rising Star trombonist Michael Dease. She can be heard on albums lead by Michael Dease, Jon Gordon, Diego Rivera, Randy Napoleon and Will Bonness. She is the 1st place winner of the 2018 Wilson Centre International Jazz Guitar competition.

Jocelyn's debut release as a leader, Elegant Traveler, was nominated for “Jazz Album of the Year” in the 2021 JUNO awards. Elegant Traveler showcases Jocelyn's warm and inviting sound and melodic compositions with an all star band.

For your planning for tomorrow side.

For your planning for tomorrow side.

For more information on how you can embrace

We plan for our future, so our loved ones don’t have to do it for us.

We plan for our future, so our loved ones don’t have to do it for us. Nationwide offers long-term care options to help you financially prepare for unexpected events down the road. This way you can spend more time with your family, and less time thinking about “what if?”

4449 Meandering Way Tallahassee, FL 32308 www.WestminsterOaksFL.org

We plan for our future, so our loved ones don’t have to do it for us. Nationwide offers long-term care options to help you financially prepare for unexpected events down the road. This way you can spend more time with your family, and less time thinking about “what if?”

offers long-term care options to help you financially prepare for unexpected events down the road. This way you can spend more time with your family, and less time thinking about “what if?” Contact

McKee Insurance Agency (850) 224-6055 patrick@mckeeagency.com

McKee

McKee