The Church of Broken Things follows the intertwined lives of three childhood friends—KK, Vick and Faith—growing up in rural Oklahoma.The play shifts between dark humor and raw vulnerability, revealing how laughter and friendship become lifelines in a landscape of hardship. From the Madison New Works Laboratory.
Lonely and under financial stress, Wendy is drawn to her neighbor who introduces Wendy to an amazing business opportunity in a multi-level marketing company. As Wendy becomes more and more intertwined in the strange community of SimpleLife, the relief she finds in connecting with her neighbors slowly transforms into a waking nightmare. From the Madison New Works Laboratory.
An omnivorous musician, Sam Suggs was recently named New Artist of the Month by Musical America and earned the grand prize at the 2015 International Society of Bassists Solo Competition performing many of his own compositions. Praised for her “expert technical work” (The Strad), cellist Amanda Gookin champions the future of music through bold performances, the creation of new works and a deep commitment to education, cultural equity and community engagement.
The Other Mozart tells the true story of Nannerl Mozart, a prodigy, composer and sister of Amadeus. The play unfolds inside a stunning 18-foot gown, with music composed from the instruments and ordinary objects she loved. Based on the family's own letters, this one-woman show will transport you into a world of beauty yet overwhelmed by prejudice.
Sue Barber is an active music educator and performer as a bassoonist. During the summer season she performs and teaches at the Brevard Music Festival. She is an active freelance bassoonist, performing as principal bassoon with CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra and the North Charleston Pops! Orchestra.
The JMU Wind Symphony is the premier woodwind, brass and percussion ensemble at James Madison University, committed to performing the great works of the wind band’s core repertoire while also exploring the best of contemporary composition.
Clarinetist Šarūnas Jankauskas enjoys a rewarding performance and teaching career. Most of his professional activities take place at James Madison University in Virginia, where he guides an enthusiastic group of aspiring young musicians, teachers and entrepreneurs. Jankauskas joined the faculty in 2016 and is dedicated to exploring new ways of addressing playing techniques, expanding teaching literature and maintaining a highly positive learning environment.
Named 'Best Group/Duo’ by the International Acoustic Music Awards, Ryanhood has spent more than 20 years engaging crowds with highly energetic, powerfully genuine performances. Having shared stages with Jason Mraz, Matt Nathanson, Train, Lifehouse and many more, Ryanhood's sound threads folk, rock and pop together with virtuosic guitar work and inquisitive lyrics.
Dr. Sonya Gabrielle Baker,soprano, made her Carnegie Hall debut with conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, singing music of Aaron Copland. Adam Shenk is a pianist, singer and music director. Originally from Harrisonburg, Va., he earned his Bachelor’s in Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass.
Yuriy Rakevich has performed in various violin recitals and as a concertmaster in orchestras around the world, including Mozart Nº 5 and Tchaikovsky in Mexico, and Sibelius in the old USSR. Olga Kopilova has performed as a soloist in the main concert halls in Moscow and the surrounding region and is a solo piano artist who has performed with several Brazilian and international orchestras.
The JMU Symphony Orchestra is the premier orchestra within the School of Music at James Madison University. Membership is open, through the audition process, to all JMU students who attend the University.