Sounds of Spring with Dancing Heart

The Dancing Heart Ensemble presents “Sounds of Spring” taking you to that place in the heart where renewal begins. The program includes Scott Wheeler’s charming “Fables,” Carl Vine’s evocative flute and piano Sonata; a Spanish piano solo by Granados; Daniel Reeves’ vibe solo “Come to Me” and an uplifting collection of Appalachian Folk Songs for flute and piano. The ensemble of Karen Johnson (flute), Carlos Rodriguez (piano) and Manny Arciniega (percussion) aims to connect with and transform the audience. Individual musicians have performed with Stevie Wonder, Placido Domingo and Netflix’s House of Cards. The concert, part of the 4th Friday series, will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis (UUCA), 333 Dubois Road. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information, visit www.tinyurl.com/UUCA-concerts or call 410-266-8044 Monday – Thursday.

Widely respected classical pianist Brian Ganz said, "Dancing Heart isn't just the name of this wonderful group, it's the effect they have on their listeners! Their exciting, innovative programs fill audiences' senses and leave hearts nourished and inspired. This is music as it was meant to be.” The three members of Dancing Heart met at the Levine School of Music where they are all on the faculty. They talked of the need for a new paradigm in classical concerts: one in which there is much more connectivity with the audience and a repertoire that was accessible without being ‘watered down’. So in 2010 they formed Dancing Heart with this new musical agenda.

The Dancing Heart Ensemble’s mission is to transform audiences as well as themselves. To that end, they create programs that are both beautiful and evocative by juxtaposing classical works with more popular ones. Ganz said of them, “They are not a ‘cross-over’ group, but rather, they select pieces that complement each other, regardless of their genre. The results are unique, magical programs.” “ Not only are they superb musicians, they are also highly entertaining and informative” (Hylton Performing Arts Center).

Karen Johnson is known as a colorful and virtuosic stylist of both solo and chamber music repertoire. Her diverse musical repertoire ranges from the sacred to the popular, and her many collaborations include appearances with pop star Stevie Wonder, the Takacs String Quartet and the Bach Aria Group. She has served as principal flutist of the Washington Bach Consort and is the Co-Principal of the Chesapeake Orchestra. The Washington Post has described her playing as “exquisite” and “mesmerizing.”

Acclaimed by the Washington Post as “a virtuoso pianist” Carlos César Rodríguez made his Carnegie Hall debut at age 21. He has won acclaim as music director of operas and zarzuelas and has been active as composer, arranger, and improviser of ballets, Spanish dance scores, and Latin-Jazz/Pop compositions. Mr. Rodríguez made his recital debut in his native Venezuela at age 5 and made his solo orchestral debut at age 11. He has performed in such major venues as the John F. Kennedy Center; the White House, the Corcoran Gallery, Carnegie Hall and at the Steinway Series of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.

Manny Arciniega is a free-lance percussionist, composer, arranger and educator who worked with Sir Colin Davis, Yan Pascal Tortelier, and Trevor Pinnock. He has performed with the London Sinfonietta, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of India, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (with Dame Evelyn Glennie). Mr. Arciniega played tabla and percussion with the group Tablature and played buckets on the Netflix Series House of Cards. He received a Master of Arts degree in Timpani and Percussion Performance at the Royal Academy of Music in London and has appeared in musical theatre productions at the Arena Stage and Wooly Mammoth Theatre.

Brian Ganz, the inspiration for the series, serves as artistic director and periodic performer. The next concert on May 27 features “Bringing you the Clazzics” (fusion of jazz and the classics) performed by the Clazzical Project with guest pianist Brian Ganz.