Life

A Celebration of Music at BRCC

Kevin Ayesh will be honored at the 20th annual Arida Arts Symposium May 4 at Blue Ridge Community College.

By , Published: April 23, 2012

The 20th Annual Arida Arts Symposium at Blue Ridge Community College will honor Kevin Ayesh, pianist and teacher, on Friday, May 4, at Blue Ridge Community College Henderson County Campus.

Ayesh has been Blue Ridge Community College's Lead Music Instructor since 1992 and has performed throughout the United States. As a North Carolina Visiting Artist from 1988 until 1992, he appeared before thousands, giving as many as 100 recitals in a season.

A native of Wichita, Kan., Ayesh holds degrees from the University of Texas and the University of Maryland. He is the recipient of many prizes, including the Naftzger Piano Award, Baltimore Music Club Award, and winner of both the JCC Baltimore Piano Competition and the Maryland State Music Teachers' Elizabeth R. Davis Memorial Piano Competition. He has been a finalist in several national and international competitions, was awarded second prize at the Wideman Piano Competition, and won both third prize and Composer's Prize at the New Orleans International Piano Competition.

Ayesh has appeared three times as concerto soloist with the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra; twice with the Brevard Philharmonic Orchestra, and also with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, the Asheville Chamber Orchestra, the Wichita Community Orchestra, and the Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra. He is in frequent demand as performer, adjudicator, and workshop clinician, and recently presented a master class at Hong Kong Baptist University. He has given numerous lecture-recitals of the piano music of American composer Robert Starer.

At Blue Ridge Community College, Ayesh teaches courses in applied and class piano, as well as music theory, history, and appreciation; he is also Artistic Director of the college's annual Concert Series.

Ayesh will present a master class from 10:30 a.m. to noon May 4 in Thomas Auditorium at BRCC. His evening performance will be from 7 to 8 p.m. in Thomas Auditorium. Reservations are required for the evening performance. Call 828-694-1735.

A reception will begin at 8 p.m. in the Thomas Auditorium Gallery.

All events are funded by the Gamil T. Arida Endowment Fund through Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation and are free to the public.