Natalie Frakes - A Solstice Salon Concert at Schweikher House

Join violinist Natalie Frakes, cellist Ómkara Gil and painist John Bitoy for an intimate performance in the living room of the historic Schweikher House as we celebrate the upcoming winter solstice, sponsored by Robbins Architecture, Winnetka, Illinois. Selections include pieces by composers Andrea Casarrubios, Jessie Montgomery, Christian Ryan, and Buck McDaniel. The program celebrates a universal milestone - the winter solstice - in which everyone in the northern hemisphere can embrace. Central to all the traditions of the solstice is the renewal of spirit, symbolized by the rebirth of the sun, connecting our music at this time of healing and hope and reflection. Natalie Frakes is a violinist and violist, music educator, activist, and mindfulness teacher. She deeply believes music can be a vehicle for social change and has dedicated herself to education and creative social initiatives. She began her musical journey at the age of five as a Suzuki student in Detroit, Michigan. Natalie is co-founder and second violinist in string quartet Six Mile Strings whose aim is to push the boundaries of what the "traditional" string quartet can do. Their debut album, "Up North" can be purchased at bandcamp.com/sixmilestrings. Natalie is also founder of the female-powered collective, Midtown Strings, performing in Chicago, Detroit and Washington D.C. Frakes is currently Director of Orchestras at Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois and continues to be engaged as a music educator in disempowered communities. She is also pursuing Master's degrees at Longy School of Music and VanderCook College of Music. Venezuelan cellist, Omkara Gil, recently graduated with her bachelor's degree at Chicago College of Performing Arts in the studio of Prof. Richard Hirschl. Gil began her musical studies at the "Vicente Emilio Sojo" Conservatory of Music, El Sistema and the "Academia Latinoamericana de Violoncello" at the age of 10. A member of the National Children's Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, Gil served as principal cellist of the Lara Youth Symphony Orchestra under the conduction of Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Barenboim, Gustavo Dudamel and many other noteworthy conductors. Her affiliation with the orchestra further led her to her concerto debut in 2017. She has participated in summer festivals like Chautauqua Music Festival, Academia Internacional de Solsona (Spain) and "Festival Hiberoamericano de Violoncello" (Venezuela) where she has performed multiple solo and chamber works by composers such as Beethoven, Ravel, Saint Saens, Villalobos, among others. John Bitoy, an Afro-Dominican pianist and composer hailing from Chicago, enjoys a multifaceted career as a soloist and collaborative pianist. Renowned for performances of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with esteemed orchestras like the South Loop Symphony and Symphony of Oak Park, he's graced stages like the Chicago Symphony Center and Millenium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion. An advocate for new music, John champions compositions by artists like Steve Wallace, Marcus Norris, and Tyshawn Sorey while seamlessly navigating diverse genres. From playing with Sigur Ros on their U.S. tour to being featured at the Jazz Showcase and Andy’s Jazz Club, his musical journey spans traditional repertoire and illuminates the works of the African Diaspora. Doors open 2:30, performance at 3pm. Light refreshments will be served.

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2120995-0

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