Bethlehem Music Series

Both of Australian descent, Dale Barltrop, concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in British Columbia, and pianist Stephanie Wendt, blend their talents to create magical moments. Mr. Barltrop, previously, principal second violinist of the St. Paul Chamber Orcherstra, solos with many of the major orchestras; was a founding member of the Verklarte Quartet; and grand prize winner at the 2003 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Barltrop was a student of Gerald Fischbach and the Guarneri String Quartet. and continued his studies with William Preucil, concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra. At the University of Maryland, he co-founded and directed the Philharmonia Ensemble, a highly sucessful student chamber orchestra.

Concert pianist, teacher, public radio broadcaster, Stephanie Wendt has performed to enthusiastic audiences on five continents. Passionate about sharing classical music with diverse audiences, she has performed in venues ranging from a maximum-securtiy prison to Avery Fisher Hall in New York. Stephanie has won many prizes and awards, including a McKnight Artist Fellowship for Performing Musicians and the national Gracie Allen Award for her documentary about Clara Schumann. She also wrote and perfoms a one-woman play about Clara Schumann called "Clara's Visitor." Her teachers included Jorge Bolet, Gary Graffman, Lydia Artymiw, Joan Torno, and Clemns Leske. A special feature of this concert will be the premiere performance of a piece by David Evan Thomas entitled "Valentines" especially commissioned for this event.