By Kenn Baert
The ATG is proud to announce that we have signed the following 3 guest artists for the 2025 ATG festival on July 17-20 in Lisle, Illinois. All 3 of these evening concerts promise to be incredible. These artists have not only gained acclaim in the accordion world, but also in the broader music world and are opening eyes everywhere about the versatility of our great instrument. There are still 2 more guest artists that we hope to announce shortly which will complete a wonderful lineup for the 2025 ATG festival.
Saturday, July 19th: Bridge & Wolak are a globe-trotting musical duo who create life-affirming concerts full of beauty, virtuosity and humor. ATG board member Michael Bridge, digital accordion, and Kornel Wolak, clarinet & piano, share a love of classical, jazz and world music, a fascination with fusing genres and a passion for performance. They create bold original programs that are irreverent, meticulously prepared and completely in-the-moment. They invite you to join them on their slightly unruly musical adventures, wherever they might lead.
Michael Bridge recently received the Virginia Parker Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada. The Virginia Parker Prize is awarded to a classical singer, instrumentalist or music conductor under the age of 32 who demonstrates outstanding talent, musicianship and artistic merit, and who makes a valuable contribution to artistic life in Canada and internationally. To Learn more about the prize, please visit: https://buff.ly/2qorenM. We are so proud to have an accordionist win this award, especially one who is a great friend and a board member of the ATG.
Friday July 18th: Radu Ratoi is one of the greatest classical accordionists in the world today. After winning the ATG World Cup competition in Kansas City in July, Radu went on to win the Young Concert Artists 2024 Susan Wadsworth International Auditions. Radu was the only accordionists among a field of 180 young musicians. This is a monumental achievement for both Radu and the instrument that we love. I encourage you all to visit the Young Concert Artists website and read more about his accomplishment.
If you attended the 2024 ATG festival in Kansas City, you were given a small taste of the talent of Radu. We are so excited for him to perform as a featured artist at our Friday evening concert in 2025.
Thursday July 17th: Family Duo “Two Accordions” is a unique collaboration between father and daughter, both renowned musicians and accordion champions from the United States.
Sergei Teleshev is a professional accordion player from Eugene, Oregon, living and performing in the United States since 1996. He has Ukrainian roots and spent part of his childhood in Ukraine. Classically trained at the Academy of Music in Voronezh, Russia, Sergei has won many regional and international accordion competitions.
Maria Telesheva was six years old when she started to play the accordion. Maria’s teacher is her father Sergei Teleshev. Since then, she has won Accordion and Vocal International Competitions in the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, Belarus and Ukraine. Maria’s talent is not limited to her exceptional duet and solo accordion performances. She’s also a talented singer.
There are two more featured guest artists that we hope to announce soon which will round out yet another exciting year of ATG festival concerts. Hope to see you there!
Commenti