Playing flawlessly by memory for more than an hour, classical pianist and Steinway Artist Andreas Klein left a lasting impression on the audience at the university’s third Steinway by Starlight concert.
California State University, Dominguez Hills’ designation as an All-Steinway School provides an opportunity for the university to bring Steinway Artists such as Klein to campus, which gives music students additional experience in working with professionals and performing at a high level. In welcoming guests to the evening’s performance, College of Arts and Humanities Dean Mitch Avila made that point.
“As dean, I am absolutely committed to advancing opportunities for our performing arts students. This is fundamental and core to what we do,” he said. “Our mission is to continue to provide our students with ready access to rich, innovative, high-quality learning experiences that cultivate their creativity and that celebrate the diversity and abundance of our shared humanity.”
Prior to Klein’s performance, the CSUDH Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Dawn Brooks and with accompaniment by harpist Marcia Dickstein, performed several works highlighting the level of musicians the university’s music program attracts.
One such student, music education credential candidate, spoke to the audience of her journey to and experience so far at CSUDH. A graduate from UCLA with a degree in psychology, Rodriguez desired to return to school and pursue her dream as a performer.
“Just when I began to lose hope, Cal State Dominguez Hills allowed me to enroll in this music program,” she said. “My life was forever changed…. But my story is not unique. So many music students here have similar stories. We have been given the opportunity to work with amazing teachers and amazing instruments like these Steinways because of this school.
“If not for this program, we may have never been given a chance to pursue our passions. That’s what these Steinways represent to us; these instruments and the breathtaking performers who use them represent dreams and passions.”
Klein began his performance with Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8 in C minor, opus 13. After an intermission he continued with movements from Chopin, Debussy and Liszt, beautifully demonstrating the sound of the Steinway Grand piano and the expertise of Klein’s musicianship.
More photos of the evening have been posted to the CSUDH Flickr site.
