Music in the Heights

09/04/2024

THIS FRIDAY!!! We'll be announcing the lineup for our upcoming season 🎶

03/03/2024

Photos of the phenomenal Music That Raised Us at Alger Park Church (3.1.24) by Laura DeVries Photography

03/02/2024

What a night!!!

01/31/2024

Photos by the fantastic Eric Bouwens Photography from our So You Think You Don't Like Opera! program last week! & what a program it was and a fantastic turnout ❤️🎶

We can't wait to see you at our last concert of the season Music That Raised Us on March 1st! Don't miss 🎶

01/25/2024

Artist Spotlight 🎶 Today we feature the powerful soprano Avalon Cutts-Jones Music who will be performing selections by Mozart, Britten and Hall Johnson (& more) in So You Think You Don't Like Opera!

A Grand Rapids native who comes from two musical families, Avalon's predecessors made their mark in the gospel quartet music industry through groups such as The Wings of Faith, The Pilgrim Wonders, and The Pilgrim Angels. Following their lead, she’s had the opportunity to travel the world as a background vocalist for world-renowned artist such as Marvin Sapp, Maurice Griffin, and Bill Moss Jr. Avalon is known for her vocal versatility performing different genres such as R&B, gospel, jazz, and classical. She has had the privilege of touring through Spain and Portugal on the “Oh Happy Day Tour” with the Alabama Gospel Choir as a featured soloist. Her voice could also be heard in the role of Rosa Parks in Douglas Tappins’ “I Dream” The Story of a Preacher from Atlanta with both Toledo Opera and Opera Carolina. Avalon Cutts-Jones Music can be found performing throughout the Midwest and on all social media outlets. A choirgirl with quartet roots who loves jazz harmonies while performing classical with a neo-soul vibe.

The Grand Rapids singer joins Karen Albert and Lucy Finkel for 'So You Think You Don't Like Opera' on Friday for Music in the Heights.

01/24/2024

Artist Spotlight 🎶 Today we feature one of the region's finest collaborative pianists, Robert Byrens, who will be accompanying each singer in So You Think You Don't Like Opera!

Robert Byrens is sought after as a vocal and instrumental partner and has performed well over a thousand programs in his forty plus years as a concert artist. His playing has been described as “beautifully expressive” with a “singing tone” and “impeccable articulation.” He joined the faculty of Grand Valley State University in 1990, where he served as an artist faculty pianist and vocal coach. He was the rehearsal pianist and vocal coach for Opera Grand Rapids, a position he held for nearly 30 years. He has recently partnered with cellist Nancy Steltmann to form Il Duo Lirico.

Robert began his musical training as the soprano soloist for the American Boychoir School from 1970 – 1973. He continued his studies at Olivet College (BA in piano performance, summa cm laude), Western Michigan University, and Indiana University at South Bend. He was invited to attend the Geneva Conservatory to study collaborative piano and vocal repertoire with Dalton Baldwin and Gerard Souzay in June and July of 1979. His summer music festivals include the Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck (Co-Artistic Director and performer), Westminster Choir College Art Song Workshops, Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, Fontana Chamber Arts, Blossom Festival, and Garth Newel Music Festival.

Mr. Byrens has worked with many renowned musicians during the course of his musical life journey. His principle teachers include Dalton Baldwin, Ivan Frazier, and Ronald Gorevic. Additionally, he has performed in vocal masterclasses for Phyllis Curtin, Elly Ameling, Gerard Souzay, William Parker, Jessye Norman, Martin Katz, and Robert Spillman. He has performed in training orchestras with Leonard Bernstein, Daniel Lewis, Herbert Blomstedt, Neville Marriner, and Andrew Parrot. As a former professional symphony violist, his conductor roster includes David Lockington, Catherine Comet, Kenneth Kiesler, William Stein, Yoshimi Tekada, A. Clyde Roller, and Gustav Meier.

01/23/2024

Artist Spotlight 🎶 Today we feature the fantastic mezzo-soprano Karen Albert who will be performing selections by Elgar, Bach, Handel & more in So You Think You Don't Like Opera!

Karen Albert is a Grand-Rapids-based mezzo-soprano working in a variety of roles within the classical music industry. Holding master’s degrees in both voice performance and musicology, she has taught voice, choir, and music history classes at various universities in the region, and currently serves as the Director of Music at Parkwood Presbyterian Church in Jenison, MI. As a soloist, Karen regularly sings with orchestras and festivals throughout the state of Michigan. Recent performances include Elgar’s Sea Pictures with the Ga***rd Community Orchestra, Libby Larsen’s Raspberry Island Dreaming with the Alpena Symphony, as well as the alto solos for various oratorios and concert works, including Handel’s Messiah, Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio de Noël, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Bach’s Magnificat, Mozart’s Requiem, and others. In addition to her work as a soloist, Karen enjoys singing with several choral groups regionally and nationally and is a member of Grand Rapids’ premiere fully professional choral ensemble Vox GR.

01/18/2024

Artist Spotlight 🎶 Today we feature the wonderful soprano Lucy Finkel who will be performing selections by Verdi, Puccini and Purcell & more in So You Think You Don't Like Opera!

A Lansing, MI native, Lucy earned her BM from Grand Valley State University in 2005 and MM from New England Conservatory of Music in voice in 2007. Lucy had the pleasure of singing such roles as Marenka (The Bartered Bride, GVSU), Rose Maurrant (Street Scene, GVSU), Clara (Signor Deluso, NEC), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi, American Singers Opera Project and Chelsea Opera Co), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro, Prelude to Perfromance), and Maria (West Side Story, Ashlawn Opera Festival). Lucy has worked as licensed massage therapist and yoga teacher and in 2018 earned her Masters Degree in Science/Speech Pathology from Grand Valley State University. Lucy now works at the University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor as a speech pathologist providing voice, swallow, and upper respiratory rehabilitative services.

11/09/2023

What an incredible second concert to our season with GV Piano Chamber Series featuring Sookkyung Cho (piano), Francesca McNeeley (cello) and Zenas Hsu (violin) 🎶 Thank you so much to everyone who attended ❤️ Looking forward to seeing you at our next concert So You Think You Don't Like Opera! in January 🗓️

11/05/2023

Brought in this giant 'Magic Box' for today's concert 🎹 Looking forward to seeing you! Concert at 3 pm / Pre-Concert Q & A at 2:15. Free for the community ❤️

11/03/2023

We can't wait to welcome these amazing performers on Sunday afternoon! GV Piano Chamber: The Musical Leipzig

10/30/2023

Join us this Sunday afternoon for an inspiring concert of chamber music performed by world class musicians. FREE for the community in a beautiful, acoustic space! Don't miss 🎶

10/28/2023

Sunday, November 5! GV Piano Chamber: The Musical Leipzig

10/26/2023

Our next concert is coming up in a little over a week! Always a favorite at Music in the Heights, pianist Sookkyung Cho and her GV Piano Chamber Series will be returning with two fantastic musicians from Boston (Francesca McNeeley, cello & Zenas Hsu, violin) to present a beautiful program of chamber music from Leipzig. Don't miss 🎶 GV Piano Chamber: The Musical Leipzig

10/02/2023

Wow ⭐️ What an amazing opening concert to our season! Thank you from the bottom of heart Whorled and Djangophonique for your uplifting and moving performances! 🎶 Thank you to everyone who attended ❤️ The warmth and generosity was tangible. We look forward to seeing you at our next concert GV Piano Chamber: The Musical Leipzig

📸 Dan VanderMeer

09/30/2023

Thank you Whorled and Djangophonique! What a fantastic opening to our season 🎶 Thank you to everyone who attended ❤️

09/27/2023

Season III ❤️ Thank you Local Spins

Alger Park Church hosts another season of the series featuring Michigan acts, including classical music and a tribute to black female icons.

09/19/2023

Had a wonderful time interviewing Whorled ahead of their performance at 'Music in the Heights' on Friday, September 29th. We talked about the unique genesis of the band, why they chose The Flinstrones 🍖 theme song plus a gorgeous performance of their original song 'Seven.'

A special interview and performance by Whorled who will be opening Season III of 'Music in the Heights' on Friday, September 29. https://www.facebook.com/MusicintheHeightsGR Whorled plays lively foot

09/14/2023

Gearing up for the opening concert of our 3rd season in just over two weeks 🎶 Friday, September 29 Whorled and Djangophonique

Today we feature Djangophonique, an award winning, instrumentally driven quartet led by guitar player Andrew Brown. With over a decade of national touring experience, Brown is no stranger to the stage and delivers every performance with personality and enigmatic charm. A true disciple of the style, Brown has spent countless hours immersing himself in the language of Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche, and he’s joined on stage by bandmates that match his skill and passion for the material. The result is a sound that’s unmistakable to fans of the music, and alluring to the uninitiated—a sound that can bring the lively energy of a parisian dance hall to the quietest listening room or captivate a buzzing festival audience with a shimmering ballad. With respect for the tradition and a fearless creativity that bends the conventions of the style, Djangophonique is keeping the Hot Club revival alive and well.

09/03/2023

Can't wait!

08/08/2023

We are thrilled to announce our 23/24 season! 🎶 ❤️
A free, cross-genre series for the community featuring Celtic, Gypsy Jazz, Classical, Soul, R&B, Motown and even a night of Opera! Amazing artistry in a beautiful space.

Hope to see you at our Season III opening on Friday, September 29 featuring Whorled & Djangophonique.

07/24/2023

STAY TUNED! We'll be announcing our 23/24 season soon 🎶 ❤️

05/25/2023