Distinguished Artist Series
With performances by renowned guest performers, the Distinguished Artist Series offers affordable concerts by artists from all over the world.
Take a look at the upcoming events as part of the Distinguished Artist Series below!
For questions, email patron@utrgv.edu or call (956) 882-7025 or (956) 665-38831.
Upcoming Events
Derek Brown - BEATBoX SAX
Sunday, Jan. 30 at 3 p.m.
UTRGV PAC in Edinburg
Free Admission
From his 30+ million views across social media to his appearance on international television and NPR’s Weekend Edition, Billboard-charting saxophonist/innovator Derek Brown and his one-of-a-kind solo “BEATBoX SAX” project has been exploding across the world music scene.
As described by jazz journalist/historian Scott Yanow, "Brown performs unaccompanied solos that occasionally make one recall Bobby McFerrin in his early prime and the great saxophonist Eddie Harris . . . utilizing slap-tonguing, circular breathing, a wide interest in musical styles and dazzling coordination to create rather unique music."
Derek has performed solo concerts in all 50 United States and over 25 countries around the world (almost 200 total international shows)! Known for his boundless energy on stage, creative audience interaction, and musical depth, Derek’s live shows always surprise and delight. His ongoing “BEATBoX SAX” music videos and tutorials on YouTube have been enormously popular among saxophonists
and music lovers alike (over 100,000 Youtube subscriptions), leading to endorsements with Legere, JodyJazz, P.Mauriat, BG France, and AKG.
Previously the director of jazz studies at Abilene Christian University for six years, Derek received his BM in Music Performance (Classical and Jazz) from Hope College in 2006 and his MM in Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music in 2008.
Crossing genres from jazz to classical to funk, without looping or electronic effects, saxophone innovator Derek Brown’s unique playing style must be seen in person to be believed!
FESTIBA Mariachi Festival 2022 Grand Concert with Aida Cuevas, Jose Hernandez, Dr. Octavio Moreno, and Mariachi Aztlán
Friday, Mar. 4 at 7 p.m.
UTRGV PAC in Edinburg
$10 General Admission
So excited to have these great musicians featured on the FESTIBA 2022 Mariachi Festival Grand Concert! UTRGV Mariachi Aztlan and Mariachi Juvenil Aztlan will be joined by the nation’s foremost mariachi educator, José Hernández, the operatic baritone Dr. Octavio Moreno, and La Reina de los Mariachis, Aida Cuevas.
The concert will also showcase the finalists of the Vocal Competition and the winners of the Mariachi Ensemble Competition. Don't miss this great concert!
UTRGV Cello Festival: Mike Block and Sandeep Das
Distinguished Artist Series
Saturday, Mar. 26 at 7 p.m.
UTRGV PAC in Edinburg
$10 General Admission
$5 Seniors / Students
Sandeep Das (tabla) & Mike Block (cello/vocals) are a dynamic, cross-genre duo that originally met as members of Yo-Yo Ma’s Grammy Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble.
Featuring a combination of the Tabla: a pair of Indian drums used in Hindustani Classical Music, Cello: a bowed string instrument used in European Classical Music, as well as Vocals: both rhythmic and melodic, this energetic duo has been performing since 2013, sharing their music throughout America and India via tours and residencies, and even on the stage of Carnegie Hall.
Their debut album includes compositions from Western Classical and North Indian Hindustani traditions, adaptations of music from around the world, and several of their own original compositions.
Kevin Kenner, piano
Sunday, Apr. 24 at 3 p.m.
UTRGV PAC in Edinburg
$10 General Admission
$5 Seniors / Students
Recognized as one of the foremost Chopin interpreters of our time, Kevin Kenner was the top prize winner in the 1990 Chopin Competition in Warsaw, as well as in the Tchaikovsky and the Terrance Judd Competitions, among others.
Born in California, Kenner was introduced early to the classical music traditions in Poland and as a teenager studied in Kraków with Ludwik Stefanski, one of Poland’s most distinguished pianists. Returning to the U.S., Kenner continued his studies with Leon Fleisher at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and worked with Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Music Center. Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, who frequently performed and recorded with Artur Rubinstein, described his concert tour collaborations with Kenner as the most sensitive and beautiful he remembered.
Kevin Kenner has performed and recorded with violinist Kyung-Wha Chung and concertized with the Tokyo, Escher, Belcea, Mosaiques, Apollon Musagete, Endellion and Vogler Quartets. In addition, he has frequently been invited to appear at the Verbier Festival and at Chopin and His Europe Festival in Warsaw.
A distinguished recording artist, Kenner’s interpretations of works by Paderewski and Chopin were selected as recordings of the month by the Gramophone Magazine. Other Kenner recordings were heralded by Diapason, Fanfare and Polish National Radio. After teaching for more than a decade as professor at London’s Royal College of Music, Kenner accepted a post at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he continues to prepare young and talented pianists for international performance careers. He has served as juror at the Busoni Competition in Bolzano and at the Chopin International Competition in Warsaw, among many others.
Throughout his distinguished career, Kevin Kenner’s artistry as a concert and recording artist was praised by highly influential magazines and media outlets. The Gramophone Magazine wrote of “Kenner’s sense of the long line and overall architecture” in Chopin’s late works and noted that “His approach to Paderewski’s music reveals long acquaintance and great affection, with beautifully judged rubato and beguiling intimacy.” While Le Nouvel Observateur noted that, “If we only discover one pianist during this year of Chopin, let it be Kevin Kenner,” The Washington Post summed it up best by reporting that, “His recital revealed an artist whose intellect, imagination and pianism speak powerfully and eloquently.”