George Gershwin’s music has become standard repertoire for musicians across the country and around the world. In the spirit of the celebration, pianist LEON BATES, soprano LOUISE TOPPIN and baritone Robert Simspresent a sparkling program of the vocal and piano music of Gershwin, complete with classics like "Fascinatin’ Rhythm," "Lady Be Good" and "Strike Up the Band."

Pianist LEON BATES has performed in virtually all of the major halls in the United States and many others abroad on nearly every continent. He is invited to the most prestigious concert halls in the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and both the Academy of Music and Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. His sheer mastery of the instrument has led to many invitations to perform with major symphonies in the United States such as the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the American Symphony. He has also toured Europe where he performed Gershwin with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and his performances of Gershwin in Rome have warranted him numerous return engagements in Europe for both orchestral appearances and recitals.

LOUISE TOPPIN, soprano, finalist in the Munich International Competition and winner of the Metropolitan Opera regional auditions, has received critical acclaim for her operatic, orchestral, and oratorio performances in the United States. She has appeared in recital on concert series including Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall), Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, Licieu Theatre in Barcelona, Spain and the International Albeniz Festival in Camprodon, Spain. Ms. Toppin performed Mozart’s Impresario

For nearly 25 years, Boston Brass has set out to establish a one-of-a-kind musical experience. From exciting classical arrangements, to burning jazz standards, and the best of the original brass quintet repertoire, Boston Brass treats audiences to a unique brand of entertainment, which captivates all ages. The ensemble’s lively repartee, touched with humor and personality, attempts to bridge the ocean of classical formality to delight audiences in an evening of great music and boisterous fun. The philosophy of Boston Brass is to provide audiences with a wide selection of musical styles in unique arrangements, provided in a friendly and fun atmosphere.

Through over 100 performances each year, the members of Boston Brass play to audiences at concerts, educational venues and jazz festivals. In addition to solo performances, Boston Brass regularly performs with orchestras, bands, organ, jazz bands and a variety of other ensembles. They have performed in 49 states and 21 countries and have conducted master classes around the world including sessions and residencies at the Eastman School of Music, Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, Peabody Conservatory of Music, University of North Texas, Royal Academy of Music in London, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory at the National University of Singapore and Mahidol University in Bangkok.

Boston Brass helped raise over $100,000 for VH1’s Save the Music program, giving musical instruments to schools in need.

The Tamburitzans began in 1937 as a musical group of twelve young men who played the tamburitza. Intrigued by the culture surrounding this traditional East European stringed instrument (similar to a mandolin), the group’s founder, Dr. A. Lester Pierce brought his "Slavonic Tamburitza Orchestra" from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he garnered support for his ensemble from the multitude of ethnic communities and fraternal societies residing in the culturally diverse city. Equipped with this affirmation of the viability of his ensemble in Pittsburgh, Dr. Pierce negotiated a work scholarship arrangement with Duquesne University, and the Tamburitzans began a spirited tradition heralded as "unique in all the world." Today, these young men and women perform the music, songs, and dances of Eastern Europe and neighboring cultures under the direction of Managing Director Paul G. Stafura.

As America’s Hottest Illusionist, Jason Bishop might have a person passing through his body one moment or make goldfish appear from nowhere the next. Bishop is an international award-winning illusionist who was the youngest person to win the Magician’s Alliance of Eastern States Stage Award and one of the youngest people to compete in the Society of American Magicians World-Class competition. Bishop’s interest in magic ran throughout his youth, truly taking shape in his mid-teens. In college Jason studied theatre and then went on the road performing at resorts and amusement parks, anywhere he could find an audience, including the street. As audiences enjoyed the show more and more he altered his magic to became larger and more impressive.

The Jason Bishop Show now tours the most dynamic illusion and magic show in the US. The show currently features exclusive large illusions, award winning sleight of hand and "close-up" magic that is captured live and projected onto LCD screens for the audience to have a clear view of every detail.