Featured News
Moving Back to Tucson! / November 29, 2022
I am very excited to officially announce that I have recently won the Principal Percussion audition with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and will be moving back to Arizona to begin performing with the ensemble this season. My debut concerts took place on November 11 and November 13 and included Nielsen's Symphony No. 4, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, and Juan Pablo Contreras' brand new "MeChicano".
It was a dream of mine as a young percussionist growing up in Tucson to one day be the principal percussionist of the TSO. I feel extremely grateful and lucky that the stars aligned in this particular instance, allowing us an opportunity to move back to our hometown. To live near friends and family again and to perform with the ensemble that first inspired me to pursue a career in orchestral percussion is wonderful.
Please check out the EVENTS tab of my website to check out my upcoming performances with the TSO. I would love to reconnect with many of you now that I am back in AZ. Please reach out and let me know if you plan on attending a concert this season!
And, for students in the area, please note that I am slowly rebuilding my private percussion studio. My studio in GA grew to include 42 private percussion students and many of these students will be continuing on with me via virtual lessons. However, if you live in the Tucson area and are interested pursuing in-percussion lessons, please reach out. You can view my LESSONS tab for more information.
It was a dream of mine as a young percussionist growing up in Tucson to one day be the principal percussionist of the TSO. I feel extremely grateful and lucky that the stars aligned in this particular instance, allowing us an opportunity to move back to our hometown. To live near friends and family again and to perform with the ensemble that first inspired me to pursue a career in orchestral percussion is wonderful.
Please check out the EVENTS tab of my website to check out my upcoming performances with the TSO. I would love to reconnect with many of you now that I am back in AZ. Please reach out and let me know if you plan on attending a concert this season!
And, for students in the area, please note that I am slowly rebuilding my private percussion studio. My studio in GA grew to include 42 private percussion students and many of these students will be continuing on with me via virtual lessons. However, if you live in the Tucson area and are interested pursuing in-percussion lessons, please reach out. You can view my LESSONS tab for more information.
Upcoming Performances / Events
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: "Voices of America" | December 2 & 4, 2022
7:30 PM (12/2) & 2:00 PM (12/4) | Linda Ronstadt Music Hall | Tucson, AZ
In his TSO debut Ankush Kumar Bahl explores what it means for music to be “American.” William Grant Still’s Serenade and Gershwin’s heavily jazz-influenced Concerto in F, performed by the winner of the 2021 American Pianists Association Awards, lead into the most beloved evocation of America, Dvořák’s “From the New World” Symphony.
7:30 PM (12/2) & 2:00 PM (12/4) | Linda Ronstadt Music Hall | Tucson, AZ
In his TSO debut Ankush Kumar Bahl explores what it means for music to be “American.” William Grant Still’s Serenade and Gershwin’s heavily jazz-influenced Concerto in F, performed by the winner of the 2021 American Pianists Association Awards, lead into the most beloved evocation of America, Dvořák’s “From the New World” Symphony.
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: "Handel's Messiah and Other Holiday Favorites" | December 10 & 11, 2022
7:30 PM (12/10) & 2:00 PM (12/11) | Catalina Foothills High School | Tucson, AZ
The beloved holiday tradition returns with our very own TSO chorus. Seasonal classics including “Winter” from The Four Seasons and Strauss’ Thunder and Lightning polka set the festive mood for Handel’s glorious Messiah culminating in the joyous, uplifting “Hallelujah” chorus. For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
7:30 PM (12/10) & 2:00 PM (12/11) | Catalina Foothills High School | Tucson, AZ
The beloved holiday tradition returns with our very own TSO chorus. Seasonal classics including “Winter” from The Four Seasons and Strauss’ Thunder and Lightning polka set the festive mood for Handel’s glorious Messiah culminating in the joyous, uplifting “Hallelujah” chorus. For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: "Ballet Tucson's The Nutcracker" | December 22-24, 2022
7:00 PM (12/22), 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM (12/23), and 1:00 PM (12/24) | Linda Ronstadt Music Hall | Tucson, AZ
The magical holiday tale of The Nutcracker comes to life with Tucson’s professional ballet company. For the first time ever, the TSO will perform the score live for their award-winning production, forging a new and vibrant artistic partnership. For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
7:00 PM (12/22), 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM (12/23), and 1:00 PM (12/24) | Linda Ronstadt Music Hall | Tucson, AZ
The magical holiday tale of The Nutcracker comes to life with Tucson’s professional ballet company. For the first time ever, the TSO will perform the score live for their award-winning production, forging a new and vibrant artistic partnership. For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: "Spotlighting TSO's Principals" | January 7 & 8, 2023
2:00 PM & 7:30 PM (1/7) and 2:00 PM (1/8) | Catalina Foothills High School | Tucson, AZ
Our wonderful TSO principals take center stage in Swiss composer Frank Martin’s most popular work, his Concerto for 7 wind instruments. The program contrasts fascinatingly different approaches to the fugue by J.S. Bach and Venezuelan Juan Bautista Plaza, and concludes with the sunniest of Schubert’s symphonies. For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
2:00 PM & 7:30 PM (1/7) and 2:00 PM (1/8) | Catalina Foothills High School | Tucson, AZ
Our wonderful TSO principals take center stage in Swiss composer Frank Martin’s most popular work, his Concerto for 7 wind instruments. The program contrasts fascinatingly different approaches to the fugue by J.S. Bach and Venezuelan Juan Bautista Plaza, and concludes with the sunniest of Schubert’s symphonies. For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: "Pink Martini! Featuring China Forbes" | January 14 & 15, 2023
7:30 PM (1/14) & 2:00 PM (1/15) | Linda Ronstadt Music Hall | Tucson, AZ
Pink Martini is synonymous with genre-bridging innovative music. Over 28 years and 10 albums, they have crafted a style that is entirely their own through international influences and a fabulous roster of musicians. Their return to the TSO heralds a not-to-be-missed boisterous experience filled with classics and new favorites. C’est magnifique! For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
7:30 PM (1/14) & 2:00 PM (1/15) | Linda Ronstadt Music Hall | Tucson, AZ
Pink Martini is synonymous with genre-bridging innovative music. Over 28 years and 10 albums, they have crafted a style that is entirely their own through international influences and a fabulous roster of musicians. Their return to the TSO heralds a not-to-be-missed boisterous experience filled with classics and new favorites. C’est magnifique! For more information visit: https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/events/
