Music Series

OAC MUSIC SERIES 2025 – JOIN US FOR THESE REMARKABLE PERFORMANCES!

Thank you to our Community Pillar Sponsors for supporting 2025 programming at OAC!

Ready to buy tickets? View our Box Office page and purchase tickets HERE.

BASO BRASS, September 19th, 7:00 pm – FREE PERFORMANCE
RESERVE TICKETS NOW

The BASO Brass, a brass quintet composed of musicians in the Benzie Area Symphony Orchestra, will present a concert at the Oliver Art Center in Frankfort at 7:00 PM, Friday, September 19, 2025.

Selections to be performed on the program were written by composers ranging from Mozart and Puccini, to Kenton, Waller, and more. Samples include “Nessun Dorma”, the aria made famous by Pavorati, “Alleluja”, “Pink Panther”, “But Beautiful”, and a Luther Henderson arrangement of “Amazing Grace”.

Members of the quintet, all retired area residents, include tubist Ann Kullenberg, trombonist Jerry Lewallen, hornist Ken Anderson, and trumpeters Paul Clulo and Jim Bekkering.

Admission is free and donations will be gratefully accepted!!! Proceeds will support the operational budget of the Benzie Area Symphony Orchestra.

Seating is first come, first served General Admission. We are offering this concert at no cost, but due to limited seating, please register for a ticket. Donations for the musicians are greatly appreciated – thank you!

Details:
Doors open at 6:30 pm, concert begins at 7:00 pm. Please show your tickets or provide your last name at the reception desk upon arrival.

Seating Options:
All seats for this event are general admission, first come-first served.

We are offering this concert at no cost, but due to limited seating, please register for a ticket. Donations for BASO are greatly appreciated – thank you!

RESERVE TICKETS NOW

PAST PERFORMANCES – 2025:

KAra Duo – Piano and Violin Recital – FREE PERFORMANCE

Violinist Ara Sarkissian and pianist Kara Huber perform a free recital of powerhouse violin and piano duo music. Repertoire for the evening includes sonatas by Leoš Janáček and Johannes Brahms—plus Lili Boulanger’s “Nocturne” and Romances by Clara Schumann.

About the Artists:
Hailed as “absolutely dazzling…in a word, flawless” (New York Concert Review) in her Carnegie Hall debut, Dr. Kara Huber has performed across the globe, including lauded solo appearances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Piano Virtuoso Series at the Canadian Opera Company, and the Steinway Series at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. An in-demand recitalist and chamber musician, Huber received a Grammy Award nomination (Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance) for her work with the ARC Ensemble. Past seasons have included appearances with the Louisville Orchestra, Canadian Chamber Orchestra, and York Symphony Orchestra. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, Huber received additional training at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music. She currently teaches piano at Interlochen Arts Academy.

Ara Sarkissian began studying violin at the age of four and continues to teach and perform domestically and abroad. As a performer and advocate of contemporary music, Sarkissian has collaborated with esteemed composers including Pierre Boulez, Peter Eötvös, Helmut Lachenmann, Wolfgang Rihm, Steve Reich, Frederic Rzewski, and George Benjamin. Also a distinguished and experienced teacher, Sarkissian currently teaches violin and conducts the String Orchestra at Interlochen Arts Academy. He received his Bachelors and Masters of Music degrees in Violin Performance with academic honors from The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

Join us April 6 at 5:00 pm in the Beck Gallery for this special free performance – donations for the musicians are greatly appreciated!

INTERLOCHEN PIANO TOUR at Oliver Art Center March 9th

VIRIDIAN STRINGS at Oliver Art Center June 14th
OAC favorites Viridian Strings return to the Beck Gallery at Oliver Art Center on June 14th at 7:00 pm. This remarkable string ensemble is a powerhouse of the northern Michigan chamber music scene. Surrounded by artwork and fantastic acoustics, you’ll have an evening you won’t soon forget! Learn more about Viridian Strings at viridianstrings.com

Step into a world of drama, warmth, and vibrant color as Viridian Strings presents an electrifying piano quartet program featuring some of the most expressive works in the repertoire. From Mozart’s tempestuous drama to Turina’s rich Spanish colors and Dvořák’s folk-infused exuberance, this program promises a captivating journey through passion, contrast, and pure musical storytelling.

PROGRAM: Passions & Colors – A Piano Quartet Journey

Mozart – Piano Quartet in G Minor, K. 478 – A stormy and bold masterpiece, brimming with intensity and elegance.
Turina – Piano Quartet in A Minor, Op. 67 – A lush, Spanish-inspired tapestry of shimmering harmonies and rhythmic fire.
Dvořák – Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 87 – Overflowing with Bohemian charm, sweeping melodies, and boundless energy.

Nathan Meltzer – Violin (First time artist at Viridian Strings)
Umi Garrett – Piano (First time artist at Viridian Strings)
Joe Skerik – Viola (Co-Founder of Viridian Strings)
Kyle Stachnik – Cello (Co-Founder of Viridian Strings)

Lang Lang Music Foundation musicians (credit: Andrew Werner)

Lang Lang International Music Foundation Young Scholars Piano Concert June 15th

In collaboration with Interlochen Public Radio, we welcome the young pianists of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation for a very special performance in the Beck Gallery. Come hear the future of concert pianists from around the globe!

Performance starts at 4:00 pm.

Free event. Doors open at 3:30 pm.

This performance is made possible by Interlochen Public Radio, Interlochen Arts Academy, and Lang Lang International Music Foundation
   

VIRIDIAN STRINGS at Pines of Arcadia, June 21st, 7:00 pm
Featuring Cellist Kyle Stachnik and Violinist Suni Norman

Join us for a magical evening under the pines as we soak in the masterful sounds of Viridian Strings musicians Kyle and Suni, surrounded by the beauty of northern Michigan! Pines of Arcadia will partner with us to host this exclusive event in their custom-built art studio with lofty ceilings, a sculpture garden, and a deep connection to the forest. This is one you won’t want to miss! Seats are limited so please book your tickets early. Pines of Arcadia is located on Bischoff Road in Arcadia, on the north side of Arcadia Bluffs golf course. Learn more about Viridian Strings at viridianstrings.com

Experience the intimacy and brilliance of the violin-cello duo as Viridian Strings presents a program of lyrical elegance, expressive depth, and vibrant contrasts. From the graceful counterpoint of Mozart to the lush Romanticism of Glière and the soulful rhythms of Villa-Lobos, this recital showcases the boundless possibilities of two voices in harmony.

Program: Echoes & Explorations – A Violin & Cello Duo Recital

Mozart – Duos in G Major & B-flat Major – Sparkling conversation and charm, brimming with wit and elegance.
Glière – 8 Pieces for Violin & Cello, Op. 39 – A rich Romantic tapestry of soaring melodies and heartfelt emotion.
Villa-Lobos – Five Pieces for Guitar (Arr. for Violin & Cello) – Brazilian folk flavors and rhythmic vitality, reimagined for strings.

Suni Norman – Violin (First-time artist at Viridian Strings)
Kyle Stachnik – Cello (Co-Founder of Viridian Strings)

CERUS QUARTET at Oliver Art Center June 26th, 7:00 pm – FREE PERFORMANCE

Join Cerus Quartet for a special FREE performance at Oliver Art Center! Founded in 2020, the Cerus Quartet focuses on showcasing the dynamic, versatile sound worlds of the saxophone quartet, programming everything from contemporary compositions to transcriptions of traditional repertoire.

Demonstrating a strong commitment to collaborating with diverse contemporary composers, Cerus has premiered new works by Karalyn Schubring, Jennifer Higdon, and Joey Karz, with an exciting new piece by Ryan Lindveit forthcoming. The quartet was awarded First Prize in the 2024 MTNA National Chamber Music Competition, silver medal in the 2023 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, and First Prize and Michigan Prize in the 2023 Briggs Chamber Music Competition.

They have had the privilege of performing from coast to coast and internationally, most recently with concert and community engagements at the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival in Washington state. Cerus Quartet is rooted in Ann Arbor and is composed of Roberto Campa on soprano, Laura Ramsay on alto, Kyle Kato on tenor, and Samuel Dishon on baritone. Learn more about Cerus Quartet at their website.

The Oliver Art Center welcomes Cerus Quartet in collaboration with Interlochen Public Radio’s Sound Garden Project.

SOLSTICE ENSEMBLE AT OAC July 17th, 7:00 pm – FREE PERFORMANCE

Join Solstice Ensemble for a special FREE performance at Oliver Art Center! The Solstice Ensemble plays everything from baroque to tango for the unusual combination of flute, violin, recorder, cello, and piano. These five musicians initially connected as members of the Benzie Area Symphony Orchestra, and now they play together as a chamber group. Enjoy this friendly and talented group as they perform in our beautiful Beck Gallery – an intimate setting surrounded by original artwork and beautiful scenery! Learn more about Solstice at the ticket link below.

Featuring:
Ruth van Baak Griffioen – Recorder
Carolyn Edwards – Violin and Viola
Carole Scott – Flute
Peter Paolini – Cello
Douglas Scott – Piano

Chris Skellenger, The Nephews perform at Oliver Art Center July 26th during Coastal Caravan 
No tickets required – free performance

VIRIDIAN STRINGS PRESENTS SOLO CELLO RECITAL WITH KYLE STACHNIK at Oliver Art Center July 30th

Join Kyle Stachnik, co-founder of Viridian Strings, in a recital featuring solo cello music by Bach, Cassadó, Prokofiev, Walton, along with contemporary compositions. You won’t want to miss this up-close and personal look into old and new favorites for unaccompanied cello. The performance starts at 7:00 pm in the Beck Gallery at Oliver Art Center.

About the artist:

Cellist Kyle Stachnik is the Fourth Chair Cellist of the Santa Rosa Symphony and the Assistant Principal Cellist of the Bay Philharmonic. He holds a Master’s degree in Chamber Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Jennifer Culp, and a Bachelor of Music from the Frost School of Music under Ross Harbaugh. He also attended Interlochen Arts Academy, studying with Crispin Campbell.

An active performer in the Bay Area, Stachnik has played with ensembles such as the New Century Chamber Orchestra, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, Opera San José, Vallejo Festival Orchestra, and SF Broadway. He has recorded at Skywalker Sound and was recently a part of an album with the New Century Chamber Orchestra released on Deutsche Grammophon.

He is Professor of Cello at Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA, and maintains a private teaching studio. Stachnik is also the co-director of Viridian Strings, a summer music series in Northern Michigan, which entered its eighth season in 2025. Kyle plays on a 2018 Raymond Schryer cello and a John Greenwood bow.

Details:
Doors open at 6:30pm, concert begins at 7:00 pm. Please show your tickets or provide your last name at the reception desk upon arrival.

SOLSTICE ENSEMBLE AT OAC August 14th, 7:00 pm – FREE PERFORMANCE

Join Solstice Ensemble for a special FREE performance at Oliver Art Center! The Solstice Ensemble plays everything from baroque to tango for the unusual combination of flute, violin, recorder, cello, and piano. These five musicians initially connected as members of the Benzie Area Symphony Orchestra, and now they play together as a chamber group. Enjoy this friendly and talented group as they perform in our beautiful Beck Gallery – an intimate setting surrounded by original artwork and beautiful scenery! Learn more about Solstice at the ticket link below.

Featuring:
Ruth van Baak Griffioen – Recorder
Carolyn Edwards – Violin and Viola
Carole Scott – Flute
Peter Paolini – Cello
Douglas Scott – Piano

Details:
Doors open at 6:30pm, concert begins at 7:00 pm. Please show your tickets or provide your last name at the reception desk upon arrival.

The Will Marsh-led Integration Ensemble will perform an immersive and unique ninety-minute show at the Oliver on August 17^th at 5:00 pm. Will Marsh is an internationally acclaimed sitarist, guitarist, and composer who will be joined by Crispin Campbell, Josh Mellinger, and Patrick Booth to present a unique blend of instrumentation, genres, and styles, spanning diverse influences. Acclaimed producer Ben Leinbach described Will and The Integration Ensemble as “Ravi Shankar jamming with the Buena Vista Social Club!”  Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to take in a one-of-a-kind performance in our Beck Gallery!  Learn more about Will Marsh and his latest album “The Integration” at https://www.willmarshmusic.com/music.

VIRIDIAN STRINGS at Oliver Art Center August 29th

Once again, we welcome Viridian Strings back to the Beck Gallery at the Oliver Art Center for a special performance August 29th at 7:00 pm!

Journey through the elegance of the past, the colors of impressionism, and the bold voice of today as Viridian Strings presents an evening of captivating string quartet music. This program flows from Haydn’s wit and innovation to Griffes’ dreamlike soundscapes, a thrilling world premiere by Ben Webster, and Ravel’s radiant lyricism that showcases the evolution of the string quartet across centuries.

There will be TWO world premier performances in this single program – PLUS a pre-show talk with composers Cherie Van Maanen and Tom Childs  . Learn more about the pieces that will be premiered at this link. Don’t miss this amazing night of string music in our beautiful Beck Gallery!

Program: Reflections and Innovations – A String Quartet Exploration

Haydn – String Quartet in B Minor, Op. 33 No. 1

Ben Webster – Air on Haydn’s Name (World Premiere)

Griffes – Two Sketches Based on Native American Themes

Cherie Van Maanen and Tom Childs  –  transformational landscape (World Premiere)

Ravel – String Quartet in F Major

Artists

Claire Wells – Violin (First time artist at Viridian Strings) Kronberg, Germany

Oliver Leitner – Violin (Third time artist at Viridian Strings) New Haven, CT

Joe Skerik – Viola (Co-Founder of Viridian Strings) Atlanta, GA

Kyle Stachnik – Cello (Co-Founder of Viridian Strings) San Francisco, CA

Details:
Doors open at 5:45pm, pre-show talk from 6:00 – 6:30 pm, concert begins at 7:00 pm. Refreshments available.