FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 6, 2020
STEPHENVILLE, Texas — The Tarleton State University Department of Fine Arts presents guest artist pianist Leonard Hayes in a recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 16, in the theater of the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center in Stephenville.
Admission is free.
Hayes is the head of piano studies and assistant director of the music conservatory at the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts in Dallas, where he is a former student.
“Leonard Hayes’ performing credentials are stellar,” said Dr. Leslie Spotz, professor of piano at Tarleton. “We are thrilled to have him here to share his piano artistry and teach our university students.”
Hayes is a winner of numerous national piano competitions, including first prize in the 2015 National Piano Competition sponsored by the National Association of Negro Musicians. In 2017 he received the distinction as a Steinway & Sons Educational Partner, and received the Steinway’s prestigious 2017 Top Teacher Award for his commitment to piano education in the Dallas community.
As recitalist and chamber musician, he has performed across the United States and abroad including, notable venues such as Sweelinkzaal at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Wisconsin Union Theater, Hammond Hall at the Winspear Opera House, and Steinway Hall in both Dallas and Appleton, Wis.
His program includes a varied repertoire with music by W.A. Mozart, Franz Liszt, Frédéric Chopin, the 20th century French composer Olivier Messiaen, and 20th century African-American composers George Walker and Margaret Bonds.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven education marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. It offers degree programs to more than 13,000 students at Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, and online, emphasizing real-world learning experiences that address societal needs while maintaining its core values of tradition, integrity, civility, excellence, leadership and service.
Contact: Phil Riddle
817-484-4415
[email protected]
