2024-2025 Classical Piano Series

The Tri-C Classical Piano Series features internationally acclaimed artists and rising young stars. The Plain Dealer called it "the prime keyboard destination in Northeast Ohio."

Welcome to the 2024-25 Tri-C Classical Piano Series! It is my privilege to present three exceptional artists this season, who each bring a wealth of talent to share with our audience. Their level of artistry comes from years of practice and hard work. These musicians also share a commitment to giving back to the community, especially to students who have limited access to arts education. This unique quality embodies the mission of Tri-C's Creative Arts Academy and the communities we serve in Northeast Ohio.

We are also very pleased to welcome you to Tri-C's Metro Auditorium as our performance venue this year. Following the successful presentation of Lang Lang's 101 Pianists in the spring, combined with the renovation to Gartner Auditorium at Cleveland Museum of Art this year, moving the series to the Metro Auditorium makes sense for artists and the audience. As a Steinway School, Tri-C offers state-of-the-art facilities and a vast network of lifelong learning opportunities that we invite you to explore.

Thank you for joining us. We are grateful for your support and look forward to seeing you throughout the year!

Emanuela Friscioni, Director
Classical Piano Series and Creative Arts Academy

Tri-C Classical Piano Series made possible by the William O. and Gertrude Lewis Frohring Foundation

Clayton Stephenson

Sunday, Apr. 6 | 2 p.m.
Tri-C Metropolitan Campus Auditorium
Free | Ticket required: https://claytonstephenson.eventbrite.com/

American pianist Clayton Stephenson is hailed for his “extraordinary narrative and poetic gifts” and interpretations that are “fresh, incisive and characterfully alive” (Gramophone). He started piano lessons at age 7, crediting the generous support of community music programs for providing inspiration and resources that led to a wide assortment of career accolades, including a 2014 Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and a 2022 Gilmore Young Artist.

Program information:
J.S. Bach/arr. Hess: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Schubert: Four Impromptus, op. 90
Stravinsky: Trois mouvements de Petrouchka
Arlen/arr. Jarrett: “Over the Rainbow”
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue

Roman Rabinovich

Sunday, Jan. 26 | 2 p.m
Tri-C Metropolitan Campus Auditorium
Free | Ticket required: https://romanrabinovich.eventbrite.com/

Winner of the 12th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition in 2008, Roman Rabinovich has garnered critical acclaim for recital and concerto performances throughout Europe and the USA ranging from Bach to Lutoslawski. He also serves as co-director of the ChamberFest Cleveland and ChamberFest West (Calgary) Festivals, appearing regularly in chamber performances throughout Cleveland.

Program information:
Rameau: Selections from Suite in G minor
Ravel: Sonatine
Medtner: Sonata reminiscenza, op.38 no.1
Scriabin: Piano Sonata no.5, op.53
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

Sponsored with support from The Cleveland Israel Arts Connection, a program of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

Chelsea Guo

Sunday, Nov. 17 | 2 p.m.
Tri-C Metropolitan Campus Auditorium
Free | Ticket required: https://chelseaguo.eventbrite.com/

First Prize Winner of the 2022 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, Chelsea Guo is one of the rare talents equally formidable as both a vocalist and a pianist. Her dual artistry is featured in her 2021 debut recording on the Orchid Classics label, “Chelsea Guo: Chopin in My Voice”, which includes beloved Chopin solo repertoire, along with two Chopin songs and one Rossini aria in which the artist accompanies herself.

Program information:
Chopin: Nocturnes, Op. 62, Nos. 1 & 2
Viardot: Selections from 6 Mazurkas de Chopin
Fauré: Mandoline, Après un rêve, Ballade, Op. 19
Ravel: Selections from Miroirs

Tri-C Classical Piano Series Venue Information

Tri-C Metropolitan Campus Auditorium
2900 Community College Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115

Series Contact Information

Tri-C Classical Piano Series
Cuyahoga Community College 
MAM 204
2900 Community College Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115