“For the beginning of our second decade, we have groupings of ensembles, artists in residence and several other collaborations that really focus on forming relationships with the community and the university students,” Amy Russell, CPA’s director of programming said.
The 2015-16 season focuses on connecting the community to the performers — a mission they are accomplishing through the artists and the setting.
“We are trying something new this year in terms of student seating,” Mark Nelson, director of marketing and communications said. “We always reserve 300 of the 1300 seats for students, but this year we are committing 100 seats in the first four rows of Memorial Hall to students.”
From the front, students will be able to connect with violinist Gil Shaham who will appear with the UNC Symphony Orchestra, The Knights and visual artist David Michalek.
Max Lerfer, Shaham’s publicist, has worked with the violinist for six years and said Shaham never stops reinventing himself.
“He’s one of the more approachable musicians at his level,” Lerfer said. “And he’s thrilled to be teaching a master class at Carolina.”
Dancers such as Memphis’ Lil Buck and singer-songwriters like Abigail Washburn will serve as collaborators-in-residence and perform with members of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble.
“We are trying to make the shows accessible to students, like with Lil Buck, who will be someone they can relate to and might find interesting. We want CPA to be part of the bucket list of things they want to do,” Nelson said.
