Lucia Unrau & Anna Stembler-Smith, piano
Friday, May 2, 2008

LUCIA UNRAU has been described as a “magnificent artist” who makes “…intricate and difficult passage work…seem almost effortless.” The Los Angeles Times says Unrau “…provided pointed, bravura playing.” Dr. Unrau performs solo and chamber music concerts across the United States, and most recently was a soloist with the Detroit Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Unrau has CD recordings released by HDC Productions and Cambria Master Recordings in the United States, Europe and Japan. While living in Los Angeles, Unrau was a frequent “gigging” musician who played at actor James Woods’ wedding.

She is currently president-elect of the Ohio Music Teachers Association and often acts as a review panelist for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. She holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University and Oberlin Conservatory and has studied with Nancy Garrett, Robert Shannon and Alan Feinberg. Dr. Unrau is currently Professor of Music at Bluffton University. She is also a member of the piano faculty and serves as the Keyboard Area Coordinator at the Interlochen Arts Camp. Dr. Unrau is an avid runner and recently completed her second half-marathon. She still harbors hope that someday she will complete a full marathon.

ANNA STEMBLER-SMITH was born in the Ukraine, where she began studying music at the age of five with her mother. She holds degrees from the Cherkassy State Musical College and Odessa State Conservatory of Music in Ukraine,where she studied with the legendary Ludmillla Ginsburg. During her musical career, Anna has participated in many competitions and festivals. She was the first prizewinner of the International Young Musicians Competition in East Germany and a prizewinner of the Festival of Ukrainian Music in Kiev. In addition, she was awarded an honor diploma from the International Vladimir Horowitz Competition, which was held in Kiev in April 1995. After moving to the United States, Anna received her Master of Music degree in Piano performance from the Bowling Green State University. Anna was a first prizewinner of the 2002 BGSU Concerto Competition, performing Camille Saint-Saëns' Second Piano Concerto with the Bowling Green State University Philharmonic Orchestra in February 2003. Currently Anna is working at the Bluffton University as a piano instructor and accompanist.