Join Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach (ORMACO) on July 30th at 2pm as it brings to you an eclectic hodgepodge of delightful solo, duo and trio music for viola(s). Featuring Oberlin-based violist Michael Isaac Strauss and two of his students, Michelle Picasso and Jasmine Tunac, the event takes place at HeARTland, 8187 Camp Road, Homerville, OH 44235.
Bring your lawn chairs, picnics and blankets to enjoy this free event.
(In the event of rain, the performance will take place at the Homerville Community Church, 9097 Spencer Road, Homerville, OH 44235.)
For more information call 419-853-6016 or visit https://ormaco.org/z-trios-for-viola/
About the Musicians
Violist Michael Isaac Strauss’ love for the intimate concert setting has led to appearances on concert series and live radio broadcasts across Europe, North America, and in Japan and China.He is a founding member of The Indianapolis Quartet, in residence at the University of Indianapolis.They have released recordings of Robert Paterson’s String Quartets Nos. 1-3 on the AMR label, as well as works by Frank Felice. A former member of the Fine Arts Quartet, Strauss made several European and domestic tours with them, as well as a critically acclaimed recording of Mozart’s six viola quintets.His solo recordings include the premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s Viola Sonata and concertos by David Finko and Stamitz. He is the featured artist on the Suzuki Viola School, Volumes 8 and 9. Strauss has also recorded chamber works by living composers with Orchestra 2001 and pieces inspired by poetry for oboe, viola, and piano with the Jackson Trio. Strauss was recently appointed to the Naples Philharmonic in Florida.He served as principal violist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for 20 years and has recently been performing as a member of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and as principal violist of the Youngstown Symphony.A dedicated teacher, Strauss is on the faculty at Youngstown State University and fills each summer with music festival appointments. He previously taught at Oberlin Conservatory, Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, DePauw University and Swarthmore College. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music.
Michelle Picasso began her studies in viola at the Dramatic and Musical Conservatory of Tatuí, Brazil, with Professor Raymundo Françani. She completed her bachelor’s degree in viola under the guidance of Professor Ricardo Kubala in 2010. Michelle joined the Ribeirão Preto Symphony Orchestra in 2011. She participated in the Sunflower Music Festival in Topeka, Kansas in 2016 and 2017. She is currently a guest violist with the Campinas Symphony Orchestra and is coordinator of the Femme Orchestra in Sao Paulo. Michelle is currently a student of Professor Michael Strauss.
Jasmine Tunac is an ambitious violist who performs regularly with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Washington Symphony Orchestra and Greenville Symphony Orchestra. She currently studies with violist Michael I. Strauss at Youngstown State University (YSU), where she is earning her master’s degree. Prior to her time in Youngstown, she performed regularly with the Central Ohio Symphony, Westerville Symphony and the McConnell Arts Chamber Orchestra. Jasmine has performed with the Colour of Music Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival and the Berkshire High Peaks Music Festival. In addition to performing, she enjoys teaching and sharing her passion for music. She has taught in the Columbus-based Pro Musica Play It Forward program and the Urban Strings program. She currently teaches in the YSU String Project where she coaches chamber music and conducts the String Project Chamber Orchestra. She has also performed with popular artists such as the Trans Siberian Orchestra and Disturbed.