Classical Minnesota Public Radio Names Violinist Chad Hoopes 2011-2012 Artist-In-Residence, Announces Inaugural Concert

Aug 1, 2011

(St. Paul, Minn.) -- Aug. 1, 2011 -- Classical Minnesota Public Radio has named a teenaged prodigy its third-ever Artist-in-Residence. At age 17, Chad Hoopes, a student at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, has played with orchestras around the world. As Classical MPR's Artist-In-Residence, he will visit elementary and middle school classrooms around the state, performing and talking about the importance of music and the arts. He will be joined by Classical MPR host Steve Staruch at each school. Hoopes will also write a blog at classicalmpr.org.

"Chad Hoopes is an amazing young violinist with roots in Minnesota, and we're thrilled to have him be our Artist-In-Residence," says Daniel Gilliam, Classical MPR's program director. "What Chad offers is more than a message about playing the violin, but also about being involved in music and, regardless of what you love, giving your absolute best."

Inaugural Recital at MacPhail, Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m.

Chad Hoopes will begin his Artist-in-Residence year with a recital at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, followed by a reception. Classical MPR's Steve Staruch will host the concert. Admission is free, but RSVP is encouraged at classicalmpr.org.

Hoopes will also be performing at the MPR booth Minnesota State Fair on Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. Admission to this performance is also free.

Statewide concert series during March 2012 As part of Classical MPR's Artist-In-Residence, Chad Hoopes will participate in educational activities at area schools and give concert performances in towns throughout Greater Minnesota: Hibbing, Bena, Brainerd, Willmar and Rochester. A complete schedule of Greater Minnesota appearances will be announced in January 2012.

More about Chad Hoopes

Chad Hoopes has performed with numerous ensembles including the Cleveland Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Brussels Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera and Trondheim Symphony.

Hoopes has also been featured on the CBS Early Show and on PBS's From the Top: Live at Carnegie Hall. He was the soloist in the Emmy Award-winning June 2007 television commercial for the Cleveland Indians Major League Baseball team.

Hoopes began his violin studies at the age of four in Minneapolis with Nancy Lokken and continued with Sally O'Reilly at the University of Minnesota. In April 2008, he won first prize in the Young Artists Division of the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition. In fall 2011, he will graduate from The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

More about Classical MPR's Artists-In-Residence program

Now in its third year, Classical MPR's Artists-In-Residence is a year-long commitment to bring outstanding artists to Minnesota audiences. The acclaimed Parker Quartet was the first Classical MPR's Artist-In-Residence in 2009-2010, and the vocal ensemble Cantus was Artist-in-Residence in 2010-2011.