Loeffler Alumni Series
Loeffler Alumni Series: Cristian Perez
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 4 PM ET
The Loeffler Alumni Series is sponsored by Robert and Jane Loeffler.
View on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/event/4654299
Levine is committed to building new audiences for music by offering outstanding performances, master classes, and other musical events free-of-charge. This season of Levine Presents is offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of many donors. Please consider making a gift to support these programs.
Program
Minor Swing | Django Reinhardt
“Norwegian Wood” | John Lennon/Paul McCartney
Longing | Cristian Perez
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 | J.S. Bach
III. Allegro
Simon & Garfunkel Medley | Paul Simon/Art Garfunkel
“La cumparsita” | Gerardo Matos Rodriguez
A Moment of Clarity | Cristian Perez
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” | Kurt Cobain
About the Artists
Cristian Perez is an Argentine-American 7-string guitarist, composer, and arranger who has performed worldwide. He is a former Artist in Residence at The Music Center at Strathmore (’15) and a two-time Wammie Award winner for his work with Project Locrea. His debut album, “Anima Mundi,” reached #13 on the CMJ World Music chart. Cristian graduated from George Mason University with degrees in Classical Guitar and Jazz Studies. He is an adjunct professor at NOVA Community College in Alexandria, VA and the Director of Mason Music Productions at GMU. At Levine, Cristian studied guitar with Berta Rojas.
Parker Speirs is a guitarist and composer who feels at home playing jazz standards, new music, rock, reimagined classical repertoire, and more. He has released several recordings under his name and with The Inventures, an ensemble that reimagines classical music by infusing it with jazz, rock, and pop. Parker was an Artist in Residence at Strathmore for the 2023-2024 season.
Jan Knutson incorporates jazz, classical, bluegrass, and pop elements to create his original works and unique takes on classic jazz standards. He is a former Artist in Residence at Strathmore. In 2018, Jan joined the US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” as a guitarist and arranger. He completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland in 2021 and performs regularly throughout the DC region.
Connor Holdridge is a versatile jazz guitarist, composer, and improviser. He is a member of gypsy jazz group Ultrafaux and jazz, neosoul band Attic Sessions. Connor has performed at the Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest, at the Charm City Django Jazz Fest, and in an opening show for the National Symphony Orchestra. Connor developed a body of work that was featured in his residency at Strathmore’s AMP in 2023.
Tommy Holladay graduated summa cum laude from the Berklee College of Music, where he was awarded the William G. Leavitt and the Stephen D. Holland scholarships for jazz guitar performance. Tommy received his Master’s degree (with honors) in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory. In July 2014, Tommy performed as a semifinalist at the Socar International Montreux Jazz Guitar competition.