CMC Sessions: Histoire du Tango with Will Ludan and Monika Gruber

Dive into the passionate musical world of tango with CMC faculty Will Ludan (guitar) and Monika Gruber (violin) in a delightful concert and conversation. This free event features a discussion about the history of Argentinian tango, and a performance centering around Histoire du Tango for guitar and violin, composed by iconic composer Astor Piazzolla, whose name has become synonymous with nuevo tango.

has teaching and artist diplomas from Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar, Germany, and also studied at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique in Lyon, France. She came to San Francisco to get her Masters in violin performance from the SF Conservatory of Music. Her teachers include Ian Swensen, Stephane Tran Ngoc, and Ulrich Beetz. She was awarded first prize at the second International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition in Boston. In addition to teaching at the CMC, she works as a violin and chamber music instructor at the SF Conservatory of Music’s Pre-College Division. Monika is a violinist with the Circadian String Quartet (www.circadianstringquartet.com) and an active performer in the Bay Area.

has performed locally as soloist and chamber musician. He has performed in master classes for renowned artists Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Manuel Barrueco, Abel Carlevaro, David Leisner, Michael Lorimer, David Russell and George Sakellariou. Will studied ensemble performance with the Alexander String Quartet. Performed for live radio broadcasts and works with other instrumentalists.

Expand your musical toolbox and get inspired with CMC guitar, piano, and cultural traditions faculty. CMC Sessions comes to life with a new series of in-person workshops, presentations, and masterclasses in a wide range of musical styles and traditions. Explore historical and stylistic performance practices, learn new techniques, and spark your creative interests through enlightening demonstrations, thought-provoking discussions, and hands-on experience.

Join us for a session:

• February 24: Improvisation Made Easy: How to Enhance Music Styling

• Embodied Piano Playing with Allison Lovejoy

•.Gospel Piano Stylings with Ken Little

• March 2: Piano Performance Psychology with Grace Huenemann

• March 2: Follow My Lead: Accompaniment & Melody for Guitarists with Erik Pearson and Scott O’Day

• May 11: Nuts & Bolts of Jazz Piano Improvisation with Erick Peralta

• May 11: Rhythmic and Harmonic Structure of Traditional Cuban Music with Tony Martinez and Erick Peralta

• May 18: Baroque Improvisation Workshop with Shirley Wong-Frentzel

• May 18: Histoire du Tango with Will Ludan and Monika Gruber

Host or Publisher Community Music Center