Notes & Nuances: A Piano and Wine Sensory Experience

Dr. Madeline Anderson, classical pianist, and Cecilia Barretto, wine expert, join forces to create an unforgettable sensory experience. Together, they guide guests through a delicious exploration of the connection between music and wine.

Drawing on her expertise as a performer and her research on sensory blending with music, Dr. Anderson reveals how sound can shape and enhance the tasting experience. Cecilia complements the journey with her knowledge of wine tasting and pairing, delivering engaging insights and edutainment that bring each wine to life.

Included with your ticket:

• Welcome cocktail or glass of wine
• Three wines to pair with piano
• Individual charcuterie plate

Two sessions offered: 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.

The event will be held in the piano room at the Bending Branch Estate tasting room.

About the hosts

Dr. Madeline Anderson

Classical pianist Dr. Madeline Anderson is based in Austin, Texas. She holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music (BM 2017), Texas State University (MM 2019), and the University of Iowa (DMA in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, 2023). Her primary mentors have included Ksenia Nosikova, Hans Boepple, Enrico Elisi, Ann Schein, and Jason Kwak. In addition to her performance studies, Dr. Anderson pursued a secondary area in music theory at the University of Iowa, working closely with composer and theorist Matthew Arndt.

Dr. Anderson is deeply committed to expanding the concert experience through audience engagement and active listening. Her doctoral research explored sensory involvement—both literal and conceptual—as a pathway to deeper musical understanding and enjoyment. From this work she developed the listening method Attend, Notice, Blend, which she introduced in her research study at the University of Iowa. Results demonstrated a significant enhancement in audience experience, and this project continues to shape her approach to performance and programming.

Stemming from her research findings, Anderson developed a unique piano and wine pairing event model. In 2024, she launched a series entitled Tasting Notes at the Roosevelt Library (San Antonio), featuring her distinctive guided listening activities. She also presented two similar piano and wine pairing events at Alexander Vineyards (Fredericksburg).

An enthusiastic educator, Dr. Anderson has taught students of all ages and levels. Her collegiate teaching experience includes Northwest Vista College and Kirkwood Community College, as well as teaching assistantships at Texas State University and the University of Iowa, where she taught group piano, private lessons, and collaborative piano. She has also taught at the University of Iowa Community Music Lesson Program, FunKey Piano Project, the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio, and Orpheus Academy of Music. Dr. Anderson currently maintains a private piano studio in Austin.

As a performer, Dr. Anderson is passionate about sharing music through solo and collaborative projects, with a particular emphasis on community-focused sensory concert programming throughout Central Texas. She has earned top prizes in numerous competitions, including the MTNA Young Artist Competition (Iowa State Winner), Third Prize at the Second International PianoArt Competition, and finalist honors at the Sound Espressivo Competition. She is also an active chamber musician and collaborator.

Cecilia Barretto

Cecilia Barretto’s passion for wine started 23 years ago, at the underripe age of 18! She studied wine in her free time while pursuing her undergraduate degree in Diplomacy & World Affairs at Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA. Her passion for wine eclipsed her plans to attend law school and she ended up moving to Burgundy for three years to pursue an MSc in Wine Business. Since returning from abroad, Cecilia has worn many hats in the wine industry: owning a wine shop, working at a winery, a sommelier, and wine retail manager. Ever in pursuit of wine education, she has made numerous exam trips to Napa to complete the multiple exams to achieve the top level (Level 4 Diploma) of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). Cecilia is also a Certified WSET instructor, a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist, and an adjunct professor for the viticulture program at Palo Alto College. For the last four years she has run a wine edutainment business in San Antonio, with a particular joy for events with pairings that go beyond food.

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Host or Publisher Bending Branch Winery