GWU Distinguished Artist Series Presents Chamber Ensemble

Concert Features Musicians from Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and GWU Professors

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University Distinguished Artist Series presents “Chamber Music 4 All” on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. in Dover Chapel. The ensemble features three GWU professors—violinists Calin Lupanu and Monica Boboc, and violist Alaina Rea—along with cellist Marlene Ballena. In addition, all are prominent members of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (CSO).

Co-sponsored by The Alfred and Shirley Wampler Caudill Fund, the concert is free and open to the public. Space is limited to 40 people, and reservations must be made by texting name and contact information to 704-466-4710.

Lupanu and Boboc founded “Chamber Music 4 All” to bring high quality chamber music to people of all ages and socioeconomics. They also desire to inspire, educate and build a sense of community through chamber music. This program includes selections by Schubert, Dvorak, Turina, Glass and Mendelssohn.

Lupanu is also the concertmaster for the CSO. He has served on the faculty at Gardner-Webb since 2004. His awards as a soloist include the first prizes of the International Violin Competition in Stresa, Italy, and the National Violin Competition in Suceava, Romania. Prior to winning the national audition for the CSO position, Lupanu served as associate concertmaster of the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, concertmaster of the Evansville Philharmonic, principal second violin in the Alabama Symphony, and concertmaster of the West Virginia Symphony.

Boboc has toured extensively in the United States and collaborated with several artists. Also a CSO member, Boboc joined the Gardner-Webb faculty in 2005. As a member of the Lipatti String Quartet, she won prizes in national and international competitions.

Rea joined the CSO as assistant principal viola in September 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School and a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory. Her teachers have included Victoria Chiang, Choong-Jin Chang, Heidi Castleman, and Steven Tenenbom.

Ballena, a Peruvian cellist, began playing her instrument at age 7 in her hometown of Lima. She served as a member of the Peruvian National Symphony and as principal cellist of the Piura Symphony Orchestra. In 2003 she was awarded a performance scholarship at the University of Louisville where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She has been a member of CSO since September 2014.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 days prior to the event. Please call 704-406-4264 or email [email protected] with your request.

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Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.