The Bechtler Ensemble Presents Distinguished Artist Concert on Jan. 30

String Quartet Presents Program Featuring Female Composers

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University Department of Music presents The Bechtler Ensemble as part of the Distinguished Artist Series on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. in Hamrick Hall’s Blanton Auditorium. The ensemble is a string quartet featuring Tanja Bechtler, Joe Meyer (GWU faculty), Tatiana Karpova and Vasily Gorkovoy.

The program includes an evening of captivating music featuring works by female composers, such as American contemporary Jessie Montgomery, African-American pioneer Florence Price and Kazakhstan’s brilliant educator and composer, Gaziza Zhubanova, as well as English suffragette, Ethel Smyth. While celebrating the contributions of these female musicians, art from the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art will be displayed during the performance.

Bechtler, cellist and artistic director, is originally from Zurich, Switzerland. She earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Marion Feldman. She is on the faculty at Central Piedmont Community College as a cello instructor. She was honored with the prestigious Women of Achievement Award in 2015 from The General Federation of Women’s Clubs of North Carolina, an international volunteer service organization.

Additionally, she is an active participant of the Practice HORA, a science-based training program designed to develop physical and intellectual inner strength, endurance, and the ability to remain calm during any activity. She dedicates all of her music to the HORA Youth Global movement, an effective and safe method to increase resilience, strength and endurance.

​Meyer, a violinist and member of the Gardner-Webb music faculty, is an active soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader who has garnered critical acclaim throughout the country. Currently, he holds positions as associate concertmaster of the Charlotte Symphony and the Colorado Music Festival, as well as guest concertmaster of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, where he has served as concertmaster and guest concertmaster for 10 years.

Karpova, a violinist with the Charlotte Symphony, joined the organization after immigrating to the United States in 1999. A graduate of the Sverdlovsk Conservatory, she continued her musical studies at the Moscow Gnessin Institute of Music, where she completed her DMA. After winning second prize at the David Oistrakh Violin Competition in1988, Karpova began a performing career as a soloist and chamber musician. Karpova is also an active teacher and performs with chamber groups.

Gorkovoy is an instructor of violin and viola at Southern Park Music School in Charlotte, N.C. He has an Artist Certificate from Southern Methodist University; Master of Music from Texas Christian University; Bachelor of Music from Rostov on Don State Conservatory (Don, Russia). He performs regularly with the Hilton Head and Charlotte Symphonies.

Find out more about The Bechtler Ensemble here.

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event.  Please call 704-406-4270 or email [email protected] with your request.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.