SMTD is delighted to welcome the world-renowned contemporary chamber ensemble and four-time Grammy winners Eighth Blackbird. This free public master class will feature a brief performance by the artists as well as live coaching of several chamber groups comprised of SMTD students. Please join us for this unique opportunity!

Presented with generous support from the Sally Fleming Master Class Fund.

EIGHTH BLACKBIRD is:

Lina Andonovska, flutes
Zachary Good, clarinets
Matt Albert, violin+
Aaron Wolff, cello
Matthew Duvall, percussion
Lisa Kaplan, piano
+For this performance, U-M faculty member Matthew Albert will be performing in place of Eighth Blackbird violinist Maiani da Silva

Eighth Blackbird, “a brand-name defined by adventure, vibrancy and quality” (Detroit Free Press) and hailed as “one of the smartest, most dynamic ensembles on the planet” (Chicago Tribune), was founded in 1996 and continues today under the leadership of collaborative directors Lisa Kaplan and Matthew Duvall.

Accolades include: Four Grammy Awards for Best Small Ensemble/Chamber Music Performance | The MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions | The Concert Artists Guild Competition Grand Prize | The Musical America Ensemble of the Year | The Chamber Music America Visionary Award | The APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards Performance of the Year.

Creative Output Includes: Commissions and World Premieres of hundreds of works by established and emerging composers | Fully Produced Theatrical Chamber Music Productions | Chamber Ensemble Concertos with both orchestras and bands | An Extensive Recording Catalog

In addition to chamber music performance, the members of Eighth Blackbird ("8BB") value their roles as curators, educators, and mentors. Beginning exclusively as a chamber music ensemble, 8BB has expanded in recent years to represent multiple mission-driven initiatives: Eighth Blackbird | Blackbird IV | The Blackbird Creative Lab | The Chicago Artists Workshop | Blackbird Productions.

Learn more:
http://eighthblackbird.org