Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • FALL 2017 • PAN PIPES 11 A lma Española presents GRAMMY Award-winning singer Isabel Leonard and GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin in an all-Spanish recording for voice and guitar. Sharon Isbin was initiated by Sigma Sigma in 1982 as an SAI National Honorary Member. She is now recognized as a pre-eminent Classical Guitarist. Isabel Leonard is a favorite of the Metropolitan Opera's Mezzo Sopranos. Sharon shared the following with SAI sister Madalyn Staupe Traun: "After performing shows together across the country, from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center with fellow Grammy winner and heavenly voice, Argentinian-American Isabel Leonard, our recording Alma Española has just been released! The first all-Spanish Art Song Album with Guitar of its kind in 40 years; it includes 12 world premiere recordings of arrangements of mine. You'll find duos to melt your heart by García Lorca, de Falla, Montsalvatge, Lara and Rodrigo, plus Guitar solos by Granados and Tárrega; all capture the rich and magnificent tradition of Spain!" The Philadelphia Inquirer described Leonard and Isbin's performance as "Feasts of beautifully sculpted phrases...glimpses of heaven," and The New York Times referred to the "Soulful depth" of their interpretations. The collaboration of Isabel Leonard and Sharon Isbin brings together one of today's brightest vocal stars, heard on the stages of the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, and Paris Opera, with a guitar virtuoso acclaimed as "the pre-eminent guitarist of our time." — Bridge Records Grammy Award Winners Release Album SAIS IN THE NEWS K arla Epperson, Tacoma Alumnae Chapter member, retired in April aer 20 years as conductor of the two youngest Tacoma Youth symphony orchestras. "e Tacoma Youth Symphony Association has been so fortunate to have one of the most wonderful people I know to share her many talents with our students," said Dr. Paul Cobbs, the association's director. "e woman is a treasure," said Spencer Hutchins, former board member and president of the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association. "She's given her life to music education, and her heart and soul to the kids." Epperson grew up in Aberdeen, Washington and studied cello at the University of Puget Sound before a career in music education. She taught choir, strings, and orchestra at Olympia High School, started a strings program in the Bethel School District, taught music education at the University of Puget Sound, and finally began her work with the youth symphony which included directing the beginner summer camp and overseeing auditions for dozens of students. She still conducts the Peninsula Youth Symphony, accompanies students on piano, plays organ at local churches, and plays cello gigs with her trio. All of these activities she will continue aer her retirement. However, she is looking forward to more time to travel with her husband –plus doing gardening and working crossword puzzles. What she will miss most are the students. "I'll miss seeing their wonderful faces every Saturday." e University of Puget Sound named Karla the "Distinguished Music Alumna for 2016." In addition to her work with the youth symphonies, for six years she was a member of the Northwest Music Educators Board, for twelve years an officer of the Washington Music Educators Association, a member of the Arts Commission of Gig Harbor, WA, and for nineteen years a member of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors. — Dr. Evangeline Rimbach, Editor, Tacoma Alumnae Chapter Karla Epperson (on right) receives the Rose of Honor from the Tacoma Alumnae Chapter. Long-Time Music Educator Retires Hear a clip of the album here: https://youtu.be/2cuIc71WvMs

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