Van Cliburn winner to perform solo concert on Sept. 26 at the University Auditorium

September 8, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In 2001, Olga Kern made history when she became the first woman in more than 30 years to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Since then, the Russian-born pianist has performed with some of the world’s most prestigious conductors and orchestras. Ms. Kern will perform a solo piano concert at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the University Auditorium.

Ms. Kern made her debut in New York City at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall in 2004. During spring 2007, she toured with the National Philharmonic of Russia and Vladimir Spivakov, which included an appearance at the Phillips Center. She has also appeared with the Colorado Symphony, the Nashville Symphony and the Vancouver Symphony; presented the Inaugural Concert of the Southeastern Piano Festival in Columbia, S.C; and toured with Vladimir Spivakov and the Moscow Virtuosi. In November 2006, Ms. Kern made her London debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with Leonard Slatkin conducting. She has also appeared with the Warsaw Philharmonic and Antoni Wit, and made a tour of Germany with the Czech Philharmonic and Zdenek Macal.

Ms. Kern has performed in many of the world’s most important venues including the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Symphony Hall in Osaka, Salzburger Festspielhaus, La Scala in Milan, Tonhalle in Zurich and the Châtelet in Paris. She has appeared as soloist with the Bolshoi Theatre, the St. Petersburg Symphony, Russian National, China Symphony, Belgrade Philharmonic, La Scala Philharmonic, Torino Symphony and Cape Town Symphony Orchestras. In addition, Ms. Kern has also performed with the Kirov Orchestra under the direction of Valery Gergiev at the Kennedy Center.

Ticket prices are $20 to $30 and can be purchased by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787), 800-905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida) or Ticketmaster at 800-277-1700 (toll-free). Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, the University Box Office at the Reitz Student Union or from any Ticketmaster outlet, or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com. Cash, checks, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.