San Diego, CA–Art of Elan and The Myriad Trio has a long history. Myriad Trio flutist Demarre McGill and Kate Hatmaker co-founded Art of Elan in 2006 with the idea of bringing innovative and intimate classical music to diverse audiences.
The concept of short, colorful concerts in unconventional venues has been met with enthusiasm and capacity audiences in San Diego over the last 14 years, during which Art of Elan presented the Myriad Trio numerous times at the San Diego Museum of Art, the former Lux Art Institute, and at Qualcomm Hall.
The Myriad Trio features Julie Smith Phillips on harp, Demarre McGill on flute, and Che-Yen Chen on viola. This unique ensemble of soloists and chamber musicians features three nationally recognized musicians at the top of their fields. McGill is currently principal flutist for the Seattle Symphony. Phillips performs with the San Diego Symphony and Chen previously served as principal violist of the San Diego Symphony and Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra and is a founding member of The Formosa Quartet – a past Art of Elan Ensemble-in-Residence.
As guest artists during Art of Elan’s 15th anniversary season, the Myriad Trio will help celebrate the reopening of Mingei International Museum with an in-person concert on January 13 at 7 p.m. The recent museum renovation and expansion project was led by nationally recognized architect and Art of Elan board member, Jennifer Luce, the founder and principal of LUCE et studio.
This special performance includes a post-concert reception with the artists and will also pay tribute to long-time Art of Elan and Mingei International Museum supporter Jim Dawe, who recently passed away in November. The concert is underwritten through the generous support of Gordon Brodfuehrer, also a supporter of both organizations.
The program will premiere a new work for flute, viola, and harp, written by Brooklyn-based composer Timo Andres for the trio during the pandemic. This commissioned work was also made possible by the generosity of lead underwriter Gordon Brodfuehrer, whose commitment to new music and new art has benefitted numerous cultural institutions in San Diego. The colorful program also includes music by Claude Debussy and David Bruce, another composer that Art of Elan has commissioned in years past, and whose work, “Eye of Night,” was premiered and recorded by the Myriad Trio in 2011 with the help of Art of Elan.
“I’m beyond excited to be returning to San Diego to perform with the Myriad Trio. San Diego has always been a special place for me, and creating Art of Elan with the wonderful Kate Hatmaker, so many years ago, is one of my greatest professional accomplishments,” said Art of Elan co-founder and Myriad Trio flutist Demarre McGill.
Tickets for Mingei International Museum members are $30. General admission is $40. The museum is located at 1439 El Prado in San Diego.