Berea, Ky. - Classical pianist Irina Voro will present a concert on Sunday, Feb. 23rd at 2:00 p.m. at Berea Baptist Church.

Taking on a challenge of drawing new audiences to classical music, in 2000 Voro unveiled a concept of "Theater-recital" (a.k.a. "l’Excital for piano, narrative and imagination") - in which classical piano compositions are performed along with Voro's own poetic narratives, the narratives that she usually creates for every piece she plays. The fresh approach to piano performance gained Voro a standing ovation in her Carnegie Hall debut of "l’Excital."

In recent years Voro has performed as a recitalist, chamber musician and concerto soloist in Europe, the Far East, Russia, Canada, and the United States. In addition to her numerous solo and chamber performances, she was a soloist with l’Orchestre Philharmonique du Grand Montreal (Canada), Kislovodsk Symphony Orchestra (Russia), Lawton Symphony Orchestra (Oklahoma), Stavropol Symphony Orchestra (Russia), Montreal Chamber Orchestra (Canada), Lakeshore Chamber Orchestra (Canada), UK Chamber Orchestra and UK Symphony Orchestra (Kentucky).

When not on stage, Dr. Voro is an artist teacher at the University of Kentucky, where she is assistant professor of music. Born in Russia, after graduating with high distinction from the Saratov Consevatoire, Voro moved to Canada, where she received her Doctorate in Piano Performance from l’Universite de Montreal. She is a prize winner of several competitions, including most recently, the International Louise McMahon Music Competition (1998).

Sponsored by the Berea College Music Department, the concert is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.