Tag: percussion

The Harnsberger/Jones Duo ft. the University of Memphis Percussion Ensemble

Crosstown Arts Presents The Harnsberger/Jones Duo ft. the University of Memphis Percussion Ensemble

The Green Room at Crosstown Arts

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Doors open at 7 pm | Show begins at 7:30 PM

Tickets: $20 In Advance (plus Fees) | $25 at the Door

purchase TICKETS HERE
The Harnsberger/Jones Duo will leave audiences intrigued and stunned by the expressive, yet powerful depth that the marimba evokes live in concert. Led by marimba soloists, Andy Harnsberger and Caitlin Jones, this concert will feature music tailored for the duo and solo works that highlight the ability and musicianship of the marimba and the artists themselves.
The Harnsberger/Jones Duo always begin their concerts with “In the Midst of Darkness” by Andy Harnsberger. Written for Andy and Caitlin (and eventually led to the creation of the duo), this work features intensity, drama, and rhythmic interplay between the two instruments. After the listeners have a chance to breathe, the duo will bring in a brand new piece, “Promises Broken” by Adam Silverman. A complete 180 from the opener, this piece will bring in the subtleties of the instrument, and has been proven to be an audience favorite in recent months.
This concert will also feature the University of Memphis Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Bill Shaltis. Audiences are guaranteed to be exposed to new works and sounds that will leave them pondering for days and weeks to come on the beauty of the marimba.

ABOUT THE HARNSBERGER/JONES DUO

Andy Harnsberger and Caitlin Jones are currently in demand as marimba soloists and guest clinicians across the United States. Together, as The Harnsberger/Jones Duo, they are proponents for the advancement of marimba repertoire and frequently perform new works for a variety of audiences. Collectively, their YouTube channels have amassed over 1.8 million views. They have performed and recorded together in a variety of settings, and in 2023, began officially performing together as a duo. In the 2024-2025 season, they performed in Atlanta, Richmond, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, and Mississippi, as well as recorded and released a brand new marimba duo work written specifically for The Harnsberger/Jones Duo, “Promises Broken” by Adam Silverman. Dr. Harnsberger and Dr. Jones are performing artists and clinicians for Malletech Instruments. They teach at Lee University where Harnsberger serves as Director of Percussion Studies and Jones works in the Percussion Department.

A Taste of Latin America

A Taste of Latin America
Crosstown Arts Presents A Taste of Latin America
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Friday, August 22, 2025
Doors open at 7 pm | Show begins at 7:30 PM
Tickets: $20 In Advance (plus Fees) | $25 at the Door | $10 Student Rush
purchase TICKETS HERE
Our program will delight you with the sounds and compositions of Latin America. Pianists Natalia Vanegas Escobar and David Cordoba Hernandez, and percussionist Bill Shaltis will perform works that evoke countries such as Colombia and Cuba, and are written by some of the foremost composers of the region. We hope that you won’t want to miss this noche especial de música latinoamericana!

DAVID CÓRDOBA HERNANDEZ

Recognized for his colorful and sensitive performances, Colombian pianist David Córdoba has played at venues throughout South America, Central America, and the United States. Highlight performances include recitals with Vincent Lucas (Principal Flutist – Orchestre de Paris), John-Crawford (Naxos Recording Artist), Amaro Dubois, and the opening of the 2021 season of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Robert Moody. David has garnered awards in several competitions: Beethoven Club Competition – Memphis (1st place); WCM International Piano Competition – Northern Ireland (4th place); Colombian National Vocal Competition – Collaborative Piano Category (1st place); and the Memphis International Piano Competition (Honorable Mention) Guided by Colombian pianist Teresita Gomez, David earned a Bachelor of Music at the University of Antioquia and a Master’s and Doctorate in Piano Performance with Dr. Cathal Breslin and Dr. Jonathan Tsay at the University of Memphis.
NATALIA VANEGAS ESCOBAR
The Colombian pianist Natalia Vanegas is currently building a promising career as a performer. For five years, she served as a class-piano instructor at the University of Memphis. Additionally, she currently works as an accompanist pianist at Arkansas State University and the University of Mississippi. She has excelled in competitions such as the Beethoven Club (Memphis 2019, 3rd place), Teatro Colón Competition (2019, finalist), Costa Rica PianoFest (2020, 1st place), and the Uofm Symphony soloist competition (2021). Some of her solo performances include the CIMA festival in Manizales, the Puerto Rico Center for Collaborative Piano, the Costa Rica Pianist Encounter, the EAFIT Symphony Orchestra, among others. She has also served as a judge in various competitions and is the coordinator of the Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition. Her interests include Colombian and Latin American living composers, and she plans to promote these works in her upcoming performances and in an upcoming recording. Natalia earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Antioquia, where she studied with Dr. Carlos Eduardo Betancur, Dr. Ana María Orduz, and the renowned Colombian pianist Teresita Gómez. She completed her masters and doctorate degrees at the University of Memphis, where she studied with Dr. Cathal Breslin and Dr. Jonathan Tsay.
 BILL SHALTIS
Bill Shaltis is the Associate Professor of Percussion at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, University of Memphis and Principal Timpanist of the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra. Formerly, Shaltis was the Principal Timpanist for the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal Percussion of the Evansville Philharmonic and Owensboro Symphony, and on faculty at Missouri Southern State University and the University of Evansville. He is a sought-after clinician and performer throughout North America, Europe, and China and has performed and presented at several PASICs, the NAfME and Midwest Conferences, and at state conferences, Day of Percussion events, and universities throughout the country. Shaltis’ debut album, “Essence/Descent,” features premiere recordings of 21st century solo and chamber timpani repertoire and can be found on all major streaming platforms. He is also co-founder of the Two Rivers Timpani Summit. Shaltis is a proud performing artist/clinician for Grover Pro Percussion, JG Percussion, Remo, Yamaha, and Zildjian.