Performers

Heather Small, Flute
Benjamin Crook, Piano
Trio Casals
– Timothy Schwarz, Violin
– Ovidiu Marinescu, Cello
– Mădălina Dănilă, Piano

Since making a highly-praised debut at the 1996 edition of the Pablo Casals Festival in Puerto Rico, Trio Casals has delighted audiences with spectacular virtuosity, engaging enthusiasm, and exquisite musical elegance. Consisting of pianist Anna Kislitsyna, violinist Alexandr Kislitsyn, cellist Ovidiu Marinescu, Trio Casals has released several commercial albums with PARMA Recordings and Navona Records to critical acclaim, from the beloved MOTO series to A GRAND JOURNEY and more.

Dr. Heather Small is Assistant Professor of Flute at Troy University’s John M. Long School of Music. She teaches music theory courses, class woodwinds, applied flute, and directs the flute ensemble. Dr. Small received a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Oberlin Conservatory, a Masters Degree in Flute Performance from the University of North Texas and a Doctorate of Music Performance from Florida State University, where she won the University Doctoral Concerto Competition. Her principal teachers are Michel Debost, Mary Karen Clardy and Eva Amsler.

A recent doctoral graduate from Florida State University’s performance program, Benjamin Crook maintains an active repertoire of both classical works and new music. As an advocate for rising artists, he has commissioned piano work from Adam O’Dell and has performed music from composers including Samuel Adams, Mikhail Johnson, and Matthew Ramage.