music that inspires
BELLA's MISSION is to connect people to themselves, each other, and their communities through professional live music performances of the highest standards, reflecting shared human emotions and experiences. BELLA sees their role as artists as inspiring people from diverse backgrounds to cherish the beauty in themselves and others.
BELLA is committed to being socially responsible and engaged artists in their community. Towards this end, they donate a portion of all of their donations to non-profit community organizations, including those dedicated to helping people and families affected by breast cancer.
We were so excited to have a great turnout at the ProArts Gallery this past Friday. Though the weather was still doing its stormy thing, the gallery was bright, lively, and welcoming, the perfect antidote to the grey skies all week, and the packed audience made it even cosier. Thanks to Andrew Chung, founder of the B.A.C.H Series for inviting us to play in the series and for producing the event.
You're invited!
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About BELLA
www.bellatrio.us
We had the best time spending hours in the recording studio this week with Sean Cusak and his buddies Joe et al. They were super nice, cool and the best audience we could have played for for this occassion. After a rough cut, Sean commented that "mirror in mirror (Arvo Pärt's Spiegel im Spiegel) is possibly the most awesome sound I've ever witnessed in person" And that was even after 3 takes!
Very cool, guys.
Hope to have a CD out for our fans soon.
We met some great artists and got some really useful feedback from the Nobilis Trio on our Shostakovich. Thanks to the Kurasawa Piano Music Foundation led by Alex Kurasawa (President) and Barbara Day Turner (Conductor of the San Jose Chamber Orchestra) for organizing the event. We look forward to more interactions with both the KPMF and Nobilis, particularly Stephen Prutsman, the pianist, who lives right here in our own 'hood. Though, it would be great to visit Borromeo, Italy (where violinist Ruggero Allifranchini is from) and Armenia (where Suren Bagratuni hails from) one day ... Thanks for the experience!
Thanks again to the CLA (and especially Bob Pimm) for inviting us to play at their Annual Meeting at Ex'pressions College for the Digital Arts today. After some very meticulous planning (great job, Claire!) we were so pleased to have pulled off a fun concert without a hitch. And Ex'pressions provided a great atmosphere - interesting students, great space, and a really inspiring staff (thanks, Shiloh!). We had a very appreciative audience and met some exciting people affiliated with the music business with whom we look forward to collaborating in the future. Thanks too to Piedmont Piano (Jim and Mike) for the Fazioli - you've broadened our world of pianos!
Davis was alive and well Saturday night with a great turnout of almost 80 people! We were lucky enough to have Maryvonne le Dizes, Julia's violin teacher from her teenage years in attendance, as well as Pablo Ortiz, Professor of Composition at UC Davis, Pablo Ortiz, whose pieces we performed. Our hosts, Maria and David were generous and meticulous in their planning - we could not have asked for a better venue. And, Maria's artwork boldly displyed throughout the large loft space were indeed a significant show on their own. Gabriel's first official performance with BELLA went swimmingly and we look forward to our next concert and upcoming recording session together!
The expansive loft performance space at MOA and BELLA with Pablo Ortiz, guest composer for the evening and Professor of Composition at UC Davis.
You're invited to our first ever SHOW IN A SHOW! As BELLA performs on Saturday, December 4 at the MOA (Maria Ogrydziak Architecture) Studio in Davis, CA. It's a gallery opening/salon kind of shindig, bringing design and music together.
BELLA, with Julia Ogrydziak on violin, Mimi Lee on piano, and Gabriel Beistline on cello will play and discuss works by Beethoven, Piazzolla, Part, and UC Davis' very own Pablo Ortiz. And you will almost be able to smell the ocean and feel the cool sea air as we are thrilled to feature the watercolors of Maria Ogrydziak.
There will be snacks, there will be conversation, there will even be some culture. What's not to love?
- BELLA + Maria Ogrydziak
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About BELLA
www.bellatrio.us
About MOA (Maria Ogrydziak Architecture)
www.oarch.com
We are thrilled to introduce Gabriel Beistline as the newest member of BELLA! He will be replacing Bridget Chang. Gabriel hails from Austin, TX and studied at NEC and Rice. With his intimate knowledge of the Boston area, he has no problems keeping up with the Boston/Cambridge references we all have from school. He also lives at 501, which is a number we all share in our addresses - so we are thinking perhaps we need to change our name to the 501's, or maybe Levi's, or just the Originals. Hmmm. Plus, Gabriel is dog lover, and to TOP IT ALL OFF, he played in a trio which accidentally ended up being called the BELLA trio, after starting off as the BELA Quartet. So, yes, it was meant to be.
Oh, and did we mention he is an awesome cellist? We are up and running without skipping a beat, and we are incredibly excited to have him on board.
BELLA was honored to be asked to play for the 2010 Harvard Club of San Francisco Annual Dinner, hosted by the University Club. With Featured Speaker Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook; Award Recipient, James Eberhard, Chairman and Founder of Mobile Accord; and Honored Alumnus, David Chiu, President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, we were in great company!
Our recent salon at the MacKenzie residence in San Francisco was great! Thanks so much to our hosts, and also thanks to Roderick Wyllie and James Roderick, Principals at SurfaceDesign, who collaborated with BELLA to provide an exhibit of their works to accompany the event.
With a sweeping view of the city below us, playing in the clouds was a real San Francisco treat.
