In 2009, Haochen Zhang became the youngest and the first Chinese competitor to be awarded the prestigious Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Since his win, the 22-year-old has captivated audiences in the United States, Europe and Asia with a unique combination of deep musical sensitivity, fearless imagination and spectacular virtuosity.

Kayhan Kalhor, an original member of Yo Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, is an internationally acclaimed virtuoso on the kemancheh. His performances of traditional Persian music with his unique collaborations have attracted audiences around the globe. Kalhor will be performing with the string quartet, Brooklyn Rider. National Public Radio credits Brooklyn Rider with “recreating the 300-year old form of string quartet as a vital and creative 21st century ensemble.” Enjoy an afternoon of uniquely beautiful music.

Maui Pops Orchestra and guest performers will share holiday favorites in a festive atmosphere during the annual Holiday Pops concert. Guest violin soloist Ignace “Iggy” Jang, concertmaster of the newly formed Hawai'i Symphony, will perform movements of The Four Seasons by Vivaldi. Some of Maui's finest musicians and vocalists will present holiday songs to cheer your heart and put you in the spirit of the season: Jerry Eiting, Jimmy Mac, Alexis and Steven Dascoulias, Erin Smith, Felicity Raugust, Jamie Lawrence and Lily Meola. A portion of the ticket sales will buy gifts for clients of the Friends of the Children's Justice Center. Patrons who purchase tickets to all three of the Maui Pops concerts will receive a 10% discount off $25, $35 and $45 ticket prices.

One of Maui’s most beloved holiday events, the Festival of Harps returns to the intimate McCoy Studio Theater stage to celebrate the magical sounds of the holiday season. Featuring harps from different ages played by Maui’s finest harpists and the Festival Harp Ensemble, this year’s program creates the sound of winter holidays in a journey through time from the Middle Ages to the present. A benefit for Hospice Maui

Ebb & Flow Ensemble performs Arnold Schoenberg’s ground breaking “String Quartet #2” in F sharp minor (1908) for soprano and string quartet. This masterpiece changed music forever with its new vistas of sound. Ebb & Flow Ensemble comprises Honolulu-based Rachel Schutz, soprano, Ignace Jang and Helen Liu on violins, Steven Flanter, viola, Joanna Morrison-Pernela, cello and Robert Pollock, Maui composer/pianist. Musicians and artists from three islands join forces to perform Pollock’s “Contrast” for soprano and string quartet (2012) based on a poem by Robinson Jeffers. Hawai‘i Island artist Tomas Belsky created a painting inspired by the music and poetry, and a video by Maui’s Peter Swanzy, featuring images from this painting will be shown. A silent auction for Belsky’s painting and a DVD of the performance will be held the day of the concert. Other featured works include Dina Koston’s humorous soprano solo, exciting songs by American composers Henry Cowell, Edward T. Cone and Roger Sessions, plus a delightful piano quintet by Jean Francaix. Enjoy a pre-concert discussion in Castle Theater at 4 pm.
On Thursday, January 24 at 6 pm in Haynes Meeting Room, Pollock will host an informance about the music, which is free to the public.

The Catalyst Quartet is comprised of top Laureates and alumni of the internationally acclaimed Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latino string players. This young ensemble advances diversity in classical music and inspires new audiences with dynamic performances of cutting-edge repertoire by a wide range of composers. Catalyst quartet features Karla Donehew Perez and Jessie Montgomery on violin, Christopher Jenkins on viola and Karlos Rodriguez on cello. The quartet will perform selections by Haydn, Walker, Montgomery and Brahms.

Wear your green and get ready for Irish and Celtic music at the Maui Pops Orchestra's St. Paddy's Pops concert. Dancers from the Maui Academy of Performing Arts will perform their version of River Dance and Maui cellist Silvina Samuel will play the beautiful Adagio on Celtic Melodies by Bruch. Sing along to some of your favorite Irish tunes. The orchestra will perform popular and lively dance music that is so much fun to listen to ... the luck of the Irish will be with you!