Classical artists featured in Feb. 18 Showcase

JZD — Tue, 9 Feb 2010 19:51:44 -0700

The Showcase at Studio Bee series returns next week with Mike Melton, Veronika String Quartet and Phil Volan & Joleen Bell 6:00 PM February 18 with this month's Showcase at Studio Bee in Studio Bee at the Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., in Colorado Springs. This concert is free (no ticket required) and open to the public. Compressed photos of all performers are attached to this email - hi-res versions are available upon request. MP3 files of the performers' songs are available upon request.

The Showcase at Studio Bee highlights the best of local artists performing original music. The February 18 concert is part of this monthly concert series presented free of charge to the public in collaboration with KRCC, COPPeR, the Independent, the Gazette and the Pikes Peak Center; along with special support from KCME for this classical show. Artists included in the Showcase are homegrown talent from El Paso, Teller and Pueblo counties, have produced an album and write their own music. To embrace all of the talented artists in our area, we've welcomed classical performers who present classic pieces, as well as original compositions.

WHEN: All Showcase at Studio Bee concerts are planned for 6 p.m. are at the Pikes Peak Center; 190 S. Cascade Ave. Please enter through the doors on the east side of the building marked "Studio Bee."

ABOUT MIKE MELTON (6:00 PM): Mike Melton received his first guitar as a Christmas present when he was 8-years-old. Shortly thereafter he began guitar lessons with John McDaniel of Graner Music – who now tours with Zoso, the premier Led Zeppelin tribute band in the country, in the role of Jimmy Page. Through these early lessons Mike gained a strong love for the instrument – it was not uncommon for him to play his guitar 4 or 5 hours straight. At age 14 he began studying classical guitar with Wayne Hammerstadt.

Melton enjoys playing improvisational jazz at the Acid Jazz Jam in Manitou Springs with such well known musicians as Kim Stone (bassist for The Rippingtons) and Mike Reese. Melton has also performed classical guitar at UCCS, as well as playing with an improvisational jazz group. Currently he performs classical guitar at the R & R Coffee Café in Black Forest.

A 2007 graduate of Lewis-Palmer High School, Monument,Colo., Melton currently attends UCCS with a major in psychology and a minor in music.

ABOUT VERONIKA STRING QUARTET (6:45 PM): In 2010 the Veronika String Quartet is celebrating the 20th anniversary of playing music together and the 10th anniversary at the Colorado State University.For their program, they plan to play Four, for Tango by Piazzolla, Chrysanthemum by Puccini, Nice work if you can get it by Gershwin, Lento from Dvorak’s American Quartet and Polka by Shostakovich.

ABOUT PHIL VOLAN & JOLEEN BELL (7:15 PM): Phil Volan and Joleen Bell play beautifully crafted original compositions and covers for mainly finger style guitar and vocals. The duo began in 2003 with a mutual love of acoustic music and share a rich musical past. The Black Rose Newsletter's reviewer Stew Levitt describes Phil and Joleen's playing on they're instrumental CD of duets: "Starting with the opening harmonics of “Carousel,” each guitar teases, withdraws and pursues each other like two children on an afternoon outing. This is acoustic guitar at its best." In 2002, Phil earned 2nd place at the prestigious National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kan. Phil and Joleen are widely versatile and perform at concerts, conventions, festivals, churches, restaurants, and the always-loved house concert.

All Showcase at Studio Bee performances start at 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM) and are free and open to the public. The Showcase at Studio Bee takes place inside Studio Bee, located on the north end of the Pikes Peak Center at 190 S. Cascade in Colorado Springs. Please enter through the entrance marked "Studio Bee." A cash bar and concessions will be available for purchase.

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Classical artists featured in Feb. 18 Showcase