Executive Piano Series presents: Fanya Lin in concert
2026-04-18 15:00 - 16:45 (America/Phoenix)
Described as a “striking interpreter” who gives a “committed and heartfelt performance” by Musical America and The New York Times, Steinway Artist Fanya Lin has entranced audiences worldwide with her charismatic and fiery performances. Her orchestral appearances include the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (UK), Toruń Symphony (Poland), Orquestra Sinfônica do Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil), New Art Symphony (Taiwan), Hiroshima Tafel Orchestra (Japan), Flagstaff Symphony (US), among others. Her concerto album Rhapsodic featuring Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with Maestro Theodore Kuchar and the Lublin Philharmonic was selected as Textura’s “Top 20 Classical Picks” and won 2nd Prize for the Petrichor Records’ Best Album Award in 2024.

Lin’s upcoming recital titled Metamorphosis features the thematic variations and transformation in piano repertoire, including Johannes Brahms’s Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 10; Taiwanese composer Yi-Chih Lu’s Dark Sky; three preludes from polish composer Karol Szymanowski’s Op. 1; Bach-Busoni Chaconne in D minor; and the monumental B minor sonata composed by Franz Liszt.

The Metamorphosis program opens with Johannes Brahms’s Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 10, Herzlich tut mich verlangen, transcribed by pianist Ferruccio Busoni. Originally composed during the last year of Brahms’s life in 1897, the Eleven Chorale Preludes are among his most intimate works. Written for organ, they distill a lifetime of compositional mastery into music of quiet gravity and spiritual depth. Herzlich tut mich verlangen (“My heart is filled with longing”) is a meditation on sorrow, consolation and faith. They were written during Brahms’ visit to Ischl, where Brahms had vacationed annually from 1889, but his final visit was clouded by Clara Schumann’s recent death in May 1896, as well as Brahms’ own health battle with liver cancer.

From the last note of Herzlich tut mich verlangen, we dive into a completely different world constructed by Taiwanese composer, Yi-Chih Lu, threaded by the same key and the ending and opening notes of the two pieces. The thematic material of Dark Sky was drawn from the Taiwanese folk tune with the same title, depicting the subtropical rainy season of Taiwan, the fisherman’s anxiety toward the bad weather and the quarrel between an old couple. In Yi-Chih Lu’s transcription of Dark Sky, the thematic material was mingled with Prokofiev’s rhythm, a vintage form of fugue and the Rachmaninoff ending.

Karol Szymanowski (1882–1937) stands as one of the most significant Polish composers of the 20th century, reflecting the major musical currents of his time. Initially influenced by Chopin and Wagner, his music draws from a wide range of inspirations of European traditions, while incorporating exotic elements of Oriental culture. Closely connected to the piano throughout his life, Szymanowski composed for the instrument from his earliest years to his final works. Although many early piano pieces have been lost, he emerged at age eighteen with the Nine Preludes, a work that immediately impressed audiences and critics. Shaped by Chopin’s models yet infused with intense youthful emotionalism, the Preludes reveal Szymanowski’s distinctive voice through rich harmonic language, polyrhythms and emotionally charged climaxes that already anticipate the innovations of Scriabin. The three preludes selected today are in B minor and D minor, foreshadowing the remained two pieces in the program.

The first half of the concert comes to an end with the return of yet another transcription of Busoni. Ferrucio Busoni displayed a passion for Bach at an early age. He made an exhaustive study of Bach’s music and throughout his adult life worked tirelessly at editing and making transcriptions of works by the Baroque master. The transcription of Chaconne from Bach’s Partita No. 2 for solo violin was made sometime in the late 1890s and was dedicated to the pianist Eugene d’Albert; Busoni himself played it frequently on his own blazingly brilliant recitals. The Chaconne was originally the final movement of the Bach’s Violin Partita No.2, a set of more than 60 variations on a simple bass theme. Busoni tried to remain as close to the original as possible while adapting the music to suit the technical possibilities of the piano. Sound wise, he sometimes oriented himself on orchestral colours or organ registers, which echoes with the transcription of Brahms’ Eleven Chorale Preludes originally written for Organs.

Franz Liszt’s Sonata in B minor (1853) stands as one of the most groundbreaking works of the nineteenth-century piano repertoire, redefining large-scale musical form through unity and thematic transformation. Cast in a single continuous movement of approximately thirty minutes, the sonata encompasses the expressive and structural functions of a traditional sonata-allegro form, while integrating a group of motives introduced at the opening that unfolds throughout the entire composition. Structurally, the sonata begins with a dark, ominous introduction that leads into an expansive exposition, while the same violent theme then turns into the most beautiful, tender and surreal second thematic area. The middle section of Andante sostenuto and Quasi Adagio can be regarded as the development or the 3rd movement of a five-movement work, then to return to the Fugue in Allegro energico. The second thematic area then comes back in a different key. The piece finally ends with the return of the slow development section, contrary to Liszt’s traditional loud and explosive endings, the sonata shares the reflective and introspective atmosphere as if paying a tribute to Beethoven’s late period work or Schumann’s Op. 17.

For more information:https://executivepianoseries.com

Music Theatre Solo Cabarets – Night 1
2026-04-28 19:30 - 21:30
Cabarets created and presented by ASU Music Theatre Performance students!

Join us for an evening of entertaining songs and stories, cleverly woven together with a personal touch. Each member of the class develops, writes and performs their own 15-minute solo cabaret act with live piano accompaniment, designed to create an intimate musical experience built on the fundamental concepts of cabaret– being yourself on purpose and connecting with the audience.

Cash bar and refreshments are available during the event!

This production contains mature themes, adult language and is intended for mature audiences.

Ticket proceeds help fund the annual Music Theatre Showcase trip to New York City.

Music Theatre Solo Cabarets – Night 2
2026-04-29 19:30 - 21:30

Music Theatre Solo Cabarets – Night 3
2026-04-30 19:30 - 21:30

Comedy @ Kerr
2026-07-29 19:30 - 21:30
Get ready to laugh at our bimonthly comedy series, Comedy @ Kerr! Join us in the Kerr Studio in the heart of Scottsdale for stand-up comedy from rotating guests. This event is every other month on the last Wednesday.

THIS EVENT IS 18+, bar for 21+ with IDContent warning: There may be strong language and descriptions of adult situations.

Sari Beliak host and curatorInstagram @saribeliakSari Beliak is a writer, comedian and storyteller from Phoenix, Arizona. She is a former senior contributing writer to The Onion and has written for major comedy sites like The Hard Times, Reductress, ClickHole and National Lampoon. She was recently a guest writer on your favorite news quiz show “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” on NPR. She was a finalist for NBC’s Late Night Writers Workshop in 2020, which was an otherwise totally normal and chill year.

Mo Kitazumi Instagram @mokitazumiMo Kitazumi entered the comedy scene during a midlife crisis, pursuing stand-up comedy one open mic at a time. She is an elementary school librarian by day and a stand-up comedian by night. Her comedy draws on her experiences as a woman, family life and the misadventures that happen because she always says, “Yes! And…?” Follow her on Instagram for the latest information on upcoming shows.

Wolf BrownInstagram @gilariouswolfWolf Brown is a Native American stand-up comedian from the village of Bapchule on the Gila River Indian Community. His comedy blends one-liners, storytelling and roasts, and he regularly performs throughout Arizona, including at casinos.

Sharing the experiences of a “rezzy” Native navigating a modern world, his material resonates with a wide range of audiences. He recently gained viral attention on TikTok. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @gilariouswolf. His comedy album “Gilarious” (pronounced “hilarious”), was released in September 2024.

Ashley RoseInstagram @ashleyrosecomedyAshley Rose, a Los Angeles native now based in Phoenix, performs throughout the Valley at venues including Stand Up Live, The Improv, Mic Drop Mania and Stir Crazy Comedy Club. An empty nester and mom to three French bulldogs, she brings a sarcastic, deadpan perspective to a wide range of relatable topics. She is the winner of the 2023 Funniest Person With a Day Job comedy competition.

MAOSHO
2026-09-06 16:00 - 18:00
MAOSHO brings together two acclaimed Japanese musicians whose backgrounds span traditional and contemporary music. Jazz pianist and trumpeter Mao Sone joins shamisen performer and folk singer Sho Asano for a program that blends Japanese folk traditions with jazz improvisation.

The duo combines the sounds of Tsugaru shamisen, piano, trumpet and voice in performances that explore connections between Japanese music and jazz. Following a series of well-received concerts in New York City in 2025, MAOSHO continues to share a collaboration that bridges musical traditions while creating something new.

Performers

Mao Sone, piano and trumpet

Sho Asano, shamisen and voice

Program includes

Sakura Sakura Fantasy — Mao Sone

HAYASHI — Mao Sone

My Favorite Things — Richard Rodgers (arr. Sho Asano)

Yagibushi — Japanese folk song (arr. Mao Sone)

About Mao SoneMao Sone is a Japanese pianist, trumpeter and composer known for his work across jazz and contemporary music. A graduate of Berklee College of Music and the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, he performs internationally as both a pianist and trumpeter.

About Sho AsanoSho Asano is a Japanese shamisen performer, folk singer and composer. A former child prodigy and award-winning performer, he has appeared throughout Japan and abroad, bringing traditional Japanese music to audiences around the world.

Feng E
2026-09-23 19:30 - 21:30
Taiwanese ukulele player Feng E returns to the United States.

Following a showcase at the 2026 Folk Alliance International Conference in New Orleans, Feng E brings his live performance to ASU Kerr. The concert offers audiences an opportunity to experience the skill and creativity that have made him one of the most widely recognized young ukulele performers in the world.

He gained international recognition at a young age through appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Asia’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent, and has built an online audience of nearly 1 million YouTube subscribers.

Did you know?If you purchase tickets in person at the box office or by phone at 480-596-2660 during box office hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday) or during shows, you pay NO FEES. Save up to 12% off your tickets by avoiding online convenience fees.

Comedy @ Kerr
2026-09-30 19:30 - 21:30
Get ready to laugh at our bimonthly comedy series, Comedy @ Kerr! Join us in the Kerr Studio in the heart of Scottsdale for stand-up comedy from rotating guests. This event is every other month on the last Wednesday.

THIS EVENT IS 18+, bar for 21+ with IDContent warning: There may be strong language and descriptions of adult situations.

Sari Beliak host and curatorInstagram @saribeliakSari Beliak is a writer, comedian and storyteller from Phoenix, Arizona. She is a former senior contributing writer to The Onion and has written for major comedy sites like The Hard Times, Reductress, ClickHole and National Lampoon. She was recently a guest writer on your favorite news quiz show “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” on NPR. She was a finalist for NBC’s Late Night Writers Workshop in 2020, which was an otherwise totally normal and chill year.

Christine Tassan & Les Imposteures
2026-10-09 19:30 - 21:30
For nearly 20 years, Christine Tassan & Les Imposteures have brought their distinctive blend of Gypsy jazz, swing and reimagined songs to audiences in Canada and around the world. Led by guitarist Christine Tassan, the quartet combines traditional influences with original compositions and inventive arrangements that showcase the versatility and musicianship of all four performers.

With seven albums and more than 600 performances to their credit, the ensemble has appeared at festivals and venues across Canada, Europe, the United States and China. Their spirited live performances and fresh approach to Gypsy jazz have earned them an international following and a reputation as one of Québec’s leading ensembles in the genre.

We3
2026-10-10 14:30 - 16:30
Celebrate 10 years of We3 in a special anniversary concert featuring audience favorites, signature arrangements and a few new selections!

Since their debut in 2016, the jazz trio has built a loyal following with performances that showcase the musicians’ chemistry and collaborative approach.

Presented in the intimate setting of ASU Kerr, this matinee offers cabaret-style seating, with beverages and snacks available before the performance and during intermission.

Join We3 for “10 Years on 10-10” as the group marks a decade of making music together.

See Jane Run: An Indo Story
2026-10-18 14:00 - 16:00
See Jane Run: An Indo Story is a solo memoir performance exploring identity, family history and belonging. Written and performed by Dr. Jane Vogel Mantiri, the show is followed by a talkback with the artist.

Drawing from her family’s experience as Indo refugees who fled Indonesia after World War II, Mantiri traces a journey shaped by displacement, assimilation and the lasting effects of generational trauma. Through personal storytelling, she examines themes of love, loss, resilience and cultural identity while reflecting on efforts within the global Indo community to preserve its history and traditions.

Following her 2025 appearance, Mantiri returns with this deeply personal work, part of an ongoing tour that includes performances in Indonesia, the Netherlands and across the United States.

Co-presented by The Bridge Initiative and ASU Kerr. Co-directed by Andres Alcala and Jane Vogel Mantiri. Sound and projection design by Andres Alcala. Graphic design by Kaelan Strouse.

Content note: This play references violence, abuse and loss.

Michelle Nicolo Prentice in SONGBIRD: The Greatest Voice You've Never Heard
2026-11-07 19:30 - 21:30
Acclaimed musicians and husband-and-wife duo Michelle Nicolo Prentice and Mark Prentice invite audiences to experience SONGBIRD: The Greatest Voice You’ve Never Heard, starring Michelle Nicolo Prentice.

This live, cabaret-style show is an intimate journey through the songs, stories and moments that have shaped two careers and one partnership. Drawing on decades of experience performing with some of the world’s most recognized artists, the show combines music and conversation with humor and personal reflection.

Michelle Nicolo Prentice, known for her vocal range and expressive performances, has been praised as “the voice of an angel” and “a singer’s singer.” Her collaborations span genres and generations, including recordings with Rod Stewart, Dennis DeYoung, Bebe Winans and Wynonna Judd. She has performed with the Sarajevo Symphony in recognition of the Dayton Peace Accords and recorded “Somewhere” from “West Side Story” with the Nashville Symphony under Kenneth Schermerhorn. She also appears on the National Endowment for the Arts’ “Great American Voices” CD alongside artists including Enrico Caruso and Leontyne Price.

Mark Prentice is a Grammy-winning record producer, songwriter, music director and multi-instrumentalist. With a career rooted in Nashville, his credits include Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Olivia Newton-John, Earth, Wind & Fire, Vince Gill and Alison Krauss. His work has spanned multiple genres and decades.

Together, the husband-and-wife team explores the careers, collaborations and experiences that inspired the title, SONGBIRD: The Greatest Voice You’ve Never Heard, offering a glimpse into the lives of performers whose contributions have helped shape the music audiences know and enjoy.

An Afternoon of Magic
2026-11-08 15:00 - 17:00
co-presented with The Phoenix Magic Club

An Afternoon of Magic features members of the Phoenix Magic Club performing a variety of magical entertainment, including sleight-of-hand, mind-reading, visual illusions and comedy magic. Designed for audiences of all ages, the family-friendly show offers an afternoon of mystery, laughter and fun!

Whether you’re a fan of magic or looking for a unique outing with family and friends, An Afternoon of Magic invites audiences to experience the wonder and excitement of live performance by some of the Valley’s passionate magicians.

VIP tickets

VIP ticket holders can enjoy a special close-up magic performance beginning at 2 p.m.

The main event beings at 3 p.m. and showcases a range of magical styles and talents from local performers.
