Press Releases 2008

CONTACT:  Jana Marcus, Marketing & Communications
(831) 479-5744
jamarcus [at] cabrillo.edu

January 18, 2008

Cabrillo's Distinguished Artists Series Presents Renowned Piano/Violin Prodigies
Ian and Caitlin Wood Perform in Concert, Saturday February 2 at 8 PM, Cabrillo College Erica Schilling Forum

Aptos, CA--The Cabrillo College Distinguished Artist series is proud to present Ian and Caitlin Wood in concert. The award-winning brother and sister team will perform enchanting violin and piano music on February 2 at the Cabrillo Erica Schilling Forum at 8 PM.

Fifteen-year old Ian Wood is the recipient of many awards and scholarships in both Canadian and U.S. piano competitions. At the 2001 Canadian Music National Competition in Quebec, Ian, then nine years old, took first prizewinner in the piano competition and second place in the violin competition. That same year, Ian became the youngest winner in two major concerto competitions and performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

In June 2001, Ian made his debut at the Orpheum Theatre, performing the D Minor Piano Concerto by J.S. Bach with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Bramwell Tovey.  Since then, Ian has become a frequent piano soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony Orchestra, and the B.C. Chamber Orchestra. On January 29, 2006, Ian was the featured piano soloist in a live Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) national broadcast concert with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the Orpheum Theatre celebrating Mozart’s 250th birthday with a sold out crowd of 2,800.

Ian had the tremendous opportunity to perform for the late Mstislav Rostropovich during the renowned cellist's 75th birthday tour in Vancouver. Upon hearing Ian, Rostropovich declared Ian "a great pianist" and that he was "so glad to have a chance to hear him."

Ian's Thirteen-year old sister, Caitlin Wood, began studying the piano and violin at age four.  She first came to national attention when she won first place in both the violin and piano disciplines in her age category at the 2001 National Canadian Music Competition in Quebec City.  Since then, she has been the major prizewinner of many Canadian festivals including the Coquitlam District Music Festival, the Clef Society of Burnaby Scholarship Competition, Gifted Youth Scholarship Competition, Music Man Competition and the Kiwanis Music Festival.

In 2003, Caitlin, at age eight, made her first debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performing J.S. Bach's Double Violin Concerto with her brother Ian, under the baton of Maestro Bramwell Tovey. In 2005 she was invited by the Maestro to perform with the orchestra's Lalo's Symphonie Espagnol. She has also performed in piano and violin recitals for the Vancouver Chopin Society, the Burnaby Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Vocal and Performing Arts Society, BC Children Hospital, and the Morningside Music Bridge in Calgary.

Ian and Caitlin are piano students of Professor Lee Kum-Sing at the Vancouver Academy of Music.  Caitlin also studies violin with Taras Gabora.  They have performed throughout Canada, the U.S, and in Shanghai, China.

For their Cabrillo concert, the duo will play works by Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt and other favorite encores for piano and violin.

What: Piano and Violin Duo Ian and Caitlin Wood in Concert 

When: Saturday February 2 at 8PM

Where: Erica Schilling Forum, Room 450, Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA

Price: $20 general, $16 seniors, $14 students

Tickets: 479-6331 or www.ticketguys.com

Information: www.distinguishedartists.org

About Cabrillo College
Cabrillo Collegeis a leading California community college serving Santa Cruz County with locations in Aptos, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. It is ranked #1 in transfers to UC Santa Cruz. Founded in 1959, the college offers over 100 academic and career technology programs that serve multiple educational goals such as A.A. and A.S. degrees, certificates of proficiency, skills certificates, transfer to 4-year institutions or for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. Our mission is to enhance the intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality of our diverse community by assisting all students in their quest for lifelong learning and success in an ever-changing world.

###