David Glen Hatch

“Clearly, Hatch is one of the finest talents to appear on the international platform.”
--Edinburgh, Scotland, International Music Festival Critic

“It is inconceivable that 10 mere mortal fingers can create such a masterpiece of sound.”
--Kansas City, Missouri Review, The Kansas City Star

“Through his extraordinary virtuosity and powerful interpretations, David Glen Hatch certainly belongs on the international concert stage.”
--Qian Yipling, Professor, Shanghai Conservatory of Music

Four-time Grammy nominee, DAVID GLEN HATCH, is a distinguished international classical pianist, recording artist, master teacher, adjudicator, clinician, arranger, composer, and author who enjoys an active performance career on six continents. Uniquely, he was an invited guest artist to perform in Kiev with the Ukrainian National Symphony in a program honoring the 100-year anniversary of the birth of world-renowned pianist, Vladimir Horowitz. Among his 35 albums for the following labels: Sony/BMG-Europe (Poland), Critics Choice Records, Arizona University Recordings, and /Covenant are award-winning and commissioned recordings including Smitten with Britten, the only international recording of the complete published solo piano music of British composer Benjamin Britten; The World’s Greatest Piano Melodies, a recording with the famed Budapest Symphony Orchestra in Hungary; and Let Freedom Ring, a patriotic album of Hatch’s arrangements combined with orchestra, choir, and Army band, performed in the Arlington National Cemetery Amphitheater in a first anniversary concert for hundreds of family members of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Dr. Hatch is a frequent competition juror and clinician. His lectures and master classes at conservatories and music schools include the EPTA (European sponsored piano teachers association) World Piano Conference – Novi Sad, Serbia; New Zealand’s Specialist Performance School for the Gifted – Christchurch; Music Hall of Composers – Moscow; National Conservatory of Bulgaria’s annual International Music Festival – Sofia; Tasmania Conservatory of Music – Hobart; Bordeaux Conservatory of Music – France; Shanghai Conservatory of Music – China; Glinka Conservatory of Music – Ukraine; and the Santiago Conservatory of Music – Chile.

Additionally, Dr. Hatch has garnered numerous awards for his prodigious teaching including The Master Teaching Certificate from MTNA (Music Teacher’s National Association) 1994, named one of the Best Teacher’s in America in Who’s Who Among American Teachers, 1998, and is listed in International Who’s Who in Music, in both 2000 and the 2008 Honors Edition. Several of Dr. Hatch’s students have been recipients of top prizes in local, state, regional, national, and international piano and piano teams competitions, have performed with chamber and symphony orchestras, have performed in master classes of world-renowned artist/teachers, and have concertized internationally on many of his summer concert tours abroad. Likewise, various former students possess university teaching positions in piano or are currently pursuing concert careers at some of the most prestigious music schools and conservatories in the nation including: The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Indiana Jacobs School of Music, University of Michigan, and the Oberlin Conservatory.

Certain performances and interviews of Dr. Hatch have been aired on National Public Radio and affiliates of PBS television in the United States, TVE National television in Madrid, the BBC in the United Kingdom, Bulgarian National Classical Radio, and classical radio stations in Oslo, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, and Sydney.

David Glen Hatch has published six volumes of Inspirational, Patriotic and Christmas piano arrangements with Sonos and Jackman Music Corporations, is published in the nation’s Clavier magazine, and this year will release his first published LDS hymn arrangement book with Alfred Publications International. Additionally, in 2012, his book, Praiseworthy Music and Spiritual Moments: Discovering the Beauty and Passion in one of God’s Greatest Gifts to Man, was published by Cedar Fort, Inc. David has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation and Competitions.

For more information, go to davidglenhatch.com.

Lloyd D. Newell

Lloyd D. Newell has addressed audiences in 46 states and more than a dozen countries through his seminars and keynote speaking engagements. He has worked as a television news anchor and news magazine host in Pennsylvania and in Utah, as well as for CNN in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including his most recent, The Gospel of Second Chances.

Mr. Newell holds a master’s degree in communications and a PhD in Marriage, Family, and Human Development from Brigham Young University where he is a professor in Religious Education. For several years, he held the Moral Education Professorship in Religious Education and was an associated faculty member in the School of Family Life.

Since 1990, Mr. Newell has been the voice and writer for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s weekly inspirational broadcast Music and the Spoken Word. This historic broadcast-the longest continuous broadcast in the world-is heard and seen each week on more than two thousand television, radio, and cable stations by millions of people around the world.

Lloyd and his wife, Karmel, are the parents of four children.

For information on Music and the Spoken Word airings in your area, please call 1-800-247-6655 or visit www.musicandthespokenword.org.

Aspiring Musician Competition Winners

Ethan Sherman, viola

Ethan Sherman, 18, started playing the violin at age 8, and switched to viola at age 12. He is an alumni of the Gifted Music School Conservatory in Salt Lake City. He was the winner of the 2011 Utah Baroque Ensemble competition and won 2nd place in the Utah ASTA solo competition in 2012. Ethan has attended Interlochen Arts Camp (2013) and Meadowmount School of Music (2014) both on full Scholarships. While at Interlochen, Ethan was a member of the Advanced String Quartet program, and sat 2nd chair in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra. At Meadowmount, his quartet, coached by Clive Greensmith of the Tokyo String Quartet, was selected as one of the winners of the annual chamber music competition hosted there. Ethan has performed in master classes by Brad Otteson (Utah State), Roberto Diaz (Curtis Institute), and Heidi Castleman (Julliard). Past teachers are Peggy Haines, Lori Driggs, LeeAnn Morgan, and Patricia McCarty (Boston Conservatory). Ethan graduated from Timpview High School one year early. He is a freshman viola performance major at BYU where he studies with Claudine Bigelow. He is a member of the BYU Philharmonic and BYU Chamber Orchestras.

Joseph Buck, Piano

Joseph Buck (“Joey”), 16, began playing the piano at the age of 3. During his early years Joey often battled his mother as she tried to persuade him to practice the piano, but eventually something clicked, and now his mother encourages him to stop practicing in order to occasionally eat and sleep. Joey has successfully competed in numerous piano competitions and loves to perform. While traveling through Germany and Austria he visited the birthplace of many of his favorite composers and performed in different venues. Joey is currently studying with Dr. Irene Perry-Fox and is a former student of Dr. David Glen Hatch. He credits his growth and success to their gifted instruction.Joey is a sophomore at Spanish Fork High School and is a member of the soccer, track and cross country teams. He enjoys running, swimming, hiking, biking, and has earned his second degree black belt in karate. Joey is grateful for this opportunity to perform with the Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra.

Mischael Ann Staples, Harp

Mischael Ann Staples, 17, a junior at Timpview High School and principal harpist for Timpview’s Philharmonic Orchestra and Utah Valley Youth Philharmonic where she has performed as soloist on many occasions and recently won both orchestra’s concerto competitions. Mischael also won Oquirrh Mountain Symphony’s Concerto Competition twice and was awarded an Honorable Mention for her performance in the Utah Symphony’s Salute to Youth Competition. Mischael has consistently received the highest ratings, Superior Gold, and awards for being the highest scoring harpist in her divisions at the American Harp Society-Utah Chapter Festivals.Mischael is thrilled to play Baroque Flamenco, her favorite concerto, with TSO! It is even more fun since she will be playing with her mom and harp teacher, Julie Mitton-Staples, TSO’s orchestral harpist.

Mischael’s favorite other hobbies include singing, photography, baking, and spending time with her family and friends!

Amberlee Woodhouse, Piano

Amberlee Woodhouse, 15, has had a love of music and the performing arts since an early age. She began studying piano when she was four years old and began taking lessons from Dr. Irene Peery-Fox when she was nine.  Amberlee has soloed with the Utah Valley Symphony and American Fork Symphony. She was a finalist in the Utah State Fair Competition and played for Lobbyfest at Abravanel Hall.  Amberlee has had top finishes in the Encore Solo, Ensemble and Concerto piano competitions.  She was also a winner in the Salt Lake Piano Competition. Amberlee is a straight A student and is currently a sophomore at Williamsburg Academy. Amberlee also loves dance and musical theater.  Some of her favorite roles she has been able to play are Clara in “The Nutcracker”, Mary Poppins in “Mary Poppins” and Brigitta in “The Sound of Music”.  Amberlee doesn’t have much in the way of spare time, but when she does, she enjoys spending it reading, drawing and goofing off with friends, family and her pet cat Kyra.

Cooper Thorson, Piano

Cooper Thorson, 9, has always loved the piano.  From a very young age Cooper would create little pieces and beg to take lessons.  Cooper started piano at the age of 6.  After about a year of lessons, his teacher saw great potential and had him try out for Dr. Peery-Fox.  Cooper was ecstatic to be accepted into her studio at the age of 8 and has loved the past year and a half with her!Cooper placed third in the Salt Lake Piano Competition in 2014 playing Cat and Mouse by Aaron Copland.  He also made the finals, after being with Dr. Peery-Fox for only 6 weeks, in the Encore Keyboard Competition in 2013 playing Concerto in C by Joseph Haydn.

In Cooper’s spare time he loves being creative in writing his own piano music and stories. He hopes to publish a book someday. Cooper also loves to read, play soccer, ride his bike, get together with friends, and spend time with his family.

Faith Nixon, Piano

Faith Nixon, 12, is the daughter of Brian and Amanda Nixon of Orem and is a 7th grader at Canyon View Jr. High. At age 3, she showed a love for the piano and began with her mother as her teacher. Her first solo recital followed shortly at age 5 when she performed from memory all 18 pieces of the Suzuki Piano Book I. Two years later, Faith began her studies with Dr. Irene Peery-Fox. She was a soloist with the American Fork Symphony at age 9, performing a Mozart Concerto. She has also soloed with the Utah Valley Symphony on several occasions and will be performing with Oquirrh Mountain Symphony Orchestra, May 2nd, as the Jr. Division 1st Place Winner. Other awards include 1st Place in the Encore Keyboard Competition (Division I and II), 1st Place in the UMTA Concerto Competition, and 1st Place in the Salt Lake City Piano Competition (Baroque and Romantic Divisions). Most recently, she won Second Place in the American ProtégéInternational Piano and Strings Competition and, as a result, will perform in Carnegie Hall this July. Faith enjoys playing guitar, competes on a co-ed soccer team, and is a highly skilled dancer with 8 years of training at The Dance Club. She also enjoys riding her long board, running, and reading.

Janessa Gibson, Violin

Janessa Gibson, 11, began her study on the violin at age 4.  Coming from a musical family, Janessa knew by 18 months old that she wanted to play violin.  She began her studies with Diane Peterson and currently studies with Emily Ricks.  Janessa has received numerous superior ratings for Violin Solo’s in the Utah Valley String Festival and the Federation of Music Clubs Festivals.  One of her most memorable musical experiences was the opportunity to play for President Thomas S. Monson of the LDS church, with her sisters.  Janessa is in the sixth grade and is a straight-A student.  She also plays piano and is a competitive dancer.  Janessa is the 4th of 5 children, she has 3 older sisters and one younger brother.  Janessa enjoys being with her family and LOVES traveling to anything Disney.

Rachel Aina Call, Violin

Rachel Aina Call, 13, is a full scholarship student at the Gifted Music School. She began playing violin at age 5 with Vitaly Leykin in California. She currently studies with BYU Professor Monte Belknap. In 2014, Rachel was the first place winner for the International American Protégé Competition and will be playing at Carnegie Hall on March 28, 2015. Rachel also won the American Fork Symphony Youth Competition, and was selected to participate in the Utah Symphony’s Youth Guild Recital and Oquirrh Mountain Symphony's 2014 Concerto Competition. Rachel was also a finalist for Utah Symphony's Salute to Youth competition in 2013. In 2012, Rachel won the Utah Valley Symphony Young Artist Competition. Rachel enjoyed an opportunity to perform in several recitals and master classes at the Sulzbach-Rosenberg International Music Festival held in Germany for 2 weeks in 2011.Rachel loves soccer, and enjoyed singing with the One Voice Children's Choir during the 2010 to 2012 seasons. She currently is a seventh grader at Centennial Middle School, and is fluent in Japanese.

Carmen Hall, Piano

Carmen Hall inspires her piano students with her love of great music.   She earned her Masters Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Brigham Young University where she studied with Dr. Paul Pollei, founder of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition.  She currently teaches in American Fork, Utah. Her students have earned many awards and scholarships.She founded Young Pianists International in 1996 with the goal of sharing cultural experiences and performance opportunities with other music students throughout the world.  The group has travelled to China (1996, 1997), Japan (1997, 2014), Mexico (1998) and Oregon (2002, 2009).

Carmen has previously performed with the BYU Philharmonic and Oregon Green Symphony.  She is also active as a chamber musician, currently playing with a piano quartet.

Carmen and her husband Bruce have 3 boys ages 22, 20 and 16. Their boys collectively have learned more than a half a dozen instruments including the piano, organ, accordion, banjo, guitar, ukulele and harmonica (not to mention the nose flute).  In addition to time spent in musical pursuits, Carmen recently ran her 4th marathon and qualified to run the Boston Marathon in 2016.

Jonathan Wright, Conducting

Jonathan Wright (“Jonny”), 14, currently attends Lehi Jr. High. He plays the piano and cello and recently participated in the regional solo and ensemble festival in cello. He has also achieved superior ratings and has been invited to play in AIM Honors recitals in piano. His interest in conducting and music stem from his father’s and grandfather’s love of classical music and conducting. Jonathan’s interests also include hiking, fly-fishing, science, camping, reading, hunting and tennis.