Vashon Chamber Music Series features women musicians

A few tickets are still available for two November Chamber concerts, Friday and Saturday, Nov 18 and 19, 7:30 pm, at the Blue Heron.

Islander and Series Co-Artistic Director Rowena Hammill, will play cello. Guest musicians include violinist Victoria Parker, Pianist Cristina Valdes and violist Heather Bentley. Composer Alex Shapiro will be hand to talk about her piece at Friday’s performance.

The all-women ensemble will start with a violin/viola duo by Martinu, add cello to play Mozart’s divine Divertimento for string trio and finish by adding the piano for Schumann’s Eb piano quartet, known as one of the most beautiful slow movements ever written.

Parker performs with Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera. Known for her diverse range of styles, she may be heard on many albums and film soundtracks. Her love for collaboration and interest in interdisciplinary arts helped launch Gossamer, Parker Duo and Helix Series. Parker holds degrees from Western Michigan University and Manhattan School of Music.

Valdes has performed in Lincoln Center, Carnegie Recital Hall, Nordstrom Hall and the Kennedy Center. Valdes toured with Bang on a Can "All Stars" and performed with Seattle Chamber Players, Mabou Mines Theater Company, Parsons Dance Company and others. Festival appearances include Singapore Arts Festival and Brisbane Arts Festival. She currently teaches piano at Cornish College of the Arts.

Bentley, current faculty member of Seattle’s Northwest School, holds advanced degrees in Viola and Chamber Music from San Francisco Conservatory of Music. A fellow and principal violist at Tanglewood Festival she was also Associate Principal of New York String Orchestra. Bentley has performed solo with Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, Northwest Sinfoniettaa and San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra. Regional performances include Seattle Chamber Players and Olympic Music Festival.

Tickets are $18/$21, available at Blue Heron, Heron’s Nest,Vashon Bookshop and at brownpapertickets.com. Call 463.5131 to reserve by phone.