World renowned pianist and Steinway Artist to perform free concert on June 22

The Wilcox Foundation will present Steinway Artist Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva in concert on Sunday, June 22 at 2 p.m. at Millry Baptist Church. The event is free to the public.

“In honor of Mother’s birthday, we are excited to bring a world-renowned pianist to Washington County to provide an afternoon concert filled with music from around the world,” said Susan Turner, president of the Wilcox Foundation.

Born in Kazakhstan, Onalbayeva began her musical training at the age of five. She attended the Jubanov Special School for talented children and the Kurmangazy National Conservatory of Music in Kazakhstan where she studied piano and composition, gave recitals, and was involved in both piano and composition festivals and competitions all over the world. She continued her performances as a recitalist, chamber musician, composer, and as an orchestral soloist. She earned two Master of Music degrees at the University of New Orleans and then received her doctorate at Louisiana State University. Over her career, she has given over 60 solo concerts and has participated in over 200 concerts as an accompanist and chamber soloist. 

Onalbayeva is on the faculties of the University of Mobile and Pensacola State College where she teaches piano and composition.

Onalbayeva, an Artist-in-Residence at the University of Mobile, was named a Steinway Artist in April 2013. The first Steinway Artist selected from her home country of Kazakhstan, Onalbayeva joined a distinguished international roster of Steinway Artists including Billy Joel, Harry Connick Jr. and past music greats such as Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

She is also co-director and pianist of the chamber ensemble The Gulf Coast Virtuosi. In July 2011, she released a solo CD titled, Muzik…Menim Wuomerym... (Music…My Soul…) which consists of live performances in both Kazakhstan and the U.S.

For more information about the concert or other events sponsored by the Foundation, contact Alicia Atcheson, executive director of the Wilcox Foundation and Gallery at 401-1827 or wilcoxgallery@gmail.com