Discover Music at Lakeside with BGSU

Join members of the Doctoral Music Program at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) for a special concert along the waterfront at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Steele Memorial Bandstand.

The program features works by both classical and contemporary composers, including Bach, Britten, Summer and more. The ensemble includes Keri Lee Pierson (vocals), Garrett Evans (saxophone), Shannon Lotti (flute), Anthony Marchese (cello) and Rachel Constantino (horn).

Admission to the concert is free, and donations are graciously accepted to support BGSU’s doctoral students. In the case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in Orchestra Hall.

Keri Lee Pierson is a classically trained soprano and contemporary musician, currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at BGSU where she collaborates regularly with her community. Pierson has been an Adjunct Instructor at Flagler College, a K-6 music teacher, staff musician at Memorial Presbyterian Church, and the Assistant Director of the St. Augustine Youth Chorus. She holds a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina, and a bachelor’s degree from UCF. Planning interesting and audience involved events is Pierson’s primary focus. For 2021-22, she was awarded two grants from the Florida Department of State for her voice and guitar duo, Deux Saisons. Pierson has performed at many venues and festivals in the U.S. and Europe, as well as concerts and events she has curated.

Garrett Evans is a current student at BGSU working towards his Doctor of Musical Arts in Contemporary Music Performance. As a musician, Evans has performed both domestically and internationally. In 2015, he traveled to Strasbourg, France and gave performances with the Lawrence University Saxophone Quartet as part of their presentation, titled Silent Sound. Domestically, Evans has performed in a wide variety of locations, such as warming shelters, public schools, country clubs, parks and malls. In addition to his experience as a chamber musician and performer, Evans has also spent a couple years teaching in public schools of Northern Wisconsin. Evans has taught middle and high school choir and band, as well as K-6 general music and strings. His primary instructors in saxophone have been Matthew Arau, Jesse Dochnahl, Steven Jordheim, Sara Kind, Sumner Truax, Carrie Koffman and John Sampen.

Shannon Lotti is a first year Doctorate of Musical Arts student at BGSU studying under Dr. Terri Sánchez. She is currently an active flute teacher as well as a solo and orchestral performer. Lotti is a prize-winner of several competitions, including first prize of the 2021 MTNA Nebraska Woodwind Competition, Great Composers of the 20th Century Competition, Maverick Flute Soloist Competition, and more. She received her master’s degree from University of Nebraska Lincoln and bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

For more than 10 years, Anthony Marchese has worked to hone his craft as a professional cellist, teacher and musical collaborator. During his time in the field, he has performed as a featured soloist with the Eastern Michigan University Symphony Orchestra, placed first in the Barry Manilow Concerto Competition, and recorded two full-length albums in collaboration with folk singer/songwriter Joanna Sterling. Marchese enjoys exploring all genres of music with an emphasis on folk and world music. He is currently a second-year doctoral student at BGSU in the studio of Dr. Brian Snow and works as Adjunct Professor of Cello at Bluffton University. Upcoming projects include the release of new recordings from his various ensembles Duo Comum, Quarteto Raro and PACEM.

Rachel Constantino is a Doctorate of Musical Arts student at BGSU. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music and her master’s degree from University of California, Los Angeles. In addition to horn performance, her interests lie in analogue and digital synthesis and integrating electronics into both her playing and composition.