Erik Andersen is a graduate of the Aaron Copland School of Music at the City University of New York where he completed studies in modern cello under the direction of Marcy Rosen and additional studies in historical performance with Lisa Terry. Today, he is equally at home on both the modern and baroque cello as well as viola da gamba and enjoys engaging with students in various modes of music-making. He knows first-hand the impact accessible music programs can have on our children’s lives, as he was dependent on outreach programs like Borough-Wide Orchestra, All-City Orchestra, and the InterSchool Orchestras of New York at a time when music lost funding and was removed from the public school curriculum. In addition to providing for his musical education, such programs also paved the way for him to grow into the teacher he is today, when at age 16 he was invited to participate in a teaching internship program through the InterSchool Orchestras of New York. Erik has since continued to serve the community as both a performer and educator, through outreach programs, benefit concerts, and by serving as a music teacher and coach for students ranging in age from 4 to 64 years old. He strives to honor the unique musical journey of each of his students while instilling in them a deep respect for their peers and community. As a current MA of Teaching candidate at the University of San Francisco, he is committed to facilitate the learning of all students and to promoting harmony and good-will in this world through teaching and music-making.
In demand as a conductor and historical keyboardist, Derek Tam performs regularly in the Bay Area and elsewhere. Praised for his “deft” conducting (San Francisco Chronicle ), Tam appears frequently with choral and orchestral ensembles. Recent engagements include collaborations with Ars Minerva, Bay Pointe Ballet and Oakland Ballet. A specialist on historical keyboards, Tam has been lauded as “a master of [the harpsichord]” (San Francisco Classical Voice). Recent concerto appearances include performances with Elevate Ensemble and the Modesto Symphony. In addition to performing as a soloist, Tam is a founding member and the harpsichordist of MUSA, a San Francisco-based Baroque ensemble. He has also served as principal keyboardist for the symphonies of Merced, Modesto, Napa Valley, Santa Rosa, and Santa Cruz. Tam currently serves as the Director of Music at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, one of the major performances venues for classical music in the East Bay. He also is the Artistic Director of the Star Valley Children’s Choir (SVCC) and is the Music Director of the Berkeley Community Chorus Chamber Singers. He has served on the faculty of the NAPA Music Festival and the San Francisco Early Music Society Recorder Workshop, and has been on staff at the American Bach Soloists Festival & Academy. He currently chairs the Youth Advisory Board of Early Music America.
Welcome to our 2020 season of NOON CONCERTS! Our 2020 season runs from January thru June 2020 and features some of the most outstanding musicians from throughout the Bay Area and beyond. These classical concerts are free to the public and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you need ADA accommodations or have a group that wishes to attend please contact Barb at Barb@142ThrockmortonTheatre.org to make arrangements. The concerts are popular and do fill up so it is a good idea to plan ahead.
ABOUT NOON CONCERTS We have opened our doors for the past 7 + years and presented our Noon Concerts Series free of charge to the public. We bring in talented musicians, offering listeners the opportunity to discover the beauty of music in an intimate, accessible setting. Concerts are in a one-hour format and located in one of our street front settings where both audience and musicians can sit in vibrant, close proximity. Musicians often stay after the performance to informally speak about the program and their upcoming concerts.
NOON CONCERTS CURATOR We have had the good fortune to have Beni Shinohara as our Noon Concerts Curator over the last 4 years. She is a highly respected Bay Area musician who is in demand for her talent and dedication. She has made our Noon Concerts one of the areas sought after engagements for many performers.
SUPPORT Noon Concerts relies on the support of our community. Are you interested in helping us continue to provide high quality Noon Concerts as well as offer free and open access to our entire public? If so, we have many sponsor or donor opportunities available. Please contact Barb at Barb@142ThrockmortonTheatre.org
PERFORMERS If you are interested in being considered for one of our concert dates please contact Beni Shinohara at beni@142throckmortontheatre.org and include the information below. We do pay a small stipend to our performers.
- Bio or performance resume for each participating musician
- Summary of the proposed program (50-60 minutes in length)
- Contact Information (Name/Address/Telephone/Email)
- Requested time period/dates
ABOUT BENI SHINOHARA A native of Nagoya, Japan, violinist Beni Shinohara studied at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, where she earned a Master of Music degree. She also studied extensively in Europe with Sandor Vegh before coming to the United States. Beni has been the Assistant Principal Second violin for the San Francisco Opera Orchestra since 1988 and Assistant Concertmaster in the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra since 1990. She has appeared as a soloist with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony and the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, the Houston Ballet Orchestra, and the Cabrillo Music Festival Orchestra. Over the years, she has premiered numerous twentieth-century Japanese composers’ works, participating in the “Music Today” Concert Series under the direction of Toru Takemitsu. She also performs with many with Bay Area chamber ensembles such as the Marin Chamber Players, Gold Coast Chamber Players, and the Edgewood Trio. She currently lives in Mill Valley with her husband Katsuto and their Flat-Coated Retriever, Myla.
