Kicking off the performance is the Piano Ensemble Concert, directed by Naoki Hakutani. The concert promises an evening of refined piano performance, highlighting the artistry and dedication of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 piano students. The event begins April 20 at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the event page or contact Naoki Hakutani at nxhakutani@ualr.edu.

Just three nights later, on April 23, the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Jazz Ensemble takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. for a 90-minute concert under the direction of Michael Underwood. Jazz enthusiasts can look forward to an energetic evening of live jazz performance from one of the university鈥檚 most dynamic student ensembles. For more information, visit the event page or contact Michael Underwood at mpunderwood@ualr.edu.

Rounding out the lineup is the Spring Percussion Concert, directed by Justin Bunting. The concert takes place on April 25 at 4:00 p.m. This year鈥檚 concert is set to be a standout event featuring two exciting guest artist appearances: Lamon Lawhorn, a percussionist from Virginia State University, and the Blue Line Duo, the dynamic husband-and-wife percussion duo of Justin and Cassie Bunting. The addition of these guest artists promises to make this an especially memorable concert. For more information, visit the event page or contact Justin Bunting at jbunting@ualr.edu.

All three concerts will be held in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 premier performance venue. The 320-seat hall has a rich history tied to Little Rock philanthropist and Arkansas Symphony Orchestra founder Stella Boyle Smith and has recently undergone enhancements, including upgraded audio and visual systems, making it an ideal setting for these performances.

All concerts are free and open to the public. Come out and support the talented musicians of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock this April.

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Graham participated in the Atlantic Music Festival at Colby College, which took place in Waterville, Maine, from June 26 to Aug. 8. The brings promising young musicians from all over the world together to perform music, learn from established masters, and harness their full artistic potential in a supportive and idyllic setting.

鈥淲hen I saw the acceptance letter, it was exhilarating,鈥� Graham recalls. 鈥淚 applied to multiple festivals. This was the most prestigious, and I didn鈥檛 think I would be accepted. The whole experience was definitely exciting.鈥�

The festival, which began at Colby College in 2009, brings together student musicians and professionals to play dozens of concerts around campus and in the community. The concert series is broken up into five divisions: chamber music, full orchestra, composition, conducting, and opera. Graham participated in the chamber division, performing with a piano trio.

While there were about 150 students attending the festival, Graham was one of only about 10 piano students. He got the opportunity to study with a dozen professors from institutions like the Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory of Music, and the Eastman School of Music.

鈥淚t鈥檚 quite a competitive program, and the professors there are world renowned,鈥� Graham said. 鈥淚t was definitely an inspiring, memorable experience. I also made friends from all over the country and the world, including France, Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, China, and Japan.鈥�

Graham has been studying piano for the past eight years, most recently with Dr. Naoki Hakutani at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, but freely admits it wasn鈥檛 his idea.

鈥淢y grandmother made me take piano lessons,鈥� Graham said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to at all. Almost immediately, I enjoyed the lessons, and I was told I was gifted. I kept going and now I鈥檓 where I am now.鈥�

Graham will graduate from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2025. Afterwards, he wants to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in piano performance, hopefully with one of the professors he met during the Atlantic Music Festival.

鈥淢y favorite part of the program was the friends I made, the professors I met, and the inspiration and insights that I received during my private lessons,鈥� Graham said. 鈥淚 made connections with amazing professors from all over the country and the world. I would like to study with some of these professors in the future.鈥�

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糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock is hosting a variety of summer camps in writing, engineering, coding, cybersecurity, athletics, as well as the ever-popular Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY) for gifted and talented students.

Check out our comprehensive list of summer camps below to find the right fit for your family!

Young Writers Camp

Dates: July 24-28, 8 a.m. to noon. Grades 3-5
Cost: $150
Contact: Greg Graham, gxgraham@ualr.edu

Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY)

Dates: July 10-21
Time: 12:30-5:30 p.m. Monday 鈥� Friday
Cost: $325

Arkansas GenCyber Strength Training Program

Dates: June 19-22, June 26-29, 8:30 a.m. 鈥� 12:30 p.m.
Grades: 7-12
Cost: Free thanks to a grant from National Security Agency

MT Stage: Expressions

Dates: June 26-30
Grades: 7-9
Cost: Free thanks to a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education

Theater Makers Workshop

Dates: June 12-16
Ages: 9-13
Cost: $275

Piano Ensemble Workshop

Dates: June 12-16, June 19-23
Ages: 9-13
Cost: $275

Engineering Scholars Program

Dates: June 11-17
For: Current 8th-11th graders interested in engineering.
Cost: Free
Applications are due April 30.

Transportation Engineering Institute

Dates: June 11-23
For: Current 8th-11th graders who are Arkansas residents and have at least a 2.5 GPA
Cost: Free
Applications are due April 30.

Windstream Girls CODE

Dates: July 16-21
For: Current 7th & 8th graders (males and females)
Cost: Free
Applications are due April 30.

Dates: July 31- Aug. 4
For: Rising 7-12th Graders
Cost: $125

Trojan Athletics Summer Camps

July 12-15, Grades: 7-12.
Camp costs $285 for commuters and $385 for those who stay on campus.

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