Midori to Make Festival Debut

Once a sensation who astounded classical music audiences as an 11-year-old soloist with the New York Philharmonic, Midori is now one of the world's leading cultural ambassadors, involved in commissions, educational initiatives, and orchestra residency programs. Afer 24 years in the public, Midori is still at the top of her original profession - concert violinist. At the 2007 Oregon Bach Festival, she headlines an all-Mendelssohn orchestra concert July 3.

Jeffrey Kahane will conduct the program, which includes Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, the Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Reformation Symphony. Midori's appearance is underwritten by a generous grant from the Hult Endowment of the Oregon Community Foundation.

Midori made her historic debut at the age of 11 when she was introduced as a surprise guest artist by conductor Zubin Mehta at the New York Philharmonic's annual New Year's Eve concert in 1982. Since that night, she has established a record of achievement that sets her apart as a master musician, an innovator and a champion of the developmental potential of children.

In 1992 Midori founded Midori & Friends, a non-profit organization in New York, which brings music education programs to thousands of underprivileged children each year. Two other organizations, Music Sharing (based in Japan), and Partners in Performance (based in the US), also bring music into the lives of people who may not otherwise have involvement with the arts. Her commitment to community collaboration and engagement extends beyond these organizations to her work with young violinists in master classes all over the world, to her University Residencies Program, to her Orchestra Residencies Program, and to her faculty position as Jascha Heifetz Chair at USC's Thornton School of Music.

Midori has a glorious musical gift. Equally important is her generosity of spirit, which motivates her to reach out and give something back.

Find out more about Midori at her website, www.GoToMidori.com