Santa Monica Symphony Guest Soloists
Javier González, piano
Born in Puerto Padre, Las Tunas, Cuba on March 1, 1977, Javier Gonzalez, began his music studies at the age of 7 in Havana, Cuba. He won Grand Prize and First Prize at the 5th editions of the "Amadeo Roldan" National Piano Competitions and special mentions for Best Interpretation of the Latin American and Cuban music, and won second prize at the "Ernesto Lecuona International Piano Competition. Javier was awarded the first prize in the best interpretation of Cuban music at the UNEAC '99 Interpretation Competition, and third prize at the "Ignacio Cervantes" International Piano Competition, Nov. 2000 in Havana, Cuba. He has performed internationally in Colombia, Mexico, Jamaica, Barbados, Italy, and Venezuela. Javier arrived in the US on July 15, 2002, and lives in Atherton, Ca. where he attends the Master Program at the SF Conservatory and studies piano with Mack McCray. He has recently recorded his first CD, which includes various Universal, Cuban and Latin works.
Joseph Meyer, Horn
Joseph Meyer received his Bachelor of Music degree from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh in 1970. He has studied with Howard Hillyer, Forest Stanley, and Verne Reynolds. Mr Meyer taught elementary school for six years in Pennsylvania before moving to New York City to pursue a career in performing. This led to a series of national tours that brought him to Los Angeles where he eventually settled. A free-lance musician, he has played with the Joffrey Ballet, the Los Angeles Opera, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, California Brass Ensemble, Westwood Wind Quintet, Shubert Theater Productions, Long Beach Symphony, the Civic Light Opera and others. He has taught at Pepperdine University; California State University, Long Beach; and , UC Santa Barbara. He plays also in the studios for film, television, records, and radio. His studio work included: Star Trek the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Dr. Quinn, Rod Stuart: Unplugged and the Emmy Awards. More are Newsies, Out of Africa, Of Mice and Men, Under Siege, Batman, Scent of a Woman, and Hoffa. Mr. Meyer's recording credits include: The King and I, and The Gershwins in Hollywood. He has also played for recording sessions with entertainers Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra, Nelson Riddle, Prince, and Madonna.
Roger Wilkie, violin
Roger Wilkie's violin playing has been described as having "surpassing virtuosity, a thrilling legato tone and a sense of full emotional engagement" by the Los Angeles Times. Concertmaster of the Long Beach Symphony, Mr. Wilkie has also held that position with the Los Angeles Music Center Opera and the Round Top Festival Orchestra of Texas. Roger Wilkie has appeared as soloist with many orchestras, including the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony, Carmel Bach Festival Orchestra and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. He has given solo recitals for the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival, Los Angeles County Museum of Art/KUSC-FM broadcasts, Swiss National Radio, and National Public Radio's "Performance Today." Mr. Wilkie's chamber music performances have included the Santa Fe, La Jolla and Mainly Mozart Music Festivals, and Camerata Pacifica of which he is the principal violinist. As a founding member of the Angeles String Quartet (1987-93) he toured throughout North America including New York's 92nd Street "Y" and recorded an interactive CD/video disc for the Voyager Company.
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