Cascade Songfest presents a recital by acclaimed vocalist Louise Toppin (University of Michigan) and pianist John O'Brien.
Biographies
Louise Toppin
Louise Toppin has received critical acclaim for her operatic, orchestral, oratorio and recital performances world-wide. Represented by Joanne Rile Management, she toured “Gershwin on Broadway” with pianist Leon Bates. She has recorded more than ninteen commercial CDs including on Albany Records Ah love, but a day, La Saison des fleurs and Dear Friends and Gentle Hears with Darryl Taylor released February 7, 2025. Since 2021 she has published 13 scores with Classical Vocal Reprints, Carl Fischer and Hal Leonard (soon for release) including An Anthology of Undine Moore Songs, An Anthology of African and African Diaspora Songs, Songs of Harry Burleigh, Songs of Adolphus Hailstork, and Rediscovering Margaret Bonds. Toppin previously served as the Distinguished University Professor of Music and Chair of the Department of Music at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She is currently University Distinguished Professor of Diversity and Social Transformation and Professor of Music (Voice), at The University of Michigan.
John O'Brien
John O’Brien was born into a musical family and studied piano with his father through high school. He began his undergraduate studies as a double major in violin and piano performance studying violin with Robert Gerle and piano with William Masselos. He continued his college piano studies with John Perry completing the BM and MM in piano performance at the University of Southern California. In 1989 O’Brien was awarded the DMA in accompanying from the University of Southern California studying with Gwendolyn Koldofsy and Jean Barr.
He served on the faculty of East Carolina University from 1985-2022. During his tenure at ECU he served as Chairperson of Vocal Studies for 15 years, Chairperson of Keyboard Studies for 5 years, Music Director of the ECU Opera Theatre for 10 years and for 22 years he was the Professor of Accompanying. O’Brien has collaborated with such artists as Metropolitan Opera stars Hilda Harris and Victoria Livengood, violinist Eliot Chapo, tenor Bill Brown, flautist Carol Wincenc and clarinetist Deborah Chodacki. He has performed in New York’s Merkin Recital Hall, and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. As harpsichordist he performed regularly with Clarino Consort and Baroque dance soloist Paige Whitley-Bauguess and he has performed recitals with soprano Julianne Baird, baroque violinist Julie Andrijeski and has been a regular keyboardist with Atlanta Baroque. He is a founding member of the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra with which he regularly performs on keyboard, violin/viola and baroque flute. He was a featured artist at the Magnolia Baroque Festival in Winston-Salem NC and he has performed at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival with Chatham Baroque.
Festival Background
The second annual Cascade Song Festival, a weekend devoted to the study and performance of song, is a true synthesis of performance and scholarship organized by faculty from the University of Washington and University of Oregon.
Highlights include a recital and master class by the internationally acclaimed soprano Louise Toppin (University of Michigan), with pianist John O’Brien, and a keynote presentation by music theorist Matt BaileyShea (University of Rochester, Eastman School of Music).
The brainchild of musicologist Stephen Rumph (UW), music theorist Stephen Rodgers (U of O), and voice faculty Carrie Shaw (UW) and Camille Ortiz (U of O), the festival opens on Thursday, Jan. 15 at the UW Intellectual House with a Live Music Jukebox, and continues throughout the weekend with paper presentations, sessions, and performances.
View a full schedule of events and details of additional sessions
Festival Highlights
Thursday, Jan. 15: Festival Opening Event: Live Music Jukebox
Intellectual House 4:45 pm Free (RSVP required)*
*RSVP at cascadesongfestival@gmail.com
Friday Jan. 16: Master Class: Louise Toppin and John O’Brien
Brechemin Auditorium 4 pm FREE
Friday, Jan. 16: Keynote Address: Matthew BaileyShea
Brechemin Auditorium 7:30 pm. FREE
Saturday, Jan. 17: Recital: Louise Toppin and John O’Brien
Brechemin Auditorium 7:30 pm. FREE
*RSVP required for the Jan. 18 performance at the Intellectual House. RSVP at cascadesongfestival@gmail.com.