Gershwin Greats

Kevin Chance is Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Alabama and principal keyboard of the Tuscaloosa Symphony, with orchestral credits including Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Beethoven’s Fourth Concerto, and Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Rhapsody. He’s performed as half of the Semplice Duo with flutist Cristina Ballatori for 25 years, releasing Night Surrendering to Dawn in 2025, and currently serves as President of the Music Teachers National Association. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the Steinway & Sons Music Teacher Hall of Fame in 2019 and holds degrees from Eastman, LSU, and Birmingham-Southern College.

The Tuskegee University “Golden Voices” Concert Choir (GVCC) was founded in 1886 by Booker T. Washington to lead vesper services and other campus events. In addition to weekly Chapel services, it now serves as an ambassadorial organization to promote the rich heritage and legacy of Tuskegee University through choral music. The GVCC gained notariety with invitations to sing at notable venues such as Radio City Music Hall, The White House, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Constitution Hall, and it has made radio and television appearances on ABC, CBS and NBC. The GVCC was invited to sing with Grammy Award Winning singer/songwriter John Legend and Common in celebration of the release of the movie Selma. The much sought-after Choir continues its performance tours throughout the country. The Choir is under the direction of Dr. Wayne Anthony Barr and accompanied by Dr. Yi Chang.

Theatre Tuscaloosa began in 1971 as the Tuscaloosa Community Players and has grown into one of the largest community theatres in Alabama. Now based at the Bean-Brown Theatre in partnership with Shelton State Community College, it brings live theatre, workshops, and classroom instruction to audiences across West Alabama.