David Michael Wolff pianist ~ conductor
zen and the art of music
David Michael Wolff: Conductor, Pianist, Educator, Presenter, Author. One of the most versatile musicians of his generation, Maestro Wolff is rapidly transforming the Sandhills region of NC into the arts capital of the state as well as an international arts destination. As Principal Conductor of the Carolina Philharmonic, he’s leading them into an exciting 4th Season. As Artistic Director of Pinehurst Performing Arts Center, the 2011/12 season will see a plethora of concerts, from Classical to Pops, Jazz to Pop, Contemporary Christian to Bluegrass. But the organization at the core of his heart and ambitions is Conservatory International, which promises to become a National Music Conservatory over the next 20 years, expanding to 1,000 branches nationwide. The home base for all three organizations is Pinehurst, NC, where Wolff resides with his family.
Excerpts from Wolff’s book, Zen and the Art of Piano, can be read here. Visit www.carolinaphil.org for the most-updated information on David Michael Wolff’s concerts and activities.
Fayetteville Observer: “Conductor and Musical Director David Michael Wolff coaxes a terrific performance of a difficult score [Porgy and Bess] by the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra."
Santa Barbara News-Press: “Wolff's performance of Rachmaninoff's Third Concerto was electrifying, heart stopping. With soaring lines pealing away layers of underlying passion the scene became intensely personal..... nearly impossible to watch, spellbinding. The audience went into an uproar and those that were there are still talking about it."
Seattle Times: “A highly impressive performance . . . he could have a first-rank career. It's going to be fascinating to watch his progress."
Quotidiano della Sera (Barletta, Italy): “A musician and a virtuoso. As if the piano were an extension of his own body." [Click here to read the full review from 4-21-2004 in Italian with an English translation]
Interested in reading feature stories about David when he was 12 and 18?
Lake Stevens Journal, April 6, 1988 (Lake Stevens, WA, where David grew up.)
Arts Education breaking news: On Sept. 23, 2011, Carolina Philharmonic announced a $3,000 matching grant to "Kids+Music", a local music education program that brings innovative education programs into schools. Kids + Music has already succeeded in more than matching the grant and the programs are now again underway in schools. Click here to view video about the program on youtube.