Renowned violist Amadi Azikiwe set to perform in Tallahassee
Special to the Outlook
Amadi Azikiwe will perform with Javacya Elite Chamber Orchestra and pianist Joanna Sobkowska on Jan. 19, beginning at 7:30 pm at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral.
The event, which is part of the Arts-in-the-Heart Series, will also feature African American cellist, Derek Mechan.
The evening will also include the debut performance of the overture from the new opera, Saturday’s Sorrow, by DeSean Stokes.
Azikiwe will perform with the Javacya Elite Chamber Orchestra. The evening music of Florence Price, Stokes, Sant-George, Beethoven, and Mozart.
A native of New York City, Azikiwe enjoys a global, versatile career and reputation; known for his stunning solo and recital performances, chamber music collaborations and community engagement events. He is also renowned as a violinist and conductor.
Azikiwe’s performances have included recitals at venues in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, New York City, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. He’s also performed at the United States Supreme Court.
He has performed internationally and has also been a guest artist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, both in New York City and at the Kennedy Center.
Azikiwe has won prizes and awards from the New York Philharmonic, Concert Artists Guild, North Carolina Symphony, the National Society of Arts and Letters, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America where he maintains a strong artistic and mentoring association.
Azikiwe is an Artist-in-Residence for the 2024 season of Javacya Arts Conservatory. Menchan, is also a 2023-2024 Artist-in-Residence for Javacya. Last season Menchan performed The Beethoven Triple with Javacya Elite Chamber Orchestra, violinist Kinga Augustn and pianist Joanna Sobkowska-Parsons.
Stokes, originally from St. Robert, MO, is a performer, composer, and administrator in the Tallahassee area. Currently Stokes is pursuing a Master of Arts specializing in arts administration at Florida State University. Stokes holds a bachelor’s degree in voice performance from Central Methodist University and a master’s degree in voice performance from University of Wisconsin (Madison).
