Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce
02/07/2025 | Press release | Archived content
New West Symphony continues its 30th Anniversary Season with “Carmina & Carnival” on March 1 & 2
About Vieness Piano Duo
Hailed as performers with "impeccable synchronized timing" and "staggering technical prowess combined with emotional depth," Vieness Piano Duo has enthralled audiences in their electric and captivating performances of a wide range of repertoire. Vijay Venkatesh and Eva Schaumkell together performed more than 50 recitals last season, as well as a three-week tour of the Midwest and concerts in Germany. In addition to their performing activities, the husband and wife team regularly teach masterclasses and are featured guest artists on Silver Sea and Cunard Cruise Lines. vienesspianoduo.com
About Celena Shafer
Soprano Celena Shafer has garnered acclaim for her silvery voice, fearlessly committed acting and phenomenal technique. She spends much of her time on the concert stage and has appeared with orchestras in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Los Angeles, with leading conductors such as Christoph von Dohnanyi, Bernard Labadie, Robert Spano, Sir Donald Runnicles, Michael Tilson Thomas, David Robertson and Sir Andrew Davis. newwestsymphony.org/celena-shafer-biography
About Arnold Livingston Geis
In the 2024-25 season, tenor Arnold Livingston Geis returns to the role of Josef Bader in Zigman's Emigré with Beijing Music Festival, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and Hong Kong Philharmonic. He also joins Opera Carolina for Rodolfo in La bohéme , Cincinnati Opera for Motel in Fiddler on the Roof , and San Francisco Symphony for Carmina Burana . Last season, he sang performances of Carmina Burana with the Phoenix Symphony and Erie Symphony. arnoldlivingstongeis.com
About David Adam Moore
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer lauds baritone David Adam Moore for his "enviable swagger coupled with a subtle musicality and big, handsome voice." In the 2024-25 season, he joins REDCAT and LA Opera for the West Coast premiere of Kouyoumdjian's Adoration and San Francisco Opera for its production of Dead Man Walking . Last season, he reprised his acclaimed performances of David T.
Little's monodrama, Soldier Songs , with Chicago Opera Theater, and returned to the Metropolitan Opera for its production of Dead Man Walking . davidadammoore.com
About New West Symphony Chorus
The New West Symphony Chorus is a group of dedicated skilled volunteer members who make performances of choral works for New West Symphony possible. The chorus members go through a competitive audition, rehearse and perform throughout the season. The NWS Chorus has been led by Chorus Director Dr. Wyant Morton since 2023. newwestsymphony.org/new-west-symphony-chorus-wyant-morton
About Los Robles Children's Choir
The mission of Los Robles Children's Choir is to strive for excellence in choral singing by awakening and encouraging the artistry in each child. This exploration of the children's artistic essence takes place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement. The performances give the singers an opportunity to share their musical achievements and artistic sensitivities with an audience under artistic direction of Emma Roche. singingchildren.org
About State Street Ballet
State Street Ballet is a renowned international dance company based in Santa Barbara, California. Established in 1994 by Founding Director Rodney Gustafson, the company embodies artistic excellence, drawing exceptional dancers from around the globe to create captivating performances that push the boundaries of traditional ballet. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Megan Philipp and Executive Director Cecily MacDougall, State Street Ballet has become a hub for dance on the Central Coast, providing a home for 20 international artists, a professional trainee program, plus annual summer intensive and educational outreach initiatives. statestreetballet.com
About Jim Meskimen
As a professional actor for 30+ years, Jim Meskimen has appeared in the films Apollo 13, The Grinch, Frost/Nixon, The Punisher, Not Forgotten, There Will Be Blood and many others. Some of his TV credits include Friends, Whose Line is it, Anyway? and Fresh Prince of Bel Air. From 2016-24, Jim provided the voice of iconic Colonel Harland Sanders for the KFC brand on radio, web and television ads.
jimmeskimen.com
About Music Director Michael Christie
Named New West Symphony's Artistic and Music Director in December 2018, GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor Michael Christie is a thoughtfully innovative conductor, equally at home in the symphonic and opera worlds, who is focused on making the audience experience at his performances entertaining, enlightening and enriching. Deeply committed to bringing new works to life, he has championed commissions by leading and emerging composers. michaelchristieonline.com
About New West Symphony
Founded in 1995 and celebrating its 30 th Anniversary season in 2025, the New West Symphony (NWS) is a professional orchestra that draws players from the rich talent pool of professional LA-area musicians. NWS is a resident company of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks and also performs at the Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center in Camarillo. The organization presents six Masterpiece Series concerts annually, performing major works from the symphonic repertoire with internationally-acclaimed guest artists. NWS also provides education and engagement opportunities for the communities it serves through Symphonic Adventures for youth and the Laby Harmony Project for underserved students. newwestsymphony.org