Pianist Einav Yarden is praised for her “imagination and exceptionally vivid playing…sense of immense majesty, tempered by gentleness and quiet grace” (The Washington Post) and “glistening rapture…ingenious humor” (Tagesspiegel, Germany). She has been regularly presented in recital at important venues around the world and as soloist with orchestras in Berlin, Israel, Germany, Romania, Canada, and the United States, under conductors such as Sir Neville Marriner, Leon Botstein, Steven Sloane, Frédéric Chaslin, Mendi Rodan, among others. Among her competition awards are top prizes at the International Beethoven Piano Competition in Bonn, the Minnesota International Piano-e-Competition, and others.
The Connoisseurs Series is made possible by the annual support of the Mr. and Mrs. James Simrall, Jr. Arts Endowment. The Connoisseurs Series is a premiere event series representing each applied area (Brass, Jazz, Piano, Voice, and Woodwinds) with annual guest artist performances. These renowned performers augment the training our students regularly receive by the world-class faculty housed within the School of Music and add to the rich musical offerings presented annually to the Hattiesburg and regional community.