Meet violinist Melissa White & pianist Pallavi Mahidhara ahead of their February 23 performance
Violinist Melissa White and pianist Pallavi Mahidhara perform at Loeb Playhouse on February 23, 2024, bringing their incredible talent and musicianship to Purdue.
Melissa White, a highly praised American violinist, is the 2023-2024 Joyce C. Willis Artist in Residence with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, where she engages in a multifaceted role including performances, solo recitals, panel discussions, and working with string students. Known for her expressive and lyrical playing, White has experienced a swift ascent as a soloist, alongside her Grammy-winning Harlem Quartet.
Harlem Quartet advances diversity in classical music while engaging new audiences with varied repertoire that includes works by minority composers. Their mission to share their passion with a wider audience has taken them around the world; from a 2009 performance at The White House for President Obama and First Lady, Michelle Obama, to a highly successful tour of South Africa in 2012, and numerous venues in between. One of their most recent accomplishments includes winning the 2024 Grammy for Best Classical Compendium.
In the current season, White has orchestral engagements, debuts with various symphony orchestras, and recording plans with the National Philharmonic. Her notable solo recital debuts at Carnegie Hall and the Phillips Collection in 2023 are complemented by ongoing recitals with pianist Pallavi Mahidhara. A dedicated chamber musician, she collaborates with renowned ensembles like the Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective and the DUBHE Ensemble, showcasing her versatility and commitment to artistic engagement.
Indian-American pianist Pallavi Mahidhara, with an orchestral debut at the age of 10 at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, has achieved notable acclaim as the Second Prize and Young Audience Award winner at the 69th Geneva International Piano Competition and the VI International Prokofiev Competition in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Having performed on five continents, including prestigious festivals like Gstaad Menuhin Festival and Verbier Festival, Pallavi’s live recital recording from October 2021 at the Klavier-Festival Ruhr in Essen is available on Spotify.
Alongside her successful career, she serves as the Executive Producer, Writer, and Host of “The Conscious Artist,” a podcast advocating for Mental Health Awareness among performing artists. Pallavi, a graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music and Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler, studied under Dimitri Bashkirov at the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía. As the first female Indian pianist at these institutions and the creator of a mental health podcast in Western classical music, she passionately embraces her role as a cultural ambassador, artist, and mentor, regularly offering masterclasses and workshops at universities and summer programs.
The Conscious Artist Podcast
Together, these two remarkable musicians promise an unforgettable evening of classical and contemporary musical brilliance. The fusion of Melissa White’s emotive and captivating violin melodies with Pallavi Mahidhara’s virtuosic piano skills creates a synergy that transcends genres and captivates audiences worldwide.
Friday, February 23
8:00PM
Loeb Playhouse
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