The East End Arts Council Presents World Class Music for Evening of Thanks

Greenport, NY (October 29, 2007)—The East End Arts Council is thrilled to announce that Serenade will be playing for their Evening of Thanks at Brecknock Hall in Greenport on Nov. 3, 2007.  Serenade, the incomparable duo of Michelle LaPorte (flute) and Gerry Saulter (guitar) has played throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Europe, and has performed many times to sold out audiences at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall and Merkin Concert Hall in New York City.

Serenade’s brand of unique contemporary classical music will provide the crowning touch to the ambience of this exciting event, which runs from 4-6:30 pm. Tickets are 60/pp. and can be purchased in advance by calling the EEAC at 727-0900, or at the door on the evening of the event.

Full biographies are listed below.  For more information, please call 727-0900.

Michelle LaPorte, Flutist

Michelle LaPorte is an acclaimed flutist and founding member of the multi award winning flute and guitar ensemble, Serenade. With guitarist Gerry Saulter, Ms. LaPorte has concertized throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Europe. Serenade has performed many times to sold out audiences at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall and Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. In addition to concerts featuring Serenade, Ms. LaPorte has performed in numerous solo concerts, chamber music recitals, musical theatre productions and orchestras. She has also appeared on television in concert performance at the Staller Center in NY and on News 12 Long Island. Ms. LaPorte is proud to perform as a Miyazawa Artist, endorsed and playing exclusively on Miyazawa flutes.

Michelle LaPorte is the Professor of Flute and Coordinator of Woodwind Studies at Five Towns College, New York. In addition, she maintains an esteemed private teaching studio and is an adjunct flute instructor for Suffolk County Community College on Long Island. For her commitment to higher education Ms. LaPorte is to be honored in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2004, 2005 & 2006. She most recently had the privilege of conducting a flute master class for college students at the American Church in Paris, France.

Ms. LaPorte is currently a member of the National Flute Association, NY Flute Club, Suffolk County Music Educators Association and has served as a board member of the Long Island Flute Club.

Michelle LaPorte earned a Master of Arts Degree in Music from Long Island University and has a B.A. in Music Performance from SUNY Stony Brook. Her flute performance studies have been with Samuel Baron. She has also attended master classes with Jean-Pierre Rampal, Jeanne Baxtresser, Michel Debost and Keith Underwood.

Gerry Saulter, Guitarist

Gerry Saulter is an established solo guitarist and founding member of the multi award winning flute and guitar ensemble, Serenade. With flutist Michelle LaPorte, Mr. Saulter has concertized throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Europe. Serenade has performed many times to sold out audiences at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall and Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. In addition to concerts featuring Serenade, Mr. Saulter has performed in numerous solo concerts, chamber music recitals and musical theatre productions. Mr. Saulter is proud to perform as a guitarist endorsed by Aranjuez Strings and performs on guitars crafted by Dieter Hopf and Jose Ramirez.

Gerry Saulter is on the faculty of Five Towns College, New York as an Associate Professor of Classical Guitar Studies, Music History, Ear Training and serves as the Director of Private Instruction for the Music Division. He also sustains an active private teaching studio. As a result of his dedication to higher learning, Mr. Saulter was recently inducted into the teachers National Honor Society, Phi Sigma Eta.

Mr. Saulter is currently a member of the Guitar Foundation of America and has been published in the organization’s magazine, Soundboard. In addition, he is a contributing writer for 20th Century Guitar Magazine with a monthly column entitled The Classical Corner.

Gerry Saulter holds a Masters Degree in Performance from Five Towns College, as well as a B.A. in Music Performance from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and an Associates Degree from Nassau College. He has studied classical guitar with Jerry Willard and William Zito. He has also attended master classes with Carlos Barbossa-Lima, David Starobin and Nikita Koshkin.

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Laura Helms
Communications Coordinator
East End Arts Council
133 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
631.727.0900