Cellist Ronald Leonard Click on image to download print-quality version

GRANTHAM, Pa. (July 20, 2006) — International performers Ronald Leonard, cellist, and Ya-Ting Chang, pianist, will present a recital on Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Poorman Recital Hall in Climenhaga Fine Arts Center on Messiah College’s Grantham campus.  The program will include cello sonatas by Grieg and Debussy, “Ricordanza” by George Rochberg and two movements from the “Organ Concerto in C Minor” by Handel. The recital is part of the Chamber Music in Grantham summer workshop hosted by Messiah College. A donation of $20 is suggested; proceeds will benefit Chamber Music in Grantham, a week-long, intensive program for professionally-oriented, advanced students of violin, viola, cello, piano and composition.

About Ronald Leonard

Famed cellist Ronald Leonard is a well-known soloist, chamber musician and teacher.  Leonard is the former principle cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, founding member and former president of the Los Angeles Violoncello Society, inductee into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame, and recipient of the “Chevalier du Violoncelle,” an award from the Eva Janzer Memorial Cello Center celebrating Leonard’s lifelong achievements in teaching and cello playing.  Currently, Leonard is the Gregor Piatigorsky Professor of Cello at the Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California. He is also on the faculty of the Colburn School in Los Angeles and conducts the Colburn Chamber Orchestra.  Leonard plays a cello made in early 1700 which is said to the only cello crafted by the master Pietrus Guanerius.

About Ya-Ting Chang

Ya-Ting Chang, pianist for the Mendelssohn Piano Trio and artist-in-residence at Messiah College, is reputed for her extraordinary musicality and depth.  A graduate of the Peabody Institute of John Hopkins University, Chang has toured and performed extensively, including with the Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra, Tung Hsin Choral Society, and now with the Mendelssohn Piano Trio.  Recent performances in Washington, D.C. were touted by the “Washington Post” as “impressive” and “eloquent.”

About Messiah College

Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls more than 2,900 undergraduate students in 50 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia