Capoeira Angola is a Brazilian art form of dance, music and rhythm focused on the balance between the fight and the dance.  Capoeira originates from African ancient oral traditions using a form known as “rodas” (ritual circles.) Cabello Rolim and Tisza Coelho, Co-Artistic Directors, preserve this unique cultural art form by acting not only as dancers but also as musicians.  They will be in residence at Denison for the Fall 2008 semester as World Dance guest faculty.

The internationally heralded Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, hailed by the New York Times as "first-rate in every way," is a 25-musician ensemble comprised of alumni winners of the prestigious Sphinx Competition for emerging pre-professional African-American and Latino musicians. The Orchestra will be joined by the Harlem Quartet, an ensemble comprised of first place laureates of the Sphinx Competition.

www.sphinxmusic.org

www.harlemquartet.org

Brooklyn Rider has come together to form a string quartet that involves creative programming and exciting collaborations to illuminate music in new ways and invite audiences into a greater shared dialogue. The ensemble features Johnny Gandelsman, violin; Colin Jacobsen, violin; Nicholas Cords, viola, and Eric Jacobsen, cello, No strangers to Denison, Johnny, Colin and Nick appeared here with Yo-Yo Ma on last year’s Vail Series and return by popular demand this season in conjunction with the Denison University New Music Festival “TUTTI.”

www.brooklynrider.com

Renée Fleming's luminous sound, brilliant stage presence and superb artistry are just a few of the qualities that make her one of the world's most beloved and recognizable figures. Her freshness and purity of tone, together with an exceptional musical intelligence and grace, continue to enchant audiences worldwide. As a passionate champion of creativity in the arts, she continues to be a proponent of new music and an advocate of overlooked masterpieces.

www.renee-fleming.com

About Vail Series: The Vail Series has become a Denison University tradition. For the past 30 years students and the Denison community have benefited from the opportunity to experience, up close and free of charge, the performances of many of the world’s best-known musicians. The Vail Series is made possible through the vision and generosity of the Vail family, whose remarkable endowment continues to provide intimate access to extraordinary artistic events.

Read more About Vail Series here.