WTC presents double-double duo Bridge & Wolak

The Whitefish Theatre Company is delighted to present Bridge & Wolak, an innovative, globe-trotting music duo who will challenge everything you know about classical music. A family-friendly concert not to miss, Bridge & Wolak will perform their “imaginative musical mastery” on Friday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Each member of Bridge & Wolak is a 'double threat' on two instruments: Michael Bridge plays accordion and piano while Kornel Wolak plays clarinet and piano. Together, they have become an internationally acclaimed music and comedy duo, integrating traditional acoustic instruments with modern digital technology and performing their own uniquely re-imagined repertoire of classical, world and jazz fusion. With deft virtuosity and endless wit, Bridge & Wolak have been called “the best of new, young ‘classical’ musicians…bringing their own style of intellect, expertise, and talent to a 21st century audience.” With seven degrees in music between them, these classically trained musicians promise to bring inventive flair and exceptional entertainment to the stage.

Bridge, lauded as “a wizard of the accordion,” is internationally renowned for his warm stage personality, stereotype-smashing versatility, and blazing virtuosity. Bridge made his solo orchestral debut with the Boston Pops at age 17 and now gives over 100 concerts per year in Asia, Europe, and North America. Equally adept performing with orchestras, playing an energetic outdoor festival, or giving a TED Talk, Bridge is a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta’s Emerging Artist Medal, and winner of the University of Toronto Concerto Competition, the Canadian Digital Accordion Championships, and the Calgary Stampede Talent Search. He is pursuing doctoral studies in accordion performance at the University of Toronto.

Wolak, highly praised for his glorious tone, precise technical control and musical imagination, is a versatile and dynamic clarinet soloist, teacher, and clinician. Born in Poland, Wolak now teaches clarinet as a faculty member at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Wolak is the winner of the Debut Atlantic Tour, Prairie Debut Tour, British Columbia Touring, Allied Concerts Tour (USA), the Royal Conservatory Concerto Competition, and the Presser Music Award. He continues to expand the clarinet repertoire by commissioning new pieces and regularly appears in recitals as a chamber musician and as a soloist with American and European orchestras. A “Fryderyk” nominee (Poland’s highest recording award), he is a regular fixture on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Public Radio International, and National Public Radio.

Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students with reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased at the O’Shaughnessy Center Box Office, 1 Central Ave., Whitefish, or by calling 862-5371. Box office hours are from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before a performance. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org. This show is sponsored by Rebecca and Ched Lyman. An outreach concert for local students is sponsored by Lonnie Porro.