Thursday, January 3, 12:05 – 1:00 PM

Landmark Center, Courtroom 317
651–292–3267

Erin Ripka, violin
Joseph Ripka, piano

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Sonata no. 1 in G Major, op. 78 for violin and piano
I. Vivace ma non troppo
II. Adagio
III. Allegro molto moderato
  
Erik Nordahl, piano

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Allegro con brio from Sonata Op.2 No.3

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Nocturne Op.9 No.1 in Bb minor

Frédéric Chopin
Etude Op.10 No.5

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Rondo Alla Turca

Erin Ripka is pursuing a master of music degree in violin performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studies with Stephen Rose. She did her undergraduate studies at the Kunst Universitat in Graz, Austria with Yair Kless, and the University of Minnesota with Sally O Reilly. She is originally from St. Cloud, MN. She was a second place winner in the Schubert Club Scholarship auditions in high-school strings in 2002 and was a finalist in the collegate division in 2007.   

Joseph Ripka is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma in organ performance at Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he studies with James David Christie.  He holds bacherlors degrees in piano and organ performance from St. Cloud State University where he studied with Charles Echols and Carmen Wilhite and master of music degrees in piano and organ performance from the University of Kansas where he studied with James Higdon and Jack Winerock.  Joseph has been a finalist in a number of international organ competitions including competitions in Erfurt, Germany, Prague, and Nijmegen, Netherlands.   In 2004 he won first place in the Minnesota Music Teachers Association College Young Artist Piano competition.   During the 2006-07 academic year, Joseph was adjunct instructor of piano at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University in Collegeville, MN.

Erik Nordahl is13 years old and in 8th grade at Valley View Middle School in Edina. He started learning piano since he was 6 years old and is currently studying with Tania Spector. Besides piano he is taking the challenge at the University of MN Math Program for Talented Youth, enjoys playing tennis and managing his tennis business. For piano he has won awards in the Midwest Young Artist Concerto Competition, MN State Fair Talent Contest, MMTA’s Young Artist Competition, Thursday Musical Scholarship Competition, Schubert Club Scholarship Competition and MTNA”s Junior Piano Competition,. He has played in many recitals including the Schubert Club Court Concert at age 9 and 10, the Mozart Mania with SPCO and MN Opera, the Family Concert with SPCO, he has also played with the MN Orchestra twice in the MN Idol competition.  Finally Erik loves life in all aspects, but computer games, hanging out with friends and simply just relaxing watching comedy shows are among his favorites. He always feels life is great!