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Author's Name

Jade Simmons

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832-247-6647

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www.jademedia.org

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February 7, 2009

Contact: Jade Simmons
832-247-6647
jade@jademedia.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RISING STAR PIANIST JADE SIMMONS
PLAYS CANBY, OR

Houston, TX Known for her electrifying stage presence and her "uncanny ability to connect classical music with the sounds of today", pianist Jade Simmons' star is on the rise (Seattle Times). After successful debuts in NY, Chicago, Ravinia and Seattle to name a few, the fast emerging artist is embarking on the off-the-beaten-path leg of her tour after just finishing up a small town tour of Texas. Her next stop is the Richard R. Brown Fine Arts Center, Tuesday, Feb. 10th at 7:30pm in Canby, OR.. A former Miss Illinois and first-runner up at Miss America 2000, Simmons is at ease on big stages but relishes the opportunity to make a more tangible impact in smaller communities. The fine arts center is located at 721 SW 4th Ave., Canby, OR. For more information on the concert please call Jim Farmer, 503-873-5589.

2009 is an exciting year for the multifaceted artist who also writes, produces a concert series for other emerging artists, performs in a trio and designs her own concert wear. March 24th, 2009 is the release of her debut CD on the E1 Music label (formerly KOCH International Classics label). An eclectic collection of Contemporary and Modern American music, The Rhythm Project: Revolutionary Rhythm is a compilation that displays Jade's affinity for highly rhythmic repertoire. The CD is poised to break boundaries in the classical music industry and cross mainstream lines. She will perform selections from her CD at her concert.

A noted revolutionary herself, Simmons is known for her creativity in programming and her commitment to broadening the boundaries of classical music. As a part of her concert in Canby she will turn to the audience to help decide part of her program that features traditional and modern classical music. She also includes an “Ask the Artist” segment where audience members can ask questions about Simmons specifically or the life of a concert artist in general. This concert is youth-friendly. Jade welcomes the opportunity to meet the audience after her performance.

Simmons can be reached for additional comment at 832-247-6647 or via email at jade@jademedia.org.

For more info please visit: www.jademedia.org
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TIP SHEET

1. Known for her versatility and charisma both on and off the stage, pianist Jade Simmons is a performer for the 21st Century. In 2006, she was chosen as Concert Artist Guild’s inaugural New Music/New Places Fellow where she has the opportunity to create innovative projects and present them in a variety of venues.

2. Ms. Simmons is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. As an undergraduate at Northwestern University, she co-founded the immensely popular percussion and dance ensemble Boomshaka!

3. She was Miss Illinois and first runner up at the 2000 Miss America Pageant where she performed Chopin’s Etude in c-sharp minor, Op. 10, No. 4, before a live television audience of millions.

4. Ms. Simmons holds a Master’s degree from Rice University, where she studied with Jon Kimura Parker as a Provost Fellow.

5. Ms. Simmons is passionate about the role of the arts in education and created Mozart on the Move, a program that was used with great success in the Houston public school system. In spring 2007, she continued her educational activities under the auspices of the Van Cliburn Foundation’s “Musical Awakenings” series, visiting 20 schools throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area in a program entitled Virtuosity.

6. Additional highlights of past seasons include appearances at Ravinia’s Rising Stars Series and the Chamber Music Society of Little Rock, residencies with the Cliburn Foundation, Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute (NY) and Oakwood College (AL), as well as a concerto engagement at Chicago’s Symphony Hall with the Chicago Sinfonietta performing Tania León’s Kabiosile. Other recent engagements include her debut with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra performing the Corigliano Piano Concerto under the baton of Leslie Dunner and recitals at Symphony Space and Aaron Davis Hall.