Beethoven

Alexandra Carlson has performed solo and chamber piano works throughout Europe, Russia, and the U.S.A. She is celebrated for her “transcendent precision” and her “soulful playing” in the European press. She won prizes at the London International Piano Competition (England), the Valentino Bucci International Competition (Italy), the Maria Yudina International Piano Competition (Russia), and the Hopes, Talents, Master Competition (Bulgaria). She earned her Master of Piano Performance, and Doctorate of Musical Arts, cum laude, from the St. Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory.

Dr. Carlson has performed with the Naples Philharmonic, the Southwest Florida Symphony, and the 5^th Avenue Chamber Orchestra. As a devoted chamber musician, she has performed with members of the Jasper String Quartet, the Amneret String Quartet, and with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Metropolitan opera. She teaches piano performance and chamber music at Ave Maria University.

The Naples Big Band

The Naples Big Band entertains the public with dynamic performances in styles spanning the swing era to the modern day, while also nurturing the musical development of local youths.
Packed with professional players, the band is directed by renowned trumpeter and flugelhornist, James Castaldi. His devotion and understanding of the music have resulted in growing audiences and an expansion of the number of shows and venues the band performs at.
The Naples Big Band has always supported music education in local schools with substantial monetary aid. Over the past five years, the band has worked to cultivate relationships with music directors in Collier and Lee County schools, donating new instruments to students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to develop the interest they’ve shown.