Beach CITE Studios, Inc. proudly presents a live performance by The Stardust Duo in

our state-of-the-art Listening Room on Feb. 26 7 p.m. and Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.

Doors open 30 minutes prior to the shows. This highly trained violin and piano pair is certain to satisfy the casual listener as well as the enthusiast.

"We're looking forward to exposing up-and-coming music students in our area to

Jonathan and Amanda, currently doctoral students at The University of Alabama," Said

Jim Coughlin, Executive Director.

Amanda and Jonathan Roberts founded their group, The Stardust Duo, in 2008. The duo

is named after the jazz tune "Stardust," which was made famous by the French jazz

violinist Stephane Grapelli.

As the name implies, the pair not only performs standard classical repertoire, but they also explore works of alternative styles in an effort to engage a broader audience.

The duo released their first CD, The Stardust Duo: Debussy, Poulenc, and Franck Sonatas for Violin and Piano, in the summer of 2009.

Amanda and Jonathan met in 2006 while pursuing their Masters Degrees at the Cleveland Institute of Music and were married in the summer of 2009. They enjoy a lifelong passion for sharing music with others through performing and teaching. Amanda and Jonathan are currently pursuing their Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at the University of Alabama on full scholarship. They are set to graduate

in 2012.

Amanda Smith Roberts, of Brandon, Miss., holds both her Bachelor of Music and

Master of Music degrees in violin performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music,

where she studied under renowned pedagogue Paul Kantor. Three years prior to

attending CIM, Amanda and her mother made frequent trips to Nashville where she studied with Connie Heard, professor of violin at Vanderbilt University.

From 1994-2001, Amanda studied with Patrick Rafferty, professor of violin at the

University of Alabama. During the summers, Amanda enjoyed studying with Stephen

Clapp while attending the Meadowmount festival and the Hochschule fur Musik in

Leipzig, Germany.

Amanda has performed solos with professional orchestras such as the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Corinth Symphony, the Sewanee Festival Orchestra, the Tuscaloosa Symphony, and the Shoals Symphony. In 2001, she appeared on the International radio show From the Top. She has also competed as a finalist in many national competitions, including both the high school and college division of the Music Teachers National Association and the National Federation of Music Clubs Young

Artist Awards.

Having studied violin since the age of 3, Amanda has a lifetime of experience playing a variety of musical styles. In her formative years, Amanda's mentor, Mickey Davis, incorporated alternative styles into her training. In fact, she made her debut as a featured soloist with the Mississippi Symphony at age 9, performing the Orange Blossom Special.

Now, Amanda balances her love for Classical music with avidness for Jazz, Blues, Celtic, and Fiddle styles.

Twice, she was awarded the Mississippi State Fiddling Championship. In her spare time she enjoys

performing as a fiddler and participating in recording projects with various popular

artists.

Jonathan Roberts, of Providence, R.I., holds his Bachelor of Arts degree in piano performance and Bachelor of Music degree in music education from the University of New Hampshire, as well as his Masters degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music in piano performance.

He has studied with Irina Tchantceva, Arlene Kies, Kathryn Brown, and Noel Engebretson. Having studied piano since the age of 7,Jonathan has performed in venues throughout the Eastern United States. He has been a featured soloist with the Ocean State Chamber Orchestra and the University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony. Also, Jonathan has competed as a semi-finalist in the Music Teachers National Association Piano Competition and as a finalist in the Cleveland Institute of Music Concerto Competition. Recently, Mr. Roberts was invited to participate in the 59th annual Wideman National Piano Competition in 2009. For more information about The Stardust Duo, visit their website at http://thestardustduo.com.

For reservations to see these expert performers in this one-of-a kind venue, call Beach CITE Studios at 251-981-1989. Donation for admission accepted at the door.  Beach CITE Studios, Inc., is a non-profit organization, 501 (c)3, providing a "Community Interactive Teaching Experience" in order to enrich the lives of residents and guests along the Gulf Coast. If you would like additional information about events, classes, volunteering, or becoming a member, please visit the website

at www.beachcitestudios.org or call 251-981-1989.