Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. Under Mr. Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural exports, touring more than 60 countries across the globe, the Company now ranks as one of the top ten African-American dance companies in the United States.
The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine has long been one of the most distinguished European orchestras, achieving worldwide recognition through its many international tours which include Australia, the US, Europe and Asia.
Innovative Italian choreographer Emilliano Pellisari creates a jaw-dropping spectacle of dance inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy Divine Comedy for NoGravity. Playing with perspective, reflection, and distortion, Pellisari’s surrealist vision boggles the mind and eye as the audience slowly descends into the Inferno.
The renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra returns with soloist Isata Kanneh-Mason, who made her Kansas City recital debut in 2022 with the Series. Kanneh-Mason plays Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 and the orchestra closes the program with Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.
Following the roaring success of his Beatles tribute Pepperland, Mark Morris teams up again with musical collaborator Ethan Iverson for The Look of Love, a wistful and heartfelt homage to the chart-topping songs of Burt Bacharach. A towering figure of popular music, Bacharach was known for his soaring melodies and unique orchestrations influenced by jazz, rock, and Brazilian music — his longtime lyricist Hal David providing unsentimental, poignant lyrics.
Musical America’s 2019 Conductor of the Year Carlos Miguel Prieto makes a triumphant return to Kansas City stages with pianist Gabriela Montero and the Minería Symphony Orchestra of Mexico this season. Widely regarded as a leading ensemble and musical institution in Mexico, the Minería Symphony Orchestra of Mexico remains at the musical forefront through eclectic programming, collaborations with renowned soloists and composers, and staunch advocacy of community and educational development.
