Junior high and high school cellists from throughout the state will have an opportunity to participate in master classes and a concert at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point�s Cello Day 2004 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31.

The event in the Fine Arts Center will begin with registration from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and end with a Gala Final Concert in Michelsen Hall at 4:30 p.m. The performance is open to the public without charge.

Matt Turner, one of the world�s leading improvising cellists, will serve as guest clinician. The event will be hosted by cellist Lawrence Leviton, UWSP professor of music.

Turner graduated from the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in 1989, and went on to receive his master of music degree in third stream studies at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he was the recipient of a Distinction in Performance Award.

Strings magazine says, "Turner dazzles with his own improvisational excursions and displays his expansive cello vocabulary." JazzIz magazine describes his cello playing as "rich-toned and inventive." Also a highly accomplished pianist, Turner performs everything from jazz standards and twentieth century new music to alternative rock and improvised avant-garde.

His performances are featured on 40 recordings released by Meniscus, Stellar, O.O. Discs, Asian Improv, Rastascan, Geode, Cadence, Music and Arts, Accurate, Penumbra, Tautology and other labels. Turner continues to be active as a teacher and clinician as well, presenting numerous improvisation clinics and residencies to college and precollege string students, and also to string teachers, each year. He is a Yamaha performing artist.

Leviton, an artist and teacher of cello, also holds the position of Suzuki specialist at the American Suzuki Talent Education Center. He received his doctorate in cello performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, his bachelor�s degree from the University of Minnesota and his master's degree in performance from Northwestern University. He also holds a degree in psychology from the University of Illinois.

Originally from Chicago, Leviton has been active as a clinician and performer throughout the country. He has been a frequent performer on Wisconsin Public Radio. He has appeared with the orchestras of the Aspen Music Festival, the Joffrey Ballet, and served as co-principal cello in the Chicago Chamber Orchestra. He is currently principal cellist with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra.

Leviton is one of the regional directors for the Wisconsin Cello Society. His affiliations include the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and the American Suzuki Association. He is the student chapter adviser for the UWSP student ASTA chapter which now boasts 20 members. He was nominated for membership in Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honorary society, at both the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University. 

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