Emmy-nominated pianist duo to perform at Irvine Valley College

Anderson and Roe are at the top of the Billboard charts in the classical music genre. (Brent Cline)

Steinway artists and piano duet Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe will perform at IVC’s Performing Arts Center Main Stage on Friday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m.

Aside from millions of views on YouTube, the duo has been charted for several weeks at the top of the Billboard Classical Charts and are Emmy-nominated for their self-produced music videos.

Anderson explained that bringing music to life involves far more than just playing the piano. “Sometimes this means we choose to burn pianos in our music videos, wear provocative clothing onstage, compose fiery arrangements of pop music, or otherwise spice up the music listening experience”.

Anderson and Roe met at The Juilliard School in 2000 and formed their compelling musical partnership. Since then, the two have toured around the world including Beijing, Seoul, Singapore, Italy, Vancouver, and most major US cities, including almost every New York City venue imaginable, from Carnegie Hall to children’s hospitals.

“Music can tap into something universal about the human experience, and this is what we’re aiming for when we speak of connectivity”, said Anderson. “In this manner, audiences around the world can still have strong emotional reactions to the music we play, it’s just that sometimes we find it more helpful to present the music differently depending on our location.”

Aside from their own tours, they have also performed on MTV’s Total Request Live, NPR’s All Things Considered and From the Top, APM’s Performance Today, the Cliburn Concert Series, the Gina Bachauer International Piano Festival, and dozens of summer chamber music festivals.

“We believe that great music is great music, regardless of genre, style, etc. In that sense, we are not attached to labels; we actually find them to be limiting! What matters about music is not what “category” it fits in; what matters is its impact on you—if it moves, excites, soothes, or uplifts you,” said Roe.

As members of Steinway & Sons, Anderson and Roe support the family-run piano manufacturers of the finest grand pianos. Each Steinway grand piano takes about one year to create, leaving no room for error.

Roe lives by words of wisdom from E. M. Forster who said “only connect.” Anderson follows Picasso’s wisdom stating “everything you can imagine is real.”

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