Bend Pops Orchestra has the honor of welcoming special guest performer pianist Gary Ruppert, who joins the group for their June 15 Spring Concert.
Gary is a classical and jazz pianist, and has been a performer and educator in Oregon for almost 50 years. His entire career has been centered around helping audiences better understand and appreciate what they are listening to, no matter what style that may be. He retired from Linn-Benton Community College, having served as a music faculty member, Chair of Performing Arts, and Dean of Liberal Arts, in addition to being a past president of Oregon Music Teachers’ Association and original author of their jazz piano syllabus. This multifaceted background has given Gary a comprehensive grasp of education and the need for broad-based understanding of all the arts.
Gary will be performing The West Side, his own arrangement of music by Leonard Bernstein. He will also be performing Eric Ewazen’s Pastorale for flute, horn, and piano along with Pops musicians Cathy Biber and Lisa Hakesley.
