The University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music invites the community to an evening of musical exploration and storytelling on Tuesday, September 1 at 7:30 p.m. Hosted in the UGA Performing Arts Center’s Ramsey Concert Hall, the first installment of this year’s Faculty Artist Series features dynamic performances by Jay Ivey (baritone) and Andrew Voelker (piano). The concert is completely free to attend and will be immediately followed by a reception and meet-and-greet with the artists.

About the Program

Centered around the evocative theme of "wandering," the evening's repertoire traverses a diverse musical landscape of quests, journeys, and wayfaring. The program fluidly blends classical masterpieces with theatrical favorites. Highlights of the performance include:

• Gustav Mahler’s sweeping song cycle, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer)
• Selections inspired by the tales of Don Quixote
• Classic pieces from the beloved musical Man of La Mancha
• Let Us Garlands Bring by Finzi with text by Shakespeare

About the Artists

Jay Ivey, Baritone Jay Ivey is an Assistant Professor of Voice specializing in musical theatre and contemporary commercial styles. Known for a commitment to immediate, stylistically informed storytelling, his versatile career spans demanding operatic roles (Don Giovanni, Gianni Schicchi, Rigoletto) and expansive concert work at venues including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Ivey is also an active composer, arranger, published scholar, and a popular creator on TikTok (@jiveysings), where he shares his dual identity as a singer and pianist with a global audience.

Andrew Voelker, Piano A member of the UGA faculty as Vocal Coach and Music Director of Opera Theatre, Andrew Voelker is an in-demand vocal coach, collaborative pianist, and conductor specializing in art song, opera, and contemporary score analysis. Following recent debuts at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Voelker brings a spirit of innovation and collaboration to Athens. Their extensive background includes serving as music director of the award-winning Crane Opera Ensemble at SUNY Potsdam and coaching major productions at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, Opera in the Ozarks, and the Aspen Opera Center.

RSVP for the September 1 Faculty Artist Series Performance