Pianist Jade Simmons was recently chosen as Concert Artist Guild’s inaugural New Music/New Places Fellow for artistry, passion and creativity that infuses her diverse projects with a unique brand of communicative power.

The Charleston, SC native attended Northwestern University and was selected Miss Illinois and first runner up at the 2000 Miss America Pageant where she performed Chopin’s Etude in c-sharp minor, Op. 10, No. 4, before a live television audience of millions.

The Washington Post described Jade Simmons as “A clear, powerful pianist with a magnetic personality…” in a review of a recent performance at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

Simmons hosts the live webcasts of the Cliburn International Piano Competition beginning at 12:50pm CDT, May 22 throughout the competition that ends on June 4.  Learn more or sign up to receive the FREE webcasts at Cliburn TV.   One of the Cliburn prizewinners performs Rachmaninov’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” on the ISO’s October 6, 2009 “Black Tie & Brahms” Concert at The Lakeland Center.

Jade Simmons performs George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” during the ISO’s “March Madness” Concert on March 23, 2010.  This season the ISO found inspiration in the NCAA’s “March Madness.”  During the 2008-2009 Season Masterworks Concerts, the audience was asked to vote for their favorites by ballot, beginning with eight overtures, eight concertos, eight symphonies and eight show pieces.  The winners were announced at ”Orchestra Gone Wild” on March 24, 2009.

Next season’s “March Madness” concert takes place on March 23, 2010.  The audience is encouraged to support a favorite team by wearing their “school colors” to the concert.  The winning selections are: Tchaikovsky’s “Overture-Fantasy to Romeo and Juliet,” Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with guest pianist Jade Simmons, Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” and Gerswhin’s “American in Paris.”

Season tickets are on sale now.  Five-concert season ticket holders save 30% over single ticket purchases.  Single tickets go on sale in September.  Visit the Imperial Symphony Orchestra on the ISO website to learn more or contact us at info@imperialsymphony.org or phone (863) 688-3743.