Twelve years ago, 59-year-old Moshe Bukshpan, a noted violinist from Israel, had a dream to bring the finest quality of classical and jazz music, as well as modern dance, to Arizona. Founder and executive director of the Red Rocks Music Festival, Bukshpan thought of where the best place would be to show not only the beauty of these arts, but of the surroundings as well. He chose Sedona.
“When we started we wanted to be in a place that would be cooler for the guests. And how could there be a more gorgeous spot? But as we’ve grown, we’ve realized that we need to provide other venues as well. This year we’ve added performances in Tempe and Scottsdale.”
Born in Tel Aviv in 1954, Bukshpan began studying the violin at the age of 8 with Ilona Feher. He was a featured guest artist on Israeli TV at the age of 11. In 1973 he participated in a seminar under the guidance of Isaac Stern, Pablo Casals and Alexander Schneider. Migrating to the United States in 1976, he studied with Shmuel Ashkenasi, who will be performing in the Red Rocks Music Festival this year. He received his master’s degree in violin performance from Northern Illinois University. Bukshpan has performed in the Aspen and Colorado music festivals.
Bukshpan’s vision is “to grow the Festival into a major cultural event in Arizona … and become a cultural magnet for music lovers from around the world.” Besides the performances that run from Aug. 23 through Sept. 8, another major part of the Festival’s mission is education. Master classes and workshops enable young musicians to learn skills from master musicians. The Festival provides outreach educational music programs that inspire students to appreciate and continue their interest in the arts.
This year the roster includes world-renowned musicians who are from Israel: the aforementioned Shmuel Ashkenasi and violinist Rami Solomonow, a graduate of the Rubin Academy of Music in Tel-Aviv, Israel, where he studied with Oedoen Partos.
RED ROCKS MUSIC FESTIVAL | REDROCKSMUSICFESTIVAL.COM | 877-733-7257
SCHEDULE
“Bach to the Blues” with concert violinist Elmira Darvarova
Friday, Aug. 23 at 7 pm at Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Saturday, Aug. 24 at 7 pm at Sedona Creative Life Center, 333 Schnebly Hill Road, Sedona
Desert Dance Theatre with festival musicians, Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 pm Tempe Center for the Arts 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe
“Souvenir de Florence” with the legendary violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi
Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 pm at Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Saturday, Aug 31 at 7 pm Sedona Creative Life Center, 333 Schnebly Hill Road, Sedona
Desert Dance Theatre with festival musicians, Sunday, Sept. 1 at 3 pm Sedona Performing Arts Center 995 pper Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona
“A Free Community Outreach” with Yuki & Tomoko Mack
Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11 am Steinway Piano Showroom,13820 N. Scottsdale Rd. #176, Scottsdale
“Rhapsody in Blue” with Yuki & Tomoko Mack
Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7 pm at Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ
Sunday, Sept. 8 at 3 pm at Sedona Creative Life Center, 333 Schnebly Hill Road, Sedona
