Laura Barger

The Chattanooga Music Teachers Association is bringing a hometown piano prodigy back to town to serve as guest clinician in its two-day workshop.

Dr. Laura Barger, a 1997 graduate of Ooltewah High School, will lead a master class, teach a music educators' workshop, hold an interactive seminar for college students, and present a concert while home from New York City.

Thursday night's recital will mark her first concert in Chattanooga since moving to New York City almost a decade ago.

In a telephone interview, Dr. Barger said she began studying piano at age 5 in a Suzuki class at (then) Southern College. She began private instruction with Jorge Marin and studied violin with his wife. She was a student of CMTA member Charlynne Fry for six years during middle and high school.

The pianist has gained international acclaim for her expertise in contemporary music. Dr. Barger said it's an interest that began while a student of Mrs. Fry.

"I remember being excited by Alberto Ginastera. I loved how rhythmic his music was, how brash the quality of the music was. In college, I explored the interest even further and started seeking out unknown composers," she said.

Mrs. Fry said she knew the first time she heard her student perform that she was "destined to accomplish great things."

"There was no doubt in my mind that Laura Barger would be a major part of the concert stage," Mrs. Fry said. "It was obvious that the contemporary era was of great interest to Laura. When contemporary compositions were part of her audition and performance programs, she would present them with an element of sparkle and stunning pizazz."

After receiving degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Stony Brook University in New York, Dr. Barger founded Yarn/Wire with three friends in 2005. The two-piano, two-percussion quartet is committed to presenting works for that instrumentation.

"We perform in concert halls, art galleries and we've done a lot of shows in universities around the country," Dr. Barger said.

Upcoming Yarn/Wire appearances have been booked for North River Music Series and Columbia Composers Series in New York City, The Southampton Chamber Music Series and Davidson College Concert Series.

The piano-percussion ensemble is sponsoring its own premiere of new composers' works, "Composing New York."

"Composing New York is the linchpin of our season. It is two concerts featuring world premieres by young composers of New York City. They've all written music for our ensemble. It meets the goal of what we are trying to do: create new music."

As a solo artist she has performed in Switzerland, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, Canada and across the United States. She has played with contemporary ensembles such as the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, Argento Chamber Ensemble, Talujon Percussion, Lost Dog New Music and Wet Ink Ensemble.

She's active in New York City's music scene, performing everywhere from John Zorn's The Stone to Kaufmann Center's Merkin Hall. She is also on the faculty of 92nd Street Y School of Music in Manhattan.

She'll draw from her experiences as solo artist and ensemble musician to talk to UTC students about finding their niche in music to develop their careers.

"There are so many talented musicians out in the world, if you're not sure what you have to offer it's hard to determine what to do with yourself," Dr. Barger said.

"Being a musician is difficult and you have to work very hard to support yourself. If you don't really love what you're doing, then it's not going to work."

IF YOU GO

* What: "Bach's Contemporary Legacy," Dr. Laura Barger in concert

* When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

* Where: UTC Fine Arts Center, corner of Vine and Palmetto streets

* Admission: Free

* Phone: 344-8091 or 775-7282

CLINIC SCHEDULE

* Wednesday, 4-5:30 p.m.: Master class led by Laura Barger, UTC Fine Arts Center, free.

* Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon: Chattanooga Music Teachers Association workshop, Crutcher Pianos, 6223 Lee Highway, $10, "Beyond Bartok's Mikrokosmos: a Big World of Contemporary Piano Music for Small People."

* Thursday, 1:40-2:50 p.m.: Student seminar, UTC Fine Arts Center, free.