Christina Poythress, Soprano, and Elena Bennett, Pianist

Release Date: 4/1/2001. Expired: 4/16/2001

Christina Poythress and Elena Bennett will delight their audience when they perform at The Renaissance Center 7 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2001 as part of the Recitals in the Rotunda Series. Admission to these classical music recitals is free and open to the public.

Poythress, a soprano, is a native of Savannah, Ga. She is a two-time quarter finalist in the American Traditions Vocal Competition. Having performed in a variety of venues, ranging from classical to country, she has always returned to classical and musical theatre repertoire. She has appeared with the Savannah Symphony Chorale and the Brunswick Symphony. Her opera and musical theatre performance have been with the Casa Italiana Opera Company and the American Opera Company in Los Angeles and with the Savannah Theatre and the Cultural Arts Center in Savannah.

She has been featured in recital series at East Los Angeles College in Los Angeles and at Arts at Ascension and Wesley Monumental Recital series in Savannah. Currently, Poythress is soloist and section leader at First Lutheran Church in Nashville.

An assistant professor at Middle Tennessee State University, she also teaches private voice as an adjunct professor at Belmont University and at Shuff’s Music in Franklin, TN. A recent graduate of Belmont University, earning a Master of Music in performance, she also attended California State University at Northridge. After private study in New York, she completed her bachelor’s degree at Armstrong State College in Georgia.

Elena Bennett is a pianist and accompanist with an incredible passion and fell for music she performs. Born in Moscow, Russia, she was identified as an exceptional musical talent at age six and she began her education in the public music schools there.

She graduated with Honors from the State Gnesin Musical College with a B. A. in classical piano performance. The same year, Elena was accepted at State Gnesin Musical Academy in Moscow. This Academy is recognized worldwide as one of the top three music conservatories in the former U.S.S.R.

In addition to working with many internationally recognized professors, she has studied with Irina and Lev Naumov, Professor of Music and chief assistants to the world famous Russian pianist and teacher Henry Neygaus whose students included Svyatoslav Richter. She also studied extensively in Vocal Accompaniment and Chamber ensemble.

After receiving a Master of Music degree in Classical Piano performance, Bennett taught and concertized in Russia in chamber and vocal recitals. Then she accepted a position in the music department at Russian Ostankino Television (Channel One). After producing and hosting many music and entertainment shows, she eventually became the Executive Producer of The Gradus Ad Parnassum Music Awards. These awards are the equivalent of the Grammy Awards and recognize musical talent and skill from nominees across the former Soviet Union.

After coming to the United States she started a private piano studio that continues to flourish today. Bennett currently serves as staff accompanist at The Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University and on the faculty of The Belmont University School of Music in Nashville, Tennessee.

For more information on the Recitals in the Rotunda Series or other events at The Renaissance Center, call (615)740-5600.