Featured Artist

Danny Mitchell

Danny Mitchell is a pianist, singer, composer, and songwriter. Since moving to Nashville in 2008, Mitchell has worked steadily as a freelance musician in a diverse and ever-changing music industry. He currently is the band leader and keyboard player for multi-platinum recording artist Miranda Lambert. When Mitchell isn’t on the road he works on recording sessions as a pianist, singer, composer, arranger, and orchestrator.

As an artist & songwriter, Mitchell has performed around the country in venues including Chicago's House of Blues, Hollywood's Hotel Cafe, and Nashville's famed Grand Ole Opry. As a solo artist, Mitchell has released four studio albums. His latest LP, titled Gone, Baby, Gone (2014), is a sparsely-produced project, allowing the song and songwriter to stand front and center.

Mitchell’s musical arsenal goes deeper than just his singer-songwriter façade. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in jazz piano and composition – his compositions ranging from small chamber pieces to full symphonic works. His Dawning of a Soul was performed by the National Wind Ensemble in New York City’s Carnegie Hall under the direction of H. Robert Reynolds. The Home of the Great Spirit was commissioned by the Lakeshore Wind Ensemble Association for the 25th Anniversary of the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc Lakeshore Wind Ensemble.

Mitchell is also the creator of Music on a Mission, an annual holiday concert held in his hometown of Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Featured Artist

Olivia Yang

• Winner of the Betty Frost Jenkins Young Artist Concerto Competition
• She will be performing Lalo’s cello concerto.
• Stevens Point Area Senior High
• Currently In 12th grade
• Taught by Lawrence Leviton
• Has been studying for 15 years

“I began my adventures in cello at the age of 2 with Lawrence Leviton. I have attended the American Suzuki Institute for twelve years, and have had the privilege of studying with many musicians, some of whom include Tim Mutschlecner, Carey Cheney, Peter Thomas, and Linc Smelser. I first started playing for my school orchestra during my freshman year with David Poffinbarger at Ben Franklin Jr. High, and have continued to be a part of the SPASH orchestra directed by Cynthia Kiepert.

I have been accepted into the WSMA State Honors Orchestra three times, studying with Angie Schmidt and Adam Brown, and am currently serving as the principal cellist my senior year. I have gone to State for my Solo and Ensemble cello solos three years, and look forward to competing this year as well. I have played in the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra since 2016, led by Steve Wucherer and Kurt VanTiem. I was awarded runner up in CWYSOP's annual concerto competition in 2018, and won first place as well as the opportunity to play with the orchestra in 2019.

This will be my third time competing in the Betty Frost Jenkins Concerto Competition; I was awarded honorable mention in 2019 and the grand prize in 2020. However, due to covid, I was unable to perform with CWSO my 2020 year.”