Windfire: Paula Kasica, flute and John Kasica, percussion
Free Admission.
About Windfire:
John Kasica is a native of Clifton, New Jersey. John received his Diploma of Music from the Juilliard School. Since 1971 he has been a member of the percussion section of the Grammy award-winning Saint Louis Symphony, recording over 110 albums, winning five Grammy Awards, performing three Far East tours, performing 80 times at Carnegie Hall. John was the Acting Principal Percussionist from 2002-08. As a chamber music soloist, John has appeared with the Music Aeterna in New York City, Suzuki & Friends in Indianapolis, Da Camera in Houston, and as percussionist with the Summit Brass. John has made numerous appearances as a soloist with orchestra. He presented the American premiere of two major marimba concertos, the Tilo Medic Concerto with the North Carolina Symphony in 1983 and the Minoru Miki Concerto with the Saint Louis Symphony on their 1986 tour of the Far East, playing at NHK Hall in Tokyo, Japan. As a teacher and clinician he has served on the faculty of UMSL, Webster University, Mo Baptist University and Maryville University. As a clinician nationally, John has given Masterclasses at the Juilliard School, Eastman School, New England Conservatory, Mannes School of Music, Rice University, and many more. Since 1997 John has been the Principal Percussionist at the Masterworks Festival. Together, John and Paula have been guest teachers at the Living Light School of Worship in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Paula Kasica grew up in north central Illinois. She received her Bachelor of Music from the St. Louis Conservatory of Music. Her teachers have included Jacob Berg, Julius Baker and Gerald Carey. Paula was the top prizewinner at the Julius Baker New York Masterclass in 1978. Paula has appeared as soloist with several symphonies and performs throughout the area in many capacities. She plays as an extra with the Saint Louis Symphony and is a member of the Equinox Chamber Players. She has performed with Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the Aspen Music Festival, the Grand Teton Music Festival, the Fox Theatre Orchestra, and plays Principal flute with the Webster Symphony, the Ballet Orchestra of Saint Louis and the Bach at the Seminary Series. Ms. Kasica has been on the faculty of the Masterworks Festival and Christian Performing Arts Fellowship since 1997. She is also an adjunct flute instructor at Webster University and UM-St Louis. She has recorded with Hosanna Music, New Earth Productions, and Restoration Arts. She most recently recorded an improvisatory worship CD called Breath of God which is being distributed by Integrity Europe. Paula, along with her husband John, percussionist with the Saint Louis Symphony, perform around the country as WINDFIRE: Flute & Percussion Spectacular. They have also traveled to Brazil and Great Britain to perform. In 2006 they won the National Flute Association chamber music competition. They have been married 38 years!
For more information:
(314) 935-5566 or daniels@wustl.edu