March 18, 2011 > Pianist Jon Nakamatsu in solo recital Pianist Jon Nakamatsu in solo recital Submitted By Susan L. Rose Internationally acclaimed American pianist Jon Nakamatsu will grace the Smith Center stage to perform a solo recital on Saturday, March 26. Held at the Smith Center at Ohlone College, the recital is presented by the Fremont Symphony Orchestra as a major highlight of its 2010-2011 season. Nakamatsu's career followed an unusual path. He had one music teacher, the late Marina Derryberry, who was his teacher and coach for 27 years. He never attended a music conservatory, nor did he major in music in college, receiving a bachelor's degree in German Studies and a Masters in Education at Stanford. He taught German at a Bay Area high school and continued his music studies on the side. In 1991 and again in 1995, Nakamatsu won the National Chopin Competition, performing at Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center, but saw little prospect of making a living playing the piano. The first time he applied to the Van Cliburn Competition, he failed to make the first cut. When he was accepted to the Competition in 1997, his only goal was to make the semifinals. Mr. Nakamatsu's program includes works by Rameau, Brahms, Liszt, and Chopin. A limited number of reduced price tickets for piano students are available through the Symphony Box Office. Jon Nakamatsu in Recital Saturday, March 26 8 p.m. Smith Center for the Performing Arts Ohlone College 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont (510) 371-4859 www.fremontsymphony.org Adults: $43 + $48; Students: $20