Kirk Hanser is known as “…an authentic musical personality” (Erik Erikkson, DC Advocate) whose performances have “…transported the audience to lusher climes” (The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA). Hanser has performed in some of the world’s top venues in the US, Europe, and Japan. His performances are recognized for being fun and entertaining, yet with a focus on high-quality music.
By including the steel-string acoustic guitar, Hanser is able to feature music by modern-day composers such as Michael Hedges and Andrew York, while still using the standard classic (nylon-string) guitar for established crowd favorites from 500 years of music from Europe and South America.
Kirk can also offer special “in-formances” and master classes. He has done several clinics sponsored by the NEA and others, and was recently a resident guest professor of guitar at the Paris Conservatory
Hanser is an endorsee for D’Addario Strings, Gibson Guitars, and Keith Adams Concert Guitars.
Access to hall ~2 hours prior to event start for soundcheck and warmup
Armless chair onstage (not a barstool, adjustable pno bench OK)
Sound reinforcement IF NEEDED (can be provided for small venues if needed - please inquire)
Sound engineer (as needed, depends on audience size and venue)
Reasonable lighting for performance area
Cover from environmental elements
Rhythms and Folklore of Africa: Storytelling and drums performance that celebrates the African culture. Ideal for schools, festivals, theaters, and community events. Adaptable to indoor and outdoor venues. Audience participation involves hand-picked audience members to dance and play African instruments. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of Africa. All ages.
PA system microphone with a boom mic stand
Kantorei of Kansas City (Kantorei KC) performs mainly contemporary, baroque, and renaissance choral pieces which are rarely performed in Missouri. The choir, ranging between 12 and 18 singers, performed at the 2019 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Convention. Its most recent recording, To Bethlehem in 2016, received critical acclaim in Europe and North America; it was The Guardian (UK)’s top pick for “New Christmas Album” that year.
Most performances are acapella without amplification. Kantorei KC asks that there be table and chairs set up for volunteers to sell recordings and memorabilia.
Now celebrating our 50th year! Kansas City Young Audiences works with a roster of nearly 200 teaching artists to provide dynamic and educational arts programs to children in schools, libraries, community centers, and hospitals throughout the greater Kansas City area. With performances, residencies, workshops, and after-school programs in nearly every artistic discipline and covering numerous academic subjects KCYA’s School & Community programs reinforce core curriculum as well as cultivate artistic expression; unleashing ideas, creativity, and individual problem solving skills.
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The Kansas City Symphony is rapidly gaining recognition for its virtuosic performances and imaginative programming. The Symphony performs regularly in communities throughout the region and is committed to bringing the joy of music to the broadest possible audience. Tour performances can be customized for your location and budget, ranging from the full 80-musician orchestra to a 40-musician chamber orchestra. Tour performances may be accompanied by community outreach events, master classes, educational programs, and small-ensemble performances. The Kansas City Symphony is a vibrant orchestra, brilliantly performing masterworks to critical acclaim.
Available upon request
The Kansas City Chorale, founded in 1982, is a professional vocal ensemble that enriches local, national, and international communities through its dedication to excellence in performing music from diverse historical periods. Along with the Phoenix Chorale, the Kansas City Chorale is the first North American choir to record for Chandos Records, having made its first appearance on the label in 2006 with Eternal Rest. Their second CD, Grechaninov’s Passion Week, was released in 2007 and received Grammy® nominations in four categories, including Best Classical Album, Best Choral Performance, Best Surround Sound Album, and won a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Classical, in 2008. Also in 2008, the choir’s third joint recording with the Phoenix Chorale, a disc of sacred choral works by Josef Rheinberger, was released and received Grammy nominations for Best Choral Performance and Best Surround Sound Album. The Chorale’s latest album, Life & Breath, Choral Music of René Clausen, will release June 1, 2012. Audiences around the globe have enjoyed the sounds of the Kansas City Chorale through recordings and radio broadcasts. In 2009, the Chorale performed in South Korea at the Incheon Choral Festival, and also that year, made its New York debut, with the Phoenix Chorale, in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. The New York Times referred to the choirs’ “refined sound and elegant phrasing” as well as its “vivid intensity,” and praised the performance for its “buoyant pulse and energetic finesse.”
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Kansas City Celtic Pipes & Drums features the Great Highland Bagpipes and Scottish Drums. Led by Pipe-Major Kevin Gilstrap, the band strives for musical excellence, whether at a concert, convocation or parade! “The energy shot through the sky!” “What a memorable day for so many people.” “We just can’t describe to you the WOW factor!”
Secure warm-up/tuning room one hour before performance, dressing area, PA system
Kansas City Ballet offers exceptional quality and a wide variety of repertory from renowned classics to exciting contemporary ballets. The company has a strong tradition of excellence, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007-08 with prestigious invitations to perform at New York’s Joyce Theater and Kennedy Center’s Ballet Across America festival. The Village Voice calls Kansas City Ballet, “… a sleek little company with a strong repertory and 26 excellent dancers,” and the New York Post writes “… it’s a lively, stylish company, and we would welcome a return visit.” Kansas City Ballet’s home, the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity, in conjunction with their stage at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, is poised to make Kansas City AND Kansas City Ballet a true destination for dance. Devon Carney became Kansas City Ballet’s artistic director in July 2013. Please contact the company for current touring repertoire. Each booking includes community outreach, education activities, master classes, and lecture/demos that may be tailored for presenter needs.
Available on request
KC Contemporary Dance has been voraciously creating and presenting fresh, exciting, contemporary dance since 2005. A professional non-profit dance company based in Kansas City, MO, KCCD presents high-quality dance performances in Kansas City and across the Midwest region. The company creates new work through the Artistic Director’s innovation and collaboration, and is committed to the continued experimentation of movement. In the 2020 season, KC Contemporary Dance strives to make the performing arts accessible to all through outreach and educational programs. KC Contemporary Dance is led by Artistic Director Leigh Murray and Associate Director Katie Metzger, and features 12-14 dancers from across the country. KCCD is available for workshops/lecture-demonstrations, master classes, informal and/or improvisational performances in non-traditional performance settings, formal theatre concerts, and residencies.
Available on request
Julie Henigan is known for her unique command of the distinct but related idioms of southern American and traditional Irish music. A singer of remarkable versatility, Julie performs unaccompanied ballads, old-time banjo numbers, instrumental dance tunes, guitar originals, and traditional songs in Irish Gaelic with equal skill and fidelity; yet her style—whether with traditional or contemporary repertoire—is uniquely her own. An accomplished instrumentalist, Julie uses guitar, five-string banjo, lap dulcimer, and fiddle for both song accompaniment and solo instrumentals. Whether playing for children or adults, her ability to communicate with her audiences reflects her extensive performing experience: her performances have been described as “mesmerizing,” her vocals as “stunning,” and her instrumental work as “absolutely superior.” Julie’s releases include a highly lauded CD, “American Stranger,” and a popular Mel Bay book on DADGAD fingerstyle guitar. She is available for concerts, workshops, lectures, festivals, and school programs–and is always willing to tailor her programs to fit the needs and interests of both presenters and audiences.
Sound system (if required), 2-4 mics and boom stands, one chair, and small table. A sound technician should be provided. Set-up is minimal, 25 minutes.