Mozart’s Symphony No. 40

Jacob Velazquez is an eight year pianist with PDDNOS (high functioning autism). He was born on September 29th, 2007. He began taking lessons at the age of four and that's proved just long enough for the miniature musician to make waves in the child prodigy world. Jacob has since performed on Good Morning America, The View, CNN, HLN, The Steve Harvey Show, Telemundo, and many more. At just five years old, Jacob was admitted to the National Musicians Guild, after performing ten classical pieces from memory.

Jacob recently caught the attention of Taylor Swift whom invited him to a show on her tour, after he played a piano medley of seven songs from her most recent album. Jacob dreams of performing on stage with her one day.

Jacob has also just released his first album entitled "Jacob" and has filmed two music videos. He loves being in the recording studio and although he is only in 2nd grade, Jacob already knows he wants to be a music producer.

For more information on Jacob, visit www.jacobvelazquez.com

Beginning his third season as Music Director of the Kennett Symphony, Maestro Hall is recognized for his inspired performances, imaginative programming, and passion for developing new audiences. Notable achievements in Hall’s first two seasons include: the orchestra’s first free concert, first ever commission to celebrate their 75th anniversary, free admission to dress rehearsals, and an expanded orchestra on stage. In addition to his recent appointment as Principal Guest Conductor of Florida’s Space Coast Symphony, Hall has appeared with many of today’s leading ensembles, including the Houston Symphony, the Toronto Symphony, the Vancouver Symphony, the Louisiana Philharmonic, the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Costa Rica, the Toledo Symphony, the Windsor Symphony, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. This upcoming season includes his debut with Symphoria, engagements with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra in British Columbia, Canada, and the Great Falls Symphony in Montana, where he is a finalist for the Music Director position with both orchestras, as well as a return to the Tucson Symphony, with whom he has a special relationship and has been a frequent guest conductor in multiple concert series over the past nine seasons.

Formerly Music Director of the Southwest Florida Symphony from 2007 to 2012, Hall’s drive for artistic excellence, innovative thematic programming, and collaborations with celebrated guest artists resulted in unprecedented artistic growth, audience praise, and enthusiastic reviews. Some of the Southwest Florida Symphony’s highlights during Maestro Hall’s tenure include two world premieres commissioned and performed for the orchestra’s 50th anniversary season and pioneering the Orchestra’s first “Discovery” concert– a multimedia educational concert experience designed as an entry point to bring new audiences to symphonic music. Hall also planned, developed and executed the groundbreaking “Glow in the Dark” concert experience. Targeting younger audiences, the program offered real-time program notes accessible on their mobile devices during the performance. This program received national attention in Symphony magazine.

Before being appointed Music Director of the Southwest Florida Symphony, Michael Hall held the position of Associate Conductor with the Pacific Symphony in California, where he developed innovative Family Concerts based on his own original scripts. Hall’s success in California led to his initial three year position being extended to an unprecedented six year tenure.During Michael’s appointment as Resident Conductor with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, he worked with the orchestra in every concert series, most notably in their acclaimed New Music Festival. Upon completion of his tenure, Hall was awarded the “Keys to the City” by Mayor Glen Murray for his outstanding contributions to the arts.

A passionate advocate for music education, both in the concert hall and in the classroom, Maestro Hall has conducted many noteworthy college and youth orchestras including the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Winnipeg Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University. During the 2012/13 season, Hall was Visiting Guest Artist, Conductor in Residence at Ball State University’s School of Music in Indiana, and this season, has accepted an invitation as Visiting Guest Professor at Ithaca College’s School of Music.

Hall holds a Master’s degree in conducting from the University of Michigan, having studied with renowned conducting pedagogue Gustav Meier, and a DipRAM from the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he worked with Sir Colin Davis. While studying in England, Hall also held the position of Assistant conductor of the Havant Symphony Orchestra in the UK.

Recognized for his talent among his peers, Maestro Hall was a finalist in the International Conducting Competition in Besançon France and was awarded Third Prize in the Cadaques Orchestra International Conducting Competition in Spain.