Wiltonians Headline Library Concert Series

The Wilton Library's Sunday concert series, Connecticut's Own, should be temporarily renamed Wilton's Own when guest flutist and Wilton native Jessica Raposo performs Jan. 24, from 4 to 5 p.m.  Ms. Raposo will be accompanied by soprano Mary Bozzuti Higgins and Kyle Nobles on piano, both fellow Wiltonians.  The musicians and vocalist will perform music for flute by composers Henry Bishop, François Borne, John Corigliano, Claude Debussy, Benjamin Godard, Marin Marais, and Edgard Varèse.

The three performers have extensive national experience, as well as having provided musical enjoyment in Wilton and surrounding communities for many years:

• Wilton native Jessica Raposo is a freelance flutist, conductor and teacher in Fairfield County. She has earned degrees in flute performance from the University of Michigan (BM), the Royal Academy of Music (London), and the University of British Columbia (Vancouver). In addition to her private teaching, Jessica teaches at Fairfield University, Naugatuck Valley Community College, and Jackson State Community College (TN). Her orchestral experience includes the Vancouver Symphony, Burnaby Symphony (principal flute), Michigan Pops Orchestra (principal flute), and the Rome Festival Orchestra. A firm advocate of music education, Jessica has worked as a band director in the Westport, CT Public Schools, and has led workshops and classes for middle and high school students throughout her 17 years of teaching experience.
• Mary Ann Bozzuti Higgins made her professional Opera Debut with St. Louis Opera in the world premiere of The Vanishing Bridegroom. She returned to St. Louis to sing in La Boheme and sang the role of Tatiana in Eugene Onegin when soprano, Gwen Geyer, fell ill. Also seen on the stage at Symphony Hall in Boston, Ms. Bozzuti was a favorite choice of conductor, John Williams, and was a featured soloist at many Christmas Pops concerts with the Boston Symphony and Boston Esplanade Orchestra. Ms. Bozzuti is a graduate of Northwestern University, class of 1984, where she was a student of Elizabeth Fischer Monastero. As the choral director at Wilton High School in Wilton, CT, she was the music director and conductor for Oklahoma and Bye Bye Birdie. Ms. Bozzuti, a native of Wilton, was an Associate Professor of Voice and Boston University, had a private Voice Studio for 15 years, and currently holds the position of Choir Director at Our Lady of Fatima Church where she has been for 17 years. She also directs the Treblemakers, an all women's singing group she founded in 1999. Currently, Mary is also a realtor with Sotheby's and mother of three daughters, and lives with her husband, Jory Higgins, in Wilton, CT.
• Kyle Nobles, pianist, holds a Master's degree in accompanying from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.  Kyle has served on the music staff of the Juilliard School, the Mannes College of Music, the University of Connecticut at Storrs, and the Hartt School of Music. His teachers have included Martin Katz, Margo Garrett, and Warren Jones.  Kyle has spent summers at the Tanglewood Music Center, the Ravinia Festival in Chicago and at the Chautauqua Institution in Jamestown, New York.  Kyle was the Assistant Conductor and Artistic Director of the Connecticut Grand Opera and Orchestra from 1996 to 2000. He maintains a busy schedule as an instrumental and vocal recital accompanist and vocal coach, as well as teaching piano from his home studio.  Kyle made his Alice Tully Recital Debut with Mezzo-Soprano Stephanie Houtzeel in October of 1997 and has collaborated with such celebrated artists as Renée Fleming, Sherrill Milnes and Aprile Millo. Kyle makes his home in Wilton with his wife Janet, and his children, Steffen and Tess.

The Connecticut's Own Concert Series is free of charge.  Advance registration is strongly recommended due to the overwhelming popularity of the series. Additional concert dates in the series are March 21 - Suzanne Sheridan; and April 25 - Larry Shiller and Olga Gurevich (this is a date change from previous listings).  Pre-registrants must arrive by 3:50 p.m. to be guaranteed seating. After 3:50 p.m., and if space is available, waitlisted and walk-in registrants will be admitted.  For information, directions and to register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org or call (203) 762-3950.  Wilton Library is located in the heart of Wilton Center.