The 2012 28th semi-annual Faculty Gala was held in the Burnight Center Theatre Sunday Nov. 18.

It featured numerous professors showcasing their talent in piano, flute, string and operatic presentations.

The evening began with the introduction of the first performance and a stern requirement for absolutely no cell phones, cameras or other electronic devices allowed during the performance.

Beginning with two pieces from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Op. 11, Allegro con brio and Adagio, Pianist Kiyomi Kato was accompanied by Kihae Kim-DeFazio on Cello with Tammy Tsai playing the violin.

The first selection Allegro con brio was soft and pleasant to the ear with all three musical instruments being heard crisp, clear and soothing to the ear.

Rhonda Dillon, appearing in a sharp red chiffon gown, entertained the audience with her rendition of Giacomo Puccinis Magda’s Aria from “La rondine” (The Swallow).

Her voiced reached down to the very foundation of the listeners soul.

If she were to click her magnificent red ruby glistening slippers, one could easily have imagined themselves in the wonderful Land of Oz.

Accompanying Dillon was pianist Christine S. Lopez on the piano.

Andrew Maz introduced the audience to three magical pieces on the classical guitar playing three Sonatas from Domenicio Scalartti.

Dr. Sung Ae Lee with the grace of a master took the stage in a beautiful full length black evening gown play a selection of a Beethoven Sonata in C-sharp minor, “Moonlight” from Op. No. 2.

Her second selection, Presto agitato gave one the sense of haste, perhaps a journey where one had to hurry and proceed in fast and furious pace.

The afternoon’s event included the work of a duo with guitar professor David Isaacs on guitar accompanied by his wife, soprano, Karen Schweitzer.

They’ve been married ten years now.

While performing, Isaac explained how he felt, “There are various things, but usually I just try to enjoy it and share this music I love so much with other people.”

Schweitzer added that, “I try to focus what the song is about,” when performing in front of a live audience.

“What we did today was play and sing several renaissance pieces.”

“The wonderful thing I like is hearing the thoughts of people from over five hundred years ago,” Schweitzer said.

How they started performing together Schweitzer commented, “I have my degree in acting, so first and foremost I am a story teller of all shapes and sizes.”

“At a certain point, one of his assignments was to perform a recital and was kind enough to pick me,” a chuckling Schweitzer said.

The evening concluded with the wheeling out of a second grand piano needed for the playing of the piano duets of Muzio Clementi.

Paul Da Silva and Christine S. Lopez sat facing each other at each of their respective pianos.

On cue from each other they proceeded to entertain the audience with pieces that while not dualing, but rather complementing each other showed the precision and dedication that each needed to present their wonderful pieces.

The final presentation received a loud ovation from the audience.