Teen virtuosa performa at Governor's Arts Awards presentation

Sixteen-year-old violist virtuosa Molly Carr will perform during the 23rd annual Governor's Arts Awards presentation on Wednesday at the Brewery Arts Center's Performance Hall in Carson City.

The public is invited to join Gov. Kenny C. Guinn as Nevada recognizes outstanding and enduring contributions to the state through artistic achievement, commitment and service to the arts.

Molly Carr is a national-caliber violist from Reno. She won first

place for viola in the 2002 National Solo Competition of the American String Teachers Association and was an alternate to the 2002 Music Teachers National Association National Solo Competition. She was one of four young violinists to perform at Kennedy Center with the Washington Chamber Symphony's 2002 "Viva Vivaldi!" All-Girl Orchestra and was recently featured on National Public Radio's "From the Top."

She is part of the Perlman Music Program, headed by Toby and Itzhak Perlman, and played "Live from Lincoln Center" with the Perlman Program in January.

At age 14, Carr was the youngest person to win a contract position with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra. As a member of the RPO's Youth Symphony, she was principal violist and soloed as the winner of the 2001 Concerto Competition.

Carr will be accompanied on the piano by Andrea Lenz, associate professor of music at the University of Nevada, Reno, and principal oboist for the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, the Reno Chamber Orchestra and the Nevada Opera Orchestra.

Guinn will present Governor's Arts Award, an original piece of artwork made by Nevada artist Lynda Yuroff, to the following recipients:

-- Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, for performing and visual arts, arts and education.

-- Larry Williamson of Virginia City, for excellence in the arts.

-- Sue Coleman of Carson City, for excellence in folk arts.

-- Sierra Arts of Reno, for service to the arts: organizations and individuals.

-- Turkey and Peter Stremmel of Reno, for service to the arts: businesses and patrons.

-- Dr. N. Edd Miller, for distinguished service to the arts. Dr. Miller will also receive the Nevada Arts and Humanities Award for Public Service, presented by the Nevada Arts Council and the Nevada Humanities Committee.

IF YOU GO

What: 23rd annual Governor's Arts Awards

When: Reception begins at 6:15 p.m. and the award ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall, 511 W. King St.

Tickets: $25

Details: Call the Nevada Arts Council at (775) 687-6680