Chang-Barnes named as interim Lied director
digg it!
Facebook
del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
Fark It
Reddit
By JEFF KORBELIK / Lincoln Journal Star
Pianist Ann Chang-Barnes performed on the stage of the Lied Center for Performing Arts in February. On Monday, she’ll begin running the place.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman named Chang-Barnes, 45, the Lied’s interim executive director. She replaces Charles Henry Bethea who resigned Monday after 11 years.
Bethea, 59, resigned in the wake of the Lied’s $1 million-plus downsizing that included six layoffs and significant program reductions.
Chang-Barnes, an artist-in-residence at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is the founder and former artistic director of the Meadowlark Music Festival. She also served six years on the Lied’s advisory board until 2007.
On Feb. 26, she joined former Meadowlark headliner the Rastrelli Cello Quartet for a concert at the Lied Center.
“I am honored the Chancellor Perlman has placed his trust in me,” Chang-Barnes said in a cell phone interview from Spokane, Wash., where she’s serving as a judge and performer at Musicfest Northwest.
“I will work hard to keep his trust as well as the trust of past, present and future patrons.”
In her role with the Meadowlark Music Festival, Chang-Barnes brought in world-class musicians and performers to Nebraska to participate in the week-long festival of concerts, classes and other activities.
At UNL’s School of Music, she coordinates the chamber music program in partnership with the Chiara String Quartet. She has a doctorate in piano performance from Indiana-University Bloomington and recently was named a Fulbright Scholar.
“She is an accomplished musician with extensive fund-raising and business experience in the arts,” Perlman said in a statement. “She has the vision, energy and tenacity that will serve the Lied, the university and the people of Nebraska well. I am confident of her capabilities as an artistic and a business leader.”
Chang-Barnes will take a leave of absence from UNL. As interim executive director, she said she’ll begin working on the 2009-10 season and fundraising. Bethea booked the 2008-09 season before stepping down. The Lied will announce its new season on June 6.
Chang-Barnes said she didn’t know if she’ll become a candidate when UNL begins its search to replace Bethea.
“I haven’t thought that far ahead,” she said. “We’ll see what happens.”
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.
Post Your Comment
Standards and RulesYour posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.