Renowned pianist in concert June 8

Pianist Doug Montgomery will perform on the Steinway concert grand at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. June 8.

Known for his deft touch, delightful arrangements and for the richness of his playing, Montgomery charms audiences with a variety of styles from classical favorites to movie themes and musical theater hits. His repertoire includes music by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Frederic Chopin, George Gershwin, John Williams, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Leonard Bernstein.

Complementing Montgomery’s sumptuous piano will be tenor Mike Eldred. 

Eldred starred on Broadway in “Les Miserables” as Jean Valjean and appeared in the original cast of the Tony-nominated “The Civil War.” He also performed in the 25th anniversary tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” His role as Tony in the Nashville Symphony’s production of “West Side Story” has earned international praise.

Last September, he charmed audiences in Whitefish with his John Denver show “Come Love Me Again: Remembering John Denver,” which raised money for CASA for Kids of Flathead Valley. In December, with his Nashville accompanist Jeff Steinberg, he brought his Christmas show, “Home for the Holidays with Mike Eldred,” to the valley.

Eldred has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks, Amy Grant and Michael Bolton, to name a few.

Special guest opera singer Cynthia Dario will also perform. Among Dario’s credits are performances with the Mayo Civic Orchestra, Seattle Opera and Emerald City Philharmonic. This is her fourth appearance in the Flathead Valley.

Montgomery has performed as a soloist with symphonies and orchestras worldwide as well as premier public, private and corporate engagements for royalty, presidents and noted celebrities. He’s a classical pianist who can transform any musical style to classic status with his arrangements and passionate delivery.

Montgomery first attracted national attention as a top prize winner in the prestigious Robert Casadesus Piano Competition shortly after graduating from The Juilliard School. While pursuing a career in classical music, he was also working as a model in Manhattan when he discovered the concept of piano bar, which he excelled at. Montgomery therefore expanded his repertoire and put his training to work learning show tunes, popular music and jazz, giving it all his usual verve and panache.

He moved to Santa Fe, N.M., and created the now-famous Vanessie’s Piano Bar, where he has been performing for 30 years while also appearing at private events and concerts. Vanessie’s was so successful that a second location opened in Indian Wells, Calif., called Vicky’s of Santa Fe, where Montgomery performs February through May.

Tickets for “An Evening With Doug Montgomery” are now on sale at SingerandSimpson.com. Call (406) 730-2817 for more information.

This concert is sponsored by Don “K” Subaru, and brought to the valley by Singer & Simpson Productions.