FACULTY ARTIST SERIES
DAMON DENTON PIANO
Prokofiev • Albeniz • Mompou • Debussy • Poulenc • Rachmaninoff • Ginastera with Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, violin and James Kim, cello
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 at 7:30 p.m. RAMSEY CONCERT HALL
UGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 230 RIVER RD, ATHENS, GA
Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Ramsey Concert Hall
UGA Performing Arts Center
with
Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, violin
James Kim, cello
Five Melodies for Violin and Piano, Op.35
Andante
Lento, ma non troppo
Animato, ma non allegro
Allegretto leggero e scherzando
Andante non troppo
EL LAGO -from Paisajes no. 2
‘Evocation’, from IBERIA SUITE
PROGRAM
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)
Sonata for Cello and Piano
Mvt. 2 “Cavatine”
Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, violin
Federico Mompou (1893-1987)
Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909)
Damon Denton, piano
Sonata for Cello and Piano in G MINOR Op. 19
Mvt. 3 Andante
La Cathedrale s’engloutie
Sonata for Piano 1952
Allegro marcato
Presto mysterioso
Adagio molto appassionato
Ruvido ed ostinato
James Kim, cello
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
Damon Denton, Piano
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983)
Damon Denton was born in Charleston, South Carolina and grew up in Severna Park, Maryland. He is a graduate of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and the Juilliard School where he received a Master of Music degree studying under Russian pianist, Oxana Yablonskaya. He has been a faculty accompanist at the University of Georgia since 2010.
During his career Damon has performed concerts in England, Ireland, Mexico, Germany, South Africa and throughout the United States. Venue highlights have included: Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall; Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall; The University of South Africa; The State Theater of Pretoria; The Royal Dublin Society in Ireland; The Lyric Theater in Baltimore Maryland; The Leighton House Museum in London; The Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara; The United Nations; Le Theatre de Queretaro in Mexico, among others. Denton has performed as collaborator with Fred Mills (UGA professor and former member of the Canadian Brass), with members of the New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras as well as with soloists from the St. Lukes Orchestra, New York’s “Winds of New Amsterdam”, and the Orpheus Chamber Ensemble. Damon was also a close friend and studio pianist in New York City for the late Metropolitan opera star, Anna Moffo.
Early career honors have included prizes at the Annapolis and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Young Soloist Competitions, the Peabody “Concours”, the Kosciuszko Foundation’s Chopin Competition in NYC, the Music Academy of the West (“A brilliant performance…” Santa Barbara Press) and Aspen Music Festival’s Concerto Competitions, the First National Young Keyboard Artist’s Competition in Grand Rapids Michigan; the Fourth International Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa. In South Africa, Denton’s performance of Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 was nationally broadcast by the SABC from Pretoria’s State Theater: “He has a huge range of tone and articulation……. an exquisite performance by the American pianist....” (The Pretoria News). Orchestral performances within Georgia have included opening the UGA Thursday Scholarship Series with the Gershwin Concerto in F as well being a featured artist on the Macon Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks Series performing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2.
On the modern musical front, Damon was the synth keyboard player for the popular indie alternative band the Pylon Reenactment Society. The group was invited to perform at the Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona, Spain and are featured performing live in the documentary film “Red turns into Blue: Athens Inside-Out 2”
Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva began violin studies at the Tashkent State Conservatory’s Special Music School. She graduated from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory where she studied with Professor Irina Medvedeva. Azimkhodjaeva performed with Symphony Orchestras under direction of Zubin Metha, Pierre Boulez, Dmitry Kitaenko, Valery Gergiev, Fuat Mansurov, and many others.
As a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed in most prestigious halls, such as Grand Hall of Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Concert Hall, Athenaeum Hall in Bucharest, Romania, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and many others.
Azimkhodjaeva performed in solo recitals and master classes in numerous international festivals, her recent appearance was at Varna International music festival. Shakhida also performs on viola frequently, both chamber music and solo with orchestras. Her recent performances as violist in Bruch’s Double concerto includes concerts in Kenya, Minnesota, and Georgia.
Azimkhodjaeva was one of the founders of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra “ARCO.” Since then, she has been concertmaster, soloist, and assistant conductor of the orchestra and has performed extensively both as a soloist and concertmaster in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Romania, Latvia, Russia, South Korea, USA, Canada, and Brazil. She has released numerous CDs with music by Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Ysaye, Rozsa, Piazzolla, Shostakovich, Podgaits and other contemporary composers.
James Kim has appeared as soloist with orchestras such as Boston Symphony and Royal Philharmonic, working with conductors David Zinman, Michael Sanderling, Alexander Shelley, Keith Lockhart, onstage at Carnegie Stern Auditorium, Zankel Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, and Metropolitan Museum of Art. He has given solo recitals at Carnegie Weill Hall, Greene Space, Seoul Arts Center IBK Hall, and Kumho Art Hall. His performances have been broadcasted on radio stations NPR and WQXR.
He has also collaborated with numerous orchestras in his native Korea, concertizing at Lotte Concert Hall—where he is the first soloist in its history—Tongyeong Concert Hall, Daegu Concert House, Seoul Arts Center, and DITTO Festival. In 2021, Sony Classical released his album Death and Offering presenting works dedicated to him by Korean composer Shinuh Lee.
He is a recipient of Salon de Virtuosi’s Sony Career Grant and a top prizewinner of Isang Yun and David Popper International Cello Competitions. From 2016 to 2021, he performed on a Matteo Goffriller cello from Venice ca. 1715, generously loaned by Samsung Cultural Foundation and Stradivari Society® of Chicago, Illinois.
BE HEARD
AND WIN FREE TICKETS
1
HELP US CHOOSE THE MUSIC FOR THE ORCHESTRA!
We want to hear from you to help choose selections for the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra “Fan Favorites” performance on March 26, 2026. Please fill out the brief survey by scanning the QR code below.
2
ENTER TO WIN TWO “SPRING ALL-EVENTS” PASSES
At the bottom of the survey, enter your name and email address and answer ONE survey question for a chance to win an all-events pass for all of our ticketed concerts at the Performing Arts Center. A value of over $300, all this takes is five minutes of your time to enter. Winners will be announced on social media Monday, December 1 and informed by email as well.
JOIN US FOR A FULL SEASON OF FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS AT UGA
On stage and in the gallery — over 100 performances, exhibitions and lectures await you this season at the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. Enjoy a dazzling variety of free events plus explore our ticketed seasons in dance, theatre and music starting at just $15. Students, faculty and guests of UGA fine and performing arts offer Athens premier programming all year round.
SUPPORT THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC
HOW TO GIVE
Under each of the available funds below is a QR code where you can scan and donate directly to that fund. However, if you would like to learn more about alternative ways to donate, scan the QR code now to visit our “How to Give” page with additional details and options.
SUPPORT THE THURSDAY SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Scholarships and Graduate assistantships funded by donations to the Thursday Scholarship Fund make it possible for students to learn and pursue their passions at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Please consider a taxdeductible gift to the Thursday Scholarship Fund so we may continue to support our students and make their education possible. Scan the QR code now or reach out to Melissa Roberts at roberts@uga.edu or 706-254-2111.
SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL AREAS OF THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC
In addition to our primary Support and Scholarship Funds, many specialized areas of interest, including our orchestra and choral programs, have support and scholarship funds you can contribute to directly. You can now learn more about all the ways and areas you can support the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Scan the QR code or visit music.uga.edu/giving-and-alumni to the support the Hugh Hodgson School of Music area of your choice.
JOIN THE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
Gifts of all amounts are greatly appreciated. However, annual giving at the $1,500 level and higher provides membership in the Director’s Circle, our Hugh Hodgson School of Music Honor Roll. Director’s Circle members are invited to exclusive events and performances throughout the academic year.
For large gifts, please contact Melissa Roberts at roberts@uga.edu or 706-254-2111.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA HUGH HODGSON SCHOOL OF MUSIC.
FRI 11/7 SUN 11/9
TUES 9/9
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
3 p.m.
Both performances will be held in Hodgson Concert Hall
$20, Adult
$3, Student
Additional fees for online purchases apply.
THURSDAY SCHOLARSHIP SERIES
UGA OPERA THEATRE PRESENTS “THE RING OF POLYKRATES” BY
ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD
Composed in 1914 by a 17-year-old Erich Wolfgang Korngold—decades before his Oscar-winning Hollywood triumph The Adventures of Robin Hood—this sparkling comic opera brims with youthful brilliance, lyrical charm, and a dash of psychological intrigue. Romantic, clever, and strikingly modern, The Ring of Polykrates is a witty reminder: be careful what you wish for— perfection is a fragile thing.
7:30 p.m.
Edge Concert Hall
FREE CONCERT MON 11/10
TUES 9/9
7:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
Ramsey Concert Hall FREE CONCERT TUES 11/11
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA TUBA EUPHONIUM STUDIO
This concert will feature the students of the UGA Tuba Euphonium studio. The studio is under the direction of Associate Professor of Tuba and Euphonium and Brass Area Chair, Matthew Shipes.
WIND ENSEMBLE CHAMBER WINDS
Chamber works by students from the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble
6 p.m.
Edge Concert Hall FREE CONCERT TUES 11/11
TUES 9/9
SOUL MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Works by Andre Benjamin, Antwan Patton, Patrick Brown, Jill Scott and more.
7:30 p.m.
Hodgson Concert Hall
FREE CONCERT TUES 11/11
TUES 9/9
CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE
“Beautiful Grassland My Hometown” 美丽的草原我的家
music.uga.edu | 706-542-4400 | 230 River Road, Athens, GA
$22, Adult
$5, Student
Additional fees for online