Astralis Chamber Ensemble
Friday, October 24, 2025 6:00 pm
Friday, January 23, 2026
William Bares, Piano, and Justin Ray, Trumpet
Join us for two fun and informal Friday night concerts at Tryon Fine Arts Center. These are one-hour in length and seperate from our regular subscription series, so you may purchase your tickets at any time. Create an enjoyable night out in downtown Tryon!
Astralis Chamber Ensemble
Friday, October 24, 2025
6:00 pm
“Enchanting and uplifting”
(Kairos Arts Ministry)
The Astralis Chamber Ensemble is an innovative group of musicians known for creative programming and close interaction with audiences. Concert tours often reach rural areas and communities without ready access to classical music. Through unique instrument pairings, as well as new commissions and arrangements, Astralis has created lasting connections between audiences and classical music.
Three members of the ensemble will perform in Tryon. Flutist Angela Massey is a noted soloist who has performed across the United States and Europe and is acclaimed for her recordings as well as live performances. Harpist Jane Yoo is a prize-winning performer who has appeared in important venues in America and Asia. Violist Kiarra Saito-Beckman has performed extensively across North America, Europe, and Asia as soloist and chamber musician.
Audiences have responded to Astralis with enthusiasm. “Amazingly beautiful music” noted one concertgoer. Another described the ensemble as “scary good.” The performance promises to be another great event.
William Bares, Piano and
Justin Ray, Trumpet
Friday, January 23, 2026
6:00 pm
William Bares, Piano “A superb jazz pianist”
(Andrew Fletcher)
William Bares is a noted jazz pianist who has performed to great acclaim in New York, Boston, and Europe. As an active member of Asheville’s musical community, he performed solo piano in the Blue Ridge Orchestra’s debut of “Rhapsody in Blue,” hosted the weekly Sunday Jazz Showcase at Asheville’s Isis Music Hall and continues to perform and record with his modern jazz group, The Core. Mr. Bares serves on the faculty of UNC-Asheville.
Justin Ray, Trumpet
“A truly remarkable reaction to an overwhelming performance”
(Michael Bublé)
Justin Ray has performed professionally for more than twenty years. In 2003, he accepted an offer from Warner Bros. to appear with Michael Bublé as instrumentalist, composer, and arranger. Mr. Ray gained a reputation for a fiery and compelling style and has appeared at Madison Square Garden, the Sydney Opera House, Radio City Music Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl. TV appearances include The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Saturday Night Live.
