While some musicians are known for their expertise in a single genre Joyce Moulton is a pianist who has distinguished herself as a master of a variety of musical style.
Today's program will offer a range of music from classical pieces by composers such as Frédéric Chopin to the jazz and ragtime of George Gershwin?a variety that Moulton chose because it reflects her diverse musical interests and her willingness to tackle challenges.
The program reflects Moulton's personal musical progression over the course of her career.
"The piece I start with is Chopin's Fantasy-Impromptu, which is actually the piece I played for my audition to become a music major in college. Then I make a transition to the second half through Gershwin preludes that are jazzy but still part of the classical literature," she said.
"The second half of my program is these wildly different, jazzier pieces that I originally played in cabaret settings...I love to find really unique settings for things you wouldn't suspect to be any good and make them work," said Moulton.
It was Moulton's ability and eagerness to learn quickly that made her familiar with a wide range of styles in a variety of settings, despite the fact that the majority of her training is in classical music.
"Because, by word of mouth or whatever other reason, people knew that I could learn quickly, I also became a short-notice performer," said Moulton. "If somebody gets sick, then I'll get asked to fill in for them, often the day before the performance or either the day of and have to learn new pieces that I'm completely unfamiliar with."
Moulton's professional career began at the age of 15, when she began performing for churches. She started giving lessons a year later and has continued to teach in some capacity throughout her career.
"I don't know if it was I who decided [to become a musician]. It chose me because I started when I was four and have continued ever since," she said.
Currently an instructor in her private studio and at Bowdoin, where she is an applied music instructor, Moulton has previously worked as the music director of the Brunswick Choral Society, the assistant director of the Androscoggin Chorale, and an instructor at the University of New Hampshire Summer Youth Music School.
"I've done many college-type performances playing for the University of New Hampshire," said Moulton. "I also assist music majors for their senior recitals so I play for a lot of college settings."
The biggest difference from previous performances may in fact be a function of the venue: Bowdoin's Kanbar Auditorium, which is part of the newly-constructed Studzinski Recital Hall.
"Being in Kanbar is just the best thing?it's a beautiful hall and the piano is wonderful," said Moulton. "I was expecting that it might be a little intimidating to perform in such a beautiful place, but it has a very homey feel. It's been great?I love it there."