The Palm Beach Post – 08/26/07


The Sharon McDaniel Countdown: Five things these performing artists did on their summer vacations

By Sharon McDaniel
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, August 26, 2007

Yoko at IblaYoko Sata Kothari, pianist, North Palm Beach

Born in Japan, Yoko Kothari is a piano soloist, chamber musician, two-time recording artist and teacher. Last month, she won honorable mention at the 10-day Ibla International Piano Competition in Sicily. She was recognized for her exceptional performance of Bartok, a composer whose works have won her prizes on two continents.

After additional performances around Sicily, the Japanese-born pianist returned home to North Palm Beach to begin rehearsals with her chamber ensemble, the Trillium Piano Trio (piano, violin and cello). That’s when summer caught up with them.

“We were all stressed out,” Kothari remembers of the early days of August. “We needed to begin rehearsals but we were scattered, all coming from different directions. It’s as if we needed to come home to rest – and start working again!”

The trio performs next on the St. Paul Music Series on Sept. 30.