The Richard F. Burkhardt Performing Arts Series at Southeastern Community College presents Milton Laufer as the guest artist at the Dr. Sharyn Edwards Piano Festival March 1-2. He will open the festival with a recital on Friday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the South Columbus High School auditorium. The recital is open to the public and general admission is $10.

A Chicago native, Milton Rubén Laufer began playing the piano at three years of age, and his training includes studies at the Music Institute of Chicago, the Gnessin Institute, the Eastman School of Music, the University of Michigan, and Rice University.

Laufer has delighted audiences on four continents in prestigious venues from Lincoln Center to Tchaikowsky Hall. A versatile artist, he has shared the stage with artists ranging from Natalie Cole to Guerassim Voronkov.

Recognized internationally as a leading interpreter and scholar of Spanish piano music, Laufer’s editions of Isaac Albéniz’s 3 Improvisations for Piano and La Vega  are published by G. Henle Verlag of Munich and available worldwide. Currently Laufer is writing the book, “The Pianist’s Guide to the Repertoire of Spain”.  His recording credits include albums on the Naxos, Zenph Sound Innovations, Bis Records, and Beauport Classics record labels

He is a charter trustee and lifetime member of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame and an active voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammy’s) and Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Latin Grammy’s). Laufer currently serves as the director of the school of music and associate professor at Western Carolina University.

The Dr. Sharyn Edwards Piano Festival, named in honor of Edwards, an acclaimed former Southeastern Community College music faculty member, includes piano competitions and recitals by students in kindergarten through college. The festival is dedicated to meeting the needs of piano students and teachers from the southeastern North Carolina counties of Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, New Hanover, Pender, and Robeson.  Participants from other parts of the state are welcome. Other festival events include piano competitions beginning at 9:30 a.m., a high school master class at 1:30 p.m. and the student recital and awards ceremony at 6 p.m.. All events are held at South Columbus High School.