The Unconservatory Festival Orchestra

Kirk Whipple,

Director of the U.F.O., was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He received first prize in the 1996 (San Francisco) Bay Area Keyboard Artists Competition. He also was a first prize recipient in the National Young Artist Competition in Midland, Texas
and has performed in solo recitals and concerts throughout the United States. He studied piano with Darlene Bradley-Garza, Frances Kelly, Mark Wetch, Roy Bogas, John Browning and James Barbagallo. Kirk studied harmony, composition and improvisation with W. A. Mathieu, and African drumming with Kwaku Daddy. Kirk participated in the ninth Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition which was held in Moscow and gave several performances in the Soviet Union during the summer of 1990. Other distinctions include "Best Classical Musician, 1989" and "Best Music Teacher, 1990" in the Sonoma County, California Art Awards. Kirk has also toured as pianist with The Harry James Orchestra, under the direction of Fred Radke. Kirk performs solo here in an excerpt from his original composition: "Sergei of the Serengei"

Kirk and his wife, Marilyn Morales, continue to tour the United States and abroad together. They have been performing in concerts at one and two pianos since their meeting in 1988.
Contact information: Kirk Whipple 8035 S.W. 26^th Street Miami, FL 33155 (305) 266-9673 Pianistas2@aol.com