Renowned Violinist Joan Kwon Headlines ‘An Evening of Music & the White House’ with NSU Library’s Circle of Friends

Music aficionados and history buffs alike received a rare treat when NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library recently featured An Evening of Music and the White House, with renowned violinist Joan Kwuon.

The Nov. 13 evening began with hors d’oeuvres before progressing to the library’s Second Floor Gallery, which boasted two concurrent White House exhibits. Guest historian and curator William Bushong then lead an in-depth exploration of the traveling panel exhibit James Hoban: Architect of the White House, which features the design and construction of the White House by the 18th century Irish architect James Hoban.

The Second Floor Gallery also featured an amazing collection of Presidential Letters and Signatures from the Collection of Sheldon C. and Rosalind Kurland, which included original documents and hand-written correspondence signed by Washington, Lincoln, Adams, Jefferson and many more, offering a glimpse into the personal and professional lives of nearly all of America’s past presidents.

The evening culminated with a world-class concert and beautiful desserts. Violinist Joan Kwuon played moving overtures that had the crowd entranced. The New York Times has praised Kwon for her “fiery, intensely musical and impassioned playing.” She was accompanied by pianist Teddy Robie, and the pair was given standing ovations.

The following day, both Kwuon and Robie taught a series of master’s classes to University School of NSU students, and undergraduate students in NSU’s Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences.

An Evening of Music and the White House was one event in a series of several premiere arts and cultural offerings the Circle of Friends of NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library hosts each year.

The Circle of Friends is a diverse group of individuals who share the common goal of furthering the intellectual resources of NSU’s Alvin Sherman Library. For more information on upcoming events or to join, please call 954-262-4627 or email jmcbean@nova.edu.