About Augustana Arts
Augustana Arts is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. At Augustana Arts, we believe we must redefine and reimagine the experience of performing arts environments. We know that the concert hall has a history of exclusion and we are flipping the script by intentionally creating a welcoming, friendly and engaging experience for all that crosses genres and eliminates barriers. To live true to these beliefs, we present performances that bridge the gap between artist and audience, creating immersive musical experiences featuring diverse artists from varying cultural traditions and genres alongside our own Stratus Chamber Orchestra. With Pay What You Can ticketing at many of our performances, we ensure that all members of our community have access to our programs.
Adam Torres (Host)
Conductor and pianist Adam Torres is an influential artist throughout Colorado and beyond, holding positions of Music Director for Denver’s Stratus Chamber Orchestra, Artistic Director for the Colorado Springs Chorale, and Senior Instructor at Colorado State University, where he additionally serves as Program Director for the Summer Residency Master of Music (Conducting Emphasis) for Music Educators. Beyond his professional work, Adam holds many interests, including his love for the incredibly expansive fields of viticulture (wine growing) and oenology (wine making). A long time enthusiast, Adam recently completed his Level 1 certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers and plans to extend his training in 2025 through the Wine Spirits Education Trust (WSET) certification program. Adam has had the opportunity to visit several famous wine regions throughout the world, including guided educational and tasting tours in Champagne, Bordeaux, Rioja, Penedès, Tuscany, Napa Valley, and Sonoma Valley. For Adam, music and wine are both storytelling experiences of human connection, and he is excited to co-curate this season’s Music of the Vine with his partner Michael.
Louisa Amend (Voice)
Louisa Amend is a vocalist and educator based out of Denver. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2016 with a Bachelors of Music Education. Throughout her association with UNC, she was a member of numerous premier vocal ensembles (one earning a few DownBeat Student Music Awards) and several opera productions.
Louisa works as a freelance musician and founded her own teaching studio. She sings locally, both in a jazz and classical setting. She is a dedicated instructor of voice and piano at her private studio and Graland Country Day School. She currently works with Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts as a teacher and curriculum developer. Also, she has worked as a clinician for several middle school and high school vocal jazz ensembles and with the Denver Women’s Chorus.
About Music of the Vine
Join us for a unique date night, girls night, or evening out with friends. Featuring a jazz pianist and vocalist alongside Stratus Chamber Orchestra’s conductor and certified sommelier Adam Torres and jazz expert and sommelier Michael Schreier, this program will take you artfully through classic American sounds and tastes. Enjoy your evening as you are guided through a curated selection of American wines, paired perfectly with jazz, big band, and popular classics from The Great American Songbook. You’ll have the chance to explore the way our senses mingle and leave with a new appreciation for the tastes and sounds of America’s heritage.
You can expect the music to sound vintage, jazzy, and engaging.
Michael Schreier (Host)
Michael Schreier (Host) describes himself both as a musicophile and an oenophile. Music was his first love, starting piano lessons at age 6. Fast forward a few years and you could find him performing and leading logistics for the UNC / Greeley Jazz Festival, one of the largest jazz festivals in the United States. In 2015, Schreier was honored as a recipient of ASCAP’s Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer award. Shortly thereafter, he served as the Artistic Director for Dazzle, where he was an influential voice in the Denver jazz scene, curating performances of jazz greats, including Christian McBride, Fred Hersch, Gary Peacock, and many of the world-class artists who call Denver home. After a few years in the role, Schreier decided to shift gears and began pursuing a career in technology. Like many wine-lovers, Schreier’s rite of initiation was a trip to Napa Valley. As with music, the level of expression presented by the wines he tasted stirred something within him. He continued to pursue this passion, touring other significant viticultural areas in the world and tasting wines from as many regions as possible. Following a rigorous course of study, Schreier was awarded his level 1 certificate from the Court of Sommeliers in early 2024. He sees the many synergies that exist between wine and music; both can evoke intensity, subtlety, nuance, and can create an emotional connection with its listener/consumer.
Sonya Walker (Piano)
Sonya Walker is a Colorado-born multi-instrumentalist who considers piano the sun in her musical solar system. She can be found playing several types of music in and around the Denver area. She has shared the stage with wonderful and spectacular people such as Greg Gisbert, Art Lande, Randy Brecker, and Roy Hargrove.
Please note: all refunds and ticket exchanges must be requested 24 hours in advance of the performance. Day of exchanges or refunds will not be considered.