WOW! It feels like it was just yesterday when a small group of music lovers and I created Musical Bridges and now 10 years later, we are loved and recognized within our beautiful city. We have become a vital part of San Antonio's cultural scene.

I want to extend my sincere "THANK YOU" to all of the wonderful people who helped us during these 10 challenging years to get where we are now. Among these special people are: Dr. Jan Puckett, Dr. Sheila Schwartzman, Kathy O'Neal, Susan Dunis, Gladys Miller, Linda Wasserman, Dr. Gustavo Medellin, Dr. Bradley Kayser, Dr. Carl Dukes, Jo Long, Susan Rastomian, CPA, Laralee Wahrmund, Annett Anderson, Sandra Peter, John Acosta, James Sanders, and of course my musical family and my husband Robert.

Our all-star 10th Season will blow your mind with an outstanding group of musicians from all over the world, performing an eclectic variety of a great music; from Bach for solo cello to Bach with a jazz swing.

We are opening the season on September 23rd, with the extravaganza "Strings Attached". The concert will feature a fabulous group of musicians on violin, guitar, cello, and piano. Mark Cheikhet, violin and Elena Portnaya, piano with our guest from Moscow Boris Andrianov, Bronze medalist of the 1998 Tchaikovsky International Cello Competition, and Russian Guitarist Alexander Tsiboulski, First Prize Winner of the inaugural Southwest Guitar Festival competition, will present a colorful program - from Bach to Piazolla.

December 9th 2008, is "Sounds of Vienna". I am very excited to bring back to San Antonio an old friend of my family and concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony, Mr. Emmanuel Borok. I am honored to join him in a program of elegant Viennese music featuring all time favorites Mozart, Schubert, Richard Strauss, and Kreisler.

Our winter concert January 20th 2008 is titled "Russian Palace" and will feature the return of, Valery Grokhovski with his Jazz trio putting a new twist on classical standards and world famous Russian Bass Nikita Storojev returning from performances at La Scala and the Paris Opera. He'll be accompanied by balalaika and accordion, presenting us with a smashing program of Russian Folk Songs.

And last but not least our May 4th 2008, "Gold Fingers" concert will feature a fantastic cast of musicians. Alexey Koltakov, the Gold Medal winner of the 2006 San Antonio International Piano Competition is coming back with a virtuosic piano solo program! Then he will be joined by Jeff Garza, the young, exciting principal French hornist of the San Antonio Symphony and tenor Michael Burgess, our old friend from Chicago along with members of the San Antonio Symphony strings in a performance of Benjamin Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings.

Our annual "Child Prodigy" concert showcasing the Best Musicians in Texas ages 5 to 13, will take place in the Carver Cultural Center on May 25th 2008. I have some spectacular kids lined up for this concert...SO, DO NOT MISS THIS UNIQUE SHOW!!!!!!

The delectable Chocolate Fountain Receptions will continue to provide a welcoming environment after each concert as you mingle with the artists. The receptions are served by our own dedicated group of volunteers and are included in your ticket price.

Once again we are counting on your support to help us enrich cultural life of our beautiful city. You know our ticket prices are very affordable and we want to keep it this way for the benefit of our community. As a nonprofit organization, 75% of MBAW's annual budget is provided by individual and corporate charitable donations. As always, WE GRATEFULLY RELY ON YOUR SUPPORT. Take a GOOD LOOK at our New and Exciting Membership Opportunities and Benefits, and then join us in celebration of our 10th Birthday with THE STARS!

Anya Grokhovski-Michaelson

Founder and Artistic director, MBAW