CLASSICAL MUSIC
Kevin Mills & Drew Petersen
Tortured Bliss
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 7:30pm
Performance to be followed by a reception with the artists.
Lorraine Boccardo Theater
Accomplished and virtuosic duo, Cellist Kevin Mills and pianist Drew Petersen, present Tortured Bliss, an evening of powerful and transformative classical music that highlights cornerstone repertoire for Cello and Piano.
Changing the game for cello literature, Beethoven’s Sonata No. 2 in G Minor takes the instrument upwards towards an equal partner status with the piano, while doing so in a tragic key. Brahms’ Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor is an epic journey that takes the cello into the depths of somber beauty and raw emotion. Both showcase the capabilities and the range of the cello, and are undeniable to the growth of the cello as a solo instrument for many composers to come.
Southern California native Kevin Mills holds an Artist Diploma from Oberlin Conservatory, a Master of Music from The Juilliard School, and a Bachelor of Music from California State University, Fullerton. Based in Los Angeles, he serves as Principal Cellist of the Rogue Valley Symphony and Assistant Principal Cellist of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and performs regularly with the Santa Barbara and Bakersfield Symphonies. He is also a frequent substitute with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Recent highlights include solo appearances at Walt Disney Concert Hall, performing Bruch’s Kol Nidrei and Vivaldi’s Double Cello Concerto in G Minor with the Korean-American Youth Symphony. His studio work spans major venues such as Capitol Records and Sony Pictures. A dedicated chamber musician, Mills has performed nationally and internationally with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and The Greenhouse Foundation in Seoul, Korea. He performs on a 1779 Renault & Chatelain cello, a cherished gift from his first teacher.
Drew Petersen is an acclaimed American pianist based in the New York area, known for his poetic and compelling performances across a wide-ranging repertoire from Bach to contemporary composers. A highly sought-after soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, he has received major honors including the 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 2017 American Pianists Awards. His 2025–26 season features recitals across the U.S. and concerto debuts with the Baltimore and Hartford Symphonies. His debut Steinway & Sons recording, focused on American composers, was praised by BBC Music Magazine as marking him a rising star.
Petersen is also a frequent presence on radio programs like From the Top and Performance Today, and has been featured in major media outlets and documentaries. Beyond performance, he is an advocate for the arts, engaging in educational outreach and collaborations with organizations like Young Audiences NY. A Harvard graduate and Juilliard-trained musician, he combines academic excellence with a global artistic perspective, aiming to share music’s transformative power with diverse audiences worldwide.
