ALTOONA, Pa. — Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber, professor of music at Penn State Altoona, and alumna Brandis Ajay will perform with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra at “Italian Night at the Symphony” on Saturday, April 13.

Led by music director and conductor Maestro Nick Palmer, the concert will celebrate vocal and instrumental music by Italian composers like Puccini, Rossini, Verdi, and Vivaldi. Cutsforth-Huber and Ajay will perform selections from masterworks such as “Gianni Schicci,” “Italian in Alegeri,” and “Madame Butterfly.”

The collaboration is an effort to include more local artists in ASO performances. In addition to course instruction, Cutsforth-Huber is also the director of Penn State Altoona’s student choral group, Ivyside Pride. Ajay is a 2020 graduate in the vocal performance track of the college’s Integrative Arts program.

“It has been so rewarding to watch Brandis grow from a freshman at Penn State Altoona to the artist she is today and to be a part of her journey,” says Cutsforth-Huber. “Most voice teachers never have the opportunity to perform with their own students on a professional level. I am thrilled and excited to share this experience with Brandis.”

“Italian Night at the Symphony” is Saturday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mishler Theatre in downtown Altoona. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling 814-944-9434.