HAYS, Kan. -- The Fort Hays State University Western Kansas String Academy will host violinist Priscilla Hallberg and pianist Linda Adams in a recital of Russian ballet music based on fairy tales on Saturday, Feb. 13. The free concert will be held at 2 p.m. in Palmer Recital Hall in Malloy Hall, room 115.

The one-hour recital for area children features music, pictures and stories from Russian ballet composers. Children will have the opportunity to learn about two composers (Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky), about Russian culture at the time of the music, about ballet as a musical style and hear the Hans Christian Anderson story "The Ice Maiden."

Priscilla Hallberg holds degrees in violin performance from the University of Iowa, (a bachelor of Music), Boston University, (Master of Music) and Rutgers University (Doctor of Musical Arts) and also attended Indiana University and the Juilliard School. She has performed widely as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestra musician. Hallberg is a teacher with the String Academy of the Plains based in Garden City, and regularly presents children's concerts that combine story and art with classical music.

"We thought a concert based on fairy tales would be a great way for young children to appreciate classical music," said Cathy Drabkin, director of the WKSA.

The program is funded in part by a grant from the Kansas Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

Concertgoers of all ages are welcome to attend the recital, although the presentation will be most appropriate for children elementary aged and older. For additional information, contact Cathy Drabkin at (785) 628-5363 or cadrabkin@fhsu.edu.