BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Alys Stephens Center will present pianist Gabriela Montero at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 in the Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. VIP tickets are $65. Performance tickets are $45, $35, $25; $15 for 30 and Under Classical Pass. A free, pre-concert Prelude discussion of the music will begin at 7 p.m. Call 205-975-2787 or go to www.AlysStephens.org.

Montero is among the premier classical pianists in the world, a protégé of the legendary Martha Argerich and a tireless advocate of the lost art of classical improvisation. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Montero gave her first public performance at age 5. Three years later she made her concerto debut with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra conducted by Jose Antonio Abreu and was granted a scholarship from the Venezuelan Government to study in the United States. The world took notice of her talent during a recent performance at the U.S. presidential inauguration with Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman.

Montero is known for taking suggestions from the audience, which she uses to compose her trademark on-the-spot improvisations. The program for her Alys Stephens Center performance includes Six Piano Pieces, Op. 118 by Johannes Brahms, Sonata No. 1, Op. 22 by Alberto Ginastera, with improvisations on themes or pieces suggested by audience members after intermission.

This show is part of the Birmingham Music Club Classically Inclined Series and is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt R. Haskell, The Birmingham News, WBHM and Viva Health.

About the Alys Stephens Center

Located on the UAB campus, the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is one of the Southeast's premier performing arts centers, hosting the best in international, national and local performance. Home to the UAB departments of Theatre and Music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the ASC also presents its own season, bringing the world's best music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment to Alabama.