Protostar Innovative Series

COTTON

CO-PRODUCTION with SAN DIEGO OPERA

Friday, January 16, 2026 · 7:30 PM

The Baker-Baum Concert Hall

J’Nai Bridges, soprano

Justin Austin, baritone

Laura Ward, piano

Music by Damien Geter

A spellbinding multimedia song-cycle bringing together the extraordinary cotton photography of John Dowell with newly commissioned poems by renowned poets, including Nikki Giovanni, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, and Alora Young. Brilliantly set to music by composer Damien Geter, for mezzo-soprano, baritone, and piano, the song cycle unfolds against the backdrop of enormous, constantly evolving images projected throughout this mesmerizing song experience. This profound journey, deep into the world of cotton, balances tragic history with resilience, hope, and high art.

COTTON was inspired by the cotton photography of John Dowell. COTTON was conceived and the poetry and music were commissioned by Lyric Fest (Philadelphia).

SHADOW CITIES
EPHRAT ASHERIE DANCE with ARTURO O’FARRILL

Sunday, February 22, 2026 · 3 PM & 7 PM

The Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Bringing together Ephrat Asherie Dance’s exhilarating choreography that remixes and reconnects various street and club dance styles with O’Farrill’s trademark Latin jazz sound, Shadow Cities explores what it means to be, and to feel, in-between.

Co-commissioned by La Jolla Music Society and ProtoStar Foundation

HAYATO SUMINO, piano

Saturday, May 9, 2026 · 7:30 PM

The Baker-Baum Concert Hall

Hayato Sumino has performed with leading orchestras worldwide and shares his unique style on his YouTube channel which boasts over 1.3 million subscribers. In this multiple keyboard recital, Sumino will exhibit his brilliant melding of classical technique with improvisational skills, bringing a fresh and innovative approach to piano music.