The 2026–27 88+ Contemporary Piano Series brings seven pianists to the Dresher Ensemble Studio in West Oakland. From December through May, five programs explore what one or two pianos can do. Contemporary American music is at the heart of the series. You’ll hear two-piano duets and the percussive sounds of John Cage’s prepared piano, and see how a pianist’s playing can shape the images on screen. Our intimate studio, home to Bösendorfer and Baldwin concert grands, lets you experience it all up close.

All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at 2201 Poplar Street, Oakland.

Saturday, December 5, 2026 — Cahill-Myers Duo

Sarah Cahill and Regina Myers open the series at our two grand pianos with Theresa Wong’s Bodywork (2026), alongside works by Meredith Monk, Juan Sebastián Cardona-Ospina, Eleanor Alberga, and David Borden.

Saturday, January 30, 2027 — Clara Yang

Clara Yang pairs her own music with works by Reena Esmail, Lee Weisert, Stephen Anderson, Liliya Ugay, Philip Glass, Allen Anderson, and Christopher Cerrone.

Saturday, March 20 & Sunday, March 21, 2027 — Hadley McCarroll

Hadley McCarroll performs John Cage’s Sonatas and Interludes (1946–1948) for prepared piano. Choose either evening to hear the complete work.

Saturday, April 24, 2027 — Vicki Ray & Aron Kallay

Vicki Ray and Aron Kallay share a program featuring Dylan Mattingly’s Dreams and False Alarms, Paul Dresher’s Blue Diamonds, and John Luther Adams’s Dark Waves.

Saturday, May 22, 2027 — Keisuke Nakagoshi

Keisuke Nakagoshi closes the series with a solo recital of works by Mason Bates, Morton Feldman, Samuel Adams, and Samuel Barber.

Ticket options

Individual tickets are available for all six performances. For Hadley McCarroll’s program, choose either Saturday, March 20, or Sunday, March 21.

The discounted five-concert series pass includes all five programs. Select your preferred March date at checkout.

The 88+ Contemporary Piano Series is made possible in part by a grant from the Amphion Foundation.