As head of Powell River Academy of Music’s keyboard department between 1989 and 2004, Moira Hopfe-Ostensen was well known in the music community, at local schools and beyond.
An upcoming double-piano concert featuring Hopfe-Ostensen and academy artistic director Walter Martella will be a reunion for the two musicians and the community.
“Many current residents and past students will remember her and be interested to know what she has been up to,” said academy administrator Carrie Lanigan.
Hopfe-Ostensen intended to stay for just one year upon arrival in Powell River, then ended up buying a house and living here for 15. She currently lives in Fort Worth, Texas, where she received her doctorate and works as a music professor of piano performance. Visits to Powell River happen whenever she can find time, she said.
“I love Texas; it’s such a different culture,” said Hopfe-Ostensen. “I return to visit extended family and friends and consider Powell River to be home.”
Last time she was in town, Martella and Hopfe-Ostensen met up and the idea for the concert was formed.
“We played together some years ago,” said Martella. “We did a two-piano concert in something like 1990.”
It was a popular event at the time, and when the two were together during Hopfe-Ostensen’s last visit, people stopped them and requested another show, she said.
“We were sitting in a local coffee shop and a few people approached us to consider doing a concert together,” said Hopfe-Ostensen. “Ironically, we had just been discussing the possibility.”
The next step was finding a time that worked for busy musicians and a place to perform that would accommodate two grand pianos, said Hopfe-Ostensen.
“It was really about figuring out the logistics for arranging the venue,” she said.
Choosing music was the fun part, according to Martella. The repertoire will range from classical to contemporary with music from the baroque era to jazz and modern dance arrangements.
“The program is so diverse,” said Martella. “There’s going to be something for everyone, and we’re such different players.”
Hopfe-Ostensen is looking forward to seeing many people in the community who she worked with and taught over her years in town.
“It will be an exciting concert,” she said. “People will really enjoy it.”
The concert takes place at 7:30 pm on Thursday, January 18, in James Hall. For more information, go to powellriveracademy.org.
