A NEW VISION FOR
ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY

About TOPAZ

TOPAZ is a chamber ensemble committed to using the arts to build community spirit and awareness through benefit concerts for worthy organizations, in-the-school music programs for young people, and performances at Stanford Hospital and other institutions dedicated to healing and service. TOPAZ explores the relationships between various music genres, the role of improvisation in music-making, and the breaking down of barriers that artificially divide the vast realm of music into isolated segments.

The TOPAZ Jazz Ensemble was founded in 2005 by prominent American violist and composer, Mimi Dye. The ensemble performs primarily music composed by the founder, all of which is dedicated to peace, understanding, and celebration. The ensemble has also collaborated with other performing groups, including the VNote Ensemble (folkloric music of Venezuela) and Sukay (traditional Andean music).

Key projects include recording a CD of original jazz/world compositions, “River in the Sun,” performing at the Jazz Lab at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, and performing a world premiere, “One Beautiful Light” (for jazz viola, TOPAZ ensemble, and strings) with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra at Le Petit Trianon Theatre in San Jose. The ensemble has performed numerous times in the TOPAZ Concert Series in Palo Alto, the Bing Concert Series at Stanford Hospital, at Strings and Anna's Jazz Island in Berkeley, Peña Pachamama in San Francisco, and for “Global Week” at Castilleja School in Palo Alto.

	Download a high-resolution photo (8x10" JPG, 300dpi) of Mimi Dye, Director of TOPAZ.	♫ Listen to Music Samples

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