The Asheville Art Trio, featuring Dr. William Bares, piano, bass phenom Mike Holstein, and UNCA percussion instructor Justin Watt, has been performing its unique style of chamber jazz in WNC for well over ten years. 

On April 7th, the group will pair with Christian Howes, one of the most versatile and in-demand violinists on the scene today. Howes, who calls Asheville home, will be featured on a variety of captivating re-arrangements of classical musical repertoire. 

Fans of classical string quartets, the Modern Jazz Quartet, and "third-stream" music will find much to love in this colorful and inventive set that mixes the best of both genres.

At UNC Asheville’s Music Department, the classical co-exists with the contemporary. We explore the many connections and interactions between music and all facets of human life through instruction and performance. Students learn in cutting-edge classrooms at the only university where music pioneer Bob Moog – inventor of the Moog Synthesizer – ever taught. The University Singers, one of several student ensembles, have performed at the White House, while many graduates have found dream jobs working with top artists like R.E.M. and Alison Krauss. In addition to being dedicated teachers, our faculty are active musicians who enrich Asheville’s thriving music scene and the cultural life of our campus.

Our highly selective music technology program combines music, engineering, math, computer science, music business, and electronics to teach students how to professionally mix and record music, while our jazz and contemporary music performance program is ideal for those pursuing careers as singers, instrumentalists, composers, and arrangers. Our Bachelor of Arts degree merges music analytical training with history, anthropology, natural sciences, and philosophy to prepare students for a range of careers or graduate studies. Students wishing admittance to the B.F.A. in Jazz and Contemporary Music or B.S. in Music Technology degree programs must pass an instrumental or vocal audition. An audition is not required for admission to the B.A. in Music degree.