Ensemble Ibérica / Music of Carlos Paredes

Experience the timeless beauty of Paredes’ music in an intimate performance at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, featuring cellist Ezgi Karakus and Beau Bledsoe of Ensemble Ibérica on Portuguese guitar. Revered as one of Portugal’s greatest guitarists and most influential composers, Paredes crafted works of profound lyricism, emotional depth, and intricate artistry. Ezgi and Beau bring these pieces to life with sensitivity and expressive power, weaving the warm resonance of the cello with the shimmering delicacy of the Portuguese guitar. This concert offers a rare opportunity to hear Paredes’ iconic music in a setting that invites deep listening, reflection, and connection. Part of the Museum’s Arts & Culture Discovery Series, this concert will also include a lecture on the life of Carlos Paredes

Ezgi Karakus – cello

Ezgi Karakus is a highly accomplished Turkish cellist whose musical journey began at the age of eleven. Her talents were duly recognized as she won the concerto competition three times during her conservatory education. After moving to the United States, she won first prize in the Belle and Lynum Jackson Balshaw Music Competition for her exceptional skills. She completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance at the prestigious UMKC Conservatory of Music & Dance. Ezgi has performed internationally with renowned orchestras like the Topeka Symphony, Tulsa Symphony, and Kansas City Symphony. She was also featured as a soloist at the esteemed Springfield Symphony and Yo-Yo Ma’s Master Class at the Kauffman Center of the Performing Arts.

Beau Bledsoe – guitar

Beau Bledsoe performs and records classical music, jazz and folkloric music from around the world as he seeks to integrate different musical cultures with diverse audiences. Through his many varied projects and ensembles, Beau has toured extensively throughout Europe, Russia, South America and North America in addition to producing fifteen recordings under his recording label Tzigane. Beau is currently artistic director and founder of Ensemble Iberica which explores the music of Spain, Portugal and other areas of the world connected to the Iberian diaspora.