World-renowned Midori comes to Dawson on Friday By Cindy Votruba One of world-renowned violinist Midori’s commitments with her outreach programs is making sure classical chamber music is accessible to all, even those in smaller, rural communities. And along with Fergus Falls, Dawson is one of those venues for Midori’s 2007-2008 season. Midori, along with pianist Robert McDonald, will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Memorial Auditorium in Dawson.

The concert is part of the Dawson-Boyd Arts Association performing arts series. To order tickets, call 320-769-2955. Midori started learning the violin from her mother who was a working violinist in Japan and often gave lessons at their house. “I wanted to play the same instrument that my mother did, in the way that children naturally want to emulate their parents,” Midori told the Independent. “As my first violin teacher, my mother’s influence shows in nearly every aspect of my playing.

Now as an educator myself, I draw from her goal-oriented teaching style in working with my own students. Midori made her professional debut at age 11 when she was introduced as a surprise guest artist at the New York Philharmonic’s annual New Year’s Eve concert in 1982. Midori made her first recording at age 14 with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, playing the music of Bach and Vivaldi. Her recording of the Paganini Caprices for Solo Violin received a Grammy nomination.

This season, her recording of sonatas by J.S. Bach and Bela Bartok with McDonald will be released by Sony BMG Masterworks. During the year, Midori spends her time doing recitals, chamber music performances and appearances with several of the prestigious orchestras around the world. Luanne Fondell, the performance arts director of the Dawson-Boyd Arts Association, was overjoyed when she learned Midori was coming to Dawson. “The day I stood and listened to the voicemail from the agent …