February 9, 2027 at 7:30 p.m.
Mendelssohn + Violin Concerto + Beethoven
Moody Performance Hall
2520 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201
A program featuring Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor with violinist Nancy Zhou and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1, pairing one of the repertoire’s most beloved concertos with a landmark early symphony. Richard McKay conducts.
$29-54 reserved seats
Program
Main event starts at 7:30 p.m.
Richard McKay conducts
Felex Mendelssohn
Violin Concerto in E minor
Nancy Zhou, violin
Allegro molto appassionato
Andante
Allegretto non troppo – Allegro molto vivace
Intermission
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony Nº 1 in C major
Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
Andante cantabile con moto
Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace
Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace
Program duration:
110 minutes, including intermission
$29-54 reserved seats
You’ll always find our best available seats and prices online. Complete your purchase and have tickets emailed, shipped, or left under your name at will call.
(214) 449-1294
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday
Tickets may be purchased in our venue’s lobby, which opens 90 minutes before each event’s start time. Major credit cards and mobile wallets are accepted. Skip the lines by ordering online or by phone.
Looking for the perfect gift? Not sure if this event is the right one? Buy a gift card and let your loved one decide! Have your gift delivered by mail, email or text with your own personalized message!
Buying for a group of 10 or more? Visit our group tickets page to learn how to receive a discount and reserve a group meeting space in our lobby!
About the Artists
Nancy Zhou, violin
Known for her probing musical voice and searing virtuosity, Nancy Zhou seeks to invigorate appreciation for the art and science of the violin. Her thoughtful musicianship and robust online presence resonate with a global audience in such a way that brings her on stage with leading orchestras around the world.
More than 20 years since her orchestral debut, Nancy has collaborated with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Munich Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, New Jersey Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, among others. A passionate soloist who cherishes chamber music collaborations and commits to the responsibility of education, Nancy has performed at festivals including the Verbier Festival, Tongyeong Music Festival, and Marvão Festival; she is a regular guest educator at various international summer festivals, holding not only masterclasses but also workshops on fundamental training and wellbeing for musicians.
Over the years, the violinist’s interest in cultural heritage and the humanities resulted in a string of notable collaborations. In collaboration with the New Jersey Symphony and Xian Zhang, she presented Zhao Jiping’s first violin concerto at Alice Tully Hall; gave the US premieres of Unsuk Chin’s “Gran Cadenza” for two solo violins with Anne-Sophie Mutter; performed Chen Qigang’s “La joie de la souffrance” with the Rogue Valley Symphony; and, in partnership with the La Jolla Symphony, gave the West Coast premiere of Vivian Fung’s Violin Concerto no. 1. In July 2025, Nancy embarks on a research trip with Vivian to Zhexiang, China, the hometown village of the violinist’s mother, who is a former professional folk dancer ; the result is a work for violin and electronics that explores the intersection of music as a cultural force and folk minority culture. The violinist’s critically-acclaimed debut album, STORIES (re)TRACED, is a response to these questions and features four seminal and inextricably connected works for solo violin, including Béla Bartók’s Sonata. The CD released in June 2025 with Orchid Classics.
Born in Texas to Chinese immigrant parents, Nancy began the violin under the guidance of her father, who hails from a family of traditional musicians. She went on to study with Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory while pursuing her interest in literature at Harvard University. She now is an Associated Artist of the Queen Elisabeth Chapel.
Richard McKay, music & artistic director
Richard McKay is a conductor of the symphonic and operatic repertory across the United States, Europe and South America. An established leader in the vibrant Dallas arts community, his recent performances have been hailed by critics as “spellbinding,” “finely paced,” and “perfectly shaped” (D Magazine and The Dallas Morning News).
McKay has worked with the Baltimore Symphony and Dallas Symphony, where he has assisted conductors Günther Herbig, Carlos Kalmar, Jaap van Zweden, and many others. He has led performances at the Aspen Music Festival where he was a fellowship conductor at the American Academy of Conducting. McKay has also conducted the Fort Worth Symphony, Dallas Opera Orchestra, Irving Symphony, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Mendoza Symphony, Estonian National Youth Symphony, and others. Other program highlights have included successful collaborations with Texas Ballet Theater and Bruce Wood Dance.
McKay holds a doctorate from the Peabody Conservatory where he trained with Gustav Meier, Markand Thakar, and Marin Alsop while serving as assistant conductor and chorus master of the Peabody Orchestras and Opera. He graduated with a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from The University of Texas at Austin, where he conducted performances at the Butler Opera Center and served as Music Director of the University Orchestra.