Acclaimed Pianist Jodie DeSalvo to Perform at Canterbury School

Canterbury School is pleased to welcome critically acclaimed and internationally recognized pianist Jodie DeSalvo to campus for an intimate concert on Monday, September 15, at 6:00 p.m.

DeSalvo has earned national and international acclaim for her classical and jazz interpretations, debuting at Carnegie Hall after winning the Artist International Competition and later performing at Lincoln Center. A graduate of the Hartt and Manhattan schools of music and a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, she has appeared as soloist with major orchestras including Chicago, Geneva, Lucerne, San Francisco, and Fort Wayne, collaborating with renowned conductors such as Christopher Wilkins and Jorge Mester. DeSalvo is also a distinguished chamber musician, having performed with leading string players and quartets and at festivals including Brevard, Chautauqua, and Birch Creek, where she has chaired the piano faculty for over two decades. A frequent soloist with the Naples Philharmonic, she has been featured more than 100 times on NPR and has recorded 13 CDs spanning solo, chamber, and choral repertoire.

This event is a special dedication recital celebrating Canterbury’s new Steinway piano, given in honor of Anita and Bill Cast. For this program, DeSalvo will perform works by Chopin and Gershwin—not only because they are her favorites, but because Anita and Bill also love these composers. “Anita and I, many years ago, used to play several duets together on her piano at home,” said DeSalvo. “We have a long-standing friendship through music of 36 years, making this evening all the more meaningful.”

The concert also reflects DeSalvo’s own deep personal ties to Canterbury. Her connection with the school began in 1989 when her husband served as Upper School Head for nine years and their children attended Canterbury. “We have many dear friends through the Canterbury community, including the Cast, Summers, and Paflas families,” DeSalvo shared. “Not only were they close to us then, but many have remained dear friends to this day and continue to attend my concerts in Naples, Florida.”

For DeSalvo, music is inseparable from life itself. “Music is like blood running through my veins. It is food for the soul… not only for the joy and the love I get out of it, but also for what it does to other people,” she said. “Music is the only universal language, and we can touch people by bringing them joy, by making them cry, but most importantly by healing the heart. I love what I do and I love that others love it too.”

“At Canterbury, we believe the arts are an essential part of a well-rounded education, opening doors to creativity, expression, and deeper understanding,” said Trevor Campbell, Director of Visual Arts and High School Dean of Student Affairs. “Hosting workshops with world-renowned artists like Jodie allows our students and our greater Canterbury community to experience world-class talent that broadens perspectives and connects all of us to diverse cultures and worldviews.”

While on campus, DeSalvo will also host a workshop for students focused on musical performance.

The concert is free, but tickets are required. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today: https://bit.ly/Jodie-DeSalvo.