Latest news with #HunterNoack

Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
American classical pianist Hunter Noack takes his music to the mountains
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Pianist Hunter Noack's In A Landscape project takes him to places in the outdoors not known for hosting concerts. UNITED STATES – For the last decade, classical pianist Hunter Noack has been embarking on an unusual journey. He hauls a 450kg 1912 Steinway concert grand piano to places in the outdoors not known for hosting concerts. Picture a man seated at a piano beside a lake. It could also be on a mountaintop, in a forest or a meadow. This summer, the 36-year-old is in the midst of a 10th-anniversary tour of his In A Landscape project, which has taken him to Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, California; Black Butte Ranch in Sisters, Oregon; and Warm Springs Preserve in Ketchum, Idaho. 'I get excited at the idea of bringing a piano where no piano has gone before,' Noack said. Inspired by preservationist John Muir, Noack started the project as a way of getting closer to nature, and taking classical music to rural areas where it is not typically accessible. The idea, he said, is to remove the barriers that typically limit classical music to concert venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York. 'What John Muir was trying to articulate is that we don't just need the wild to recreate in,' Noack said in an interview. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Noack, a native of Sunriver, Oregon, had just moved to Portland, a couple of years after graduating from the Guildhall School of Music in London. He was working odd jobs and struggling with student debt. He considered joining the National Guard, but instead applied for a small grant from a regional arts and culture council in Portland to try an experiment. Classical pianist Hunter Noack performing in Princeton, Oregon, on June 21. PHOTO: ALEX HECHT/NYTIMES Noack had long been fascinated by immersive theatre. As a student at the University of Southern California, he had been enamoured with classmates who independently produced their own shows, which included plays by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov staged in abandoned warehouses, and a piece by American playwright Sam Shepard performed in a rundown hotel in downtown Los Angeles. 'I wanted more of this in my life,' Noack said. He found the shows 'scrappy, fun and daring'. After graduating from college, Noack, along with a friend from boarding school, created an immersive play in San Francisco. In London, Noack eagerly took in shows by experimental theatre company Punchdrunk. 'These theatre and opera companies were really pushing the boundaries, and that's what I wanted to do with my art: classical piano,' he said . A travelling group of six helps Noack take his piano to the remote locations. The team has developed a system for moving the 2.7m instrument. The piano sits on a custom-designed 4.8m flatbed trailer and can go anywhere that a four-wheel-drive vehicle can. Once they arrive at a destination, the trailer turns into the stage. The first year, Noack rented a piano from a local dealer. But when he said he wanted to take the rented piano to Mount Bachelor in Bend, Oregon, and the Alvord Desert, in the south-eastern part of the state, the dealer did not want to take on the insurance liability. Afterwards, in 2017, a philanthropist purchased and donated the piano that Noack uses today. Noack did not intend for the In A Landscape project to be a full-time job, but the initial audience response was so large that he kept going. The original run of the tour had nine dates, but it has since expanded to more than 50 dates a year, over a wider area. The concerts are held rain or shine, hot or cold. The temperature during concerts has ranged from sub-freezing to more than 35 deg C . The 2.7m piano sits on a custom-designed 4.8m flatbed trailer and can go anywhere that a four-wheel-drive vehicle can. Once the team arrives at a destination, the trailer turns into the stage. PHOTO: ALEX HECHT/NYTIMES The notable locales where Noack has played include the entrance to Yellowstone, Joshua Tree National Park in California, Crater Lake in southern Oregon and Banff National Park in Canada. Most of the venues are in national parks in the Pacific Northwest. However, Noack said the most meaningful concerts have not necessarily been at the most recognisable locations, but rather, at smaller, more intimate spots such as ranches and farms. 'It's really all about the people who are there and the relationship they have with that space and what the landscape is doing for us in that for those 90 minutes,' he added. His shows have even appeared to attract wildlife. He recalled that at a two-night run near the Oregon coast, the piano was located near a cliff. A whale swam up to shore for both performances and lingered for their entirety. 'I like to think that the whale was enjoying this show,' Noack said. Among other wildlife that made appearances were free-range horses, birds and deer. Noack's ambition to take a piano to unfamiliar territory is expansive. He wants to perform at, among other striking sites, remote villages in Canada; at the Preikestolen, a steep cliff in Norway; during a safari in Africa; atop Vinicunca, the rainbow mountain in the Andes of Peru; and by the salt flats of Bolivia. 'My hope is that I can use this project, my love of the music and my curiosity about how public lands and natural resources are managed, to explore the world and learn,' he said. NYTIMES


New York Times
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
This Classical Pianist Has Reached the Mountaintop. No, Really.
For the last decade, the classical pianist Hunter Noack has been embarking on an unusual journey: He hauls a thousand-pound 1912 Steinway concert grand piano to places in the outdoors not known for hosting concerts. Picture a man seated at a piano beside a lake. It could also be on a mountaintop, in a forest or meadow. This summer, Noack, 36, is in the midst of a 10th-anniversary tour of his 'In A Landscape' project, which has taken him to Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, Calif.; Black Butte Ranch in Sisters, Ore.; and Warm Springs Preserve in Ketchum, Idaho. 'I get excited at the idea of bringing a piano where no piano has gone before,' Noack said. Inspired by the preservationist John Muir, Noack started the project as a way of getting closer to nature, and bringing classical music to rural areas where it is not typically accessible. The idea, Noack said, is to remove the barriers that typically limit classical music to concert venues like Carnegie Hall. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Suncadia Resort Celebrates 25 Years with Fresh Offers and a Tribute to Its History
A storied history honored through new Heritage Package, Annual Celebrations, and New Concert and Wine Events CLE ELUM, Wash., May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Suncadia, the year-round mountain resort located just 80 miles east of Seattle, proudly celebrates 25 years of progress, community building, and environmental stewardship with the launch of its Heritage Trail Package, inviting guests to explore historic Roslyn, and create their own adventure amongst the pines. "For 25 years, Suncadia has been a place where people connect - with each other, with nature, and with the spirit of the Pacific Northwest," said Karen HauckPorter, Marketing Executive at Suncadia. "With the launch of our Heritage Trail Package, we're inviting guests to honor the land's legacy and the communities that have shaped it by exploring Roslyn's historic charm, experiencing the magic of our trails, and making lasting memories." As Suncadia celebrates a quarter century of progress, it's looking back at the region's rich history and spirit of resilience and community and inviting guests to do the same. Heritage trail visitors can honor the area's rich coal-mining history by visiting the landmark ruins of the #9 mine, which operated on what is now Suncadia property over a century ago. Guests can also enjoy shuttle service to nearby Roslyn, where craft breweries, local dining, a lively Sunday market, a museum, and the iconic Roslyn Theatre showcase the enduring spirit of this storied mountain town. Hop on a bike (also included in the Heritage Trail Package) and explore over 50 miles of trails and paved pathways, try to spot the over 180 species of birds that thrive in the area, or catch a glimpse of the local Elk herds that roam the pristine terrain. After a day of adventure, visitors can indulge in the signature Huckleberry S'mores delivered to their resort accommodations. Suncadia's 25th anniversary celebrations will span the summer, offering something for everyone. Legacy events, including Outdoor Summer Concerts, 4th of July Celebrations, and Summer Kids Spectacular, are back this year. New to the 2025 event schedule is In a Landscape, an outdoor performance by classical pianist Hunter Noack at scenic Riverfront Park. Later in the Summer, indulge in Wine in the Pines—an evening of art, live music, and expertly curated food and wine pairings from Suncadia's chefs and sommeliers, all set against the natural beauty of Nelson Farm Park. You can find a complete list of Suncadia's 2025 Signature Events here. About Suncadia Suncadia is a renowned destination in the Pacific Northwest. Located 80 miles east of Seattle, this 6,400-acre property is an all-seasons mountain resort and residential community, offering a unique blend of premier accommodations and natural beauty. The resort features guest suites and penthouses, a variety of upscale rental homes, several dining options, day spa and wellness programming, outdoor and indoor pools, two championship golf courses (Prospector and Rope Rider), and a conference facility. Beyond the overnight accommodations, Suncadia also provides opportunities for homeowners to own a piece of this mountain paradise, surrounded by world-class amenities and breathtaking natural landscapes. In addition to residential opportunities within Suncadia, Tumble Creek, an exclusive enclave spanning 2,600 acres offers homes and homesites, community amenities that include a private Tom Doak golf course, club house with dining options, kids and family spaces, pool and fitness facilities. As a leading all-seasons mountain destination in Washington, Suncadia provides a wide range of recreational activities year-round, including hiking, biking, fishing, river floating, axe throwing, and horseback riding, as well as cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, tubing, and snowshoeing. For more information, visit and follow along on Facebook and Instagram. View source version on Contacts Media contact: Lorne Richmond, Richmond Public Relations lorne@ (206) 682-6979


Business Wire
28-05-2025
- Business Wire
Suncadia Resort Celebrates 25 Years with Fresh Offers and a Tribute to Its History
CLE ELUM, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Suncadia, the year-round mountain resort located just 80 miles east of Seattle, proudly celebrates 25 years of progress, community building, and environmental stewardship with the launch of its Heritage Trail Package, inviting guests to explore historic Roslyn, and create their own adventure amongst the pines. 'For 25 years, Suncadia has been a place where people connect - with each other, with nature, and with the spirit of the Pacific Northwest,' said Karen HauckPorter, Marketing Executive at Suncadia. 'With the launch of our Heritage Trail Package, we're inviting guests to honor the land's legacy and the communities that have shaped it by exploring Roslyn's historic charm, experiencing the magic of our trails, and making lasting memories.' As Suncadia celebrates a quarter century of progress, it's looking back at the region's rich history and spirit of resilience and community and inviting guests to do the same. Heritage trail visitors can honor the area's rich coal-mining history by visiting the landmark ruins of the #9 mine, which operated on what is now Suncadia property over a century ago. Guests can also enjoy shuttle service to nearby Roslyn, where craft breweries, local dining, a lively Sunday market, a museum, and the iconic Roslyn Theatre showcase the enduring spirit of this storied mountain town. Hop on a bike (also included in the Heritage Trail Package) and explore over 50 miles of trails and paved pathways, try to spot the over 180 species of birds that thrive in the area, or catch a glimpse of the local Elk herds that roam the pristine terrain. After a day of adventure, visitors can indulge in the signature Huckleberry S'mores delivered to their resort accommodations. Suncadia's 25th anniversary celebrations will span the summer, offering something for everyone. Legacy events, including Outdoor Summer Concerts, 4 th of July Celebrations, and Summer Kids Spectacular, are back this year. New to the 2025 event schedule is In a Landscape, an outdoor performance by classical pianist Hunter Noack at scenic Riverfront Park. Later in the Summer, indulge in Wine in the Pines—an evening of art, live music, and expertly curated food and wine pairings from Suncadia's chefs and sommeliers, all set against the natural beauty of Nelson Farm Park. You can find a complete list of Suncadia's 2025 Signature Events here. About Suncadia Suncadia is a renowned destination in the Pacific Northwest. Located 80 miles east of Seattle, this 6,400-acre property is an all-seasons mountain resort and residential community, offering a unique blend of premier accommodations and natural beauty. The resort features guest suites and penthouses, a variety of upscale rental homes, several dining options, day spa and wellness programming, outdoor and indoor pools, two championship golf courses (Prospector and Rope Rider), and a conference facility. Beyond the overnight accommodations, Suncadia also provides opportunities for homeowners to own a piece of this mountain paradise, surrounded by world-class amenities and breathtaking natural landscapes. In addition to residential opportunities within Suncadia, Tumble Creek, an exclusive enclave spanning 2,600 acres offers homes and homesites, community amenities that include a private Tom Doak golf course, club house with dining options, kids and family spaces, pool and fitness facilities. As a leading all-seasons mountain destination in Washington, Suncadia provides a wide range of recreational activities year-round, including hiking, biking, fishing, river floating, axe throwing, and horseback riding, as well as cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, tubing, and snowshoeing. For more information, visit and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.