Historic District Walking Tours
Fridays | September 26 - November 21
10:30 am | Free and no reservations needed
Tour begins in the Museum Lobby
Join Museum Director George Bassi for an engaging and informational walking tour of Laurel’s historical district as he traces the history and evolution of the city and some of its finest homes and structures.
Cello and Piano Concert
Sunday, November 16
2:00 pm
Free and open to the public. | No reservations needed.
Cellist Dr. Jose Ottonello and pianist Yin Lin return for a concert featuring the works of Barber, Rachmaninoff, and Schumann.
Yin Lin is a collaborative pianist and educator with an extensive background in performance, accompaniment, and artistic leadership. Born in Shanghai, China, she began studying piano at the age of three, later earning both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Music Education and Piano Performance from Shanghai Normal University. Recognizing her true passion for collaborative piano, she pursued further studies in the United States, earning Artist Diplomas in Keyboard Collaborative Arts from Azusa Pacific and La Sierra Universities. Her career as a collaborative pianist has taken her across the United States, China, and Europe, where she has worked alongside internationally acclaimed musicians such as Victoria Livengood, Lisette Oropesa, Alan Smith, Glenn Dicterow, and Yi-Bing Chu. She has served as a staff accompanist for the Mayfield Senior School Women's Ensemble and the University of Redlands, as well as playing a pivotal role in Roomful of Pianos at the NAMM Show in 2019 and 2027. In addition, she was invited to serve as a piano coach for the Worldful of Pianos event at the 2027 NAMM Show.
As an educator and arts administrator, Yin Lin currently serves as the Artistic Director of the MARKER AND PIONEER International Culture Exchange Center, where she leads the MAP International Music Competition. In Summer 2025, she will oversee the launch of the first MAP Young Artist Program in Los Angeles, focused on vocal and chamber music. That same summer, she will also join the Opusone Music Festival faculty as an assistant professor. Throughout her career, Yin has been recognized for her contributions to the arts, receiving honors from the Mayors of Arcadia, West Covina, and Walnut, California. She continues to develop her artistry as she pursues a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Collaborative Piano under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Bunch man at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Dr. Jose Ottonello is a distinguished Uruguayan-Italian cellist, conductor, researcher, and educator whose career spans performance, academia, and artistic leadership. He currently serves as String Professor and Conductor at HPS in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and holds an assistant professorship at the National School of Artistic Studies by SO DRE in Uruguay. His previous faculty positions include Cello Professor at Loyola University New Orleans and William Carey University. He has held principal cellist positions with the Jackson Symphony in Tennessee, Northwestern Florida State College Orchestra, and numerous regional orchestras across the United States. Internationally, he has performed as principal cellist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Uruguay, the MEC Chamber Orchestra, and the Latin American Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. His solo engagements include performances with the Loja Symphony Orchestra in Ecuador, the LSU Symphony, and the MEC Chamber Orchestra. He finished his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Cello Performance from Louisiana State University under the guidance of Prof. Dennis Parker, with minor studies in jazz. His studies were supported by competitive scholarships, including a full-tuition doctoral fellowship and the prestigious AMEXID Mexican scholarship at Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chia pas, Mexico. A dedicated researcher, Dr. Ottonello has published articles in international peer-reviewed journals and contributed to the Sphinx Catalog of Latin American Works. His research has also led to the release of the first edition of Castro's Cello Concerto and in-depth studies on the legacy of Oscar Nicastro. His doctoral dissertation focused on the transcription and analysis of works by Uruguayan composer Hector Tosar. Beyond academia, he has founded and directed several music festivals, including the MVD JAZZ Festival and the Chamber Music Festival of Uruguay. His commitment to cultural exchange and audience engagement has led to the organization of over 15 post-pandemic chamber music concerts annually, reaching thousands of listeners. He performs on two exquisite instruments: a 1927 Anibal Fulquet cello and a 2024 Italian cello by luthier Simone Meucci
Book Talk and Signing
Robert St. John's Mississippi Christmas Cookbook
Tuesday, November 18
11:30 am - Book Talk
Noon - 1:00 pm - Book Signing
Gift Shop Open House
Tuesday, November 18
Storewide Discounts | Refreshments | Free Gift-Wrapping
Artisans join us at open house include: Trapp Smith Jewelry, Bullfrog Pottery by Jeremy Brooke, and carved boxes and turned bowls by Chief Hatfield.
