A Chopin Salon — with Pianists Heidi Alina and Dale Backus
A soulful beginning to the Holiday season through the music of Frederic Chopin
https://events.humanitix.com/a-chopin-salon
Short Description:
Experience an intimate, salon-style evening of Chopin with pianists Heidi Alina and Dale Backus. Enjoy beautiful music, wine, and light refreshments as we welcome the Holiday season with warmth and heart.
When:
Saturday, Dec 13, 2025
4:30-6:15pm (Doors at 4:15pm, Music begins 4:45pm)
Where:
Red Crags Arts & Agriculture House
302 El Paso Blvd
Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Cost:
$37 per person
Ticket purchase includes one complimentary alcohol beverage, coffee or tea, and a selection of light refreshments.
Maximum 25 tickets
Please consider carpooling as parking spaces are limited.
About This Event:
A Chopin Salon
A soulful beginning to the Holiday season through the music of Chopin
with pianists Heidi Alina and Dale Backus
Join us for an intimate evening of soul-moving piano works by Chopin — a salon-style gathering filled with beauty, warmth, and connection. Just a couple of weeks before the Holidays, this special concert invites you to slow down, exhale, and receive the heart-opening magic of Chopin’s music in a cozy, welcoming setting. Light refreshments, wine, and conversation will round out the evening.
About the Artists
Dale Backus is a lifelong pianist with a Master of Music from the University of Michigan. He has competed in major international amateur piano competitions — including Paris, Berlin, Rocky Mountain, and the Van Cliburn — earning top prizes. For nearly two decades he has been invited to perform at Les Amateurs Virtuoses festivals worldwide. In Colorado, he has appeared both solo and with ensembles such as the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. He also teaches from his home studio in Larkspur.
Heidi Alina is an award-winning pianist, African drumming instructor, and artist-in-residence with the Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts. After a 30-year hiatus devoted to raising her four children, she returned to performing six years ago with renewed passion and purpose. She now performs throughout Colorado, offering concerts that blend artistry with genuine human connection.
Together, Heidi and Dale offer a beautifully curated program born from a shared love of Chopin — music crafted to uplift, soothe, and usher in the Holiday season with warmth and spirit.
Space is limited! Reserve yours today for an evening that will linger in your heart long after the final note fades...
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BIOS
Dale Backus has been playing piano since age four. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in piano performance from Wake Forest University and a Master of Music from the University of Michigan, later adding a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Dale has competed in major international amateur piano competitions—including Paris, Berlin, Rocky Mountain, and the Van Cliburn—earning top prizes. For nearly two decades, he has been invited to perform at Les Amateurs Virtuoses festivals around the world, with appearances in Paris, Shanghai, Buenos Aires, Saint Petersburg, Cape Town, Morocco, and Calgary. In Colorado, he has performed both solo and with ensembles such as the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. He also teaches piano from his home studio in Larkspur.
Heidi Alina began her musical journey in Boulder, CO at the age of four. An award-winning pianist throughout her youth, she earned her degree in piano performance from CU Boulder’s College of Music as a Fiske Scholarship recipient. After a 30-year hiatus spent raising her four children and establishing herself as a top African drummer, she returned to her piano roots in 2019 under the mentorship of Jo Boatright—an understudy to the world-renowned pianist Lili Kraus. Today, Heidi delights in captivating audiences with her heartfelt performances as an artist-in-residence with the Smokebrush Foundation in Manitou Springs, where she also teaches community classes in African drumming.
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