A product of America’s rich aural folk tradition as well as classical music, Mark O’Connor’s creative journey began at the feet of a pair of musical giants. The first was the folk fiddler and innovator who created the modern era of American fiddling, Benny Thomasson; the second, French jazz violinist, considered one of the greatest improvisers in the history of the violin, Stephane Grappelli. Along the way, between these marvelous musical extremes, Mark O’Connor absorbed knowledge and influence from the multitude of musical styles and genres he studied. Now, at age 49, he has melded and shaped these influences into a new American Classical music, and a vision of an entirely American school of string playing. As The Los Angeles Times recently noted, he has "crossed over so many boundaries, that his style is purely personal." Mark will perform with the Butler Symphonic Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble and the Butler Jazz ensemble for this performance

In addition, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano (former artistic director of Luna Negra Dance Theater) has choreographed a new work to be premiered by Butler Ballet in honor of the 50th Anniversary. Gustavo Sansano was appointed Artistic Director of Luna Negra Dance Theatre in 2009 after directing TITOYAYA Dance Project in Valencia, Spain for four years. Sansano has been the recipient of numerous awards for his choreography, including first prizes at the Richard Moragas competition in Barcelona, the Dom Perignon choreographic competition in Hambur, and as Las Artes Escenics de la Comunida Valenciana. His work has been featured at :Les Etoiles de Ballet: in Cannes, and the IX International Festival of Ballet I Miami, He has been commissioned to create works for Compania Nacional de Danze, the Hamburg Ballet, Budapest Dance Theatre, Ballet Juner de Geneve and Netherlands Dans Theatre II, among others. As a dancer, Sansano performed works by Jacopo Godani, Hans Van Manen, Jiri Kylian, Ohad Naharin, Johan Inger, Paul Lightfoot, Victor Ullate and many more, working for the Ballet Joven de Alicante, Ballet Contemporaneo de Barcelona, Ballet de la Communidad de Madrid, Netherlands Dans Theatre II and Hubbard Street Dance of Chicago.