The finale performed by violist Stuart Carlson and pianist Mi-Eun Kim was especially rewarding because it was to the tune of “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin. The audience hummed along and chuckled to the tune. Ending the show with “Smile” after experiencing all the complexity of the pieces before seemed like a reward for attending. This is not to say that Carlson’s or Kim’s performance was any less nuanced or exceptional as the others. The performance of this song was just so inspiring that my inner ballerina wanted to jump up on the stage and dance.
For Stuart’s performance of his arrangement of “Smile” for solo viola and piano with pianist Mi-Eun Kim at the University of Michigan 2019 String Showcase:

For Stuart’s performance of his arrangement of “Smile” for solo viola and piano with pianist Mi-Eun Kim at the University of Michigan 2019 String Showcase:
