This year, Botanic Musicale features internationally acclaimed pianist Liza Stepanova. Stepanova is currently an associate professor of piano at the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music. A champagne reception with Stepanova follows the performance.

In its 17th year, Botanic Musicale was created to honor the late Neva Langley Fickling, a former State Botanical Garden of Georgia board member who was crowned Miss America in 1953.

Janie Skinner, Fickling’s daughter and a current State Botanical Garden board member, says Botanic Musicale began as a way to bring music to the garden.

Fickling performed Hungarian Fantasy by Franz Liszt during the inaugural Botanic Musicale in 2007. The concert series was founded to honor Fickling, who passed away in 2012. The concert series is sponsored by the Fickling Family Foundation.