Classical pianist Jade Simmons

Classical pianist Jade Simmons is a former Miss Illinois and first runner-up Miss America. She is also the creator of a career-building platform for emerging artists; an advocate for youth suicide prevention and mental health awareness; and a webcaster and blogger about music. Committed to expanding the boundaries of classical music and its presentation, she will play with the Peoria Symphony on Saturday, and she’ll join me on the Thursday edition of “Live and Local.”