Olga Kern has never performed in the Olympics. She isn’t known for any sort of athleticism, but she is a gold medalist nonetheless.

Kern was the first woman in more than 40 years to win the gold medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

Kern will be tickling the ivories with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra this weekend in Stephens Auditorium. Bernard Muller, production and stage manager for the tour, says Kern’s talent keeps audiences enticed long past the finale of the con cert.

“She always has had to do two or three encores,” Muller says.

“The audience doesn’t let her go. After the concert, she’s swamped doing all the signings.”

Muller says in terms of her piano playing ability, she is the one of the best he has encountered.

“Everything she plays just feels right … it feels natural,” Muller says. “She is just a wonderful pianist.”

Muller is upbeat about the tour so far.

He says he feels it has been a success.

“I think things are good,” Muller says. “All the performances have been a good success, and we had full houses for the concerts. Everything has met all my hopes; I can’t really complain.”

This is the first time Muller has traveled with the Warsaw Philharmonic.

“They’re a good orchestra,” Muller says.

“They play very well, they respect each other and they have a good attitude.”

In addition to playing in front of an audience, the Warsaw Philharmonic has also had musical involvement in movies, says Patti Cotter, performing arts program manager at the Iowa State Center.

Its most notable role was its musical performance in 2002’s “The Pianist” starring Adrien Brody.

Cotter says she is very excited about the upcoming event.

“We listen to the CDs of performers we’re interested in,” Cotter says. “The Warsaw Philharmonic and Olga Kern are attractive to us because they are a very dynamic orchestra. The Ames International Orchestra Festival Association was also very strong about wanting the Warsaw Philharmonic to perform here.”

Who: Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra featuring Olga Kern

Where: Stephens Auditorium

When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $40.50, $44.50 public, $21.50, $23.50 student, $12.50 youth (18 & under) $4 discount per adult ticket on groups 15 or more, plus one free ticket