MUSIC
Check out a sample of the entertainment lineup!
Fernando Varela & William Joseph
Sponsorship available
In 2019, Fernando was a special guest performer on two very prestigious PBS specials:
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The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song honoring Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and
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The Grammy Salute to Legends honoring Julio Iglesias with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.
Fernando signed with Universal Music Group and released his debut album “Vivere” in 2017, accompanied by his debut PBS Special, "Coming Home,” which aired in 2018. Fernando is currently working on his highly anticipated sophomore album with producer Emilio Estefan. Fernando Varela sets the standard for what true musicianship is all about, combining a unique voice and an engaging passion which lights up the stage.
As a child prodigy, Joseph began writing music for solo piano at the age of five. After earning a prestigious national music scholarship through the Boys & Girls Club of America, he began studying with Russian master pianist Stella Saperstein, of the famed Leningrad Conservatory in Russia. What sets Joseph apart is his profound ability to create, then captivate and inspire people through his heartfelt arrangements and original musical masterpieces. His soaring original melodies and transformational covers combine the best elements of several genres – pop and rock with a cinematic and classical flare – this combined with show-stopping precision and emotion.
Alina Kiryayeva
Sponsorship available
Kiryayeva gave her first solo recital at age 8 and her solo debut with orchestra at 11. She is one of few classical pianists that completed both Bachelor and Master degrees at The Juilliard School of Music on full scholarship; and was also awarded the Fannie Gottlieb-Harkavi Scholarship and Susan Rose Piano Scholarship. Her awards include First Prize winner of Italy’s Senigallia International Competition, and top prizes in the Grace Welsh International Competition and the California Young Artist International Competition. Kiryayeva has been honored by Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk, with the State Award for Achievements in Arts.
In 2013, Kiryayeva released solo piano album “Sonatas,” which she recorded at New York City’s Klavierhaus, helmed by Grammy-nominated sound engineer Patrick Lo Re. It was featured on 150th broadcast of "Women in Music" on CKWR Radio in Ontario, Canada.
Hits and Grins
Sponsorship available
“HITS & GRINS” is a trio of talented writers/performers from Nashville who present an extremely entertaining evening filled with great stories, hit songs and comedy. Their songs have been recorded by George Strait, Alabama, Rhonda Vincent, Ray Stevens, Colt Ford, Reba McEntire, Cledus T. Judd and many others.
Don’t miss this one of a kind “in the round” acoustical and intimate musical experiences that will move you, tickle your funnybone, and make you want to come back for more.
The Everly Set
Sponsorship available
In 1957, teenagers Phil and Don Everly released mega-hits “Bye Bye Love” and “Wake Up Little Susie”, supercharging the vocal sound of Rock’n’Roll and unleashing the sparkling, brotherly harmony that would influence The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, The Hollies, Peter Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan, the Bee Gees, and the Eagles.
Now, six decades later, two highly acclaimed NYC singer-songwriters have combined forces to become The Everly Set: Sean Altman & Jack Skuller Approximate The Everly Brothers.