Past events

New Currents - modern/jazz music concert & art exhibit

Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at 7:30pm

New Currents features new compositions of modern music with jazz and songs composed to the poems by Polish poet Jan Lechon by Alicia Jonas, established music educator, pianist and composer. The concert will be performed by Chenchun Ma, piano, Stella Perlic, xylophonist, Jan Leonhart, bass, and Derek Lee Ragin, countertenor. The recital is paired with the opening exhibition of the winning artworks in the 6^th International Andriolli Drawing Competition – Naleczow, Poland, 2018, curated by Janusz Skowron.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019, 7:30 p.m. 

The Kosciuszko Foundation

15 E 65th Street, New York, NY 10065

Admission: $10 - KF Members, Students & Seniors / $15 - Regular admission 

PROGRAM

Derek Lee Ragin performs three songs to the poems of Jan Lechon, with music written by Alicia Jonas:

Featured artists: 

ALICIA JONAS is an experienced music educator, pianist and composer. Her background in the United States for piano comes from Mieczyslaw Muntz, Walter Hauzig, and Lisa Kovalick for four hands. She also studied at The Juilliard School for composition with Jonathan Dawe and at Mannes School of Music she studied vocal composition with Leon Edward. Alicia Jonas has lectured, performed and published internationally. She won first place for the Prestige Music Award 2012 for composer with Suite in 6 Parts for Piano. She has also has a patent for Alicia's Music Blocks in 2011 and is working on her second patent for a book. She has participated as a judge in various auditions and contests. Ms. Jonas actively contributes to EPTA Piano Journal and has been recognized for her innovative training method by many distinguished musicians from respected institutions. She is also a certified Steinway Educational Partner. Alicia is over 8 years acting as Chairperson for the New York State Music Teachers, Inc; over 2 years acting as Chairperson for Piano Congress, 20th Century and Beyond; over 10 years arranging piano music for Warner Brothers; author of multiple acclaimed musical teaching books; founder of the "Con Moto" Music School and Studios in Brooklyn and New York; lectured internationally in various musical subjects… Alicia has also written Life At The Zoo four four hands, and Piano Magic, both published in Japan. Rafael Lewandowski has also achieved a doctorate degree with her work in 2015. Her current publisher is Contra in Poland where she published her Four Suite for Piano, Three Sonatinas, Sonata for Cello with piano, along with many other compositions. She has also published many best sellers, such as Children Studying Music.

Chenchun Ma, Piano

Ms. Chenchun Ma is a recipient of many scholarships, such as Ida Artzt Scholar-ship in Piano, Susan W. Rose Piano Fellowship, and Henrietta Quade Scholarship.

She attended the Aspen Music Festival and the Academy of Fortepiano Perfor-mance in 2019. She recently has performed solo in Paul Hall in New York, and Harris Hall in Aspen, CO. As an active chamber music player, her appearances include the Juil-liard ChamberFest and Chamber Music Concerts in Morse Hall. Originally from Shanghai, China, Ms. Ma did her bachelor's and is currently pursuing her master's degree under the guidance of Dr. Kaplinsky at Juilliard. Beyond her studies, she is an Ear Training teaching fellow, a Gluck Community Service fellow, and a resident assistant.

Stella Perlic, Percussion

Stella Perlic is a percussionist currently studying in New York at The Juilliard School. She has played at Carnegie Hall and the BBC Proms as a member of the Juilliard Orchestra and additionally has played with the Lake George Music Festival Orchestra, Symphony in C, The Roosevelt Island Orchestra, Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra, Texas Festival Orchestra, and Marrowstone Festival Orchestra. Stella's chamber music experience encompasses many genres and performances. She appeared in a showcase concert at PASIC 2017 with the Eastman Percussion Ensemble and was featured as a soloist in February 2017. She played at PASIC 2018 with The Big Trouble, a percussive rock band. She has also performed with the AXIOM ensemble, OSSIA New Music ensemble, and at the Yarn|Wire summer institute. Her awards include Eastman's Performer's Certificate which recognizes "students who demonstrate outstanding performing ability", the Milton Schlesinger Percussion Prize, and a King FM Young Artist Award finalist in 2014. Her teachers include Dan Druckman, Michael Burritt, James Ross, Charles Ross, Amy Putnam, and Gunnar Folsom.

DEREK LEE RAGIN is regarded as one of the foremost countertenors of our day. In great demand as a master of Baroque vocal style, he is also an inspired interpreter of contemporary music. His performances of such diverse repertoire are characterized by an unusual warmth and expressivity, and he has received unanimous accolades from critics and audiences throughout the world. MORE

About the National Andriolli Drawing Competition 

Artists featured in the exhibit: 

Photo gallery of artworks

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