Young and Upcoming Musicians To Perform In Foxburg
Sunday June 23 at 3:00 PM in Lincoln Hall, Allegheny Riverstone Center for the Arts enthusiastically present several outstanding young musicians from the region in ARCA’s first annual Young Peoples Concert. The young pianists have been mentored in Master Classes by Franklin’s own Dennis Geib. Mr Geib praises the talent and development of three young pianists, Jona Brown, Nick Nasibyan, and Kevin O’Brien. He expounds that they have their own distinct creative stlye. “They play with great expression, as well as with extraordinary touch and tone which will truly highlight the Steinway in Lincoln Hall.” Dennis will also play several pieces to round out the concert. Each of the young musicians have an intriguing story.
Jona Brown is a 16 year old Sophomore attending Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter High School in Midland, Pennsylvania. Jona began playing the piano at the age of 14 after moving to Butler County from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began taking lessons at the Hill United Presbyterian Church in Butler,and last year he auditioned and was accepted into Lincoln Park Performing Arts School and now he is studying with Dr. Marina Dipretoro. Jona has taught himself how to play piano pieces by composers such as; Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Satie, and Billy Joel. Jona also sings in the Hill Church Chancel Choir and with the Hill Youth Chorale,and plans to study music in college. Jona lives in West Sunbury with his parents, Jamie and Jeffrey Petroski, a brother Simon, and three dogs; Lenny, Levi, and Duke.
Nicholas Nasibyan is a native of Erie, PA, and is a freshman at Mercyhurst College who has been playing piano, since the age of 4 and performing since the age of 7. Nicholas is majoring in Music Education and composition often plays his own renditions of popular music, especially from the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. A fan of big band music Nick is inspired by artists such as Glenn Miller And Frank Sinatra. He also composes music. A few of his originals are “Would You Be Mine”, and “A New Girl To Love”. Nick can be found playing at restaurants, churches, nursing homes, and concerts as well as weddings and birthday parties. He loves playing music and credits God for his gift of music. He is in the process of making an album named “Swingin’ Serenade”.
Kevin O’Brien has been playing piano since 2002, from the age of 4. He has performed at churches, weddings, funerals, nursing homes, several competitions, and at many concerts. He has performed at the Clarion Music Festival for 10 consecutive years, and received a superior rating each year. Kevin is a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs. He was selected to go to their Northwest District fall concert in 2009. His talent has given him many opportunities to play at different events in with many other talented musicians.
Mr. Geib’s musical career began at age 5 in Franklin, Pa. He was formally taught classical music for 12 years by the Sister’s of Mercy, studied piano for three consecutive summers at the Chautauqua Institute of Music, and attended Master Classes with world famous pianist Ozan Marsh, who studied with the likes Rachmaninoff, and Horowitz. Dennis has performed in countless musical venues including television, radio and at universities across the United States. He moved to Texas in 1982 and played in many prestigious venues and churches in the Dallas Fort worth area. including the Morton Myerson Symphony Hall, The Weisfeld Performing Arts Center, and The Eisemann Center. In addition, Mr.Geib worked for 26 years at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Carrollton, Texas, and did many charitable events including the American Cancer Society and with the late Lou Rawls to aid special needs children. Returning to Franklin, Dennis currently is the principle pianist and organist at First Baptist Church where he has also orchestrated concerts in the beautiful 1904 Victorian Santuary. Mr.Geib is assisting in the renovation of Miller Auditorium at the First Baptist Church, adding a state of the art sound system complete with theatre lighting for future community events. Mr. Geib also has a passion for composing and his music depicts the inner human feelings, are thought provoking and expressly played.
Dennis sincerely expects all the pianists on Sunday will be playing from the heart. It should be another wonderful music moment at Foxburg’s Lincoln Hall. Tickets are Adults $10.00 and Students $5.00 and can be reserved at the door by calling 412-867-1816.
The audience after the concert is invited to an Opening Reception at The Red Brick Gallery ARCA’s Artist Co-operative with the opportunity to meet the musicians as well as the contributors of the photography show – Dennis Keyes with the New Castle Camera Club. The new show opened June 21. The Opening Reception runs from 3 PM to 6 PM. Visit ARCA’s website www.alleghenyriverstone.org for more information.