Award-Winning Pianist Plays Winter Harbor Concert

Virtuosic violinist, 9-year-old Gus La Casse of Trenton.

Pianist Masanobu Ikemiya, Grammy Award nominee and winner of the United Nations Peace Award, will perform in concert Friday, October 8 at 7 p.m. in Hammond Hall, Winterport.

Ikemiya has toured Japan with the New York Philharmonic and with the New York Ragtime Orchestra, of which he is the founder and pianist. He is joined in concert by virtuosic violinist, 9-year-old Gus La Casse of Trenton.

The performance is the final installment of Schoodic Arts for All's "Emerging Artists" concert series, featuring young Maine musicians and is part of their commitment to hiring 100 percent Maine artists in 2010.

LaCasse began playing violin as an extracurricular activity in the first grade and moved on to study with violinist Richard Hsu. This gifted young musician loves performing live, especially visiting local nursing homes with Ikemiya. Gus particularly enjoys music from the baroque period and operas and thinks he would like to be a musicologist when he grows up.

Ikemiya and La Casse have generously volunteered to perform prior to the event for students from the Peninsula and Ella Lewis Schools. Students from the homeschool community, grades 4 through 8, are invited to attend the 12:30 p.m. concert as well.

Tickets ($15 adults, $7 students, free under 12) are available in advance by calling Schoodic Arts for All at 963-2569, as well as at the door. Advance tickets are recommended as seating is limited.

Historic Hammond Hall is located at 427 Main Street in Winter Harbor.

For more info, contact Schoodic Arts for All at 963-2569 or info@schoodicartsforall.org.