FROM OUR PAST (PRE-PANDEMIC) INDOOR CONCERTS...

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The marvelous folk duo of CLAUDIA ELIAZA ZANES and DAN ZANES filled in for the special Beethoven project that had to be cancelled at the last minute. They gave two beautiful and uplifting performances at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge and the Baltimore Station shelter on 3/11/20 and 3/12/20.Our Joyful Noise Baltimore is so grateful to now Baltimore-based Claudia and Dan Zanes for their wonderful artistry and generosity! 

The duo of cellist LAVENA JOHANSON and pianist, composer and singer JUDAH ADASHI performed four wonderful concerts on 1/23, 24, 25 and 26. Their eclectic program featured music by Judah Adashi, J.S. Bach, Caroline Shaw, Bruce Springsteen and others and included spirited audience participation.

"Absolutely Electrifying!" From a patient at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge

A highlight was the performance of "For Martin," composed in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Judah Adashi with words by Keith Snipes.  "You took me to a place I had never been before." From a veteran at The Baltimore Station

Soprano EMMA NICHOLSON, violinist, violist and composer LEDAH FINCK, composer DANIEL REZA SABZGHABAEI, violist MARIA LAMBROS and pianist SAHUN HONG after a program featuring three pieces by living co mposers, including world premieres by DANIEL REZA SABZGHABAEI and FRANCES POLLOCK at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge on 10/30/19.

Pianist SAHUN HONG after a beautiful performance of the Partita #1  by J. S. Bach on 11/1/19. at The Baltimore Station (shelter for veterans). A resident exclaimed, "I had such a difficult day and the music helped me find  peace of mind."   

MARIA LAMBROS, SAHUN HONG, EMMA NICHOLSON and LEDAH FINCK after performing at The Maryland Correctional Institution for Women on 11/9/19.

"I was overwhelmed."    From an audience member, after hearing Daniel Sabzghabaei's stunning "...this blue of my land" for soprano and viola

MARIA LAMBROS, SAHUN HONG and LEDAH FINCK get the audience dancing at the Azure Family Concert for Families Living with Autism and Similar Challenges at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation on 11/10/19.

From a parent: "We just love these concerts 

and try to attend every one!"   

The marvelous folk artists CLAUDIA ELIAZA ZANES AND DAN ZANES brought a wonderful sensory-friendly program to families living with autism at the Azure Concert on 9/15/19, just before taking off to perform at The Kennedy Center!

DAN and CLAUDIA brought such beauty and grace through their exquisite programs for the residents at the Baltimore Station for Veterans and patients at The American Cancer Hope Lodge on 9/17/20 and 9/18/20. Delicious desserts were provided by Baking People Smile, a local business aiming to hire formerly incarcerated people. 

“I didn’t think there was life outside of drugs, but your music made me realize that there is more to life that just getting high.” -from a Baltimore Station resident

The women were literally dancing in the aisles at the "party" created by CLAUDIA and DAN  at the Maryland Correctional Institution on 9/16/19.

"It completely blew me away!"  from a resident at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women

"Absolutely phenomenal!"  

from a resident at The Baltimore Station

"My child had such a wonderful time today!"   

From a parent

"Thank you. It was most excellent. It is good to be reminded that there are still things in life worth living for."   From a resident at The Baltimore Station

"It was so amazing!"   From a Hope Lodge resident

"I didn't know a violin could do that!" exclaimed an audience member.

From a parent: "Thank you so much for these concerts! We love them and they are SO IMPORTANT for our children." 

Many thanks to Brian at Bill's Music!

"It was such a boost...truly food for our souls. We need THIS kind of treatment as well!"        

From a Hope Lodge resident

"They are absolutely amazing!" From a resident

Pictured, left to right: Gu Wei with TRIO JINX: Ledah Finck, Yoshiaki Horiguchi, Louna Dekker-Vargas

The trio’s programs (with the exception of Gu Wei’s commissioned piece) were  all performed completely from memory! The trio connected so intimately with the audience both during and after the concert that the residents didn’t want them to leave!

While warming up at The Baltimore Station, Trio Jinx chatted with two men who told them that they enjoyed improvising. And to everyone’s surprise, the trio invited the men up to improvise with them during one of the pieces. “Absolutely amazing!” was how one man described the concert. When we said, “See you at the next concert in January!” he said, “Do we really have to wait that long for the next one?” Special homemade cookies- all the way from Chevy Chase- were provided by Demetra Lambros.

After a beautiful performance of music by Schumann, Beethoven, Messiaen, Faure and Dvorak, several women expressed that they loved the sound of the cello so much that they wanted to learn how to play it!

The Duo enjoyed a fun and spirited evening with veterans. One of the men described the evening as “total magic.” Michael Kannen considers this venue “one of my favorite places to play-anywhere!”

The Duo chose a program of stunningly beautiful music by Beethoven, Messiaen, Fauréand Dvorák. The residents spoke of how the music “transported them to another world” and how uplifting and healing it was. It was a truly beautiful evening.

There was a lot of joyous dancing and the children enjoyed "petting" the instruments with the Sinfonia members (pictured: Carrie Jones, violist and one of the Sinfonia directors).

You could hear a pin drop during the many dramatic silences during the Beethoven. And after the concert, a woman in tears said, “That third piece (Beethoven Grosso Fuge) made me cry so badly that I had to leave for a few minutes. I felt my life flashing before my eyes- anger, sadness, joy- everything.” 

The women were so grateful for the fact that the quartet had come to MCIW and thanked them countless times for coming. One woman summed it up beautifully when she said, “Thank you for bringing grace and serenity to our community.”

The program also included music by Dohnanyi, the Beatles, Otis Redding, Pharell Williams, Carlos Gardel and their signature ending, Amaing Grace. It was an evening filled with joy, fun and curiosity!

This was an evening with many tears and hugs!

From the Hope Lodge:

You have truly outdone yourselves.  Every time you perform at Hope Lodge, your music actually touches our souls. Your beautiful music brought tears to our eyes. Thank you for the beautiful performance and desserts. The attendance may be small, but the appreciation is mighty. Your generosity and support will impact lives in ways you can never imagine. Your dedication has inspired and empowered us all. We certainly hope this will not be your last visit.