Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 2 PM
The Music Gallery
197 John Street
Tickets:
$20 adults
$10 seniors/students 18 and under
Purchase at the door
For more information:
http:\\www.usrc.ca
or 416 598 3444 x 243
TORONTO, ONTARIO –
University Settlement is thrilled to present two benefit
concerts to raise funds in support of its 100th
anniversary. The first, on March 20 at 2 PM at the
Music Gallery, is “Songs for Settlement” featuring
soprano Anne Yardley (the Director of the Music & Arts
School) and mezzo-soprano Michelle Simmons (Program
Assistant for the Music & Arts School) with pianist Nicole
Bellamy. The second, April 18 at 2 PM at Glenn
Gould Studio, is “Anagnoson & Kinton Benefit Concert for
University Settlement”.
A fun and occasionally humorous recital of duets and solos,
“Songs for Settlement” will include Schumann’s lovely
Sommerruh; Brahms’ Die Schwestern; selections from
Mendelssohn; art song, opera arias, and chansons. Included is
audience favourite the “Flower Duet” from Delibes’ opera
Lakme and “Belle Nuit” from Offenbach’s The Tales of
Hoffman. Both Anne and Michelle are students of renowned
bass-baritone Gary Relyea (one of the jurors in Bravo
Television’s “Bathroom Divas”). The University Settlement, a
multi-service agency founded in 1910, has the distinction of
being the first community-based social service centre in
Toronto. Located at Grange Park (north of Queen and John), it
offers various programs such as language classes, social
services, and daycare to immigrants and low-income families. One
essential program is the Music & Arts School. It provides
affordable, quality programs to people from the Grange
neighbourhood and the wider GTA. The school functions in the
belief that the arts should be a right, not a privilege, and
that lessons should be available to everyone regardless of age,
ethnicity, perceived talent, disability, or ability to pay.
Classes are available for those of all ages. Lessons are
available for piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, clarinet,
saxophone, flute, recorder, accordion, voice, drum
set/percussion, along with ear training and theory.
University Settlement receives funding from United Way Toronto,
the Federal and Provincial governments, the City of Toronto and
the private sector. In addition, funds are collected through
registration fees of various programs and a number of different
fundraising events held by the Agency. University Settlement’s
fundraising priority in 2010 is to raise funds for its subsidy
program to help families in need to participate in our programs.
Donations will go towards University Settlement’s programs and
services to help achieve this goal. A tax receipt will be issued
for any donation over $10.00.
Soprano Anne Yardley has worked at the University
Settlement Music and Arts School since 1988, the first fifteen
years as a teacher, and for the past eight years, as the
School’s Director. Anne directed children’s musical theatre,
conducted choirs and taught private voice, piano and theory
lessons to many students over a period of 25 years. Anne studied
with Gary Relyea at the University of Toronto and graduated with
a degree in Voice Performance. Previously, she obtained her ARCT
from the Royal Conservatory of Music, also in Voice.
A native of Newfoundland, mezzo-soprano Michelle Simmons
has been the University Settlement’s Music & Arts School Program
Assistant since 2005. She also coaches students in the School’s
Chamber Music Program. Ms. Simmons frequently performs on both
recital and opera stages; she is regularly engaged with Toronto
Operetta Theatre and performs in the chorus of Toronto’s Opera
in Concert.
Michelle recently completed her Master of Music in Vocal
Performance from the University of Toronto, where she studied
with soprano Lorna MacDonald. Previously, she earned her
Bachelor of Music at Memorial University’s Music School and in
2004, she was the co-recipient of a Newfoundland & Labrador Arts
Council grant to commission and premiere a new song cycle based
on the poetry of Newfoundland born poet EJ Pratt. Ms. Simmons
also has a keen interest in contemporary music.
Next event:
Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 2 PM, Glenn Gould Studio
(250 Front
Street West)
“ANAGNOSON & KINTON BENEFIT CONCERT FOR UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT”
James Anagnoson and Leslie Kinton, piano
Tickets: $40 adults/, $20 for 18 years and under
Roy Thomson Hall box office: 416 872 4255
www.roythomson.com or in person at King & Simcoe.
The GGS box office will be open for ticket sales two hours
before the concert.
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