World-class musicians to appear in Shoreline at benefit for Music4Life

Three world-class musicians will perform in Shoreline on Friday evening, March 22nd. Korean-American pianist Jessica Choe will be joined by German violinist Cordula Merks and Turkish cellist Efe Baltacigil. The three will perform beginning at 7:30pm at the Richmond Beach Congregational Church, located at 1512 NW 195th St in Shoreline. Tickets are $15 at the door and will benefit the Shoreline Schools Music4Life™ program.

“This will be a rare opportunity to hear these three fine musicians,” says Shoreline resident and concert organizer Lee Craig.  “Their performance will feature works by Franck, Debussy and Kreisler.”

Jessica Choe
RBCC

Jessica Choe is a graduate of the Julliard School and Peabody Conservatory and has performed at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Fondation Bemberg in Toulouse, France, I Tatti in Florence, Italy and other prominent recital halls.  She is a company pianist with the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Cordula Merks

Cordula Merks holds degrees from the Amsterdam Conservatory and Northern Illinois University and has held concertmaster positions with the Essen Philharmonic, the Bochum Symphony and the Bergische Symphony in Germany. She joined the first violin section of the Seattle Symphony in May of 2011.

Efe Baltacigil

Efe Baltacigil was born in Istanbul and received his Bachelor’s degree from Mimar Sinan University Conservatory from there in 1998 and an Artist Diploma from The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia in 2002.  Baltacıgil performed with Pinchas Zukerman, Midori and Yo-Yo Ma at Carnegie Hall for Isaac Stern’s memorial, and participated in Mr. Ma’s Silk Road Project.  He joined the Seattle Symphony in 2011–2012 season as Principal Cello.

“This is a concert for both adults and children,” Craig says.  “Any adults who happen to have musical instruments they’re no longer using can bring them to donate to the Shoreline Schools Music4Life program. We’re off to a great start in acquiring musical instruments that can be used by students of low income families.”

The Shoreline Schools program acquires used musical instruments from adults who no longer use them, gets them fully repaired and donates them free of charge to Shoreline Schools for use primarily by students from low income families. The Shoreline program is supported by the Rotary Club of Shoreline and Shoreline Breakfast Rotary. Music4Life also operates other programs for Seattle and Highline Public Schools.

Music4Life is a community service activity that is Rotary-inspired, but you don’t have to be a member of a Rotary club to support it, Craig says.  “We’re very glad to have the support of anyone who understands the immense value of instrumental music in a child’s life.”

Used musical instruments can be dropped-off at any Kennelly Keys Music store or at any of several conveniently located sites throughout the Puget Sound area.   Donations that help take care of musical supplies and repairs can be made via PayPal or by visiting the website.