One of my favorite things in life is sharing music through the intimate form of songs. There is something exquisite about the combination of words, music and the human voice. Here are some highlights throughout the years.
“Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything”
― Plato
As a response to the pandemic, Amaryllis Arts was created in 2020 to provide a way for artists to continue creating and sharing with the world. Named after a flower that blooms in the dark of winter, we strive to fill our world with beauty through the arts.
Check out our first project which was done all virtually during the pandemic: a multi-arts video series on Homer’s Odyssey. https://www.amaryllisartsproductions.com
For many summers, I savor the joy of working alongside a stellar faculty under the leadership of Dolora Zajick to nurture a select group of students who possess gorgeous and dramatic voices.
Dr. and Mrs. Tokita are long time patrons of the arts in Southern California. They are committed in supporting young artists and professional artists of our community while keeping the arts alive. I’ve had the honor and pleasure of collaborating with them through Parnassus on many meaningful projects, which have brought people together in a beautiful way. Top photo was one of our first concerts together which featured the greatest arias in the repertory while support up-and-coming young artists. Pictured (left to right): Eric Levintow, tenor; Kylena Parks, Soprano; Cheryl Lin Fielding, Pianist; Dr. and Mrs. Tokita, Miho Asai, Mezzo-Soprano.
Bottom photo features the winner and advisor of a poster design competition Parnassus Society held in 2019. Pictured: student artist Nate Riebe and parents, graphic design teacher: Matthew Takeno
Presented by Parnassus Society and Soka Performing Arts Center
Scott Dunn, associate conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, leads the Parnassus Chamber Orchestra in an afternoon of beautiful love stories told through some of the most beloved opera music of all time - by Bizet, Catalani, Cilea, Offenbach, Puccini, Verdi and Wagner. Dancers from the Claudia de la Cruz Flamenco Dance Company accompany the singers for added expression of the lyrics and music.
Scott Dunn, Conductor
Bruce Sledge, Tenor
Milena Kitic, Mezzo-Soprano
Julie Makerov, Soprano
Aaron Pendleton, Bass-Baritone*
Young artists from OCSA:
Maggie Liu, Soprano
Elizabeth Minerman, Mezzo-Soprano*
*member of Dolora Zajick’s Institute of Young Dramatic Voices
Parnassus Society and Soka Performing Arts Center Present:
Milena Kitic – Mezzo-Soprano
Emily Uematsu – Violinist
Mozart: Overture to Le Nozze di Figaro
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Bizet: Carmen excerpts
Mendelssohn Symphony no. 4 “Italian”
Parnassus Chamber Orchestra
Stephen Karr, Conductor
Saturday, November 23, 2019 7 PM
Soka Performing Arts Center
