Anagnoson & Kinton Benefit Concert Set For University Settlement's 100th Anniversary

In celebration of University Settlement's 100th anniversary, Toronto's esteemed piano duo, James Anagnoson and Leslie Kinton are performing a benefit concert - very exciting news for Settlement's Music & Arts School! This concert will take place on Sunday, April 18 at 2 PM at Glenn Gould Studio. The repertoire: Arenski: Suite No. 1; Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn; Dvorak: selected Slavonic Dances; and Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue for Two Pianos.

Anne Yardley, the Director of Music & Arts School, is thrilled that such esteemed artists will perform for University Settlement. "Anagnoson and Kinton are such amazing performers, educators, and communicators. Since music education is a large part of the University Settlement's mandate, I'm particularly pleased that Jim and Leslie are on board with this concert, which is sure to create a lot of buzz in the classrooms, and inspire our students, who are excited to attend. And hearing Gershwin's own 2-piano version of such a classic - Rhapsody in Blue - will be a real treat ." There are a couple of connections to the pianists, as well: one of US's piano staff, Allison Wiebe, teaches with Kinton at Western University; and Anne herself used to study music theory with Kinton.

That two pianists can produce a virtually seamless sound, over this many years, gives cause to marvel. The critics certainly have. As The Ottawa Citizen duly noted, "Anagnoson and Kinton's playing is everything that duo-piano playing should be." This legendary duo has enchanted audiences throughout Canada, United States, Europe, and China. In 2008, Anagnoson & Kinton expanded their presence into Russia where they performed in St. Petersburg's Glazunov Hall. Anagnoson & Kinton continue to push toward new artistic horizons. In addition to performing with the major orchestras in Canada, they have expanded in innovative musical directions, such as performing Stravinsky's Rite of Spring alongside Ballet BC. Also, summer 2006 saw them in a multi-genre premiere entitled Into the Labyrinth by Canadian Ray Luedeke, featuring staging by Tom Diamond and narration with actor Colin Fox.

Located in downtown Toronto and bordering on Grange Park, University Settlement is part of the Grange neighbourhood, a culturally rich and vibrant area. The Music & Arts School provides affordable, quality programs to people from the Grange neighbourhood, as well as 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, regardless of income. Lessons are available for piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, clarinet, saxophone, accordion, voice, drum set/percussion, along with ear training and theory.

University Settlement receives funding from the United Way of Greater 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 participate in our programs. Donations will go towards our programs and services to help achieve this goal. A tax receipt will be issued for any donation over $10.00.

The GGS box office will be open for ticket sales two hours before the concert.
Concert sponsor: Long & McQuade.

For more information on Anagnoson & Kinton, please visit www.andrewkwanartists.ca.
For more information on University Settlement, please visit http://www.usrc.ca

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