YACM Launches Happy Hour Mixers- March 23

On Monday, March 23, The Young Artists Conservatory of Music (YACM) is hosting its first in a series of Live Music Mixers. Doors open at 5:30 PM.

Teaching Artist Isaac Pastor-Chermak will play cello. The Conservatory will also introduce its four Featured Soloists of the 2015 season. YACM will serve complementary wine and cheese.

The goal of the Live Music Mixer is to bring together the community to experience live music as they learn more about the arts and enjoy the opportunity network with others.

A Conservatory is a community of Teaching Artists and students. For the last ten years, YACM has trained hundreds of children and youth who have experienced meaningful education and performance opportunities in Solano County.

Isaac Pastor-Chermak, in addition to teaching cello at the Conservatory also leads an active musical life in Northern California and around the United States. Educated at the University of California, Berkeley, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he maintains a vigorous schedule of appearances as soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, teacher and conductor.

On March 23, in addition to playing for the Live Music Mixer, Mr. Pastor-Chermak will be conducting the inaugural rehearsal of the newest ensemble in Solano County, the Solano Junior Strings.

Also present for the Live Music Mixer will be our Featured Soloists of 2015: vocalist Madison Brown, violinist Avalon Cook, and pianists Allie Knitter and Benjamin Mendiola.

Madison Brown (16), a Vocalist, will be performing Quando Men Vo (La Boheme) by Puccini at the upcoming Premier Performers Concert in May at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theater. She is also competing in the upcoming Omega Talent Hunt on March 28, sponsored by the Theta Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Avalon Cook (17), a Violinist , will be preforming Bach's Concerto for Violin No. 1 A minor. Avalon performed with Napa Youth Symphony in Carnegie Hall June 2014. She is also a 2015 recipient of the VacaArts Council visual and performing arts award.

Benjamin Mendiola, (16), a Pianist, will be performing Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. He performed as Principal pianist in Will C Wood’s musical production of Aida and earned 2nd place in Solano Symphony’s Young Artists Competition, 2014.

Allie Knitter (17), another Pianist , will be performing Piano Concerto No. 1 G minor by Mendelssohn. She will be accompanied by a YACM community special event symphony. Allie also plays trumpet in the Vacaville Christian Wind Symphony and Jazz Band. This is Allie’s 2nd year as YACM Featured Pianist.

Guests will learn more about the artistic journey and learn first-hand how music education makes a significant and positive impact on the lives of young people.

Art is not made by one person’s excellence and ideas alone; art requires a community of people committed to encouraging artistic expression.

The Live Music Mixer on Monday, March 23 invites members of the community to be a part of the music.