HARBOR CONSERVATORY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS A Division of Boys & Girls Harbor
For Immediate Release 11/20/08
Contact: Nina Olson, 212/427-2244 ext. 577, nolson@theharbor.org
HARBOR CONSERVATORY PIANO STUDENT
ANGEL ECHEVARRIA TO PERFORM AT THE KENNEDY CENTER
IN NPR’S “A JAZZ PIANO CHRISTMAS”
East Harlem/El Barrio, New York -- Piano student Angel Echevarria, a 2008 recipient of the Charlie Palmieri Memorial Piano Scholarship will be performing at the National Public Radio’s “A Jazz Piano Christmas” concert on December 4, 2008 at the Kennedy Center
Nineteen year old pianist Angel Echevarria is a student at the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts; the leading school for Afro-Caribbean Latin music with a curriculum that ranges from traditional Folkloric music to Contemporary Salsa and Latin Jazz. His studies include Classical piano with Amos Duque, Latin style piano with Pablo Mayor, jazz and improvisation for piano with Gustavo Casenave, and a theory class. In addition, he participates in two ensembles, Latin Standards Ensemble under the direction of Chacho Schartz and the Harbor Latin Youth Ensemble under the direction of Conservatory Director
At the Harbor Conservatory, Angel studys a variety of musical forms such as danzon, son, cha cha cha and mambo, as he learns music illustrating different periods and artists in Latin music history. He has the unique opportunity to study and play classic music made popular by artists such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco and others. As a member of the Harbor Latin Youth Ensemble, Angel has performed at Zankel Hall in the Carnegie Hall Family Concert Series, and at the world famous Apollo Theater in Represent! A Celebration of Young Talent, a program of outstanding youth performances. In addition he performed with the ensemble at Jazz at
The Charlie Palmieri Memorial Piano Scholarship is awarded to intermediate and advanced pianists ages 12-25 for the study of Latin style piano. The Scholarship in memory of Charlie Palmieri was established by Tito Puente to further the inspirational musicianship of the great pianist. Applicants must demonstrate their talents in Classical and/or Popular Latin styles. The winner will receive one year's training free of charge at Harbor Conservatory with one of our specialists in the field of Latin piano. In style, versatility and instrumental virtuosity, bandleader/pianist/arranger Charlie Palmieri had few equals. In addition to recording, arranging and performing he taught music and Puerto Rican history in the CUNY system. The late great Tito Puente, the "King of Latin music,” master timbalero, arranger, composer, and bandleader, also cared deeply about education for young students and the need for youngsters to continue and/or begin their musical studies, as well as to reaffirm pride in Latino culture.
Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, a division of
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