3pm

VBHS Performing Arts Center

1707 16th St.

Vero Beach FL, 32960

Donations will be accepted during this concert event. All proceeds benefit HaitiClinic.org.

Concert will include performances by Treasure Coast Percussion Academy, Stringsations Quartet, Gifford Youth Orchestra and more!
Read the rest of this entry for details about all of the performers.
Treasure Coast Percussion Academy:  Under the direction of Ron Hughes, the ensemble has verformed at the National Percussion Festival, four times at the Florida Music Educators Convention, five times at the Forida Day of Percussion, and three times at the McCormick Marimba Festival.  Performers include Paul Colella (10th Grade), Luke DiSandro (9th Grade), Christopher Herman (11th Grade), Adam Koulish (12th Grade), Evan MacKay (7th Grade), Rachel Phillips (11th Grade), Alexander Smith (8th Grade) and Morgan Wild (12th Grade).  Mr. Hughes’ students have been awarded college music scholarships, have won many concerto competitions and other prestigious awards, and have been selected as all-state musicians on numerous occasions.

Stringsations Quartet:  Stringsations Quartet was formed one and a half years ago by four orchestra students from Gifford Middle School, and is under the tutelage of Tom Fritz, well-known local instructor and himself a member of the Vero Beach Chamber Orchestra. Stringsations members are Jeffrey Lamothe, Violin, Alec Barker, Violin, Cooper Hendrix, Cello and Alex Smith, Viola. Appearances have included a local wedding, Christmas Downtown, Rotary Club events, Vero Beach Country Club, Regency Park, Vero’s 90th Anniversary Celebration, Teachers Appreciation Luncheon, IRC Teacher of the year reception and several events at McKee Botanical Gardens.

Gifford Youth Orchestra:  The Gifford Youth Orchestra is a talented group of young musicians from Gifford, Florida.  Under the direction of Joan Haar and project coordinator, Rev. Crysal Bojol, these students practice weekly and perform at various community and charitable events throughout the year.  The Gifford Youth Orchestra offers an opportunity for young people in Gifford to expand their horizons and provides positive reinforcement for area youth.  Many students who begin their music studies with the Gifford Youth Orchestra go on to study music and receive college scholarships in recognition of their talent and dedication.

Christopher Herman:  Christopher is a junior at Vero Beach High School and has studied the marimba for several years.  A multi-talented percussionist, Chris is also the Captain of the Vero Beach High School Band’s drum line, as well as a member of the school’s jazz band and philharmonic orchestra.  Chris has been selected as an all-state musician on two occasions, and he is a member of the National Honor Society and in the top 10% of his class.

Bridget Johnston:  Bridget is a junior at Vero Beach High School and has studied the cello and other instruments since the 3rd grade.  Most recently, Bridget was a winner of the high school’s 2010 concerto competition.  Her private cello teacher is Professor David Bjella of Stetson University, and Bridget is co-principal chair of the cello section of the high school’s symphony and philharmonic orchestras.  Bridget participates in a variety of charitable activities, including collecting supplies for peace corps volunteers and working at the Haiti Clinic’s warehouse.  Bridget is a member of the National Honor Society and is a finalist for Bentley University’s 2010 “Tomorrow25” leadership award.

Jacob Billups:  Jacob is a junior at Vero Beach High School and plays in the first violin section for the school’s symphonic and philharmonic orchestras.  Jacob is a very active volunteer at the Haiti Clinic’s warehouse, and a member of the high school’s HOSA club.  Jacob is interested in pursuing a career in medicine and music.

Gabi Lapointe:  Gabi is a junior at Vero Beach High School.  In addition to being a talented pianist studying under the tutelage of Kelley Coppage, Gabi is a member of the first violin section of the school’s symphony and philharmonic orchestras, and spends much of her time doing volunteer work.  Gabi is a member of the National Honor Society and is in the top 10% of her class.  In addition, Gabi is a valuable member of the school’s track and cross-country teams and an avid runner.

Julia Watkins:  Julia Watkins, a native of Vero Beach, is a violin performance major at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi, and she has been concertmaster of the Belhaven University Chamber Ensemble, the Belhaven University Symphony Orchestra and the Vero Beach High School Orchestra. Julia is active in leading worship in church and in teaching violin. While at Belhaven Julia played for the Tennis Team and ran on the Cross country team.  Julia plans to return to Vero Beach after graduation and begin her teaching career offering lessons in violin and piano.  She also looks forward to continuing with the King’s Baptist Orchestra and using her gifts for the glory of God.

Elias Santana:  Elias L. Santana was born in Manhattan, NY and moved to Florida at the age of six.  In middle school, he began to notice his interest in music while taking a chorus class.  Following four years of choir in high school he majored in music at what was then Indian River Community College and took private voice lessons.  In addition to his love of music and singing Elias is currently pursuing a degree in Marine Biology.  He is also called upon to sing at weddings, memorial services and other special events. He hopes to continue to sing and make a positive impact with his music.  Some of his hobbies are weightlifting, running, and collecting sneakers.

Davidson Jean-ReJois:  Davidson is a Haitian College student who grew up in Port-au-Prince.  He moved to Florida at age 11, and he performs the voice for the special piece, “God Moves in Mysterious Ways” in both English and Haitian Creole. It is Davidson’s hope that this work will encourage his brothers and sisters in this darkest period of Haiti’s history.  We are very grateful to Davidson for making a special trip to Vero Beach to provide us with a live performance of this beautiful work.

Kelley J. Coppage:  A native of Vero Beach, piano instructor Kelley J. Coppage received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Converse College, graduating with “Distinction”. Following a year of study at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, she received a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School in New York City.  She is currently the Director of Worship, Music and the Arts at King’s Baptist Church in Vero Beach.  In addition she maintains an active composing, performing and teaching schedule. In conjunction with Framework Productions as Artist Consultant, her composition, was released in January 2010. Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Kelley once again joined with Framework and released the song as “Heartbreak for Haiti.”   In 2005 Kelley released a CD of her original worship songs, entitled, “Give You Praise”.

In 2003, Kelley received the Laurel Award for Professionalism from the Cultural Council of Indian River County. Many of her students have gone on to pursue college degrees in music from schools such as New York University, Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Rollins College, Stetson University, University of Florida, and the New England Conservatory.

Terri Ellis:  Returning to Vero Beach from the Atlanta area, Terri Ellis teaches private voice lessons at Vero’s Academy for the Performing