Guitarist Gohar Vardanyan to perform at Wyoming Seminary concert

PanARMENIAN.Net - Fans of dance, classical and jazz music, and musical theater are invited to visit the Wyoming Seminary Upper School campus in Kingston, Pennsylvania, often this summer, as the students and teachers participating in the Performing Arts Institute (PAI) present a series of free recitals, concerts and performances in June, July, and August.

Now in its 13th year, PAI attracts more than 250 talented high school students for an intensive three-to-six week learning experience in instrumental and vocal music, theater and dance. Highly respected musicians and teachers from around the country and around the world present classes in advanced technique, music theory and performance skills.

The schedule of 33 performances will begin on Monday, June 27 with a Counselor Recital at 8 p.m. in the Great Hall of Wyoming Seminary, 228 Wyoming Avenue, just north of Kingston Corners. The schedule concludes with a Grand Finale on Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m. in both the Great Hall and the Buckingham Performing Arts Center, North Sprague Avenue, on the campus of the Upper School, The Times Leader reported.

Among this season’s highlights are a free performance by the U.S. Army Field Band Federal Brass on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m. at the River Commons in Wilkes-Barre; a free concert on Monday, July 11 at 8 p.m. in the Great Hall, featuring nationally recognized Armenian classical guitarist Gohar Vardanyan; Clockwise, a South African classical duo, featuring harpist Jacqueline Kerrod and violinist Mark Uys in a free performance on Tuesday, July 19 at 8 p.m. in the Great Hall; an exciting dance production featuring guest artists Carrie Ellmore-Tallitsch, principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company and Tim Early, founder of Opus One Dance Company on Sunday, July 24 at 3 p.m. in the Buckingham Performing Arts Center; a free performance of fascinating world music by the unique Quey Percussion Duo on Sunday, July 31 at 8 p.m. in the Great Hall; and an exuberant production of the Broadway hit musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" on Thursday and Friday, August 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. in the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre. Tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens and will be available in advance and at the door.

The students work closely with these faculty members and have an opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve learned in performances which are open to the public, said Nancy Sanderson, PAI director.