Richmond County Orchestra to Perform Free Holiday Celebration MISTLETOE AND MAGIC, 12/13

Talented and accomplished young musicians perform, a tribute to the people of Paris along with Dragon Kim's Karate's performance to Beethoven's 5th and The New American Ballet's performance to the Nutcracker.

Sunday, December 13, 3 p.m. St John's University 300 Howard Ave, Staten Island FREE

Audience sing along.

December 2015---The Richmond County Orchestra (RCO) adds holiday cheer to the season with "Mistletoe and Magic" a celebration in song and dance on Sunday, December 13, 3 p.m. at St. John's University, 300 Howard Avenue, Staten Island .The performance features local talent Juliana Curcio who sings O Holy Night and Turrna Sorrento, Solo violinist France Rovelli who plays Vivaldi's "Winter." Brian Moses,13, an outstanding young piano student of Richmond County Orchestra's Maestro Alan Aurelia plays "Fantasie Impromptu" by Chopin. There is music from Hansel and Gretel and the Curtis High School Band will perform "Jingle Bell Rocks." The RCO will also play several Holiday Favorites for an audience sing along.

Dance performances include students of Dragon Kim's Karate USA performing to "Beethoven's 5th" and The New American Youth Ballet dances to excerpts from the Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky as well as a tribute to the people of Paris with a performance to the music by Aszafiev's "The Flames of Paris."

Maestro Aurelia said, "Most dance companies do not perform with a full orchestra. This is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent while accompanied by our orchestra," and added, "The RCO is more than happy to provide these local dance companies with a live orchestra."

SANTA and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to pose with kids for photos. There will be a 50/50 and prizes and goodies for the children. All this for FREE thanks to support from St John's University Office of Community Relations, Italian Cultural Center and Con Edison.

About the artists:

Dragon Kim's Karate USA-Dragon Kims Karate USA was established in 1992, and is a School of Martial Arts and Martial Arts & Self Defense Instruction. It was founded by Grandmaster Jhong Uhk Kim, a 3rd generation Grand Master. He is one of a few Internationally certified 9th degree black belts in the world.

Brian Moses, age 13, began piano lessons with Maestro Aurelia at age 5 and quickly excelled. Brian first performed publicly playing Christmas carols at an RCO Christmas concert and soon after that gave a memorable solo performance of Beethoven's Fur Elise with the RCO, at age 10. Continuing the classical theme, Brian performed Mozart K. 545 with the RCO the next year.

The New American Ballet- Founded in 1997, the New American Youth Ballet is dedicated to make classical ballet accessible to children of all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds by offering lessons and performing opportunities by donation. The goal is to enhance the student's self-image through instruction that nurtures the whole child in a healthy, uplifting and non-competitive environment.

Juliana Curcio- started the 2015 season as a Resident Artist with Pensacola Opera, performing the role of Kate in The Pirates of Penzance as well as various concerts and outreach programs. Juliana was a Semi-Finalist in the Brava! Opera Theatre and James Collier Young Artist competition as well as the Mezzo-Soprano First Place Winner in the Riverside Opera Company of NYC vocal competition.

In 2011, Juliana earned her M.M. in Vocal Performance at The Manhattan School of Music, studying with Joan Patenaude-Yarnell. During her graduate studies, Juliana performed L'enfant in L'enfant et les sortileges. She obtained her B.M. and B.A. in Vocal Performance and Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam.

France Rovelli- studied throughout her youth with Enrico DiCecco, former assistant concertmaster of the NY Philharmonic and faculty at the Manhattan School of Music. She has also recently studied with Miranda Cuckson at Mannes.

At the age of eighteen she was the youngest member of the Brooklyn Symphony and Manhattan Symphony Orchestras, playing behind cellist Yo Yo Ma.

She then turned to pop music, touring extensively in the United States and Europe, recording with many eighties artists, among them Cindy Lauper.

France has recently returned to playing classical repertoire and is delighted to be performing with the Richmond Country Orchestra.

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