December 21st Holiday SZALON!

1. Patricia Vonne performs 3 original compositions “My Favorite Holiday”, “Santa’s On A Rampage” and “Nochebuena”, from her home studio in San Antonio, TX

2. John Conahan delivers festive holiday surprises and will most certainly ask the Salon audience to join in the fun, from the Szalon

3. Choir Next Door (Roy DeMarco, Charlie Ibsen, Michael Martin, & Sam Scheibe) presents arrangements of holiday staples & some of their favorite pieces by Francis Poulenc, Bobby McFerrin, & Irving Berlin, from the Szalon

4. Ensemble “Reunion” performs two movements from Samuel Heifetz’s “Jewish Reflections” featuring Samuel Heifetz (piano), Ken Ulansey (soprano saxophone), Bruce Kaminsky (bass), and Joseph Tayoun (percussion)

 5. Qin Qian (erhu), Brian Kong (guzheng), and Everr Liii (piano) present Sea Tale and Marshmallow Dance, two original Erhu, Guzheng, and piano trios composed by Everr Liii, from the Szalon

6.  The Delaware Valley Opera Company: baritone Zachary Angus and soprano Rachael Long with pianist Joe Krupa perform arias from their upcoming presentation of David Conte's opera The Gift Of The Magi: Jim's Soliloquy, and Della's Aria - He Is Strong And He Is Proud, from the Szalon

7. Pianist/Composer Suzzette Ortiz performs 2 selections: Sublime Mind from her 4 pianos’ suite, and Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano, arranged by Suzzette Ortiz, from the Szalon

8. Singer/songwriter Bert Lee performs songs touching on current themes and events, one humorous and the other tender in nature, from the Szalon

9. Cecilia Zabala performs from her studio in Buenos Aires, her own compositions with Argentine and South American roots, creating an intimate dialog between her guitar and voice

Patricia Vonne

Hailed as a “Renaissance woman of Austin, Texas” by the New York Times, Patricia Vonne has claimed many titles in her illustrious career: singer, songwriter, actress, activist and award winning filmmaker. The three time Austin Music Award winner is recording her 10th  album on her own Bandolera Records. Vonne has toured internationally including the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, World Expo in Japan, John F. Kennedy Center, Grand Ole Opry & United Nations Headquarters in NYC. She has appeared on the big screen in Spykids, Desperado, Machete Kills, Four Rooms, and Sin City:A Dame to Kill For in which she reprised her role as Dallas/Zorro Girl. Her song  “Traeme Paz” was featured in the film Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

Links: 

Website: www.patriciavonne.com 
Instagram: instagram.com/patriciavonne
Facebook: facebook.com/patriciavonnefanpage

Donations: Venmo @patricia-vonne

Videos:

John Conahan

In 2025, John Conahan has been successful in evading the authorities all year. At large in our communities, he has conducted at The Kimmel Center, is premiering a piece at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society with Philadelphia Orchestra members Elizabeth Masoudnia and Gloria DePasquale, and premiered new works at the Kennedy Center, Chautauqua Institution, and Oriole Park at Camden Yards of all places! His micro-opera PINE THESE STARS will be premiered at St. Joseph's University next year, and if the police don’t catch him first, you can follow along with his online Christmas Carol battle called CAROL RAGNAROK on Substack. 2026 will also see the release of his next singer/songwriter album WURLYBIRD.

John's music is available on all streaming platforms, including many videos on YouTube.

His annual CHRISTMAS CAROL BATTLE "CAROL RAGNAROK" is posted here:

https://substack.com/@carolragnarok 

Connect with him and his music here:

Website: www.johnconahan.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/johnconahanmusic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnconahan
Instagram: www.instagram.com/johnconahan_
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/john-conahan

Videos:

Choir Next Door (Roy Demarco, Charlie Ibsen, Michael Martin, & Sam Scheibe)

Choir Next Door is a versatile vocal quartet dedicated to spreading the joy of singing with your friends through educational outreach and engaging performances across the eastern United States. The group's members — Michael Martin, Charlie Ibsen, Roy DeMarco and Sam Scheibe — have performed with ensembles such as The Crossing, Seraphic Fire, Vocal Arts Ensemble, The Capital Hearings, the Handel & Haydn Society, the Spoleto Festival Chorus, the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, and the Voces8 Scholars. As Choir Next Door, the quartet has collaborated with a number of charitable community-based choirs, including Girl Choir of South Florida, Sine Nomine, Ars Musica, & the Miamians. Over years of friendship, the four members have spent many long and late nights singing together in their backyards, which taught them to appreciate the fun, educational, and community-building power of collective music-making. By keeping all of their performances & workshops free for students of all ages, they strive to lower the barrier to entry for listening, learning, and performing a broad stylistic variety of vocal music. Above all, their goal is to make great music with great people, and have fun while they're doing it!

Links-wise, all roads lead from our website: www.choirnextdoor.com

Facebook: @choirnextdoor
Instagram: @choirnextdoor

Donations: www.choirnextdoor.com/donate

Videos:

Ensemble “Reunion” (Samuel Heifetz, Ken Ulansey, Bruce Kaminsky, and Joseph Tayoun)

The group’s name, “Reunion,” reflects its core purpose: bringing together musicians who have collaborated for years in acclaimed live performances and innovative recordings, unified by a commitment to musical creativity and exploring new artistic horizons such as genre fusion and improvisational composition.

Ken Ulansey is a recipient of the prestigious Penn Council for the Arts award and is known for his versatility as a musician. Proficient on both the alto and soprano saxophones as well as the clarinet, Ulansey has earned a reputation as a musical chameleon. His career spans performances with a wide array of groups in styles ranging from classical and jazz to Latin and folk music. Ulansey’s musical journey includes international touring and contributions to nearly two hundred recordings. His collaborative spirit extends beyond traditional ensembles, as he has worked with artists in dance, film, poetry, and storytelling, further demonstrating his adaptability and creative range within the arts. 

Since 1990, Bruce Kaminsky has been a member of the Drexel University music faculty, where he teaches Music History and Bass Studies. In addition to his teaching roles, he directs the university's Mediterranean Ensemble, guiding students in the exploration of diverse musical traditions. Beyond academia, Bruce serves as president of KYDD Products, Inc., a company that specializes in the design and manufacture of KYDD Basses. His work as an innovator has influenced the evolution of bass instruments, making a notable impact in the music industry. Bruce has contributed to over fifty recordings and performed at prominent events, including United Nations and various international music festivals. He collaborated with renowned artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, and Dave Holland, particularly through his involvement with the International Association of Jazz Education.

Joseph Tayoun is recognized as a Master World Percussionist and educator who began his musical journey at an early age, learning from esteemed international musicians. His expertise and versatility have made him a sought-after performer, regularly collaborating with a wide range of ensembles across genres. Among the groups Joseph has performed with are Jaffna, The Mid East Ensemble, Barakka, M’Oud Swing, Intercultural Journeys, Art Tolerance, and The Roddenberries. Joseph's career has taken him to stages throughout the United States and around the world. He collaborated with many Grammy-winning artists, including Zakir Hussain, Warren Haynes, and R. Carlos Naka, further highlighting his reputation in the international music community.

Samuel Heifetz is a composer and pianist who hails from Latvia. Prior to immigrating, he served as music director for the chamber ensemble Via Tertia at the Latvian Philharmonic Society. He recorded numerous broadcasts for Latvian and Soviet television and radio and performed widely across the former Soviet Union and Europe. In addition to composing for theater and film, Heifetz released Jewish Impressions in 1988—the USSR's first instrumental Jewish music album. He was also one of the founders of the Latvian Jewish Cultural Society. Thirty-five years ago, his debut US performance took place at Andrea Clearfield’s Szalon. Returning now feels wonderful! Since 2002, Sam has served as a professor at Arcadia University, where he instructs students in music theory, composition, improvisation, and piano. Heifetz’s performance career brought him to renowned venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, and a variety of music festivals.As a composer, Heifetz’s portfolio is diverse, encompassing orchestral works such as ““Concerto Hebraico” for piano jazz trio and symphony orchestra, “Jewish Reflections” for symphony orchestra, “Rahel la Fermosa” for flute, piano, bass, percussion and symphony orchestra, ”Soundtrack for the Imaginary Movie” for small symphony orchestra, various chamber ensembles, choir and solo songs, music for films and theatre, and compositions and arrangements for big band and combos.

Qin Qian, Brian Jong, and Everr Liii

Qin Qian holds a BA in erhu performance from Guangxi Arts College, China. She is the author of two books (My Dreams Fly with Music and A Musical Journey in America) , performer and composer of a CD(A Romantic Musical Journey) and soloist in a concert with the Guangxi Symphony Orchestra in Nanning, China. After moving to the United States, Qin Qian spread traditional Chinese music, partnering with many musicians from the US, UK and Australia. Along with music for the erhu, her concerts have featured other Chinese instruments and present a variety of musical styles, including classical, jazz, opera and pop. She is a sought-after teacher whose students have won many international awards. Qin Qian’s motto is: “There are no borders in music.” 

Brian Kong is a multi-instrumentalist based in Jamison, PA. He plays multiple instruments in various bands in the Philadelphia area. Self-taught on many of the instruments he plays, learning the Guzheng was a way for him to reconnect with his Chinese heritage. 

Everr Liii is the founder and CEO of Reve Realm Media Lab, a multidisciplinary creative studio dedicated to storytelling across literature, interactive media, music, and beyond. Few of her independent works include books Our World and Folktales of Medicine, as well as video game The Last Hospital. As a musician, Everr Liii is a composer, singer-songwriter, film scorer, and piano performer.

Links:

Qin Qian’s Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@nancyqin7655/videos
Brian Kong’s Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/habitual.levitations/?hl=en
Everr Liii’s Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@evrlhr

Videos:

The Delaware Valley Opera Company

The Delaware Valley Opera Company has been entertaining Philadelphia for more than 45 years, presenting fully staged operas and curated themed concerts that showcase the region’s vocal artists, instrumentalists, stagecraft professionals, and
composers. DVOC provides opportunities for rising professionals and young artists to hone their craft and offers opera fans and newcomers the chance to experience this unique artform in a relaxed and engaging atmosphere. The company is a 501c3, fully operated by a team of dedicated volunteers. DVOC will present The Gift of the Magi by David Conte on January 10 & 11 in Germantown – for more details, visit www.dvopera.org.

The link to buy tickets to our upcoming performances of The Gift Of The Magi can be found on our website: www.dvopera.org

Donate:  https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/83c159bc-a190-437b-bf9b-c2430ba8c0c4

Zachary Angus (Jim) baritone, has been praised for his "spinning instrument," "gleaming smile," and "strong baritone." A Philadelphia resident, Zachary is fast rising in the US opera and concert scene. This past year, Zachary performed at the Philly Fringe Festival, where he garnered roles in two world premieres: David Winkler and Luigi Ballerini's Rossini Perduto (Long Island Concert Orchestra) and Daniel Asia's The TIn Angel (Teatro Grattacielo). 

Rachael Long (Della) Hailed for her “sparkling upper register and clear vocal tone” by the press, soprano Rachael Long has captivated a wide range of audiences. She recently performed as Pamina (The Magic Flute), Ciesca (Gianni Schicchi) and Mrs. Gobineau (The Medium) with Art City Opera. Other roles include Micaëla (Carmen), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), Nedda (Pagliacci), and Countess Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro).

Joseph Krupa (Pianist / Music Director) A frequent performer of solo and chamber music recitals and an opera and musical theater conductor, Joe has long been a mainstay of the Delaware Valley Opera Company (DVOC), as Music Director of multiple presentations of Amahl and the Night Visitors, plus productions of Tales of Hoffman, Susannah and the ever-popular Cav and Pag.

Suzzette Ortiz

Suzzette Ortiz is an accomplished pianist, composer, arranger, choral conductor, recording artist, and educator whose work has inspired audiences worldwide. A passionate advocate for equity in music education, she taught for 32 years; 27 in Camden, New Jersey, empowering inner-city youth through choral music and earning numerous awards. Her choirs have won top honors in competitions across the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean. A former Artistic Director of Artistas y Músicos Latino Americanos (AMLA) in Philadelphia, Suzzette continues to use music as a tool for social change. As a Certified Music Practitioner, she also offers healing through live harp music in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice care. Suzzette holds degrees from the Conservatory of Puerto Rico and Temple University. Her published works appear through Hal Leonard, J.W. Pepper, and La Voz Publications, with commissions from Chorus America, Singing City - Rollo Dilworth, Eugene Rodgers and others. Suzzette performs with 8x8 Time, a dynamic four-pianist ensemble supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage and Journey Arts. Their original compositions confront vital social issues from Black maternal health and caregiving to book banning and autism through music, poetry, and visual art. Through her music, Suzzette continues to share a powerful message of hope, justice, and love.

Links:

Website: suzzetteortiz.com
Instagram: @suzzetteortiz
YouTube: YouTube.com/@Suzzettepiano

Donate:

Zelle: Miriam Ortiz 609-504-0536
Venmo: @Suzzette-Ortiz

Videos:

Bert Lee

Bert Lee has long been a pillar of the New York songwriting scene. In recent years he has turned his attention to promoting shows to create opportunities for young musicians in an otherwise arid musical scene. He is the author of three novels and a collection of short stories, the themes touching on family history and the current events.

To listen to Bert’s recent recordings go to https://bertlee.bandcamp.com or take a listen to his most recent online album, Spirits Shadows and Lost Travelers (below).

Venmo: william-lee-158

Video:

Cecilia Zabala

Cecilia Zabala is a guitarist, composer, singer and singer-songwriter. She has combined the interpretation and creation of music, with guitar and voice, throughout her entire career, mixing sensitivity, expression, technique and intuition. In her music, styles as different as Argentine folklore, contemporary language, jazz, tango, and Brazilian music intersect. She was the winner of the First National Prize for the Arts 2018 awarded by the Ministry of Culture of Argentina in the "Jazz and Melodic" category. After twenty five years of career, she has released eleven independent albums, one single and one EP published in Argentina Germany and the United States. She has been touring internationally for more than fifteen years, teaching Master Classes and presenting her work at Festivals, Concert Halls and Art Markets in Europe, North America and Latin America.

Links: 
Website: https://musica.ceciliazabala.com.ar/en/
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@CeciliaZabalaok 
Social Media: @ceciliazabalaok
Link tree: https://linktr.ee/ceciliazabala?utm_source=linktree_admin_share 

Music:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-es/artist/6eqOpzqZRWWVxv31nYX3Ku
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/es/artist/cecilia-zabala/151384182 

Donations: Zelle - contacto@ceciliazbala.com.ar

Videos: