Notes and Brushstrokes
By Kendall Hardin
The night on April 8 couldn’t have been more ideal, with perfect weather by the lake as the intimate setting for a collaborative soiree of art, music, fine libations and delectable food.
“Notes and Brushstrokes” debuted as a festive evening to support the third season of the Desert Roots Rising Stars Music Festival and Summer Academy occurring June 6–13 in partnership with the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The outdoor concert opened with a string quartet featuring Scott Jackson, Grace Wride, Omar Shelly and Lindsey Springer
Founded by violinist-educator Shakeh Ghoukasian, the festival brings in established world-class artists to mentor young aspiring musicians through concerts, master classes and community engagement.
Polish visual artist Katarzyna Kociomyk and her husband, Wojtek Pilczynski, hosted the event in their home and gallery in Desert Shores, where guests could view her paintings spanning realism, surrealism, portraiture and abstract work on the patio overlooking the lake. “The Quartet” by Kociomyk was commissioned expressly to benefit the festival.
“The Quartet,” a painting by host artist Katarzyna Kociomyk, on the auction block
Guests were treated to an outdoor concert with works ranging from Tchaikovsky and Piazzolla to Sammy Cahn and Chick Corea. In addition to Ghoukasian, professional musicians included violinists Scott Jackson, Grace Wride and Peter Goomroyan, along with Omar Shelly on viola and Lindsey Springer on cello. Graduating student violinists Manaka Kinoshita and Damon Hernandez Jr. entertained guests during the cocktail hour.
A spirited live auction conducted by Christian Kolberg followed, raising a whopping $10,000 for the festival's expanding mission. Items included three paintings by Kociomyk, a tasting dinner at Monzú Italian Oven + Bar by Chef Giovanni Mauro, a private concert experience in one’s home and a vintage bottle of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2017.
Guests also enthusiastically “adopted” over a dozen young musicians at $500 each, underwriting their full-tuition scholarships to the Summer Academy and supporting them on their musical journey during the year ahead. Support for the next generation of artists is at the core of the organization’s mission.
Dr. Susan Feneck, Li Jackson and Dr. Kate Zhong present a check to Shakeh Ghoukasian and recipient Damon Hernandez Jr.
“Desert Roots Rising Stars was created to mentor young musicians through the challenges of developing their careers,” Ghoukasian explained. “Through performances and direct access to accomplished artists, students refine their skills, deepen interpretation and gain insight into advancing their careers.”
Guests Ava Mucikyan, Inga Parunian, Dr. Ati Hakimi and Zhanna Killian enjoy a convivial cocktail hour with Desert Roots Rising Stars founder Shakeh Ghoukasian (Ashley Callihan, Free To Be Photography)
Mark your calendars now for free performances at four festival sites:
June 9 – 7 p.m. “The Paris Reflections”
- Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum
June 11 – 7 p.m. “Earth and Echoes”
- Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art at UNLV
June 12 – 7 p.m. “Student Chamber Concert”
- Arturo Rando-Grillot Hall (Doc Rando) at UNLV
June 13 – 2 p.m. “Side-by-Side Celebration Concert” with faculty and students performing together
- Arturo Rando-Grillot Hall (Doc Rando) at UNLV
To help, lend your support at desertrootsrisingstars.org.
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