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Portland Prodigy Returns for Benefit Concert

At just 23 years old, Portland born pianist Johnandrew Slominski has already amassed a staggering collection of degrees, honors and accolades. With a Master of Music degree in Performance, a Master of Arts in Music Theory, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance, all from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, Slominski is now a Doctor of Musical Arts there, and serves as the youngest faculty member in that institution's history, teaching Music Theory and Piano. While for most of us, that’s already a life’s worth of achievement, Slominski is also a gifted solo performer, and traveling lecturer. Hailed by the press as “a brilliant pianist”, Slominski performs throughout the United States. He was recently featured at the Sarasota Music Festival, the Chautauqua Institution for Fine and Performing Arts, and the St. Petersburg College Piano Series, while international engagements have included performances at the Jan Deyl Conservatory in Prague, and the Salle Cortot in Paris, France. Slominski returns to his hometown of Portland to play a benefit concert on Sunday, January 3rd , at the Old Church at 3pm. His innovative program, which features transcriptions and adaptations of works for solo piano, will include Schubert's monumental “Wanderer Fantasy”, virtuoso Etudes by the American pianist Earl Wild based on songs by George Gershwin, and transcriptions by Slominski's own hand. All concert proceeds will be gifted to The Snowman Foundation, a charity begun by beloved Northwest pianist and composer, Michael Allen Harrison. The Snowman Foundation, which helps children and community organizations attain access to musical instruments and instruction, is mainly supported by Harrison’s annual “Ten Grands” concerts. Amy Johnson, The Snowman Foundation’s Manager sees young artists like Slominski partnering with Snowman to be a new and exciting direction for the child-focused charity, providing new sources of support as well as concert exposure for the children. “We are particularly pleased to have the support of a talented young pianist like Johnandrew who certainly demonstrates the power and impact of music on a young life.” Admission is $15 dollars for adults and $5 dollars for students and seniors. The Old Church is located at 1422 S.W. 11th Avenue in downtown Portland.