Our Spring Fling (May 6, 2012), which annually raises funds for the continuation of the Valeria Finzi Memorial Scholarships to young local harpists, featured performances by the outstanding young harpists who have been awarded this year's scholarships: Annette Lee (10), Nina Agelvis (16), and Joelle Roup (17), We were also delighted to have a performance from our Invited Guest Performers - the unique and exciting HARP AND KOTO duo of Hitomi Suzuki [harp] and Saeko Kujiraoka [koto]. The koto is a traditional Japanese instrument sometimes referred to as the "Japanese Harp"! Hitomi and Saeko's performances consisted of their own arrangements of classical, popular and traditional Japanese music!
(see 2011's SPRING FLING here)
Above: Saeko Kujiraoka and Hitomi Suzuki, koto and harp duo.
L to R, above: AHS-LA 2nd VP and Education Chair Linda-Rose Hembreiker; 1st place scholarship winner Annette Lee; 2nd place scholarship winner Nina Agelvis; 3rd place scholarship winner Joelle Roup; AHS-LA president Stephanie Bennett,
Above: 1st and 3rd place scholarship winners with their harp teacher, Paul Baker.
After the concert: Stephanie Bennett, Annette Lee, Nina Agelvis, Hitomi Suzuki, Saeko Kujiraoka.
Saeko, Hitomi and Stephanie with Alfredo Rolando Ortiz, who is also one of Joelle's harp teachers.