Patricia Lazzara, flutist
"She is a bright, sweet and technically accomplished flutist... " The New York Times
Patricia Lazzara, flutist, has distinguished herself as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. She is a three time winner of the Artist's International competition in New York City and gave her critically acclaimed New York recital debut at Cami Hall.
Patricia’s solo CD – “Radiance” was released in June 2018 to rave reviews. The album is a celebration of spiritual transformation and new creation with 3 newly commissioned pieces written specifically for the album. Composers include Grammy nominated Ron Korb, Dmitry Varelas and Maurizio Balzola. In the summers, Ms. Lazzara travels to Assisi, Italy where she performs at the Assisi Performing Arts Concert Series. In July 2022 at the Assisi Performing Arts Festival, Ms. Lazzara and Ensemble Bella Luce performed a very memorable concert of the works of noted European composer Armando Ghidoni who was present in the audience. Ms. Lazzara has performed at Carnegie Hall several times and at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Patricia has performed as soloist for the National Flute Association Professional Flute Choir and won first prize in the North Jersey Pwhilharmonic Concerto Competition. Ms. Lazzara is a Miyazawa Flute Artist, (www.miyazawa.com) winner of the Flute Association Performers Grant for Advanced Study and a Winner of the National Flute Association Convention Performers Competition.
Ms. Lazzara is a founding member of several ensembles:
“Ensemble Bella Luce” www.ensemblebellaluce.com, a classical trio - soprano, flute and piano trio comprised of musicians with a shared love of Italy, music and the language. “UpTown Flutes” www.uptownflutes.com, one of the premier flute ensembles performing today. Their sold out performance at Carnegie Weill Hall received a rave review from the New York Concert Review and subsequently they were invited to perform at several National Flute Association Conventions.
“Light Stream Orchestra” a trio of flute, guitar and piano that focuses on meditative music inspired by Spirit. LSO utilizes a multimedia approach to performances with added visuals to enhance audiences’ experience.
Lazzara/O’Neill flute and guitar duo – winner of Artist International Competition.
“Lazzarkoff” www.lazzarkoff.com, a flute duo specializing in pop tune covers of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Ms. Lazzara had the distinct honor of being the flute soloist for the Papal Visit to Giants Stadium and collaborates with harp, guitar, piano, vocal and string partners in many chamber music performances and in different genres.
Ms.Lazzara is the conductor of the Ridgewood HS Flute Ensemble and is on the faculty of the Encore Music Program in Ridgewood, NJ in addition to a full studio of private students.
She attended Carnegie Mellon University and received a Bachelor of Music Degree from the Hartt School of Music where she studied with John Wion, has appeared in masterclasses with Jean Pierre Rampal, Thomas Nyfenger, Robert Stallman, Trevor Wye and has coached with Jeanne Baxtresser, Michael Parloff and Bart Feller. She also studied with Paige Brook and David Williams.
Patricia Lazzara’s discography includes: UpTown Flutes flute ensemble : “A Flute Renaissance", "An UpTown Christmas", "21st Century Gems", “Streaming Dreams”. Lazzarkoff Duo: “Radiance”, “Timeless” and Romances In Blue”, “By Request.” Light Stream Orchestra: “Light Stream Orchestra” with harp: “Enchanted Love” and "Celestial Sounds of Christmas". With flute, soprano and piano: “A Very Happy Noel”. Visit Patty in the web here:
www.PatriciaLazzaraFlutist.com
Photo Credit: LauraDavis@lauraanndavisphotos
Mara Adler O'Kelly, soprano
By the time she was 14, Mara was singing background vocals for local popstars and celebrities and had been selected to tour Japan with the San Francisco Girls Chorus. She subsequently sang on a Grammy winning album with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and can be heard singing in the background of the film “The Talented Mr. Ripley.”
At 15 she landed her first role, singing a solo with the San Francisco Opera, among many of the great singers of the early 2000’s. At the ages of 16, and 17, she was selected to sing the Role of Mimi in La Boheme, and Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Mara earned a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory of Music on a Merit Scholarship. During college, she sang roles with Oberlin Opera Theater, the Cleveland Symphony Chorus, The Cleveland Art Museum Performance Series, Oberlin Gilbert and Sullivan Club, and the Oberlin in Italy Program. Mara earned a master’s degree in Music and Music Education at Teacher’s College Columbia University, while continuing to perform and audition.
She has sung with New Jersey Opera Theater (La Mere Coupable, The Countess) Opera in the Ozarks (Susanna, Le Nozze di Figaro) Opera Company of Brooklyn (Sophie,Werther), Bronx Opera Company ( Papagena, Lidke) Hoboken Gilbert and Sullivan( Ruth) Opera Theater of Montclair,( Pamina) Garden State Opera ( Cosi Fan Tutte, Dorabella) Utopia Opera (The Bat).
She has also sung with Metropolitan Opera Outreach program and Bel Canto at Caramoor and as a soloist with Collegium Westchester and can be heard as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah Central Presbyterian Church, and First Presbyterian Church and Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Englewood.
As an educator, she currently teaches classes called “Anyone Can Sing” and “Napoli and Bel Canto” at Olli-RU, Rutgers University and Brookdale Community College and Jewish Family Services, Clifton, where she has recently received a grant. She is also a member of the Old Bridge Arts Council and in 2020 pioneered a webinar program on the “Art and Struggle of Life as aPperformer,” for the council. She is a co-founder and performer with Ensemble Bella Luce, and Way Past Midnight, a group of music educators and musicians. The ensemble which was formed in Assisi Italy performs throughout New Jersey and will continue to perform in Italy.
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Dave Malyszko, piano
Dave Malyszko– pianist/keyboardist, has served as soloist, accompanist, and ensemble member for a wide variety of performances in a multitude of genres.
As a soloist, he has appeared with the Jersey City State College Symphonic Orchestra, the Jersey City Symphony of Winds and Percussion, and the Assisi Performing Arts Concert Series in Assisi, Italy.
As a collaborative pianist, Dave has accompanied numerous singers and instrumentalists in venues such as college and high school theatres, performing arts centers, houses of worship, and libraries. He has also played for various classes and auditions at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Middlesex County College, and Plays in The Park in Edison, New Jersey.
Dave has extensive experience in many other styles of music, including musical theatre, jazz, pop/rock, and R and B. He has worked on more than 50 different musicals either as keyboardist, musical director, or assistant musical director, presented at community theaters, high schools, colleges, regional theater, and Off-Broadway. As an ensemble member, he has played with diverse artists such as Dave Valentin, Debbie Reynolds, Connie Francis, Bobby Rydell, and Charlie Vox in locations such as the State Theatre, PNC Arts Center, Count Basie Theatre, as well as several outdoor venues and NYC area clubs.
Dave holds a B.A. in Music Education from Jersey City State College as well as an M.A. in Performance from New York University. He also studied with Gabor Fuchs as well as jazz pianist Morris Nanton. Dave has been on the adjunct faculty of Jersey City State College, and served as music department accompanist, piano instructor, and Music Technology and Production instructor in the East Orange school system for more than thirty years. Currently, he is the accompanist for the Maplewood Glee Club and is the Director of Music at Grace Presbyterian Church in Montclair, NJ.