Pianist Devon Joiner returns to Nanaimo for a concert filled with emotional, dramatic and charming music.
The program will take the audience through the classics of Beethoven and Mozart to virtuosic Liszt and the jazzy style of George Gershwin.
“I’m really looking forward to the intimate setting of The Port Theatre lobby,” Joiner said.
“It allows me to interact more closely with the audience and for them to become more involved in the experience.”
Joiner, who recently graduated with his master’s degree in from the Juilliard School in New York, also recently returned from a five-week adventure in Africa teaching arts empowerment workshops and performing throughout Tanzania.
Joiner volunteered with eight other Juilliard-trained teaching artists at four schools with students ages 3-25 to help students build important skills including confidence, teamwork, expression and individuality through the arts.
Joiner accumulated an extensive list of accolades at just 23 years old, having performed on four continents and won prestigious awards from the Sylva Gelber, Hnatyshyn and Strauss Foundations as well as taking top prizes in piano competitions throughout North America.
Joiner grew up in Nanaimo as part of a musical family and started his piano study at age four in the Suzuki method.
He performed at the Upper Island Musical Festival before earning a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of British Columbia. He was chosen as the youngest finalist in the annual Concerto Competition and invited to play with the UBC Symphony Orchestra.
As an Artsway UBC music ambassador, he played at health-care centres and seniors centres all over greater Vancouver from 2008-10.
He currently resides in New York, where he works as a performance artist, teacher and collaborator.
Joiner performs the piano concert in the intimate setting of the Port Theatre’s lobby. Seating is limited.
The concert is set for Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25; $22/members. Please call 250-754-8550 or visit www.porttheatre.com.
For more information on Joiner, please visit www.devonjoiner.com.
