A Love Story in Bridgeport: An Evening of Love Songs with Cidalia Kettles
Cidalia Kettles is a mezzo-soprano balancing performance alongside her work as a Connecticut-certified music educator. These two important aspects of her career have kept her open to a multitude of musical influences and interests.
Applying the classical training she received at Westminster Choir College and Western Connecticut State University, she has performed operas and operettas including Carmen (Carmen), Street Scene (Anna Maurrant), and Dialogues of the Carmelites (Mme de Croissy), among many others. Musical theatre credits include Matron ‘Mama’ Morton (CHICAGO), Bloody Mary (South Pacific), and Into the Woods (The Witch). Additionally, Cidalia has enjoyed touring as part of the professional choir for the likes of Josh Groban and Sarah Brightman.
In her education career, Cidalia has worked with every grade and level from pre-Kindergarten to High School acapella groups. Her work with children and young adults has opened up fresh musical insights and inspiration as she focuses on developing the musicianship and skills applicable to any genre the students want to pursue.
Sacred music holds a special place for Cidalia, and she is a section leader here at United Congregational Church of Bridgeport, and a regular cantor at St. Pius X of Fairfield, CT where she also directs the children’s choir.
Cidalia’s life would not be complete without her amazing husband Robert and their two beautiful daughters.
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Saturday, October 5, 2024
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5:00PM​
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Saturday, November 2, 2024
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5:00PM​
Argentinian violinist Sami Merdinian has received worldwide recognition for his outstanding performances as a soloist and chamber musician. Sami has appeared with the Montevideo Philharmonic, the Argentinian National Symphony, The Charlemagne Orchestre, The Gagneung Philharmonic in South Korea, Buenos Aires Philharmonic, Duluth, the Rochester Philharmonic, and the Richmond Symphony.
Sami is a member of award-winning string quintet Sybarite5, performing recently at Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress, Lincoln Center, and touring throughout United States, Canada, Asia and South America. Sybarite5’s latest album “Collective Wisdom” debuted at #1 in the Billboard Classical Music chart.
Highly sought-after as tango violinist, Mr. Merdinian has performed and recorded with some of the most prominent artists of the genre and has received a Grammy Nomination for "Masters of the Bandoneon" for Best Tango Album. Mr. Merdinian’s discography includes recordings for Universal Records, Canary Classics, CAG Records, Bright Shiny Things and Green Parrot Records.
Mr. Merdinian has been a prize winner in several international competitions including a Gold Medal in the XII International Young Solo Instrumentalists Competition in Argentina, and the New Talent Competition in Slovakia. He has also received the Rising Star Award by Tiffany & Co., was named Outstanding Artist of the Year by the Argentinian Press, and has been featured on WQXR in New York, “Spiegenzall” live from the Concertgebouw, Argentinian Classical National Station, America’s NPR, South Korean’s KBS and the BBC.
Mr. Merdinian is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the New Docta Festival in Argentina. He has led masterclasses around the USA, South America and Asia and given lectures about music and entrepreneurship in universities such as Penn State, Curtis Institute, New England Conservatory and The New School. In addition, Mr. Merdinian is also the producer and co-host of Down the Pit Podcast. @samimerdinian
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Saturday, December 7, 2024
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5:00PM​
Haley received her BA in Theatre Performance and Speech at Wagner College in New York City. Upon graduating, Haley made her Broadway debut as Maria in the revival of West Side Story, directed my Arthur Laurents. She then went on to play Jasmine in the Pre-Broadway regional production of Disney’s Aladdin at Tuacahn Center for the Arts in Utah. She has appeared in regional productions throughout the country and was most recently featured as the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s guest artist in their concert “Rhapsody in Blue”. Haley resides in Westport with her husband Matt and their daughter, Daphne.
Born and raised in New York, Brian began studying with Francis Patrelle at age 13 while at LaGuardia HS for the Performing Arts and the School of American Ballet. By senior year, he was one of 20 in the country to win The YoungArts Competition and one of 24 in the world accepted into the prestigious Juilliard School.
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Upon graduating, Brian went right to work on Broadway and stayed for the next 15 years originating the role of Baby Boy in Urban Cowboy, playing James in Twyla Tharp's Movin Out, and originating the role of Neleus in Mary Poppins. He’s worked at some of the best houses in the country including The New York State Theatre, Alice Tully, and Avery Fisher.
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On the big screen you can see him in the hit feature film Across the Universe, the TV show The Other Two on HBO, and in The NY Philharmonic’s tribute to Marvin Hamlisch at Live from Lincoln Center.
Brian is currently a professor in both the dance and theatre departments at PACE University in NYC.