From the left, Letao Li (Courtesy/Ting Yuan) and Abigail Aranovich (Courtesy/Georgette Ionesco)(Courtesy/Ting Yuan and Georgette Ionesco)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Richmond County Orchestra will present the prodigy talent of 10-year-old pianist Letao Li and high school senior flutist Abigail Aronivich at a concert titled “Mendelssohn, Mozart and More.”
The performance is set for Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m. at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of Staten Island in Sea View.
The concert, that showcases exceptional young talent and timeless masterpieces, will feature Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture” and Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony No. 8.”
The Richmond County Orchestra is led by Alan Aurelia, whose conducting experience spans Carnegie Hall and venues in Italy.
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS
Letao Li, 10, is a fifth grade student at the Special Music School in Manhattan, the only public K-through-12 music school in the United States.
Letao began taking piano lessons at the Staten Island Conservatory of Music when she was 4 1/2.
In 2022 she debuted her in-person piano competitions and won first prizes consecutively in the George Gershwin International Music Competition and Kaufman Music Center International Youth Piano Competition.
In 2023, she won the grand prize in the Connecticut Hartford XIV Chopin International Piano Competition and First Place in the Franz Liszt Center International Virtual Piano Competition in La Nucía, Spain.
Most recently Letao won first place in the Third Barum International Piano Competition (Professional Division I).
Beyond piano, Letao is a passionate singer. She is a member of the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus and recently performed in the Met production of “La Bohème.” Outside of music, she loves math, coding, and hiking.
Abigail Aranovich is a Staten Island Technical High School senior passionate about music. Beginning her journey as a flutist at the age of 8, she honed her skills by enrolling in the Staten Island Conservatory of Music at age 12 under the mentorship of Georgette Ionesco.
At Staten Island Technical High School, she participates in the band program and engages in various musical activities.
She is involved in “SING,” a student-run original musical production, where she performs with the pit band, playing arrangements of popular songs.
In addition, she was a flute and clarinet ensemble member for three years.
Abigail regularly performs in the bi-annual recitals organized by the Staten Island Conservatory of Music.
She participates in the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) decisions, both as a soloist and on behalf of the Staten Island Tech band. She is expanding her musical repertoire by studying the piccolo and piano.
She aspires to continue her musical education in college and is committed to further developing her skills as she transitions into higher education.
ABOUT THE RICHMOND COUNTY ORCHESTRA
Founded in 1998 under the direction of Aurelia, The Richmond County Orchestra continues its effort to enhance the musical and cultural life of Staten Island and students throughout NYC. It strives to inspire a love of music through a presentation of the classical repertoire and programming that encourages interaction with audience members.
Tickets to all Richmond County Orchestra concerts are free for students and children.
There is free parking on site.
The Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC is located at 1466 Manor Rd.
Tickets that are priced $15 in advance may be obtained by visiting https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6541135.
The performance is made possible partly with public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.