Benefit Concert

On Thursday, November 20, I performed for an evening of music to benefit the COMPASS Research Initiative for Metastatic Breast Cancer at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis, Maryland. The benefit concert was part of the St. Anne’s Concert Series and aimed to raise funds to help transition metastasis breast cancer from a fatal disease to a chronic illness. The concert featured performers from North Carolina, Peter Corneliussen, Organ; and Grace Wepner, Harp; and from Baltimore, Jill Collier, Cello; Hana Morford, Viola; Katherine Woodward, Soprano; and Paul Corujo, Baritone. The concert featured solo and chamber works and original music by Peter Corneliussen. Songs from his musical Esther were premiered by the evening’s chamber group. Peter is the brother of Compass Founder/Volunteer Coordinator, Dian “CJ” Corneliussen-James.

I was honored to have been able to participate in such a special event, alongside other exceptional performers. Peter is the Director of Music Ministry and Organist at Corinth Reformed Church in Hickory, North Carolina. Katherine and Paul are both graduate students in vocal performance at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. Katherine is also a good friend of mine. We both graduated from Converse College’s Petrie School of Music. Jill received her Master’s degree in cello performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music and is on the faculty of the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Hana received her Master’s degree in viola performance from Rice University and currently resides in Baltimore. I extend a special THANK YOU to Peter for inviting me to perform for this wonderful event and to Fred and Avis for hosting me in Annapolis.