Former JICA volunteer returns for classical music concert

Visiting concert pianist Kiyoshi Itaya will stage a free lunchtime concert Monday, June 1 at the Kingstown Methodist Church featuring local singers Alicia Culzac and Ruth Boerger.{{more}}

Itaya, a former JICA (Japanese International Cooperation Agency) volunteer from 2003-2005, taught music at the Girls’ High School under Donna Clarke.

During his tenure on St Vincent, he performed in concerts at Government House and the Peace Memorial Hall, including a concert hosted by His Excellency Sir Frederick Ballantyne, entitled ‘A Night of Classical and Contemporary Music.’ He toured throughout St Vincent with Japanese opera singers and performed at a number of lunchtime concerts at the Kingstown Methodist Church.

For his farewell concert in 2005, he, along with local pianist Sean Sutherland, performed ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ on two grand pianos.

Itaya studied at Tokyo College of Music, majoring in piano performance. He won the first Chopin International Competition in Asia, and performed Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto with Tokyo New City Orchestra and the Polish National Chamber Orchestra. He played Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ with the Kazenowa Wind Orchestra.

Culzac, a graduate of GHS, teaches music at Bishop’s College. She earned her degree in music from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica. She sings with Cantemus and the New Kingstown Chorale.

Boerger is a voice coach and has taught singing in St Vincent and the Grenadines for 15 years. She is classically trained and for many years was a member of the chorus of the Shubert Opera Company in the US. She is music director of Theatre Arts, which has staged three musical productions in St Vincent and the Grenadines. She also sings with the New Kingstown Chorale.

The concert begins at 12:15 and the public is invited to attend.