Pianist Jaya Hoy returns to North Battleford from Saskatoon for a special installment of Music for the Soul at Third Avenue United Church Saturday, Feb. 7.
Since moving to Saskatoon in March of 2014 after the death of her mother, Hoy continues to perform and accompany many university students. She also continues to teach, travelling to North Battleford every week to teach a full day.
Hoy spent many years performing extensively in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States and in 2014 she was named the official accompanist for Saskatchewan competitors at the National Music Festival.
She continues to invite young musicians to join her in recitals in North Battleford. Clarinet player Paul Hyunbai Ji and cellist Scott McKnight will join her in the Feb. 7 recital, revisiting their first concert together in the summer of 2013.
Hoy welcomes everyone, even those not too familiar with classical music.
“I love all kinds of music from jazz to folk music. I think good music is good music and we can all enjoy different kinds of music if we are willing to expose ourselves to it,” says Hoy. “I promise, if you come, you will enjoy this concert and these fine young musicians.”
Cellist Scott McKnight holds a Master of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Ottawa where he studied with Paul Marleyn, as well as a Chamber Music Diploma from Wilfred Laurier University.
During his undergraduate studies McKnight worked closely with the Penderecki String Quartet.
An ardent chamber musician, he has performed in a multitude of ensembles including the Saskatoon and Regina Symphonies, Elixir Ensemble, Prairie Virtuosi, Starry Night Musicians and BeMUSed.
Paul Hyunbai earned a Bachelor of Music degree majoring in clarinet from Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. He played in a number of orchestras in Seoul before emigrating to Canada.
He has impressed North Battleford audiences in several gala concerts at the Dekker Centre and is a member of the North Battleford Concert Band.
The concert will be held Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. at Third Avenue United Church. Tickets are $20 each or two for $35. Seniors and children are $15 each. Tickets will be available at the door.
Note: Jaya Hoy will be featured in the Feb. 3 edition of the News-Optimist in our regular feature Everybody Has a Story. The News-Optimist is available for pickup at a number of businesses throughout the Battlefords.
Look for the feature online Tuesday under the Everybody Has a Story tab.
