Suchodolski was born in Gdansk, Poland, but has spent most of her life in western Massachusetts.In 2006, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in piano performance from CarnegieMellonUniversity, where she studied under Sergey Schepkin and Ralph Zitterbart.
The concert covered a wide variety of genres, and featured everything from classical favorites to Radiohead to Gershwin.She said she enjoyed playing in Dedham.
“The audiences come here just to enjoy the music,” Suchodolski said.“You don’t find that everywhere.”
Music Director Sivan Etedgee says he hopes to host a few more concerts this year. CDs from past concerts performed at St. John’s can be purchased in the church office or by calling 326-2025.
The Parkway Concert Orchestra came back to St. Susanna’s this weekend for their annual performance.The Norwood-based organization, under the direction of Matthew Fritz, put on a show entitled “Celebrating Dance.”The show featured violin soloist Gabby Diaz.
The theme for their performance series this season is “Celebration!” and was chosen to lighten the spirits of both performers and audiences during these difficult times, Fritz said.Dance selections from around the world were performed, including Tchaikovsky’s waltz from Sleeping Beauty and Brown and Freed’s Singin’ in the Rain.
Bill Porter, a member of the Orchestra and a Dedham resident, has been playing with the group for 60 years.He says he is going to “keep doing it until I get it right.”Porter met his wife, who is now retired from the Orchestra, while playing with them.
“It’s cathartic,” Porter said of the concerts.“It’s good for the brain.”
Porter said he especially enjoyed seeing families attend with young children.He said their youthfulness rubbed off on the older members.
The concert was sponsored in part by Avery School PTO, and PTO members and students sold baked goods during the intermission. After the performance Master of Ceremonies Joe Heisler invited children to come up and meet the instruments and their handlers during a "petting zoo" session.
The Orchestra will play again on May 3 at the First Congregational Church in Norwood.That performance is billed as “A Celebration of America,” and will include the world premiere of a piece written for the Parkway Concert Orchestra.
Please click on the Featured Audio box in the right hand rail to listen to the Parkway Orchestra’s rendition of Waltz from the ballet Sleeping Beauty.
