Hadley Johnson (top left in the photo) with students from last year’s Workshop.

On July 24 at 7 p.m. the Lopez Community Center will echo with the sound of beautiful classical music played by skilled string musicians, with pieces ranging in tone from ecstatic to melancholy. Solos, duets, and a special appearance by local musicians on piano, harp and viola will round out an exceptional program. Children will be admitted free. For adults there is a $10 suggested donation, with proceeds going to the venue, and to the Lopez Violin and Cello Workshop at Point Colville.

The performance evolved from an extraordinary combination of musical talent already in the San Juans, with visiting musicians who have played with major orchestras around the United States. These musicians will participate as instructors in the Lopez Violin and Cello workshop at Point Colville, and they have also graciously agreed to play in a community concert.

According to Erica Moon, who helped organize the events, “the July 24 performance will showcase the skills of visiting and local musicians, providing high quality entertainment for all, and inspiration for children and students.”

Tracy Helming, formerly with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, will play a solo violin piece. Aaron Nation, a Suzuki Cello instructor and member of the rock band Reed, will play Chopin’s Cello Sonata, Opus 65, and Saint Saen’s The Swan. Hadley Johnson, a Seattle-based Suzuki violin teacher, will play Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro. Most of her students will be in the audience, having come up for the workshop on the following day. Lopez Island’s own Celia Rosenberger and her daughter Rose Jeffries will play five Celtic songs together on the five string viola and harp. Anne Cady, who plays in the first violin section of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, will play Four Romantic Pieces by Antonin Dvorak. Another shining light in the Lopez Island musical scene, Becky Johnson, will accompany Anne.

Visiting from his Suzuki studio on Orcas Island, Matthew Olson will play an exciting Hungarian gypsy piece called Csárdás, by Vittorio Monti.

Instructors were already making the trip up to Lopez Island to work with the children in the workshop. “When we asked them about participating in a performance open to everyone,” Moon said, “they graciously agreed – but asked that we also include the local music community as well.”

More information on the event, including profiles of the musicians, is available at www.pointcolville.com.