Is it possible? The Merion Avenue bridge is open! If you drive or walk to the studios and use Montgomery Ave., life should be a little less complicated as the bridge is rebuilt and reopened. While not a thing of beauty, it definitely looks safer.

February’s studio class is always devoted to a special project. This year, we had a delightful Schubertiade on Saturday, Feb. 2. What in the world is a Schubertiade, you ask? Well, obviously, it is an evening of the music of Franz Schubert, but it is also an evening of food, fun and friendship. At his Schubertiades, good ol’ Franz and his friends would not only hear the newest music Franz was creating, but they would also smoke and play cards. Needless to say, in our modern way of life, the smoking is out, and we were having too much fun rehearsing and singing to stop and play cards. Well over 40 people sang in octets, sextets, quartets, duets and solos composed by Schubert. Bev McGuire, Marcia Cook and Heidi also performed some of his entrancing piano duets. Sadly, we have no photos, because we were too busy entertaining and rehearsing to remember to pull out the camera.

To see the full schedule of this season's studio classes, go to our Studio Events page!

One of the joys of teaching is watching young students develop into young artists. We had that opportunity on Sunday, Feb. 3, when Heidi’s high school students presented a Studio Recital, which featured a special set of Irish Music. As part of her Haverford High School senior project, Heidi’s student, Mary Callaghan, selected and researched a variety of Irish songs which were sung by Mary as well as by other members of the studio. Congratulations to all of the performers, but especially to Mary Callaghan for her diligence and creativity in putting this performance together.

To see the full schedule of this season's public events, go to our Public Events page!

Because The Holiday Service Project ran into the New Year, we wrapped it up a little later than usual. As you can see from the photo above, we collected lots of chess and checker sets, board games, balls of all shapes and sizes, and even a few art projects. We also handed Sue Gibbons, WePAC’s Volunteer Coordinator, financial contributions which totaled a little over $600. Yes, that is correct – boxes and boxes of great activities for kids and over $600. Richard and I send a sincere 'thank you' to each and every one of our students for your contributions. You are making the lives of children in West Philadelphia a little brighter these days!

To read more about the Holiday Service Project, go to our Projects page!

You know we’ve always got some Upcoming Performances. Heidi’s next cabaret, If Life Were Like the Movies, will get its world premiere at The Bryn Mawr Film Institute on Saturday, April 19. A cabaret-only page will be added to this site sometime this spring, so keep your eyes open for that one.

Both Heidi and Richard return as soloists with the Bach and Handel Society of Jim Thorpe, PA on Saturday, May 17. Drive up and spend the day in lovely Jim Thorpe AND hear some great music. For more information, here’s a link to the Bach and Handel Society website: http://bachandhandelchorale.homestead.com/index.html.

Click here for info about Heidi's upcoming performances!
Click here for info about Richard's upcoming performances!