The Mainstay goes to Betterton as Nevin Dawson showcases the many facets of the viola, the oft-forgotten middle child between the violin and cello, at the Betterton Community Center, 100 Main Street in Betterton, MD on Sunday March 20 at 2:00 p.m. The concert is free but space is limited so call the Mainstay for reservations (410-639-9133).
The concert is a joint project of The Mainstay and the Betterton Community Development Association. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
Moving seamlessly from classical to jazz to Celtic to rock, Dawson will share how he grew from a third grader playing Twinkle Twinkle into a cross-genre semi-pro. He will be joined by Philip Dutton (piano, The Pam Ortiz Band and Philip Dutton and the Alligators), Meredith Davies Hadaway (harp, Harp & Soul), and Ray Anthony (drums, Mike Buccino Trio and Blues Keepers).
Dawson studied viola at Penn State University while earning a degree in Forestry and has played with many symphonies and chamber ensembles, including Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra, Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. He teaches violin, viola, and cello at Music Life in Chestertown and plays demonstration programs for all Kent County students in grades 3-8 in conjunction with the National Music Festival Fiddlesticks! program.
He currently plays with Shore Strings, the Londontowne Symphony, The Pam Ortiz Band, Harp & Soul, and Ricky Walls and the North County Pickers, and has recorded for seven albums. He also sings with the Chester River Chorale and performs in the concert version of Red Devil Moon, a forthcoming musical by Robert Earl Price and Pam Ortiz.
Nevin Dawson lives in Chestertown with his wife and son. This will be a fascinating concert with a wide variety of music spotlighting the versatility of the viola and many talents of the violist. He’ll build a one-man backup band on the spot with a looper pedal, and look for some vocal numbers as well.
For information and reservations call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. More information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
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