Piano prodigy to perform in Rancho Santa Fe
Umi Garrett was 8 years old when she appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show in May 2009. DeGeneres’ enthusiastic comment was “She is going to be very well known.”
Since then, Umi has skyrocketed to superstardom. She is as charming as she is talented. Audiences from Australia to Germany, Japan to Latvia have thrilled to the performances of this young artist. She was proclaimed a “wunderkind” when featured on live Luxembourg television during her captivating European tour in 2009. More recent performances include appearances with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops and an invitation to perform at Carnegie (Weill) Hall.
Umi, now age 13, has garnered first prizes in numerous international competitions in Osaka, Budapest, Hungary and New York, including the Grand Prize winner (highest award given) at the International Chopin Competition in Connecticut.
Community Concerts of Rancho Santa Fe will present Umi Garrett in concert at the R. Roger Rowe School’s Performing Arts Center at Rancho Santa Fe on Sunday, April 27, at 3 p.m. The concert will be a special highlight and an added fifth concert to CCRSF’s normal season of four eclectic programs given from fall to spring each year. Light refreshments will be served at intermission, including a selection of Yummy Cupcakes, from the local Encinitas bakery. Community Concert donors are invited to a reception with Umi following the concert at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe will offer a complimentary glass of wine, specially selected by the sommelier, for each adult ticket stub holder ordering a dinner entrée from the dinner menu in the Morada Restaurant, not applicable to lounge menu.
CCRSF recently announced the program for its 15th consecutive season, which will be held at the newly renovated Village Church Fellowship Hall. An exciting bill includes pop-opera star Fernando Varela, who will entertain with a variety of vocals from operatic arias to Broadway and country, classical to pop, on Sept. 19.
Susan Egan, a Broadway veteran, who has won Tony and Drama Desk nominations, will perform with her fantastic voice and stage presence, Oct. 24. Alex DePue, world-renowned violinist/fiddler, and Miguel DeHoyos present an array of styles — classical, bluegrass and rock — music that “can speak to anyone’s soul,” Jan. 23, 2015. Finally, to end a dramatic season, Good Company, Feb. 25, 2015, includes a four-piece rhythm section behind the lead guitar. They “exhibit the essence of Nashville’s songwriting, youthful Rock and Roll passion, and the exuberant spirit of Gospel-inspired sweet Southern Soul.”
A special, non-series, Saturday “date-night” performance, on May 9, 2015, will feature Steve Lippia and his 10-piece orchestra presenting the sounds of the Great American Songbook with Simply Sinatra. Watch for more information on this spectacular concert and special arrangements in the Village Church Fellowship Hall.
Tickets are on sale now and can be ordered by mail or on-line for Umi Garrett. The 2014/2015 CCRSF season is currently available by mail: CCRSF, PO Box 2781, RSF 92067.
For more information, visit the CCRSF website, www.ccrsf.org or call Gail Kendall, president, at (858) 248-0892. The e-mail address is ccrsfmembership@gmail.com.