Mendelssohn, Motown and More
February 25, 2024 3:00 pm
This program will prove to be an eclectic mix of musical styles and composers. From Mendelssohn’s Reformation Symphony to some of the greatest hits and artists of Motown, to much, MUCH more. This is a powerful program that you do not want to miss.
Guest Artists: Melissa Petrescue & JESSY LEROS
About Melissa Petrescue:
Praised for her passionate expression, poise, and authentic stage presence; Melissa Petrescue is a multifaceted musical artist and director born in Vancouver, B.C., Canada -- currently residing in Florida’s greater St. Petersburg area, where she was raised. Classically trained, yet professionally active in a variety of genres, Melissa spans a gamut of musical styles given a strong background of training and variety of professional experience. Growing up in a musical family, Melissa began piano lessons at age 5, and classical voice training shortly after. A few of her instructors include Dr. Xu Hui, Rebecca Penneys, as well as jazz professor, Daniel Joiner. Competing, advancing, and receiving some of the highest recognition in local and state-wide competitions and festivals, Melissa established a strong technical foundation in voice and piano that has contributed to her wide range of abilities as a professional artist today.
From a young age, Melissa has received numerous awards and granted 1st place in several competitions, including a concerto competition which allowed her the privilege of performing Mendelsohn’s Piano first movement of Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 25 as a featured soloist for concerts with The Florida Orchestra at both Ruth Eckerd Hall and Mahaffey Theatre.
From classical to theatre to jazz to world pop…, Melissa has submerged herself in a variety of musical contexts and styles as she expands her platform as a versatile performing artist. Landing her first audition at Busch Gardens Tampa led to a steady gig of performing onstage for thousands of guests in a variety of themed shows and atmosphere entertainment (such as, motown, doo-wop, gospel, pop – including the fun of playing keytar for the park’s award-winning show, Kinetix). Ever since, Melissa has been high-in-demand, working as a full-time performing artist (in both voice and piano/keyboard) for a broad spectrum of upscale events, shows, theatres, organizations, ensembles, bands, and solo projects throughout the Tampa Bay area and beyond!
As a strong leader and experienced music director, Melissa has served as music director for Straz’s Broadway Ball 2021, American Stage Theatre Company’s summer camps, and several recognizable church establishments throughout the region and abroad, including Tampa’s Grace Family Church.
About JESSY LEROS:
Venezuelan-American Classical Guitarist, Composer and Singer Songwriter JESSY LEROS, started his musical training at the age of eight in South American World instruments. He later trained in classical guitar at the CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC JOSE LUIS PAZ in his hometown of Maracaibo, Venezuela. Jessy had the privilege to be mentored by prestigious world renown Master Guitarists and Composers Alirio Diaz, Ryuhei Kobayashi, Grammy Award Winner David Russell, Rodrigo Riera, among others. After his studies, he made his way by combining classical and world music elements with pop, rock, and jazz.
Jessy was introduced to flamenco by former JUILLIARD Guitar Master Victor Moreno and later performed under the direction and tutelage of Ann Ranking, Julie Andrews and Gregory Hines at the BROADWAY THEATER PROJECT, for which he received a standing ovation earning him a scholarship to study voice performance under Seth Riggs in Los Angeles, CA, and most recently in classical operatic vocal performance under the tutelage of Giorgio Aristo.
Some of Jessy’s public appearances include his featured performance on ABC Talk Show “The Morning Blend”, a guest performance for the world opening of the Dali Museum Exhibit “The Invention Of Food” by Ferran Adria and the world premiere of the multi-award winning documentary “Siudy Between Worlds”. His original score for the original play On The Bench, debuted successfully at the STRAZ Tampa, establishing him as a composer in the music scene. Most recently Jessy was invited to perform at the Old Historic Senate House at The Florida Capitol for Hillsborough Day 2024.
"What's my style, you may ask, It's heaven and earth, it's big city and nature's call, the urge to soar, the urge to ground, this CLASSICAL ACOUSTIC WORLD " .
-Jessy LeRos