(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- On Sunday, October 1, 2023, there will be a concert to benefit the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council featuring Joel DeWitt on Violin and Evan Schwartzman on piano. The program will feature the Atlantic Highlands premiere of the "Suite for Violin and Piano" of William Grant Still, the so-called "Dean of African-American composers," along with music of Mozart, Ernest Chausson, and Camille Saint-Saëns. Showtime is 4:00pm.

Pianist and Composer Evan Schwartzman retired after a thirty-year career in finance technology to resume his musical activities. As a pianist, he has given recitals as soloist and chamber musician throughout the NY metropolitan region. His Five Places for Orchestra was recently premiered by the SOMA Orchestra. Mr. Schwartzman received his Masters in Theory and Composition from Rutgers University where his principal composition teachers were Philip Corner, Rolv Yttrehus and Robert Moevs. He has been the recipient of grants from Meet the Composer, and the NY State Council on the Arts. His principal piano teachers have been Cheryl Seltzer and Lisa Yui. His work can be found on CGNJ Recordings, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and all the usual streaming services.

Violinist Joel DeWitt studied with Carroll Glenn at the Eastman School, and with Ivan Galamian at the Juilliard School. He received a fellowship with the Aspen Music Festival.  He has performed as a  freelance musician in New York; and as a member of Columbus Symphony, Virginia Opera Association, NJ New Philharmonic, and Metro Lyric Opera.  He has given many recitals, and performs frequently at services for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County.

The concert takes place at the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council (54 First Avenue) in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey.  Seating is limited.  Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Click here to reserve tickets online via PayPal.

Formed in 2004, the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council (AHAC) transitioned from acting as “Mayor’s Council on the Arts” in 2006 to an incorporated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization starting in 2007. Over the years, new partnerships and creative programming has blossomed. AHAC presents rotating exhibitions in our main gallery and window displays; an ArtSHOP boutique for local arts, wares, and jewelry; adult art classes and workshops; free summer art camp for youth; free Art Kits for Kids to local elementary and middle schools; community events; and our annual international and award-winning FilmOneFest. Founded in 2008, FilmOneFest is the Jersey Shore’s preeminent showcase for all forms of short film under two minutes in length. The gallery is located at 54 First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, and they are actively engaged in growing their regional outreach and collaborative projects.