(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Bergen Institute for the Creative Arts at Bergen Community College presents Back to Bergen, a new live music concert series featuring none other than the college's own music program graduates performing original music and classics. Held Thursday, April 16, 2026 at the college's Ciccone Theater, the inaugural installment will showcase the program's success at producing top notch musicians across a variety of genres from classical and jazz to R&B, pop and rock.
The evening will kick off with classical pianist Steven Viola, whose performances have ranged from Lincoln Center and the Steinway Recital Hall in New York to various college campuses in New Jersey after studying with some of the New York metro area’s most renowned piano instructors.
Class of ‘25 alum and current William Paterson University student Gabbi Buttacavole, known professionally as just “Gabbi,” follows with a set of rhythm and blues influenced pop originals from her soon to be released debut album following several singles over the past year featuring a band formed during her time at Bergen.
The newly formed Bergen CC Alumni Jazz Ensemble will feature alums from class years spanning 2004 to 2025 being reunited with BCC Jazz Ensemble director Peter Furlan performing favorites from Furlan’s tenure as the jazz director at the college.
Indie rockers Odd Places, a band that wants people “to feel the beauty in uncomfortable places and moments in time” as was recently explained on their feature on WFUV-FM’s “New York Slice” will perform synth rock originals from their recent self-titled album, including songs the band crafted while studying at Bergen.
Leaving them wanting more will be the soulful show closer and one time “girl group” member DiViNiTy, current Director of Bergen’s Pop/Rock Ensemble who recently released three original singles ranging in style from bossa nova-tinged pop to alternative rock.
Tickets to this diverse and sure to please show are available now at tickets.bergen.edu for $18, with discounts for various groups including fellow Bergen alumni. Funds will be donated to scholarship funds at the college to enable current and future students to join the successful ranks of the evening’s performers. The theater is located at 400 Paramus Road in Paramus, New Jersey.
