For information about the Upcoming  3rd Annual Concert to Benefit the Homeless on November 29, 2015:   Click Here

On December 21, 2014, I organized and presented a 101_5148second annual concert to benefit the homeless as a way to donate 10% of the gifts I receive back to the community.  There is a range of the kind of people who put money into my jar when I am busking, but there is one story in particular that amazes me. Once, when I was busking, two homeless men watched me for a couple songs, and then combined their change and dumped it into my jar. That event really impressed upon me the importance of giving back to the community.  To help me in giving back, I invited friends to present a free benefit concert to community with donations accepted.

The concert was held at the Rose City Park United Methodist Church in NE Portland, and showcased a wide range of local talent, including a quartet and duet from the Portland Youth Philharmonic, “I Ragazzi,” a baroque quartet, and special guest cellist Marilyn de Olivera, assistant principal cellist of the Oregon Symphony. The music included the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, a LeClair Sonata, Beethoven, Corelli and Vivaldi Quartets, as well as some Christmas carols.

The concert would not have been possible without my friends who contributed their time and musical contributions to make it happen. Specifically, I want to thank Susan McDaniel, resident pianist of All Classical Portland, cellists Marilyn de Olivera of the Oregon Symphony, and Kohler Johnson. I also want to thank my esteemed colleagues from PYP and I Ragazzi including, Maia Hoffman, viola; Yun Teng, violin; Annie Zhang, cello; Kaitlyn Seitz, violin; and my sister Victoria Laing, violin.

Also, a big thank you also goes to the Rose City Park United Methodist Church, and Whole Foods Hollywood for donating the wonderful reception cake.

This year we raised just over $1,000 that was donated equally to Human Solutions, JOIN, P:EAR, PACS, & Street Roots. If you did not have a chance to donate, I would encourage you to consider making a gift through their websites.

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