Young Local Piano Players Have Fun At Recital And Party
Reprinted from Pascack Community Life, January 19, 2000

There were lights, cameras and lots of digital action at the Annual Holiday Recital Party presented by Phred Piano Expression.

Some 200 mothers and fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents and family friends turned out at the Unitarian Society of Riegewood on December 11 to hear their loved ones on the keyboard and they were not disappointed.

“It was a record turnout, and I was delighted at how well everyone did, said Phred Meller. “So many people were impressed by the quality of the performances – and it’s nice that we could achieve that without really having to pull teeth.”

The brothers Brennan, 12 year old James and 9 year old Chris, playing in their 4th annual recital, won “Most consistent players award” and dazzled the crowd with “Moonlight Sonata” and “Sleigh Ride”. Eight year old Anna Gogos and 10 year old Erica Olesky, both of Wyckoff, won the “hardest workers” award. Both displayed the fruits of their labor with Anna’s “Ode to Joy” and Erica’s “Grease Lightning.”

Christina Holmes, a nine year old from Ho-Ho-Kus, quieted the crowd with her pensive, “Silent Night.” Maryann Stoll of Ridgewood, representing the adult player’s contingent, was awfully good after only six months of lessons, with her solid “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”

Interspersed with the 45 fledgling pianists who played were two voal performances by “Fun ‘N’ Easy” teachers Tara Cornetto with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Jody Sinkway with “What I Did For Love.” Both displayed beautiful voices and professionalism. Eight year old Kelly Varady of Ridgewood in her recital debut was steady and cheerful with “Ode to Joy” while her 11 year old brother, Sean, was most mysterious with his “James Bond Theme.” “They had lost interest in piano so I thought it time for a change,” said their mother, Susan Varady. “It’s very different now – not just classical. They play different types of tunes. My husband, Andy is studying too. Phred offers a very easy approach to piano learning.” In fact, it’s the pleasure of playing that is the focus of Phred’s students.