Press
Alon Goldstein and guest musicans at Kenwood Elementary
Alon Goldstein at Northwood Elementary
Alon Goldstein and guest musicians at ARC
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ECMA Brings Classical Music to Northwest Florida
Bay Life ( Dec.2020 / Jan.2021) Ludwig Von Beethoven said, "Music can change the world!" and the Emerald Coast Music Alliance (ECMA) was formed to do just that locally—not for the entire world, but for our small piece of paradise. Founded in 2017 by Israeli-born classical pianist, ECMA Artistic Director Alon Goldstein who describes performing for children and adults who might not normally have access to classical music concerts, as “life changing and transformative,” and they’re bringing it on! Alon is a passionate advocate for classical music education and is devoted to sharing the beauty of classical music to under-served communities. Since becoming a U.S. citizen, he’s had this vision. Perhaps that’s what drives his passion for the mission of ECMA, calling it "bringing Carnegie Hall to the people.” He makes his performances an interactive experience for children and adults, weaving in stories or asking kids questions, captivating them not only with his music, but also his welcoming interaction. In turn, he hopes some are impacted to develop an appreciation for classical music as well. Alon could probably have chosen a zillion other places to pursue this passion, but he chose Northwest Florida to form the ECMA and we are the ones that benefit. Alon is one of the most original and sensitive artists of his generation, admired for his musical intelligence and dynamic personality. His artistic vision and innovative programming have made him a favorite with audiences and critics alike throughout the United States, Europe and Israel. Since his orchestral debut at age 18 with the Israel Philharmonic, Alon has since performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Philadelphia Orchestra; the San Francisco, Baltimore, St. Louis, Houston, Vancouver, Kansas City, Indianapolis and North Carolina symphonies; and orchestras on tour in Paris, Mexico, Russia, Romania and Bulgaria. The ECMA works in partnership with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and relies solely on donations to fund its efforts. Through these funds, ECMA has been able to schedule a week in January each year since its creation, to invite renowned classical musicians from throughout the world to perform in Northwest Florida, FREE of charge, for local schools, senior centers, assisted living facilities and organizations serving special needs populations. Guest musicians have come from Israel, Italy, Belarus, Korea, China and the U.S. In addition to Alon’s performances on the piano at each festival, the 2019 festival featured guest musicians Amit Peled and the Peabody Cello Group of Johns Hopkins University. The 2020 Festival featured guest musicians and the winners of the 2016 and 2018 Concert Artists Guild International Competition; Jiji (Guitarist) and Mitya Nilov (Percussionist) respectively. Since 2017, the ECMA Festivals have grown exponentially from five performances in the first year, to 46 performances by 12 musicians in 2020. The 2021 Festival planning is currently underway, tentatively scheduled for January 12-19, 2021. Although Covid-19 concerns will prevent live performances in most venues, ECMA is committed to presenting concert performances via streaming video and other technologies such as Zoom featuring live question and answer sessions for students. Guest musicians will be announced soon on emeraldcoastmusic.org. You can donate any amount to support ECMA’s ongoing mission at emeraldcoastmusic.org/donate. Sponsorships are also available for a specific concert venue. All donations are tax deductible. Please visit emeraldcoastmusic.org or contact via email at [email protected]. Bringing Classical Music Down to Earth
Bay Beacon (January 8, 2020) Twelve top-flight classical musicians are scheduled to perform forty concerts next week at area schools, nursing homes and other venues. Under the auspices of the Emerald Coast Music Alliance, the performers will include a classical guitarist who has performed at Carnegie Hall, an award-winning percussionist, five pianists and a brass quintet. In addition, two free concerts will be open to the general public at the Mattie Kelly Art Center's Tyler Recital Hall in Niceville, on January 14 and 16, at 7:30 p.m. The week-long festival will highlight two Concert Artist Guild International Competition winners; classical guitarist JiJi and percussionist Mitya Nilov. Also performing will be Alon Goldstein, an internationally known pianist and founder of the Emerald Coast Music Alliance, which sponsors the annual festival "to bring Carnegie Hall to the people". Among this year's venues will be; Rocky Bayou Christian School, Plew and Bluewater Elementary schools, the Okaloosa STEMM Academy and the Emerald Coast Autism Center. |
Tyler Recital Hall
NW Florida State College
Amit Peled & The Cello Gang
Tyler Recital Hall, NW Florida State College
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Letter to the Editor: Music to My Ears
Kathleen Lockwood, Crestview NW Florida Daily News (January 20, 2019) Today’s caustic political climate pits one party against another resulting in a cacophony of noise but no music. What a gift it was Wednesday night to experience the powerfully passionate performance of two exceptional artists as they collaborated in concert at NWFSC. Cellist Amit Peled and pianist Alon Golstein shared their talents with the local community in the midst of a weeklong festival sponsored by the Emerald Coast Music Alliance. Along with the Peabody Cello Gang, Mr. Peled’s accomplished Johns Hopkins students, the audience was treated to an evening of quiet reflection and inspiring crescendos. Individuals, some professional and more hoping to one day reach that level, working together creating something far beyond what each could do alone, piano notes and cello strings blending smoothly into a musical alliance. The finale featured a hauntingly symphonic mix of Hallelujah and It’s a Wonderful World. Perhaps if the present Congress could find a way to leave their egos behind and collaborate it could once again be a wonderful world in this country. Hallelujah! |
Laurel Hill School
Wright Elementary School
 Antioch Elementary School
Antioch Elementary School -
Interaction with the musicians and instruments
is an important facet of each performance.
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Pianist Brings Music to Laurel Hill School
By Kaylin Parker Crestview News Bulletin (August 31, 2018) LAUREL HILL — Goldstein visited the students of Laurel Hill School Tuesday to share his musical gift. It was 8:15 a.m. in the cafeteria at Laurel Hill School. Students followed teachers to their seats. All of the children in attendance were fourth grade and below. Principal Lee Martello spoke to the children first, making sure they gave all of their attention to Goldstein as he performed. “We want to be Hobos in control,” Martello said. The performance began with Goldstein naming the parts of the piano and explaining how the instrument works. The students were quiet and attentive throughout Goldstein’s explanation, minus a few “oohs” and “ahhs” from some of the children. Goldstein made his performance an interactive experience for the children. After each piece, he would tell a story or ask the kids what they thought the composer was trying to portray. In between all three movements of Beethoven’s “Sonata,” commonly know as the “Moonlight Sonata,” Goldstein asked the kids to figure out the story behind each movement. Goldstein completed his performance with a “jazzy” piece by Leonard Bernstein. He then asked the kids if they had questions, and over 20 hands went up. “I want you to teach me,” one student said. Goldstein said he would have to practice like him, five hours a day. Read the whole article...
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY: Emerald Coast Music Alliance By Annie Blanks Northwest Florida Daily News (Jan. 6, 2018) NICEVILLE — The Emerald Coast Music Alliance is bringing art back to the Emerald Coast, one concert at a time.The organization, which formed in January 2017, has a goal of making classical music accessible to populations who might not otherwise get to hear it, said Dr. Bob Morell, a founding member and coordinator of the alliance. “A group of interested citizens have been working together to form the Emerald Coast Music Alliance, which is dedicated to the mission to bring classical music on a no-cost basis to populations that otherwise would have little or no access to it, such as the elderly, disabled individuals, special needs citizens, folks in nursing homes and children in schools,” Morell said. Read the whole article... |
Antioch Elementary School
Emerald Coast Autism Center
ARC/Horizons of the Emerald Coast
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New Organization Shares Music
By Brenda Shoffner Northwest Florida Daily News (Feb 2, 2017) Youth Village was recently treated to a private performance by Mr. Alon Goldstein, Artistic Director of Emerald Coast Music Alliance . Also performing was Mr. Boyan Bonev and Mr. Leonid Yanovskiy. The children, staff, several board members, other invited guests and volunteers enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of classical music provided by these three gentlemen as a part of their pilot program designed to bring music to the children of the Emerald Coast. Last month, they began a pilot program with a series of community outreach events in several local schools as well as Nellie’s Youth Village and the Emerald Coast Autism Center. Renowned concert pianist Alon Goldstein is the ECMA’s artistic director. He played at each event along with Leonid Yanovskiy (violin and concertmaster) and Boyan Bonev (cello) who are both members of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra as well as the Pensacola Orchestra, Morell said. “These events are being made possible by generous donations from supportive members of our community,” he wrote. “The ECMA has established a cooperative effort with NWFSC to achieve these goals. ”Ultimately, they plan to host a music festival sometime in the future." Read the whole article... |
Alon Goldstein
Newly Formed Emerald Coast Music Alliance is "Resounding Success"
Northwest Florida State College Foundation
The first annual Emerald Coast Music Alliance Festival was declared a resounding success after world-renowned pianist Alon Goldstein and Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra musicians, Leonid Yankovskiy (violin) and Boyan Bonev (cello) entertained students with classical music recitals at five Okaloosa County schools and organizations. The festival was made possible by the newly formed Emerald Coast Music Alliance (ECMA) The inaugural festival culminated in a spectacular fund-raising reception and recital which was hosted by Edwin and Mary Watts as well as Robert and Venita Morell. Plans are underway to expand festival offerings throughout the Northwest Florida region. For more information about the Emerald Coast Music Alliance, click here.
Northwest Florida State College Foundation
The first annual Emerald Coast Music Alliance Festival was declared a resounding success after world-renowned pianist Alon Goldstein and Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra musicians, Leonid Yankovskiy (violin) and Boyan Bonev (cello) entertained students with classical music recitals at five Okaloosa County schools and organizations. The festival was made possible by the newly formed Emerald Coast Music Alliance (ECMA) The inaugural festival culminated in a spectacular fund-raising reception and recital which was hosted by Edwin and Mary Watts as well as Robert and Venita Morell. Plans are underway to expand festival offerings throughout the Northwest Florida region. For more information about the Emerald Coast Music Alliance, click here.