Classical Concert

On Sunday, February 15th at 4pm, First Parish UU Church of Kennebunk will present Maya French, violin, and Chris Staknys, piano. They will perform pieces by J.S. Bach, Johannes Brahms, William Grant Still, George Gershwin, and Sam Wu.

Maya French is a violinist, the Managing Director, and a Co-Artistic Director for Palaver Strings. She has spent the last decade helping the ensemble and organization increase equitable opportunities for string players and collaborators and has navigated Palaver’s sustainable growth through the shared leadership model. Maya has had the opportunity to study and perform at Kronberg Academy, Tanglewood, Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Bay Chamber Concerts Screen Door Festival, Orford Music Academy, Manchester Music Festival, and Kinhaven Music School. Maya is a graduate of the Boston University School of Music and is certified as a teacher of the Suzuki Violin method and a method of early-childhood music education, Music Learning Theory. Currently she maintains a busy chamber music and chamber orchestra performance season, and a teaching studio through Palaver. Maya is dedicated to using classical music as a motive for social change and community building.

Chris Staknys is a pianist and composer from Falmouth, Maine. He graduated from Juilliard in 2018 with a B.M. in Piano Performance. Allan Kozinn, former music critic for the New York Times, praised his playing for its "dexterity and dramatic phrase shaping". In 2014, Chris was featured on NPR’s “From The Top” radio show. As a member of contemporary ensembles including AXIOM and the New Juilliard Ensemble, he has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall. In 2021, Chris was selected as Vocal Accompanist for Juilliard’s Marcus Institute Fellowship. He currently serves as Music Director for First Parish UU Church in Kennebunk and Collaborative Pianist for OperaMaine and USM.

A $25 donation is requested. Running time, approximately 55 mins.