MOUNT UNION COLLEGE Award-winning musicians plan to give free duo piano concert

The instructors have wide-ranging experience.
ALLIANCE -- Dr. Maira Balacon, assistant professor of music, and Janelle Phinney, lecturer of music, will present a free duo piano concert at Mount Union College at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Presser Recital Hall.
Balacon has received numerous awards both in her native Romania and the United States and has twice been the recipient of the prestigious Presser Music Award.
She earned a bachelor of music degree in piano from Bowling Green State University and master of music and doctor of musical arts degrees from the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. Balacon teaches private piano lessons, music history and music appreciation at Mount Union.
An award-winning collaborative pianist, Phinney has performed extensively in the United States and abroad.
She earned a bachelor of music degree from Bowling Green State University and a master of arts degree in religion from Yale University.
At Mount Union she serves as an accompanist for choral ensembles and performs with vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles.
Renowned coaching
The piano duo of Balacon and Phinney was formed in 1996 and has distinguished itself through stunning collaborative work and a high level of musicianship.
The duo has been coached by the internationally renowned Pridonoff Duo and has maintained a regular performance schedule in venues in the Midwest.
The concert will feature music from Franz Schubert, Samuel Barber, Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Rachmaninoff.
For more information, contact the Department of Music at (330) 823-2180.