Dana grads prepare for German song fest

Staff report

Two Dana School of Music graduates will perform at the 2017 Ohio Sangerfest, a German singing competition, May 20-21 in Columbus.

Jerry Rezanka, pianist, and Michael Oleksa, flautist, are guest artists at the event and will perform Lindpainter’s flute and piano composition Grande Solo Pathetique. Rezanka also will be guest conductor on the second day of Sangerfest. He will lead his Apollo Maennerchor choir of Sharon, Pa.

Rezanka has performed musicals at the Youngstown Playhouse, Youngstown State University and Wilson and Howland high schools.

He has been associated with the Maennerchor club choir as piano accompanist and then director of the German Heritage Choir for nearly 30 years.

Oleksa studied at the Navy School of Music and YSU’s Dana School of Music, and spent seven years on the road with a show band and also toured Europe with the USO.

He plays regularly with the East Street Productions band and the Nostalgia quartet, and has recorded with Youngstown rock band the Sharkbites. Oleksa regularly performs with regional musical theater productions and also gives music lessons.