Chopin concerts continue in Barboursville

Julia Kociuban, a 17-year-old native of Poland and winner of the 2008 National Chopin Piano Competition of Poland, will perform in the fifth annual "Chopin in Barboursville" concert April 30 at Barboursville Vineyards.
Kociuban was born in Krakow, Poland. She is a student of the Mieczyslaw Karlowicz State Music School in Krakow where she studied with Olga Lazarska from 1998 to 2006 and Professor Piotr Paleczny since 2006. She has won several important national and international piano competitions, including the International Piano Competition "Konzerteum" in Greece in 2000; Klodzko Piano Competition in Klodzko, Poland in 2001; International Competition "Gradus ad Parnassum" in Kaunas, Lithuania in 2001; Jan Sebastian Bach International Piano Competition in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland in 2002; Chopin Piano Competition for Children in Jelenia Góra, Poland in 2002 and 2005; International Chopin Piano Competition in Narva, Estonia in 2004; Milosz Magin International Piano Competition in Paris, France in 2005; and International Piano Competition "A Step Towards Mastery" in St. Petersburg, Russia in 2007.
Since 2004, she has participated in Master Classes presented during the International Chopin Festival in Duszniki, Poland, and lead by pianists and piano teachers of international acclaim.
Kociuban also enjoys playing chamber music and has performed several concerts as a family trio with her brothers. She is currently on her United States tour, which includes the show in Barboursville.
The fifth annual "Chopin in Barboursville" featuring Julia Kociuban will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30 at Barboursville Vineyards. Tickets are $60 each and the event is black tie optional with hors d'oeuvres and Barboursville wines. The concert is being presented by The Chopin Foundation of the U.S. and Premier Virginia Properties.
According to concert organizer Robert Joskowiak, the concert will not only bring a world class artist to a rural area but will also bring back some charm that has been lost over the years.
"I want to bring back the art of "mingling" and simple human interactions like talking," he said. "In the era of internet, text messaging and facebooks, it is easy to stay in touch without actually talking to people. I think that having an opportunity for people to experience the deep, personal feelings and emotions that classical music evokes, brings people closer together. I would also like to bring some of the ‘Old World’ charm back, where ladies wear gowns and gents walk in tuxes or dark suits. I think there is something magical in that, versus the world full of jeans and casual attire. Some things should remain special!"
Proceeds from the concert will go to the U.S. Chopin Foundation which will provide money towards future concerts and events in Barboursville.
For more information, or to obtain tickets, call 832-0071.