Concert | Classical Music: Shogo Kubo / Luellen and Jim / The Hopkins Entertainment Group

Music lovers are invited to bring lunch, join friends and relax at the lively oasis to enjoy a taste of New York’s “underground” music scene.

Noon - 12:30pm
From the age of 10, Shogo Kubo has studied classical guitar under Mitsutoshi Tanaka in the Andres Segovia tradition. In 1994, he debuted in the Obihiro New Musicians Concert. After traveling to Spain, studying guitar, he joining the Emilio Pujure Institute of Music and took part in international music seminars. Years later he returned to Japan, instructed at Hokkaido Newspaper Cultural Center, and then went on to teach guitar in primary and intermediate schools in Oceania, New Zealand, and Australia. Since immigrating to the United States in 2002, he has performed across the country, in Canada and the UK, including Direct at Merkin Concert Hall, "Sopranos License to Trill", "International Enchantments," and many other venues. His CD releases include "Cielo Abierto" and "Aranjuez."

12:30-1:00pm
Luellen Abdoo has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet, Brooklyn Philharmonic, New Jersey Symphony, and New York Virtuosi, and in the rock and pop world with Bon Jovi and Jay and the Americans, and has recorded with Aerosmith. Tailoring a special repertoire as the “Wedding Violinist,” Luellen is co-founder of the Synergy String Quartet and artistic director for the NYC Ballet Musicians and Friends, a chamber music series that takes place in Saratoga Springs, NY. Jim Graseck, the “recklessly romantic” violinist, is known and loved by New Yorkers for making his music and virtuoso performances accessible – whether in the subway or Carnegie Hall. He has been a soloist with orchestras in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina with numerous TV appearances, including the Tonight Show, the Morning Show, Prime Time Live, and VH1's Behind the Music. His film credits include "OneTrue Thing," starring William Hurt and Meryl Streep. Jim is also a member of the Synergy String Quartet.

1:00 – 2:00pm
Founded on the beliefs and principles of its members to bring classical music to as many people as possible, the string quartet interacts and communicates with their audiences. This attitude is in reaction to the often held stigma of the general population that classical music is boring. The Hopkins Entertainment Group believes the music can be fun, entertaining, and appealing to diverse people. They are dedicated to performing pieces from Bach through commissioned works by living composers, and broadening the horizon of classical music and incorporating works of different genres in performances are at the forefront of the group’s mission.