Dayton Music Club

May Musicale and Benefit for Youth Scholarships ~ May 3, 2026

Program

Poetry in Music: “A Musical Instrument”  Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Part One

Two Impromptus ~ Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Impromptu in G-Flat Major, Op. 90, No. 3
Impromptu in A-Flat Major, Op. 90, No. 4

Deborah Courtney, piano

Performer Bio

Deborah Courtney studied piano as an undergraduate with Boris Berlin at the University of Toronto and with Ruth Russ at Calvin College. She earned a masters degree in piano performance at the University of Colorado. She has taught for Western Washington University, the Bellingham Talent Education Society, Sinclair Community College, and now continues her piano and organ teaching at her Kettering home studio. In 2008 she was named teacher of the year by the Western District of OMTA. She has been an organist at various churches since age 12. Currently she serves as organist at Concordia Lutheran Church in Oakwood and Linden Avenue Baptist Church.

Part Two

Two-part Invention No. 8 in F Major ~ J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Natalie Hammond, piano

Prelude in D-flat Major ~ Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

Peter Bright, piano   

Performer Bios

Natalie Hammond, freshman at Miamisburg high school, has been studying piano under the instruction of Dr. Samee Griffith (Star City Music Studios) for the past 6 years. In this time, she has notched 6 consecutive Superior ratings with the National Federation of Music Clubs, received 2 consecutive blue ribbons from OMEA Solo & Ensemble, performed in multiple honors recitals, attended Wright State University Masterclasses and has enjoyed participating in her school’s marching band, indoor WINDS ensemble and jazz band. Natalie has also performed live events with her family’s band. Her musical taste is broad, ranging from classical to jazz to funk, and includes one of her favorite artists, Laufey. Apart from music, Natalie is one of four siblings, enjoys beach vacations, loves movies, has a unique sense of humor and is often regarded as the comedic relief of her family. Currently, Natalie is interested in pursuing an education in musical performance.

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Peter Bright (Junior at Centerville High School) has embraced music in many forms.  Having started piano at the age of 6, Peter soon added voice and then arranging to his musical education.  He has studied piano with Sonya Szabo-Reynolds, NCTM since 2019.  Peter has competed consistently in the OhioMTA-Western District’s Ribbon and Scale Festival, receiving 6 blue ribbons consecutively.  Through competitive audition, the Dayton Music Club has awarded him scholarships five years in a row. As well as piano, Peter sings acapella in Centerville High School’s premier auditioned ensemble, Forte. In theatre, he is often seen on stage in leading roles including ‘Eric’ in The Little Mermaid, ‘Jonny’ in Zombie Prom, and  ‘Harry’  in Once Upon a Mattress.  Peter will be attending the elite A Capella Academy in California for the second year in a row where he will sing and record with international professional vocalists.  At home, Peter enjoys arranging and publishing music, spending time with his five brothers and two sisters, and creating artwork.

Part Three

Selections from 6 Deutsche Lieder, Op. 103 ~ Louis Spohr (1784-1859)

1. 1. Sei still mein Herz 
   2. Wiegenlied
   3. Zwiegesang
   4. Wach auf

April Bennett, soprano
Brent Eresman, clarinet
Jeffrey Powell, piano

Performer Bios

Soprano April Bennett, a lifelong resident of the Dayton area, received her degree from Wright State University (B. Mus. Ed. 1995). She has performed with various local organizations including Bach Society of Dayton, the Dayton Opera Chorus, the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Musical highlights include Messiah (Handel), Missa in Angustiis (Haydn), Elijah (Mendelssohn) and Stabat Mater (Pergolesi). Mrs. Bennett is now primarily a freelance book editor for independent authors. She is a past president of the Dayton Music Club and current president of OFMC District III. She lives with her husband near Yellow Springs.

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Brent Eresman has played clarinet (among other instruments) for over 50 years, and has played with the Dayton Philharmonic, Dayton Opera, Springfield Symphony, Opera Columbus and Mason Symphony Orchestra. He has played for over 100 musical theater productions, including various college and community theater productions, as well as Human Race Theater. He also is a member of the Hauer Swing Band, and is involved as an actor with Dayton Playhouse.

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Jeffrey Powell has spent a lifetime behind the piano and in front of the baton—supporting singers, shaping ensembles, and mentoring musicians of every level. Jeff served as director of the piano magnet at Stivers School for the Arts for eight years and serves as the music director for Muse Machine. He has served as the Chorusmaster for the Dayton Opera since 1991. In addition, he was the Music Director for the Dayton Opera Artists in Residence program and many main stage productions including La fille du Régiment, Madama Butterfly, Hansel and Gretel, The Merry Widow, and Die Fledermaus. He has taught music at Wright State University, Wilberforce University and Central State University. Before coming to Dayton, Mr. Powell was the Assistant Conductor of The Lyric Opera of Kansas City and Kansas City Symphony.

Jeffrey Powell holds the Master of Music, cum laude, in Instrumental Conducting from The University of Kansas, and the Bachelor of Music, magna cum laude, in Applied Piano from Western Michigan University, as well as Advanced Conducting studies at the Aspen Music Festival.

Part Four

Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood), Op. 15 ~ Robert Schumann ~ (1810-1856)

1. 1. About Strange Lands and People
   2. Curious Story
   3. Blind Man’s Bluff
   4. Pleading Child
   5. Perfectly Contented
   6. Important Event
   7. Reverie
   8. At the Fireside
   9. Knight of the Rocking-Horse
   10. Almost too Serious
   11. Frightening
   12. Child Falling Asleep
   13. The Poet Speaks

Barbara Leeds, piano

Performer Bio

Barbara Leeds, pianist, organist, carillonneur, adjudicator, and teacher studied at Wilmington College and the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music majoring in piano performance, with continuing graduate studies in Piano Pedagogy at the University of Dayton and Wright State University. She stays busy in Yellow Springs teaching through Leeds Piano Studio and serving as collaborative pianist with the social justice World House Choir.

Part Five

Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 24 ~ Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)

1. 1. Rondo                                                                 

Lucas Bright, piano

Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 (“Pathetique”) ~ Ludwig van Beethoven

1. 1. Grave–allegro de molto e con brio (1770-1827)

Elliot Fuller, piano

Performer Bio

Lucas Bright (Freshman at Centerville High School)  fell in love with the piano at the age of six, and has been making music ever since.  Since 2021, he has studied with Sonya Szabo-Reynolds, NCTM. In 2023 and 2025 Lucas competed in OhioMTA’s Buckeye Auditions, placing first at the district level and advancing to the state competition both times. In 2024, Lucas passed his Level 9 Royal Conservatory of Music piano exam with First Class Honors. Through competitive audition, the Dayton Music Club has awarded him scholarships four years in a row. He has played on the Dayton Music Club’s Junior Honors and Scholarship Award Winners recitals on numerous occasions over the years. Lucas has also consistently competed in OhioMTA-Western District’s Ribbon and Scale Festival, receiving five years of consecutive blue ribbons.

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Elliot “Ellie” Fuller is a graduating senior from Springboro High School. In the fall she will be attending Denison University where she will continue her studies in piano alongside biology and data analytics. Ellie has been playing piano since the age of six, and in the years since, she has found great joy and passion for the instrument. She currently studies with Sonya Szabo-Reynolds. Ellie also plays the viola and is a member of her high school’s Symphonic Orchestra. During her high school career, she was also a member of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra as the pianist. Ellie is thankful for the opportunity to play today!

Zijing Lin, violin

Gloria Luo, violin

Adrian McKenzie, piano

Randy Mullen, piano

Chelsea Niu, piano

Chelsea Niu, violin

George Qin, piano

Heidi Reffitt, flute

Anika Sharma, piano

Anwita Sharma, piano

Bella Tan, cello

Risa Wang, cello

Weichen Wang, piano

Hanlin Wei, violin

Dongchen Wu, piano

Sophia Wu, flute

Jenna Zhang, violin

Thanks for a wonderful year!

Many thanks to all the performers, volunteers, and venues for a year of fantastic concerts and recitals.

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Join us in the fall for our 2026-2027 Season

September Musicale ~ Sunday, September 20, 3 pm

Epiphany Lutheran Church, Centerville

October Musicale ~ Sunday, October 18, 3 pm

The Piano Preparatory School, Beavercreek

Our full season of Musicale dates will be listed on our website in the coming months.