Elizabeth Derham and Michele Wong give exclusive performance at OLPH

The Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent in Sound Beach, NY, had the privilege of experiencing a rare and exhilarating musical event yesterday. The Convent was filled with the enchanting sounds of Elizabeth Derham on violin and Michele Wong on piano during a concert titled "An Afternoon of Beauty." This performance featured pieces by renowned composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Fritz Kreisler, and Pablo de Sarasate, enhancing the exclusivity of the event.

Elizabeth Derham, a versatile musician, recently returned to Long Island after a temporary profession with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, Tennessee. Hailed by the New York Times as a 'high energy performer,' she has showcased her talents as both a violinist and a soprano in a wide range of locations, from the candlelit nave of St. Patrick's Cathedral to the disco-lit stage of Terminal 5. Her enthusiasm for new music is evident in her collaborations with artists like John Zorn, David Lang, and John Adams. Elizabeth has frequently been a guest artist with the Grammy-nominated ensemble A Far Cry chamber orchestra and finds joy in performing with her string quartet, Canite. She completed her MM in violin performance at Juilliard under the guidance of Naoko Tanaka and Joseph Lin.

Michele Wong is a doctoral student specializing in collaborative piano at the Juilliard School. She is an award-winning international performer who has been featured in concert series such as the Howland Chamber Music Circle and the Omega Ensemble. Michele has also performed at renowned venues like Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall. Her performances have been broadcast on television and radio, including WQXR. Additionally, she has participated in summer festivals such as SongFest, SourceSong, The Collaborative Piano Institute, and the Schubert Institut in Austria.

We are deeply thankful to Michele and Elizabeth for sharing their extraordinary musical talents. We hope to HEAR from them again!

Thanks to Sr. Catherine Sheehan, DW, for the photos!