Umi Garrett, 10, Performs at Avon Congregational Church

Pianist Umi Garrett, 10, will perform a concert at Avon Congregational Church, 6 West Main St., Avon, on Sunday, May 22, 2011, at 3 p.m. No reservations are necessary, and there will be a reception following the event.

Umi Garrett started learning piano when she was four years old, and appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show at age eight.

She has performed with the Wuhan Symphony Orchestra (in China), the Boston Pops, and other orchestras across the country. She has won first prizes at the Southwestern Youth Music Festival, and was the overall winner of a competition on the complete works of J.S. Bach. She participates every summer at Vermont’s Killington Music Festival. Last fall she gave a Solo Recital for the Music Teachers’ Association of California, and recently won the Chopin International Competition.

A resident of New Canaan, Umi also plays violin at Saxe Middle School. Says Umi, “I like piano because it is a very interesting instrument that can create so many different sounds and make beautiful music. Playing piano is my favorite thing to do...but I also have a different interest apart from music. It is reading. I like to read books.” 

The Avon Congregational Church performance, hosted by the church’s Director of Music Ministries and Avon resident Benita Rose, will be in Fellowship Hall. Donations (in lieu of an admission cost) will be accepted. A portion of the proceeds benefit relief efforts in Japan, following Umi’s request.