John Pema — Photographer (Natick, Massachusetts) Website: www.johnstake.com

John Pema’s love for photography started during his high school years and turned out to be a lifelong romance. His medium is film and digital, and most of his work is done utilizing the computer for imaging and printing. All of his work is done in-house, including mounting and framing. He has featured his work at several exhibits in the Boston Metro-West area during the past 10 years. John also presented his work at the St. George Cathedral Spring Digital Photography Exhibit in May 2013. From time to time, he has taken photographs at the request of Fr. Arthur Liolin. Soon after graduating from high school, with camera in hand, John entered the US Air Force during the Korean War. Most of his four-year enlistment was spent as a B-29 gunner. His last assignment was the 307th Bomb Wing at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. Following his military service, John attended Drexel University in Philadelphia, where he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His career was in the power and environmental industries. Now retired, Mr. Pema devotes most of his time to photography and writing. He is a member of the Natick Writers’ Guild.

John-i eshte dashuruar pas fotografise qe ne shkolle te mesme, qe cuditerisht ju kthye ne romancen me te madhe te jetes. Filmi dhe dixhitali perbejne dy art percjellesit e pjeses me te madhe te punimeve te tij te perpunuara ne imazh dhe shtyp me ndihmen e kompjutrit. Gjithe proceset e puneve te artit I kryen ne studjon e tij, duke perfshire montimin dhe vendosjen ne kornize.Ai e ka prezantuar artin ne disa ekspozita ne Zonen perendimore te Boston-it gjate dekades se fundit. Ne Maj te vitit 2013 u perfaqesua ne ekspoziten dixhitale fotografike te Pranveres ne Shen Gjergj me punime kishtare, qytetare dhe artistike. Eshte ftuar here pas here nga At Artur Liolin per te fotografuar ngjarje kulmore te kishes si pervjetore, dite te shenuara dhe takime kulturore ne komunitet.Pas mbarimit te shkolles se mesme me kamera ne dore, John hyn ne forcat ajrore amerikane gjate luftes se Korese. Kohen me te madhe ne kater vitet e sherbimit I ushtroi si godites I tipit B-29. Detyren ushtarake e perfundoi ne krahun 307 te bazes ajrore te Kadena ne Okinawa, te Japonise. Pas sherbimit ushtarak John vazhdoi studimet ne Universitetin e Filadelfias ku u diplomua ne degen e inxhinierise mekanike. Profesionin e ushtroi ne industrine e energjise dhe te mjedisit. Qe kur doli ne pension e ne vazhdim, ne kohen me te madhe I eshte perkushtuar fotografise dhe te shkruarit. Eshte anetar I deges se Shkrimtareve te qytetit te Natick-ut.

The Butterfly/ Flutura- 2005 St George Spring Art Exhibit, May 2014

Elisa Adams — Sculptor (Concord, Massachusetts) Website:

www.elisaadamssculptor.com

Art has been a part of Elisa Adams’ life since she was very young. Over the years, she has delved into different art forms, including fabric art (weaving and quilting), drawing, and painting. For the past several years, she has focused on stone sculpting. Elisa’s work is largely concept art; she looks to discover the world in the object. Elisa is fascinated by spirals, curves, and twists. She has carved representational and realistic sculptures of waves, shells, and other ocean finds. Like her abstract work, these sculptures have smooth, rolling curves and openings. Elisa attended classes at the DeCordova Museum School in Lincoln, MA from 2003–2004, where she studied sculpture in stone and wood, and then continued for another several years under the guidance of Ann Deluty, a sculptor and graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, who teaches stone and wood carving in the Boston area. Since 2004, Elisa has been studying stone sculpture at Randolph Associates Fine Arts in Belmont, MA. During the past decade, she has exhibited her works at shows throughout the Boston area. Elisa is longtime member of the Cambridge Art Association, the Concord Art Association, and the New England Sculpture

Association. In addition, she maintains a private chiropractic practice in Lexington, MA.

Elisa e ka bere artin pjese te jetes qe ne moshe te re. Me kalimin e viteve ka bere kerkime ne forma te ndryshme te tij duke perfshire artin e veshjes (trikotimin dhe punimin e guvertave), vizatimin dhe pikturen. Gjate viteve te fundit eshte fokusuar ne skulpturat e gurit. Punen e ka mbeshtetur gjeresisht ne konceptin e artit; duke kerkuar te zbuloje boten ne objekt. Elisa eshte e mrekulluar pas spiraleve, kurbave dhe perdredhjeve. Ajo ka gdhendur skulptura imagjinative dhe realiste te dallgeve, guackave, dhe gjetjeve te tjera te botes oqeanike. Ashtu si imagjinata dhe abstrakja e saj, skulpturat jane te zbutura me kurba rrotulluese e te hapura. Elisa ndoqi studimet ne shkollen e muzeumit DeCordova te Lincoln-it, MA nga 2003 ne 2004, ne degen e skulptures ne gure dhe dru, dhe vazhdoi per disa vjete nen drejtimin e Ann Deluty, skulptore e diplomuar nga shkolla e muzeut te arteve te bukura ne Boston qe instrukton gdhendjen e gurit ne Boston. Qe ne 2004 Elisa studjon punimin e gurit ne deget Randolph te arteve te bukura ne Belmont, MA. Gjate dekades se fundit, Elisa ka prezantuar punen e saj ne ekspozita te ndryshme rreth e qark Boston-it. Elisa eshte qe prej nje kohe te gjate anetare e Shoqates se arteve ne Cambridge, e shoqates se arteve te Concord-it , dhe te shoqates se skulptures ne Angline e re. Pervec artit, ajo ushtron privatisht kiropraktike ne Lexington, MA.

This picture is taken from the Artists Open House Elisa's collection at AstraZeneca Hope Lodgewhere the sculptor- doctor was invited to participate in, this Spring on April 30th.

Sterjo Shkodrani — Painter (Burlington, Massachusetts) Website: www.ClassicArtworks.com

A renowned classical artist, Sterjo Shkodrani has a distinct affection for the Renaissance era. His paintings are rooted deeply in this era, with landscapes and still lifes that unfold simply, but evoke complex feelings. Born in Voskopoja, Albania, Sterjo immigrated to Boston in 2010 at the age of 70 to be close to his daughters and grandchildren. In Albania, he was an active and well-known member of the Cultural and Artistic Society of the city of Kor

çe, and a valued member of the city’s cultural life. He participated in several art exhibits, co-founded cultural societies, was a member of the Aromanian choir, and assisted in the historic research and documentation of his hometown, Voskopoja. The mountainous landscape of Albania has often been the inspiration for his art works and will always have a special place in his heart. Upon the collapse of the Communist dictatorship in Albania, he played an important role in restoring the destroyed church icons in many Greek Orthodox churches. Sterjo has participated in several successful exhibits in the Boston area, including sole exhibits in all three Albanian Orthodox Churches in South Boston, and at St. Mary’s Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church in Worcester, MA. He has also participated in exhibits at Boston City Hall, the Boston InterContinental Hotel, and Anthony’s Pier 4 Restaurant. These exhibits were widely welcomed and earned high accolades for their superior quality and subject matter.Sterjo’s interests extend beyond the visual arts to classical music, playing both the violin and guitar. He enjoys spending time with his family and

spends his days with his paintbrush and watercolors, usually finishing a painting each day, and produces only original works.

Sterjo Shkodrani eshte nje piktor i artit klasik me preference të veçantë të periudhës të Rilindjes. Është lindur në Voskopojë në vitin 1940. Ka qënë një pjestar aktiv i jetës kulturore te qytetit të Korçës dhe anëtar i lidhjes Artistike të shoqatës të piktorëve në Korçë deri në vitin 2010 kur emigroi në Boston, prane femijeve dhe niperve e mbesave.Ne Shqiperi, ka marre pjese ne ekspozita te ndryshme, ka qene bashkethemelues I disa shoqatave kulturore, anetar I korit arumun, si dhe ka asistuar ne kerkime historike te dokumentacionit rreth vendlindjes se tij Voskopoje. Pejsazhi malor I Shqiperise ka qene shpesh frymezimi I puneve te tij artistike dhe vazhdon ti mbetet ne zemer. Pas renjes se komunizmit ne Shqiperi ka dhene kontribut te vecante ne restaurimin e ikonave te kishave si dhe ne mjaft kisha ortodokse greke. Në Boston, Sterjo ka hapur disa ekspozita personale të pikturave si në të tre kishat shqiptare të Bostonit dhe në kishën shqiptare në Worcester, në Bashkinë e Bostonit,ne hotelin InterContinental të Bostonit, dhe në restorantin e Anton Athanasit. Këtoekspozita janë mirëpritur dhe vleresuar për cilësinë dhe tematikën e tyre. Pikturat e Sterjos i kanë rrënjët e thella në epokën e Rilindjes Klasike. Pejsazhet dhe natyrat e qeta shpalosen me gjithë thjeshtësinë dhe kompleksitetin e tyre.

Free Horses in Gallop/ Kuaj fluturimthi ne trokthOil/VajSt George Spring Art Exhibit, May 2014

Piro Asllani- Sculptor (Quincy, Massachusetts)

Award-winning sculptor Piro Asllani is a native of Korce, Albania He completed his graduate studies in applied sculpture in 1978 at the Institute of Fine Arts in Tirana (known today as the Academy of Arts), under the direction of Prof. Thoma Dhamo, who holds the meritorious title of “Artist of the Nation” in Albania. In 1979, he was invited to join the team planning the construction of the Gjergj Kastrioti Skeknderbeg Museum of Kruja, where many of his creations in several genres are displayed, such as ceramics, stone, and glass. Upon completion of the museum in 1982, Piro worked for the next 26 years as a scenography painter at the Andon Zako Çajupi theatre in Korce, in addition to continuing his work as a sculptor. In 2006, he immigrated to the United States.Pirro is the winner of several prizes in sculpture and scenography, and has participated in local, national, and international art exhibitions. He has been a member of the Albanian League of Writers and Artists since 1980. He has also been a member of the Vangjush Mio society of Korce artists since it was founded in 1992.

Ka mbaruar studimet e larta ne degen e sculptures se aplikuar ne Institutin e larte te arteve ne Tirane (sot Akademia e arteve) nen drejtimin e Prof. Thoma Dhamo (Thomai) Artist I Popullit.Pas mbrojtjes se diplomes ne vitin 1978 ka punuar is fillim ne repartin e zbukurimit te qelqit ne fabriken e qelqit ne Korce. Ne dhjetor te vitit 1979, thirret te punoje ne grupin e punes te projektimit dhe realizimit te Muzeut Historik Kombetar te Gjergj Kastriotit ( Skenderbeut ) ne Kruje, veper e cila perfundoi ne nentor te vitit 1982. Ketu ndodhet edhe nje pjese e krijimtarise me te mire te Piros ne disa gjini te artit is qeramike, gur, qelq. Pas mbarimit te muzeut te Krujes fillon punen is piktor skenograf prane Teatrit “ Andon Zako Cajupi” ne Korce, ku ka punuar per 26 vjet rresht deri ne gusht 2006, koha ne te cilen emigroi ne Shtetet e Bashkuara te Amerikes ku ndodhet edhe sot.Krahas krijimeve te shumta ne skenografi ne Teatrin e kukullave, estrade e teatrin klasik Pirua asnjehere nuk eshte shkeputur nge krijimtaria ne skulpture. Eshte anetar I Lidhjes se Shkrimtareve dhe Artisteve te Shqiperise qe nga viti 1980 dhe anetar I shoqates se artisteve korcare “ Vangjush Mio”, qe nga krijimi I saj ne vitin 1992. Ka marre pjese vazhdimisht ne shume ekspozita lokale dhe kombetare si edhe ne disa ekspozita jashte vendit. Eshte fitues I disa cmimeve ne skulpture e skenografi.

The Bride/ NusjaPortrait in colored ceramicsPortret ne qeramike I glazuruarSt George Spring Art Exhibit May 2014

Ndricim Bejko — Sculptor, Painter, Restorer, and Designer (East Boston, MA) Website: www.bejkoart.com

A native of Permet, Albania, and an art lover since childhood, Ndricim Bejko seized the opportunity to showcase his artistic talents at the young age of seven, whereupon he was inspired to pursue a lifelong career as an artist. Following graduation from the fine arts high school in Berat, Albania, in 2000, Ndricim entered the Tirana Academy of Arts, where he studied under several well-known Albanian artists, who helped refine his abilities and define his profile as an artist. In 2004, he graduated from the Academy of Arts with a Bachelor’s degree in monumental sculpture. In 2006, he immigrated to the United States, hoping to pursue and expand his artistic career in sculpting, painting, and drawing. Since then, he has worked as a professional sculptor at Skylight Studios in Woburn, MA on monuments, restorations, designs, and conservation. He also works at the Guist Gallery in Woburn, which specializes in fine decorative sculpture reproductions. Ndricim likes to experiment with different art methods and different media, and formulates his ideas in either a contemporary or traditional expression.Ndricim has participated in the East Boston Open Studios since 2008, and has taught art to elementary students at the Early Education Center in East Boston. He has been a member of the Newton Art Association for the past two years.

I lindur ne Permet, Ndricim Bejko kapi oportunitetin te shfaqte talentin artistik ne moshen 7 vecare, cka e frymezoi te realizoje endren e artistit si profesionist ne vazhdim te jetes se tij. Me perfundimin e shkolles se mesme te arteve te bukura ne Berat, hyri ne vitin 2000 ne Akademine e Arteve ku studjoi nen drejtimin e disa profesoreve artiste te mirenjohur vendas. Kjo e ndihmoi te sprovoje aftesite dhe percaktoje profilin si artist. Ne 2004, diplomohet nga Academia e Arteve ne degen skulpture monumentale. Ne 2006, emigron ne Shtetet e Bashkuara, duke shpresuar te ndjeke dhe karieren e artit ne skulpture, pikture, dhe vizatim. Qe prej asaj kohe punon si skulptor profesionist ne studion Skylight ne Woburn, MA. per restaurimin, rikrijimin dhe ruajtjen e monumenteve. Ai punon gjithashtu ne Guist Gallery ne Woburn, i specializuar per reprodhimin e skulpturave dekorative. Ndricimi experimenton me metoda arti dhe mediume te ndryshme, duke perdorur ide dhe shprehje bashkekohore e tradicionale ne punimet e tij artistike.

Portret of my son/ Portreti I djalit timSculpture in plaster/ Skulpture ne allci16”x 10”x 5”, 2013St George Spring Art Exhibit, May 2014

Enton Panariti — Painter (Malden, MA)

e-mail entonpanarit@hotmail.com

To capture the essence of nature is Enton Panariti’s goal as an artist. Born in Tirana, Albania, he has a deep love for nature, and not only values it, but also respects it. Above all, he believes that art should bring beauty to people’s lives. The objects in his artwork include all the things we see around us. The main motivation behind his paintings is to see through and beyond the mere simple object. Blue, red, and yellow are Enton’s favorite colors. He likes mixing and spreading them on canvas in such a way as to create the effect of surprise that a colorful bunch of flower gives us when we look at it. The real object is transformed into an abstract image, with the strong colors gaining the most attention. What is important, he says, is to enhance the reality that will be built into the canvas. Everything is there; one just needs to be creative and find a way to paint it and turn that reality into art. While Enton plans most of his paintings, he always leaves something to spontaneity.Since 1994, Enton has exhibited his paintings in galleries in the United States, including at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, as well as in several countries in Europe.

Per Entonin, qellimi I artistit mbetet te kape esencen e natyres. I lindur ne Tirane, gjithmone eshte karakterizuar per dashurine e thelle per natyren, jo vetem duke e vleresuar por respektuar ate.Mbi te gjitha, ai beson se arti duhet te sjelle bukuri ne jeten e njerzve. Cdo gje ne punen e tij artistike rrok mjedisin qe na rrethon. Motivimi kryesor i piktures, per te, vjen nga depertimi dhe kalimi pertej objektit te mirefillte e te thjeshte. Ngjyrat e tij me te preferuara jane bluja, e kuqja dhe e verdha. I pelqen ti perzjeje e shperndaje ne kanvas ne menyre te tille qe te krijoje efektin e te papritures qe nje buqete lulesh shumengjyreshe mund te dhuronte duke e pare. Per te, objekti real transformohet ne imazh abstrakt,ne saj te ngjyrave fekse qe te rrokin vemendjen. Ajo qe ka rendesi, thote Entoni, eshte te ngresh realitetin artistikisht duke e ndertuar ne kanvas. Asgje nuk mungon; mjafton te jesh krijues e te gjesh nje menyre tenden per ta kthyer realitetin ne art. Edhe kur I planifikon me te shumten e punimeve, gjithesesi, ai gjithmone I le dicka spontaneitetit.Qe prej 1994, Entoni ka ekspozuar piktura ne galerite e Shteteve te Bashkuara, duke perfshire ato ne muzeun e Arteve te bukura ne Boston, si edhe ne disa vende te Europes, si Shqiperi, Itali e Angli.

Nature/ NatyreAcrylic in Canvas/ Boje ne pelhure29in X 32inSt George Spring Art Exhibit, May 2014

Ligor Luarasi — Painter (Levittown, PA) Website:

wwwfacebook.com.ligorluarasi

Ligor Luarasi discovered and developed his artistic gifts early in life. Born in 1941 in Korce, Albania, a city known for its traditions and culture, he experienced his first emotional attachment to art when he visited the Palace of Culture of Korca, where the paintings he saw impressed him to the depths of his soul. The more time he spent enjoying the paintings, the stronger was his desire to want to experience color’s power in ‘transforming’ it into snow, water, sky, winter, fruit, skin and space.  He was greatly influenced by the famous Albanian impressionist Vangjush Mio, as well as Vangjush Tushi, Rafail Dembo and Ilo Xhane. From little, he learned he had the gift of sensitivity and comprehension, and was acknowledged by his teachers for the use of color and impressions.  Courier Times valued him as a “A beautiful soul that speaks through strokes of color and makes nature dance.” His canvases shows no hesitation. His bold, vibrant brush strokes and fluid colors capture the essence of the scene with a restless energy and a rhythm of movement. Inspired by his experiences, Ligor took the opportunity to attend classes for young artists, where he learned from Mio’s paintings the marvel of color mixing and usage, and the basics of the art. He later graduated from Korca’s School of Fine Arts.  Ligor immigrated to the US in 1991, where he now

continues his artistic journey, living and working in Philadelphia.  He has produced approximately 878 paintings, and has displayed his works at several exhibitions in both the US and Albania, with themes taken from his life in both countries, including his early life in Albania.  Some of his paintings are displayed in collections in Greece, Italy, and Canada. 

Ligor Luarasi zbuloi dhe zhvilloi dhuntite e tij artistike qysh ne moshe te vogel.  I lindur ne 1941 ne Korce te Shqiperise, qytet ky i njohur per traditat dhe kulturen, ai perjetoi lidhjet e hershme emocionale me artin kur vizitoi pallatin e cultures se qytetit per here te pare.  Pikturat e varura ne mure e preken ate thelle ne shpirt.  Sa me shume kohe kalonte duke shijuar pikturat, aq me e madhe ishte deshira e tij per te perjetuar fuqine transformuese te ngjyrave duke i kthyer ato ne bore, uje, qiell, dimer, fruta, etj.  Ai u influencua jashtezakonisht nga i famshmi impressionist piktori Vangjush Mio, si dhe nga Vangjush Tushi, Rafail Dembo dhe Ilo Xhane.  Qysh i vogel, ai mesoi se kishte dhuntine e ndjeshmerise dhe kapjes se ngjyrave dhe artit te piktures dhe pergezohej prej mesuesve te tij per perdorimin e ngjyrave dhe impresioneve.  Gazeta Courier Times e ka vleresuar “si nje shpirt i bukur qe flet nepermjet gotitjeve te ngjyrave dhe e ben natyren te vallezoje”.  Pikturat e tij nuk kane asnje hezitim.  Perdorimi i furces me ngjyra te forta dhe te ndezura kapen esencen e natyures me nje energji te cmueshme dhe levizje me rritem.  I frymezuar nga eksperiencat e tij, Ligori u regjistrua tek grupi i artit te pioniereve, ku filloi te njohej me afer me Mion dhe perdorimin e tij te ngjyrave, si dhe te mesonte bazat e artit.  Me vone ai mbaroi Liceun Artistik te Korces.  Ligori emigroi ne SHBA ne 1991 ku ai vazhdon dhe sot udhetimin e tij artistic, duke jetuar dhe punuar ne Philadelphia.  Ai ka prodhuar 878 piktura dhe i ka paraqitur ato ne ekspozita ne SHBA dhe Shqiperi.  Temat jane marre nga jeta ne te dy kontinentet, duke perfshire dhe vitet e hershme ne Shqiperi.  Disa nga pikturat jane paraqitur si koleksion ne Greqi, Italy dhe Canada.

The South Dance/Vallja e jugutOil – VajSt George Spring Art Exhibit, May 2014

Neka Doko- Photographer, Fan S. Noli Library Archivist (Boston, MA) Facebook Page: Fan Noli Library/Archive – Digital Projects

Neka Doko’s involvement with digital photography was first inspired by the French architectural heritage of Boston, which has been her home since she arrived from Albania more than a decade ago. Her very first photograph in Boston, taken in the McKim Building of the Boston Public Library, depicts the mural of Puvis de Chevannes’ Les Muses Inspiratrices Acclament le Génie, Messager de Lumière (The Muses of Inspiration Welcoming the Messenger of Light). Originally from Berat, Albania, she has a deep love of the French culture and language, having lived in France for almost four years while studying in Montpellier and Paris. Over the years, Neka’s photodocumentation has become an indispensable instrument in promoting all new digital projects of her archival work at St. George Cathedral. Her detailed descriptive photography is helping her to establish a digital interactive archive between the Fan S. Noli Library and Cultural Center and its virtual visitors from the Albanian-American community.

Neka experiments in two different genres in digital photography: self-portraits and ecological artistic photography. She mostly exercised the self-portrait in the beginning as a visual therapeutic technique as a new photographer, in order to fully explore the expression of her inner self, before turning her attention to an infinite array of external subjects. Her real passion is now in capturing eco-digital images of the variable seasonable and sometimes extreme weather changes in New England. Neka aims to use her eco-photography for a two-fold purpose: for preserving the environment, and for embracing the wild beauty of the northeastern US nature as it is continues to evolve. Today’s exhibit is Neka’s second, having initially displayed her works at the St. George Cathedral Spring Digital Photography Exhibit in May 2013, along with John Pema. Her artistic signature one can see on each image angles, represents her given inter-cultural identity: Albframe.

Neka Doko hyri ne artin e fotografise dixhitale e frymezuar nga trashegimia arkitekturale franceze ne Boston, ku dhe ndihet si ne vendin e saj qe prej me shume se nje dekade. Foton e pare ne vitin 2001 e kapi ne hyrjen e brendshme te Godines McKim te bibliotekes qendrore te Boston-it, ne pikturen murale nga Puvis de Chevannes’ Les Muses Inspiratrices Acclament le Génie, Messager de Lumière (Muzat frymezuese ndjellin gjenine- perhapesin e drites). Gjate viteve, Neka ka ushtruar foton dukumentare per promovimin e projekteve te reja dixhitale ne punen arkivore te Katedrales se Shen Gjergjit. Fotografia e detajuar deskriptive e ka ndihmuar per te krijuar nje ure komunikimi ndermjet Bibliotekes noliane, arkives dixhitale me qendren kulturore e te gjithe vizitoret virtuale brenda e jashte komunitetit shqiptaro-amerikan.Neka eksperimenton ne dy zhanre te ndryshme: auto-portrete dhe fotografi ekologjike artistike. E ushtroi me teper auto-portretin si teknike vizio-terapie si fotografe e re qe kerkonte te eksploronte boten e brendshme perpara se te hidhte veshtrimin ne shtrirjen pa fund te objekteve te jashtme. Pasioni I saj I vertete eshte fotoja eko-dixhitale per te kapur nuancat sezonale te klimes shpesh ekstreme te Anglise se re. Eko-fotografia e saj ka dy qellime: te ruaje mjedisin, dhe te rroke bukurine e eger te natyres e klimes verilindore ashtu si vjen. Kjo ekspozite eshte e dyta e saj e hapur ne Shen Gjergj ne fotografine dixhitale te pranveres se kaluar me John Pemen. Firma artistike qe mund te shihni ne cdo kend te fotove te saj perfaqeson identitetin nderkulturor qe fati I ka dhuruar: Albframe.

Eco- Digital Photography/ Fotografi ekologjikeSpring Identity Colors/ Ngjyrat pranverore te origjinesSt George Spring Art Exhibit, May 2014

Holgen Gjoni – Cellist (Boston, MA) Website: www.holgengjoni.com

Hailed for his “seriousness and depth of an authentic concert soloist,” Holgen Gjoni has been steadily gaining a reputation as one of the most sought-after cellists of his generation. An avid chamber musician, he has performed as soloist and recitalist throughout United States, Europe, and Asia, winning numerous prestigious awards. Holgen has been praised by critics for his “technique, beauty of sound and emotional projection,” and his “tempestuous musical sensibility, marked by an ineffable luminosity of expression,” and has been called “an elite musician.” The legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma called him “a cellist of great talent.” Holgen holds degrees from the New England Conservatory, the Juilliard School, the Boston Conservatory, and the Bucharest University of Music, having studied with cellists Paul Katz (former cellist of the Cleveland String Quartet), Bonnie Hampton (a disciple of Pablo Cassals and Zara Nelsova), Andrew Mark, and Marin Cazacu. He has played in masterclasses for Yo-Yo Ma, Janos Starker, Natalia Gutman, Franz Helmerson, and Radu Aldulescu, and has worked extensively with chamber music experts such as Joel Smirnoff, Samuel Rhodes, and Joel Krosnick of the Juilliard String Quartet, Martha Katz of the Cleveland String Quartet, Michael Tree of the Guarnieri String Quartet, Norman Fisher and Mark Sokol of the Concord String Quartet, and Pamela Frank, to name a few.

I vleresuar per “seriozitet e thellesi te nje origjinaliteti solistik koncertual,” Holgen Gjoni ka fituar ne vazhdimesi reputacionit e nje nga violincelisteve me te kerkuar te brezit te tij. Si muzikant dhome I etur ka luajtuar si solist apo ne recital kudo ne Shtetet e Bashkuara, ne Europe e ne Azi, duke fituar cmime prestigjoze te shumta. Holgen eshte vleresuar nga kritika muzikore per “tekniken, bukurine e tingullit dhe shperthimin emocional,” per “sensibilitet muzikor te stuhishem , me gjurme shkeqimi dhe shprehje,” duke e quajtur “nje muzikant I perzgjedhur.” Violicelisti legjendar Yo-Yo Ma e quajti “talent I jashtezakonshem.”

Holgen eshte diplomuar nga Konservatori I Anglise se re, nga shkolla Juilliard, nga Konservatori I Bostonit, dhe Universiteti I muzikes ne Bukuresht. Ka studjuar me Paul Katz (ish violincelistin e kuartetit te harqeve te Cleveland-it), me Bonnie Hampton (ndjekes te Pablo Cassals dhe Zara Nelsova), Andrew Mark, dhe Marin Cazacu. Ka luajtur pjese kryesore per Yo-Yo Ma, Janos Starker, Natalia Gutman, Franz Helmerson, dhe Radu Aldulescu, si dhe ka bashkepunuar ne gjeresi me eksperte te muzikes se dhomes si Joel Smirnoff, Samuel Rhodes, dhe Joel Krosnick nga Kuarteti I harqeve te Juilliard, Martha Katz nga ai i Cleveland-it, me Michael Tree nga ai i Guarnieri-t, me Norman Fisher dhe Mark Sokol nga kuarteti I Harqeve te Concord-it me Pamela Frank, e shume te tjere.

St George Spring Art Festival ProgramMay 11th, 18th, 25th and June 1st, 2014

Created and edited by:

Denise LymperisNeka DokoSpring Book Fair & Art FestivalCoordinators