The volunteers of Auburn Antebellum Home will present their second annual winter musical performance with the theme of “Music and Juleps.” The event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 at Auburn. For $20 per person, you will receive an hour musical performance and an hour of “meet the performers” with mint juleps and hors d’oeuvres.

Back by poplar demand will be Donna Schaffer, Kathleen Mackey-King, Vera Zholondz and Anton Zholondz. Their biographies are too long and numerous to print here, so I will have to condense it, and you will have to be at Auburn to learn the rest of the story.

Donna is an active singer and accomplished pianist. She is currently serving as director of choral activities and vocal instructor at Alcorn State University. Over the years she has been involved with music in Natchez, Shreveport, L.A., New York City, California, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Florida.

Her stage roles are numerous and varied. Donna has a bachelor of music degree from the University of Michigan and a master of music from the University of Connecticut.

Kathleen is the owner and instructor for the Children’s Prep Music Studio, Natchez, where she trains and develops the musical talents of children from ages 3-12. She is also involved with Co-Lin Community College and Trinity Episcopal Day School. Kathleen has a bachelor of music degree from Montevallo University in Alabama and a master of music from LSU.

Originally from Russia, Vera started playing the piano and violin at the age of 4. After being in many schools in Russia for gifted children and performing as a pianist, violinist and soloist, she received a full scholarship in 2008 to attend Alcorn State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in music in 2012 and is currently working on her master’s degree from LSU.

Anton was also born in Russia and began playing the violin at the age of 5 and in 1993 entered the Voronezh Musical College for gifted children. He played in many regional, national and international jazz festivals throughout Russia and because of all his accomplishments, he was awarded a full scholarship to attend Alcorn State University as the first musical performance student with jazz emphasis. He is currently in the LSU Master’s in Jazz Performance program and plays in the Baton Rouge, LSU and Acadiana Symphony Orchestras.

As you can see, Auburn’s “Music and Juleps” performance will be spectacular. Tickets may be purchased by e-mailing Auburn at auburnmuseum@gmail.com or calling 601-442-5981 and leaving a message; at the City of Natchez desk at the visitor center, 601-446-6345; or at Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, 601-446-6631 or online at www.natchezpilgrimage.com.

Tickets are limited to the first 60 people. Get your tickets early so as not to be disappointed when the tickets are sold out.

 

Clark Feiser is the president of Auburn Antebellum Home.