Violinist Carmen Lavada Johnson-Pájaro, this year’s recipient of the annual scholarship awarded by the Rochester, New York Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, to an Eastman School of Music student, will present a recital at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 13, in Kilbourn Hall.
The award, a cooperative effort between the Rochester, New York Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, and the Eastman School of Music, recognizes and celebrates the extraordinary talent and academic achievement of an African-American scholar musician.
Johnson-Pájaro is a sophomore at the Eastman School of Music. She began violin studies at the age of four and piano studies at the age of six. Inspired by other musician family members and the possibilities open to string players, she chose to pursue a career in violin performance.
Currently, Johnson-Pájaro studies violin with Ayano Ninomiya as well as secondary piano with Joong-Han Jung. She participates in various chamber groups at Eastman and this year performs in the Eastman Philharmonia.
A native of Alabama, Johnson-Pájaro has also been Concertmaster of the Alabama School of Fine Arts and Alabama All-State orchestras. She has won awards at numerous violin competitions including the AFMC, AMTA, and TNA strings competitions and at several piano competitions.
In October 2013, Johnson-Pájaro participated in the inaugural season of a program started by violinist Daniel Heifetz called “Heifetz-on-Tour” and was featured in solo and quartet performances in Jamestown, R.I. In addition to performing concerts in the Jamestown area, she participated in outreach programs for students at the local schools.
Johnson-Pájaro’s recital is free and open to the public. However, tickets are required. They can be obtained from Links members, the Eastman School of Music Concert Office, 585-274-1110, or by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope by April 6 to The Links, Inc. P.O. Box 22873, Rochester, NY 14692.
The Links, Incorporated, founded in 1946, is one of the oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The Rochester, New York Chapter, The Links, Inc. was established in 1984 and supports programs in the arts, services to youth, national trends and services, international trends and services, and health and human services.
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Calendar Listing:
Sunday, April 13
Rochester Links, Incorporated Scholarship Concert. Violinist Carmen Lavada Johnson-Pájaro, sophomore at the Eastman School of Music.
3 p.m.
Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St.
Tickets: free and open to the public. However, tickets are required. They can be obtained from Links members, the Eastman School of Music Concert Office, 585-274-1110, or by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope by April 6 to The Links, Inc. P.O. Box 22873, Rochester, NY 14692.