We’ll have a special, dedicatory prelude September 17 before the 10 AM service to remember David DiChiera, a patron of the musical arts who passed away five years ago. The prelude will include music from Detroit Opera orchestra Cellist Ben Maxwell and Pianist Mary Siciliano. You can read more information about the performers below. To learn more about the late Dr. DiChiera, visit https://detroitopera.org/
Mary Siciliano received her Masters in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan, where she was awarded the Joseph Brickman Award for excellence in performance.
She has been a member of the piano faculties at Oakland University, Madonna University, the University of Michigan, and Schoolcraft College. She currently maintains a very inactive private studio. Ms. Siciliano has given pedagogy workshops in the United States, Canada, and France and has recently taught at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp. Her students have distinguished themselves in state and national competitions, including the MTNA National Finals and the Piano Arts International Competition.
Mary Siciliano has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and France, and has been broadcast on CBC, WRCJ, and other radio stations. She has collaborated on several CD albums that include the first recordings of Richard Stöhr on Toccata Classics, as well as the chamber music of Jacques de la Presle, Pierre de Bréville, Ignatz Waghalter, and Fernando de la Tombelle.
BEN MAXWELL is an accomplished cellist who currently holds positions at the Detroit Opera and the Ann Arbor Symphony. Ben’s musical journey began with his studies at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He further pursued his education at the New England Conservatory and the University of Michigan. Throughout his career, Ben has won prizes at the DUSS concerto competition, Music Academy of North Carolina Violin and Cello Competition, and the NC ASTA competition. Ben was a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center for two years, collaborating with Boston Symphony musicians where he had the privilege of participating in a masterclass with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Ben also attended Aspen Music Festival and Meadowmount on fellowship. Ben has performed solo recitals and chamber recitals in North Carolina, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania.
