July 20, 2019

Join John Hardesty and friends for an elegant evening of beautiful, heart-opening music from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 26, 2019 at the 1900 Building located at 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Mission Woods, KS. The concert is a benefit for the Pro Deo Youth Center.

Featured performers include pianist John Hardesty, soprano Julia Laskowski, tenor David Adam and cellist Max Dyer.

John Hardesty began playing piano by ear at six years old and became organist at his church at age thirteen. His music is drawn from a combination of classical, religious, and New Age sounds, and his passion for creating music “in the moment” is done in solo performances and with a variety of other musicians and vocalists. Much of the vocal music that emanates from this award-winning composer focuses on being inspired and claiming one’s personal freedom. His instrumental works are the culmination of years of performing with the intention of reaching into hearts and inspiring the greatness within our consciousness.

He has played across the U.S. and in Europe and was the opening act in 2016 at the Lifetime Tribute to Bob Proctor in Carnegie Hall. He has also shared the stage on multiple occasions with such luminaries as Deepak Chopra, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Greg Braden, Marianne Williamson, Byron Katie, and James Van Praagh. He continues to create concert opportunities in various venues and for four years was the featured artist in Houston at the St. Julian Press’s quarterly “Evening of Poetry & Music” events, where he echoed the tone and imagery of the poetry with his improvisational interpretations. He is also passionate about creating custom songs which are a beautiful expression of his heart and soul, and which have received accolades throughout the country.

Hardesty and his wife Marilyn decided to relocate from Houston to Lakewood, where he currently serves on the Lee’s Summit Arts Council. Additionally he has close to 20 retirement communities at which he entertains the residents on a regular basis.

Julia Laskowski is a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts and has performed roles in the operatic repertoire including Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos, Amina in La Sonnambula, Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, and Gilda in Rigoletto with several opera companies in Houston, Frankfurt, Germany and New York City.

Grammy Award winning tenor David Adams has performed in a variety of settings throughout the United States and Europe including the roles of Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Tamino in Die Zauberflote, Ferrando in Cosi fan Tutte, and title roles in La Clemenza di Tito and Idomeneo from Mozart.

Cellist ​​​​Max Dyer’s versatile forty year career has included playing cello in a variety of styles beyond simply classical, from folk and jazz to rock and Indian fusion. As a sought-after improvisational recording artist, he has performed on Grammy-winning albums and hundreds of projects for major and independent labels.

Ticket for this event are available through evenbrite.com.