UMKC Conservatory Professor Organizes Benefit Concert

Maria Kanyova, associate professor of voice at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, is organizing a benefit concert, “The Art of Giving Through Song: A Benefit Concert for Hurricane Victims.” The concert will be at 7:30 p.m., Nov.15 in Grant Hall, 5228 Charlotte, Kansas City, Mo.

“Music has the effect to heal the heart and help the soul,” Kanyova said. “Music is the universal language of the world.”

After the hurricane disasters, Kanyova thought of the many ways she could help.

“So I searched and found this wonderful charity, Direct Relief, and decided to put together this concert event. On November 15 my students and I will give through singing. This concert will serve as our campaign to raise funds for the hurricane victims. I truly believe that together we can all change the world for the better moment by moment. We can feel the power that helping one another can give us, and maybe, in the wake of a disaster, through our songs or our music, we can heal the heart, help the soul and make the world a better place.”

The concert will feature Kanyova and her students singing primarily music by American composers. They will be assisted by Conservatory Professor Richard Williams, coach accompanist. The concert is free and donations are welcome. Kanyova hopes to do a concert like this on a yearly basis and give to a charitable foundation each time. The link for online donations is: www.crowdrise.com/mariakanyova.