PLNU seniors Johnathon and Christopher Smith have a simple dream. The brothers, both accomplished pianists, want to travel around performing duo piano concerts. Now, the Smiths are closer to making that dream a reality.

Johnathan and Christopher, with the help of their chamber music ensemble teacher, Professor Brenda Martin, recently prepared an hour-long CD as an entry for the Ellis Duo Piano Competition, a competition sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs. Recently, they were selected as one of three teams that will compete in the final round of the competition.

Johnathon, Christopher, and Professor Martin, their coach, will be traveling to Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, at the end of the month to compete in the finals. In addition to performing an hour-long recital, they are busy preparing two required piano concertos for the competition, which is March 31. Top prize for the contest is $10,000 and the opportunity to perform various concerts.

Johnathon is a senior double major in math and music with an emphasis in piano performance. Christopher is a senior music major with an emphasis in piano performance. In addition to studying chamber music with Martin, the brothers also study private piano lessons with Dr. Victor Labenske.




Eric Yates
Media Relations Officer
(619) 849-7186
eyates@pointloma.edu