Morganville resident Aaron Cheng will Perform in Master Class at Jacobs Music Company on Sunday, December 8

On Sunday, December 8th, 2013 at 2 p.m., Professor Ingrid Clarfield, known nationwide for her vibrant style of piano teaching, will present a Master Class in the Recital Hall of Jacobs Music Company in Lawrenceville, NJ. It is a benefit for the Damien Dixon Memorial Piano Scholarship, named for an extraordinary musician and the only pianist from New Jersey to ever win the prestigious MTNA National Competition, who lost his life to cancer at age 29. Clarfield, a teacher and admirer of Dixon’s, is the author of 19 books on piano instruction as well as Professor of Piano and Coordinator of the Piano Department at Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

Aaron Cheng, 14, Morganville resident and student of Lillian Livingston, playing Brahms Ballade in G minor, Op.118, No.3

When speaking about the upcoming master class, Gabrielle Kazze Rinaldi, Executive Vice President, Concert & Artist Services said, “Jacobs Music presents countless master classes, recitals, student competitions, seminars for piano teachers and other events to enrich the musical life of our community. It is especially fulfilling to support the Damien Dixon Memorial Piano scholarship at our Lawrenceville location for the 4th year. Ingrid Clarfield is indeed a master teacher and her scholarship tribute to the memory of her talented student, Damien Dixon, is a noble recognition of his many accomplishments and a life cut much too short.”

Ingrid Clarfield’s Master Class benefiting the Damien Dixon Memorial Piano Scholarship occurs every two years at Jacobs Music. She explained her enthusiasm about this specific award. “Throughout the year, I am blessed to have so many outstanding and memorable professional experiences. But there is no greater professional moment for me than when I announce the name of this year’s recipient of the Damien Dixon Memorial Piano Scholarship. It is especially gratifying to me that the recipients are unbelievably appreciative because they are aware of the significance of the award.”

The Damien Dixon Memorial Piano Scholarship was created for Damien Dixon. Dixon was born and raised in Princeton and realized his remarkable musical abilities at a very young age. He started piano lessons at age five and shortly thereafter began piano competitions, winning numerous awards including the renowned Music Teachers National Association Baldwin Piano Competition at age 15. He is still the only person from New Jersey to ever win this award. Dixon attended Carnegie Mellon University for his undergrad and pursued his doctorate in Electrical Engineering at Princeton University. In 2003 when Damien was 27 years old, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, desmoplastic small round cell tumor. Damien died when he was 29 years old.

 “Damien was passionate about his art - without question - but he was also committed to helping others. The scholarship description reflects Damien's wishes and philosophy,” said Clarfield. As described by Damien himself, The Damien Dixon Memorial Scholarship … “is given to an undergrad pianist for whom the piano is more than just a major. The pianist worthy of this award plays with imagination and personality and uses the piano to stir up the emotions of the listener.” Donations for this scholarship may be sent to The Damien Dixon Memorial Piano Scholarship at Jacobs Music Company, 2540 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.

About Jacobs Music Company: Jacobs Music Company is the area’s exclusive representative for new and authentically restored Steinway & Sons, and Steinway designed Boston and Essex pianos. Jacobs also represents many other highly respected new and used piano manufacturers from around the world, including Yamaha, Disklavier and Clavinova, all at great values.  Jacobs Music Company has six showrooms, including its flagship location at 1718 Chestnut Street in center city Philadelphia.  In addition to the Lawrenceville, NJ location, other regional piano showrooms are located in Willow Grove and Whitehall, PA, Cherry Hill, NJ and Wilmington, DE.