A benefit concert to support Dr. Peter Coombs’ mission to Haiti will take place at Sacred Heart Church on Sunday, February 17 at 4 p.m. Dr. Coombs travels to Haiti each year to provide dental services to people who otherwise have no dental care and live mainly in poor rural areas. The concert will feature baritone Cleveland Williams, soprano Margaret Beers and pianist Stacy Cahoon.
Williams’ work has mainly been in the Bahamas. He produced and directed Scott Joplin’s opera, Treemonisha, in 2009 to celebrate 36 years of Bahamian Independence. Because of its success, people demanded more of the same and thus was formed the Nassau City Opera Company. He has performed in Italy, Norway, Finland and Sweden. He also gave a command performance Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Margaret, a classically trained lyric soprano, has an extensive repertoire and has performed in the Hartford region, as well as throughout New England. She studied voice in Banbury, England and at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music. Margaret is a cantor and the soprano section leader of the choir at Sacred Heart Church.
The pianist Stacy Cahoon began her musical studies at the age of five on the violin. She studied piano performance at UMass Lowell and accompanying and ensemble from Harttt. She has had solo recitals in the Hartford area and on Cape Cod. She is the accompanist for the Travelers Chorale for the last 24 years. She also teaches piano and performs chamber music with the Musical Club of Hartford. Her vocal compositions have been featured at the Bushnell.
The concert is sponsored by Sacred Heart Church. Tickets are $25 and may be obtained from the Sacred Heart Church office at the rectory.