The Dragon Keeper

Phoenix Symphony cellist Mike D'Avanzo shares his story of a very special concert:

I was approached last spring by Heidi Grimes, who operates the East Valley Yamaha Music School, about participating in a recording project for a piece titled The Dragon Keeper, written for Marimba Cello and Piano by 13 year old Christian Nguyen, one of her long time students.

Since both of my children study at the school, I accepted the project knowing her high musical standards. We made the recording and subsequently performed the work last June for their regional concert at Arizona State University Katzin Concert Hall. Working with students is always a roll of the dice but Christian proved to be a hard worker as well as a poised performer, and it was a joy to get to know him and his family.

After we went our separate ways, I was contacted by Heidi again to let me know that Yamaha Music Foundation had selected The Dragon Keeper to be performed in Tokyo this November. I will be going to Japan in a few weeks with Christan as well as Arizona State University Percussion Professor J. B. Smith playing Marimba having recently performed the work a second time for Mark Dix's Downtown Chamber series.

Best of all, my wife and fellow Phoenix Symphony musician, Dian, will accompany me for her very first trip to Japan!