Irina Voloshina (Courtesy Photograph)
An informal weekly neighborhood concert series in Altadena born of the pandemic and led by a local professional violinist is continuing with its 57th performance this weekend.
For 15 months, groups of professional musicians that make up Melodia Mariposa Entertainment have gathered in the driveway of founder Irina Voloshina to serenade the neighborhood around Mariposa Street and Ganesha Avenue.
When the pandemic hit Southern California with full force in April of 2020, many musicians found themselves without regular work as concerts and other live music performances virtually vanished, according to Voloshina, who plays for the Los Angeles Opera and the Pasadena Symphony.
“When the pandemic started, when they closed everything, our jobs got canceled and everything got canceled. Everything. We were panicked,” she said.
“So, I decided to just start playing a concert,” she said. “We played with my friends… We have a lot of musicians living here and they started playing duets and trios.”
The impromptu concerts soon became formalized and Melodia Mariposa was born. The rotating performers play styles including classical, pop and jazz.
The performances are always free and the group never asks for donations, Voloshina said.
“We think during this pandemic it is so important to share live music with people,” she said.
The concerts have been beneficial for the players and the neighborhood alike, Voloshina added.
“We were hungry for the audience because we could not perform,” she said. “On the other side, the audience — they were craving live music.”
The group has grown a loyal following and was featured last month in The New York Times.
“I wanted to give to other people, and now I feel like people love it,” she said.
Concerts are already planned through the end of August.
Sunday’s performance will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Mariposa Street and Ganesha Avenue, organizers said. It’s to include a six-piece string ensemble.
More information on Melodia Mariposa is available on the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com/MelodiaMariposa.
Medodia Mariposa is comprised of:
Roberto Cani, Violinist
is a graduate of the Milan Conservatory, the Gnessin Institute in Moscow, and the USC
He has been a first and grand prize winner of numerous competitions, including the Paganini International Competition in Genoa
Currently, concertmaster of the Los Angeles Opera and guest concertmaster of the La Scala and London Philharmonic.
Irina Voloshina, Violinist ( founder of Melodia Mariposa)
from Odessa, Ukraine. Graduated from the Odessa State Conservatory with a Master’s Degree in Violin Performance and Pedagogy, served in the Odessa Philharmonic 9 years.
Since moving to Southern California in 1993, Irina has been collaborating with orchestras such as LA Opera, Pasadena Symphony and Pops, LA Chamber Orchestra, California Philharmonic
Irina has recorded for over 600 film scores and performed for American Idol, and Academy Awards.
Lives in Altadena and loves local hiking trails
Dane Little, Cellist
From Olympia Washington, went to Washington State University and then moved to LA to get a Masters at CalArts. Member of the Pasadena Symphony and the Los Angeles Opera along with Motion Picture/Television work. Lives in 1914 Pasadena craftsman for 31 years.
Will Bj Johnson, double bass
Born in Detroit, MI
Studied Bass Performance for undergrad at Oberlin College
Masters of Music USC
Performed with many orchestras in California. Played Grammys, Hollywood Bowl.
Played many film and television scores for several years.
Resides here in beautiful Altadena
Erik Rynearson, Violist
Bachelor in violin performance and Master viola
Both from Indiana university Bloomington
Principal of Hollywood Bowl orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber orchestra, Santa Barbara symphony, love restoring his 1987 Benz, exploring CA wines
Eugene Mechtovich, Violist
Born in Odessa, Ukraine
Received Bachelors from music college, and Masters from Odessa conservatory.
Performs with the local orchestras in Los Angeles and have a passion for cycling.
Participated in Santa Barbara,Los Olivos, and Ojai century rides, rode with La Grange professional cycling, and holds several KOMs ( King of the mountain) in the LA area
