Join the Lake Avenue Church (LAC) in Pasadena for a special noon concert on Thursday, Nov. 5, featuring Pianist Crystal Rivette and singer Darnell Abraham.
Crystal Rivette and Darnell Abraham will perform in a half-hour of uplifting music, including works by Chopin, Debussy, Messiaen, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and others.
Rivette grew up in Pasadena and began her piano studies with her mother at age eight. Her subsequent primary teachers include Duane Funderburk, Antoinette Perry, and Eteri Andjaparidze. She has performed in master classes with Vera Gornostayeva, Dina Joffe, Bronisława Kawalla, Pavel Nersessian, Kalle Randalu, Yuri Sletsarev and Natalia Troull.
She is Director of the Artist Certificate Program at Azusa Pacific University. She maintains an active performance and teaching schedule in the Los Angeles area. In March 2014 she premiered Reena Esmail’s piece, “Curiosity,” with the Pasadena Master Chorale, and appeared again with them in June 2015, premiering Esmail’s new work, “Earth Speaks.”
Abraham has a professional performance background that spans musical theater, soul music, R&B, and opera. He has been recognized by audiences and critics alike for his versatility in the theater and on the concert stage. He is currently George Washington in “Hamilton” on the And Peggy Tour.
Abraham is a recipient of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical and an Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) nomination for Best Actor. Other honorable nominations include BroadwayWorld Regional Awards for Person to Watch, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. He is a featured solo artist on Bandai Namco’s “Tekken 7,” which has sold over five million copies worldwide since its release. He has also collaborated with Grammy and Emmy award-winning artists in the studio and on the concert stage.
Pianist Duane Funderburk and a jazz combo will be completing the roster on Thursday’s virtual event, compiling a program designed to encourage and inspire everyone as you walk through this time together.
LAC’s Goldline Noon Concert has been traditionally held live at the Church, located at 393 North Lake Ave., but is currently being streamed online on YouTube and Facebook Live to help keep everyone safe.
The event is free to watch. Just visit www.lakeave.org/events/you-ll-
