Mother's Day Concert and Brunch Featuring Stringwynde

The Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts will host a concert and brunch in honor of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 5, 11:30-1 p.m., in their Grand Gallery at 2736 State Highway 30, Gloversville. Tickets are $35 and available at pncreativeartscenter.org or by calling 518-661-9932.

The brunch menu will include quiche, stuffed French toast, bacon, sausage, potatoes, salad greens, refreshments and desserts. The concert features Stringwynde, a duo comprised of flautist Melanie Chirignan and harpist Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher.

Stringwynde, formed in 2017, hails from the southern Saratoga region. Chirignan and Rees-Rohrbacher each hold graduate degrees in music and regularly perform in a variety of genres. As individual performers, their appearances have included solo recitals, chamber ensembles, symphonies and private events. They are also versatile educators who have both taught music privately and in classrooms at area public and private schools.

Rees-Rohrbacher holds a doctoral degree in vocal performance and literature. Initially trained as a classical vocalist and pianist, she begin studying the harp after moving to Upstate New York and has since pursued a multi-faceted career as a harpist, arranger, singer and conductor. Her musical skills have taken her from formal, orchestral concerts to intimate chamber performances wearing historical costumes. She is a well-known composer whose harp arrangements are sold internationally, and she has published many articles in harp journals.

Chirignan has a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and a master’s in Flute performance from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford. Originally from Hauppauge, NY, Chirignon has collaborated with many performers and ensembles, including the New York Chamber Players Orchestra, the Chelsea Symphony and the Hartt Independent Chamber Orchestra. She has also worked closely with many other composers to premiere new works by a variety of artists, several of which are available on iTunes and Amazon.