Darien Library and pianist Zachary Saffa will team up to bring you a one-of-a-kind concert experience. Up-and-coming musicians will perform uninterrupted, followed by an open lesson for all to enjoy.

— an announcement from Darien Library

During the Studio Showcase, you will see first-hand how music teaching can have a transformative effect on a student’s musicianship, perspective, and character.

Zach will be joined by violinist Lindsey Castellano for this performance.

This month Zach would like to honor longtime Darien resident Marc Thorne, who unexpectedly passed on the date of our December showcase last year. Marc was a devoted supporter of the Studio Showcase series, lover of all the classics, wonderful person and contributor to the local community.

Zach’s performance of the Romance for Violin and Piano by Amy Beach will be dedicated to his memory and his surviving wife Barbara. Two talented local students will also perform Fantasie-Impromptu and Nocturne in C# minor, two of Frederic Chopin’s best known works.

About the instructor

Facilitator Zachary Saffa is a New York City-based musician and teaching artist. A graduate of Darien High School, Zach received his Masters in piano performance from UNC School of the Arts where he studied with the great pianist Dr. Dmitri Shteinberg. In 2015, Zach was awarded the Lincoln Center Education Kenan Fellowship, and has served as a teaching artist and performer at Lincoln Center and various other NYC arts institutions since then. Zach has a passion for using musical instruction to make a difference in students’ lives.