Mon Valley Academy for the Arts summer concerts start

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Live music will return to the Mon Valley this month when the Mon Valley Academy for the Arts’ EQT/MVAA 2021 Summer Concert Series kicks into full gear. 

The program is now in its fifth year and MVAA President Mark Smith hopes for a successful season, although the pandemic has been challenging for the organization. 

While performances took a virtual approach last year, performers and young musicians were able to reach a larger audience than ever. 

“COVID didn’t slow us down,” Smith said. “It might have changed the way we had to do things, but we were able to reach more people than we ever had before, which was really exciting for us, especially our young musicians.” 

To kick off the season, MVAA will host a virtual event April 18 that will be streamed live on the group’s Facebook page. 

Sponsored by EQT and American Legion Post 22 in Charleroi, the event will begin at 2 p.m. and will feature live performances along with an announcement of this summer’s concert schedule. 

The lineup will include performances from “Kind of Blue,” the Twin Coaches Jr. Jazz Trio, along with special guest Tony Campbell, a student drum demonstration, an appearance by the Twin Coaches Jr. Band instructors, featured speakers and videos from the previous concerts. 

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