[pullquote]Akshay Dinakar plays an original composition
Click the arrow to hear “Bridge,” part of Akshay Dinakar’s original composition, the “Missouri River Suite.”
[/pullquote]
SM East students Akshay and Bhavish Dinakar have been studying with their violin teacher, associate concertmaster emeritus of the Kansas City Symphony Gregory Sandomirsky, for so long it’s like he’s a member of the family.
Sandomirsky has been vital in the boys’ development as musicians. And his wife Galia — an architect — has been a special inspiration to Akshay, who holds equal passions for the fields of architecture and music. (You may remember that Akshay was selected to play in the National Youth Orchestra last year).
For the past few years, Galia has been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, and the progression of the disease has forced her to stop working. As a sign of support for the Sandomirskys, Bhavish and Akshay are organizing a concert in her honor to raise funds for the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
“With this concert, we are hoping to raise awareness and funds for the cause so that no one will ever have their art-making ability stripped away from them,” the brothers write in a preview for the event.
The Dinakars say the event will feature mostly solo pieces with accompaniment from Rev. Paul Turner of St. Anthony’s Church on organ. Akshay will be playing selections from his original composition, “The Missouri River Suite,” which he says was inspired by a school trip to the river.
“It kind of combines classical and jazz,” he said. “Each piece has a backbone, but I improvise around them as well.”
The concert is free and open to the public, but the brothers encourage donations. Half the proceeds will go to St. Anthony’s Church for hosting, with the other half going to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
The event is 7 p.m. on June 13 at St. Anthony’s Church, 309 Benton Blvd, Kansas City, Mo., 64124.