Foothills Equestrian Nature Center will host a free family concert on Sunday, May 4 at 4 p.m. Cellists Brenda

Leonard and Benjamin Smith will play works from the 16th through the 21st centuries, with at least one piece from each century. Highlights of the recital include a rarely heard work from the 16th century, a set of duos by the Russian composer Reinhold Glière and a set of variations on the popular tune “Greensleeves” (17th c.).
Cello Times Two have been together for about 2 years. Cellists Ben Smith and Brenda Leonard play a variety of classical and popular music, including pieces originally written for two cellos and other works that have been arranged for this ensemble. They play music from Bach to Joplin and much more.
Ben Smith grew up in Spartanburg, S.C., where he studied cello at the Converse Pre-College Music department with Scott Cook. He has a BA in Music and a BS in Finance from Florida State University and a MM from the University of Miami. He received his JD from the University of Memphis. He is Adjunct Professor of Music at Montreat College and a member of numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles in the Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina area.
Brenda Leonard teaches cello at North Greenville University and the Lawson Academy of the Arts at Converse College in Spartanburg. She is an active performer in the Upstate and principal cello of the Spartanburg Philharmonic.  She received her DMA from the University of South Carolina and her BA and MM from Northern Illinois University.  She has taught at Clemson University, Anderson University, Converse College and Frankfurt International School and maintains a busy private studio.
Refreshments will be served. This event is made possible by the Kirby Endowment at the Polk County Community Foundation.
– article submitted
by Tracie Hanson