Music for the Lunch Bunch
Since 1985, Music for the Lunch Bunch has provided a series of free summer concerts held every Wednesday. Each concert begins at 12:15 PM. featuring local artists performing a variety of music. There is particular emphasis on classical music. ALL performances will be at the First Presbyterian Church in Smithfield except the last one and it will be at "The Hut"- home of Neuse Little Theatre.
The concert series is grassroots funded by the Johnston County Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council.
There is no admission charge but donations are accepted.
If you are a performer and wish to participate in the Music for the Lunch Bunch series, please contact JCAC at 919.938.0306 or info@jcartscouncil.org
The concert series is grassroots funded by the Johnston County Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council.
There is no admission charge but donations are accepted.
If you are a performer and wish to participate in the Music for the Lunch Bunch series, please contact JCAC at 919.938.0306 or info@jcartscouncil.org
Lunch Bunch Schedule for 2019
June 19: Dara Edwards & piano students
June 26: Ella Ann Holding, piano
July 10: Jim Grant, vocals, & Isaac Bruton, piano
July 17: Dexter Ruffin, piano
July 24: Carolina Youth Theater (songs from The Wizard of Oz)
July 31: Smithfield’s Jazz Quartet: Ned Attayek, Virgil Early, Wingate Lassiter, & Jess Pittard
August 7: Golden Girls, vocal ensemble
August 14: Todd Johnson, organ & William Massengill & Donna Stephenson, vocals (Benson Baptist Church)
August 21: The Neuse Little Theatre (The Hut)
June 19: Dara Edwards & piano students
June 26: Ella Ann Holding, piano
July 10: Jim Grant, vocals, & Isaac Bruton, piano
July 17: Dexter Ruffin, piano
July 24: Carolina Youth Theater (songs from The Wizard of Oz)
July 31: Smithfield’s Jazz Quartet: Ned Attayek, Virgil Early, Wingate Lassiter, & Jess Pittard
August 7: Golden Girls, vocal ensemble
August 14: Todd Johnson, organ & William Massengill & Donna Stephenson, vocals (Benson Baptist Church)
August 21: The Neuse Little Theatre (The Hut)
DARA EDWARDS
Dara Edwards has been teaching private piano lessons in the Clayton area for 39 years. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of
North Carolina at Greensboro. Dara has also served as Music Director at White Oak Baptist Church in Archer Lodge for many years.
STUDENTS
Amelia Linton is a rising freshman at Corinth Holders High School. She has been studying piano for 8 years and also plays the flute.
Lauren Putney is a rising junior at Smithfield Selma High School. She has been studying with Dara since 2012 and also plays the clarinet.
Sarah Putney is a recent graduate of Corinth Holders High School. She has also been studying with Dara since 2012. Sarah will be attending North Carolina State University this Fall to study Engineering.
Ben Mitchell is a recent graduate of Clayton High School. He studied piano in Texas prior to moving to North Carolina in 2012. Ben will be attending North Carolina State University this Fall to study Information Technology.
Banks Evans is a recent graduate of Clayton High School. He started lessons at a young age and has been studying with Dara since 9th grade. At the end of this month, Banks will be reporting to the United States Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut and will study Engineering.
Dara Edwards has been teaching private piano lessons in the Clayton area for 39 years. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of
North Carolina at Greensboro. Dara has also served as Music Director at White Oak Baptist Church in Archer Lodge for many years.
STUDENTS
Amelia Linton is a rising freshman at Corinth Holders High School. She has been studying piano for 8 years and also plays the flute.
Lauren Putney is a rising junior at Smithfield Selma High School. She has been studying with Dara since 2012 and also plays the clarinet.
Sarah Putney is a recent graduate of Corinth Holders High School. She has also been studying with Dara since 2012. Sarah will be attending North Carolina State University this Fall to study Engineering.
Ben Mitchell is a recent graduate of Clayton High School. He studied piano in Texas prior to moving to North Carolina in 2012. Ben will be attending North Carolina State University this Fall to study Information Technology.
Banks Evans is a recent graduate of Clayton High School. He started lessons at a young age and has been studying with Dara since 9th grade. At the end of this month, Banks will be reporting to the United States Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut and will study Engineering.
Ella Ann Holding- June 26
Ellen Ann Holding is a community treasure. A native of Smithfield, Mrs. Holding earned a Bachelor of Music degree cum laude from Salem College; she received their Distinguished Alumnae Award in 1996. As a student of Bruce Simonds, she acquired a Master of Music in Piano Performance at Yale University School of Music, twice winning the concerto competition. She did additional study at the Julliard School of Music under Katherine Bacon. Mrs. Holding was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London where she studied under Hilda Dederich.
Mrs. Holding has performed with the Yale University Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the South Carolina Philharmonic, and the Spoleto Festival. Performing in recitals and on numerous concert series in Virginia and the Carolinas, she joined John Adams in duo-piano concerts and performed chamber music with the Leros Trio.
Mrs. Holding is featured on Albany Records’ “Chamber Music of Hunter Johnson.” The late Mr. Johnson was Composer Laureate of North Carolina. At its 2003 Commencement, Campbell University awarded the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to her. She had previously been recognized there, receiving the Presidential Meritorious Award. Mrs. Holding held the first artist-in-residence position at Campbell for nine years.
Mrs. Holding has performed with the Yale University Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the South Carolina Philharmonic, and the Spoleto Festival. Performing in recitals and on numerous concert series in Virginia and the Carolinas, she joined John Adams in duo-piano concerts and performed chamber music with the Leros Trio.
Mrs. Holding is featured on Albany Records’ “Chamber Music of Hunter Johnson.” The late Mr. Johnson was Composer Laureate of North Carolina. At its 2003 Commencement, Campbell University awarded the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to her. She had previously been recognized there, receiving the Presidential Meritorious Award. Mrs. Holding held the first artist-in-residence position at Campbell for nine years.
Performers:
Dexter Ruffin - JuLY 17
Dexter Ruffin was born (08/31/1987), in Wilson, North Carolina. As a young boy, at the age of nine, he taught himself to play the piano by ear. His remarkable talent was soon discovered and he was given professional training by Nancy Ping-Robbins of Wilson, Dr. Henry Doskey of the East Carolina University School of Music, and Eric Larsen at the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he received a B.A. degree in Piano Performance in (year). Dexter won the “Student of the Year” award in 2002, presented by the community of Wilson. In 2006 he won the North Carolina School of the Arts Concerto Competition performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1. He currently serves as Music Minister at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Wilson.