Concert Sunday To Benefit Parkinson’s Research

A benefit concert will be held at the Newtown Meeting House on Sunday, August 21, at 3 pm with all proceeds benefiting the Connecticut chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association.

Erica Tsacoyeanes, a senior at Pomperaug High School in Southbury, has been performing on stage since the age of 2. She has sung at numerous charity events, most recently the American Red Cross benefit concert. Erica has been a regional and All-State soprano for three years, and hopes to make it again for her very last time as a senior.

Other featured singers at the concert will include Megan LaPorta, Katie LaPorta, Miheer Sane, Rick Hulswit, Lexy Walewski, and Pamela Hoffman. The afternoon will consist of a broad range of music genres from classical to contemporary.

 In January, Erica Tsacoyeanes was the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship given by the Connecticut Choral Society. As a creator and manager of a minibusiness called Songs for Smiles, she hopes that she can influence others to share the same love for music as she has. She has been taking voice lessons for five years with Pamela Hoffman who resides in Brookfield. Pamela Hoffman has appeared at Carnegie Hall singing Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and has traveled all across the country with various vocal companies such as the New York City National Opera Company.

Singing, however, is only one of Erica’s many passions. She has been a volunteer at Danbury Hospital for four years and absolutely loves it. Even as a little girl, Erica dreamed of becoming a doctor. With her Fisher Price stethoscope, she would listen to her grandfather’s heart and would make a “diagnosis.” Now that she is older, Erica still aspires to become a doctor, eventually a neurologist.

This summer, Erica wanted to fuse together her love for both medicine and music for a good cause. Recently, Erica’s grandfather has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Her grandmother had the disease, and Erica’s uncle is suffering from it as well. Parkinson’s disease has hit her family hard and it seemed only right to have a benefit concert that would raise money for the American Parkinson’s Disease Association.

A suggested donation of $8 will be asked for at the door. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by contacting Erica Tsacoyeanes at 203-217-8906. All donations are accepted.