Elisha Abas and Simnona DeFeo will work as a team on IAED's Cultural Affairs and Cultutral Projects.

Elisha Abas
Director of Cultural Affairs

Described by many as "one of a kind" and "a poetic genius” who has the rare “quality to sing his musical phrases in time, yet as free as can be...using piano keys instead of words...he is the type of musician that only comes around once in a lifetime". Elisha Abas (http://www.elishaabas.com), is a consummate artist who projects a rare combination of intellect, elegance and pedigree. As a direct descendant of the Alfred Cortot School and mentee of Artur Rubinstein, Abas' rare interpretations and authentic spirit, that he most likely inherited from his great-great grandfather, Alexander Scriabin, reminds you of the old masters. His performance career started early in life, at the tender age of six, when he became the life-long student of Pnina Salzman, Israel's First Lady of Piano. From that point, he performed all over the world in venues such as Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall and shared the stage and screen with masters such as Isaac Stern, Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta and Artur Rubinstein, including guest appearances with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Abas has achieved many accolades throughout his career. Those most notable were achieved when he was a young prodigy - winning first place in the American-Israel Cultural Foundation music competition for eight consecutive years and first place in the Claremont Piano Competition. Mid-career, Maestro Abas, who is now in his early 30s, stopped performing throughout the world and settled in his native country, Israel, where he continued to give intimate solo recitals while obtaining a law degree and playing professional soccer. In 2007, Abas returned to Carnegie Hall. This performance marked the launch of his reemergence to the international stage, where Abas was greeted by a sold out house. The New York Times noted "...a sensitive Chopin Nocturne...Abas was definitely communicating something to somebody...a young man declared it amazing giving the adjective a heartfelt modifier not suitable for publication...the presence of so much youth and enthusiasm - and the excitement in the room was palpable." Abas has since embarked on a global initiative to preserve the culture of classical music.

As the Director of Cultural Affairs, Abas and his team, Director of Cultural Projects, will be directly responsible for establishing relationships with developing nations and using culture, specifically, Classical Music, as a catalyst for economic development and innovation.

More background information about Mr.Elisha Abas .

Maestro Elisha Abas concert schedule around New York City.

Simona DeFeo
Director of Cultural Projects

Simona DeFeo along with Elisha Abas, Director of Cultural Affairs, will be responsible for the administrative and project management of the cultural projects in developing nations. Leveraging her corporate experience and passion for the arts, together they will help developing nations use the culture of classical music as a catalyst for innovation and change. As a corporate advisor to many "C" level executives, she has over ten years experience working with Fortune 100 companies on operational risk and organizational strategy. Simona's repertoire of client work includes Citigroup, TIAA-CREF, Wachovia, Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, UBS, Goldman Sachs and Johnson and Johnson and many others. She has advised management to make significant changes that affect growth, corporate culture, mitigation of risk and availability of operations. Most recently, she has been involved in converging her passion for art with corporate responsibility and strategic intiatives. Simona is the co-author of “Business Continuity for E-Commerce Environments” published by ISACA. When not working with her corporate and country partners, she can be found in the dance studios of Manhattan and writing and reciting poetry. She is fluent in English and Italian and is a citizen of both the United States and EU.

More background information on Simona DeFeo

Elisha Abas returns to New York - Current Concert Schedule

Please join us again as Elisha Abas returns to New York this winter and spring with a series of performances in an intimate setting at the Baruch Center for Performing Arts located at 55 Lexington Avenue in New York with entrance on 25th Street between 3rd and Lexington Avenues. With each recital will be different. He will perform pieces by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Schumann, Scriabin and Brahms. The performance dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, February 13th at 8:00 PM (A nice Valentine's Day Treat for those you love)
Saturday, March 15th at 8:00 PM
Thursday, April 17th at 8:00 PM
Wednesday, May 28th at 8:00 PM

If you have any questions do not hesitate to call me directly at 212-673-4623.

Tickets go on sale today by calling the BPAC Box Office Hotline (646) 312-4085 or going online at http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/bpac/tickets/index.html

The venue is very intimate and seats only a limited number of people. Therefore, we advise you to get your tickets soon.

Israeli pianist Elisha Abas (http://www.elishaabas.com) is a consummate artist who projects a rare combination of intellect, elegance and pedigree. A mentee of Artur Rubinstein and a student of the Alfred Cortot School, Elisha touches an audience's heart with his authentic spirit and electrifying rhythm. Likely inherited from his great-great grandfather, legendary Russian composer Alexander Scriabin, his rare interpretations are strongly reminiscent of the old masters. With his debut on the world stage at the prodigal age of six, Elisha performed at numerous international venues, including major concert halls in the US.

In November 2007, Abas returned to Carnegie Hall, performing to standing ovations at the sold-out venue - on the same stage where, at age eleven he had first appeared alongside Issac Stern and Leonard Bernstein to honor the life of his mentor, Artur Rubinstein.

In the words of the world press - commenting on his recent return to Carnegie Hall: “…Abas was definitely communicating something to somebody…the audience was hip and mostly under 40...a young man declared it amazing giving the adjective a heartfelt modifier not suitable for publication”…furthermore “…the presence of so much youth and enthusiasm – and the excitement in the room was palpable”. The New York Times, November 5th, 2007.