16 year old concert violinist Jourdan Urbach has been compared to a “Young Paganini” with “buttery smooth playing and laser sharp technique” by New York Critics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Leonid Saharovici

Tel: (901) 751-2036

Artists Ascending Performer Violinist Jourdan Urbach

Changes the World One Note at a Time

Child prodigy heralded as a “Young Paganini” raises million for disabled children

He picked up the violin for the first time at the age of two. At 13, he made his debut on the grandest stage in the country – Carnegie Hall. Now at the age of 16, violin prodigy Jourdan Urbach will travel to Memphis for the final performance of the 42^nd Belz-Parker Artists Ascending Series on January 18; however, the Baron Hirsch Synagogue will not be his only stop while visiting the Mid-South.

As with most visits, Urbach will provide a special performance for children and staff at a local Memphis hospital. His humanitarian and philanthropic efforts began at the age of seven, when he decided to use his musical talents to support research and treatment for critically ill children. He founded Children Helping Children, and all proceeds from his performances are donated to this foundation. To date, it has raised approximately $1.3 million.

“Jourdan Urbach is a remarkable young man, and we are extremely enthused in having him come to Memphis to perform with this diverse program,” said Jack Belz, CEO Belz Enterprises. “He is using his extraordinary gift to provide hope and encouragement for children in need, and passion such as his can be world-changing.”

According to event chairman Leonid Saharovici, Urbach’s performance will feature an eclectic mix of classical, modern and pieces, including among others Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, Tomaso Vitali’s Chaconne and an unaccompanied solo by Eugene Ysaye. He will be accompanied by Julliard teacher and pianist Dr Karen Beluso.

The concert is free to the public and will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. in the Belz Sanctuary, 400 South Yates Road in Memphis. For more information, contact Leonid Saharovici at (901) 751-2036.

More about Jourdan Urbach

Urbach is not only one of the nation’s leading young musical talents, but one of its most recognized young scientific minds and humanitarians. Though still a teenager, he studies at The Julliard School’s Pre-College Division; has completed research and course work at Johns Hopkins and has had papers published through other medical institutions; and has already raised $1.4 million for medical charities nationwide.

Showcased as Teen People Magazine’s “Twenty Teens Who Will Change the World,” Urbach has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Good Morning America, Inside Edition, MTV’s “Genius and Prodigy,” as well as in The New York Times and Newsday, among many other media outlets.

Among his musical accomplishments, Urbach debuted at Carnegie Hall’s main stage in 2005; has been featured on “From the Top,” the national classical radio show highlighting America’s musical prodigies; and has performed at Madison Square Garden and at The Meadowlands for Knicks and Nets games.

His humanitarian endeavors include his musical charity foundation, Children Helping Children (CHC,) which raises funds for hospital pediatric divisions and medical charities. He has also received the NY State and National Prudential Spirit Award and the NY state Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award.

Academically, Urbach won the Dupont National Science Essay Competition in 2006 and was a participant in the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

About the Artists Ascending Series

For more than 40 years the Artists Ascending Concert Series has brought to Memphis some of the world’s most promising young classical musicians, most of whom have gone on to achieve international recognition, including violinists Itzhak Perlman and Gil Shaham; conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim; pianist Misha Dichter; opera singer Roberta Peters; clarinetist Jonathan Bliss and many others.

The Artists Ascending Concert Series is dedicated to the memory of Philip Belz, a visionary leader and builder whose love of G-d and music are expressed by the performances of the young artists who have participated in the concert series. The Artists Ascending Concert Series is sponsored by the Belz Family. For more information, contact event chairman Leonid Saharovici at (901) 751-2036.

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