Host Julia Figueras welcomes faculty members of the MostArts Festival at Alfred University to the WXXI studios for Backstage Pass on Tuesday, June 21 at 1 p.m. on Classical 91.5. In conversation with Brenda Tremblay, Brian Donat tells the story of how he became a cellist because of a misunderstanding. “It was then I realized music is so much more than just performing.”. His cello has floated to islands and scaled mountains. In conversation with Brenda Tremblay, Brian Donat tells the story of how he became a cellist because of a misunderstanding. Brian performed and taught across the Adirondack region for nearly a decade before moving to Webster, NY in November of 2017. View Brian Donat’s profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Musicians of Rochester: Maria Battista-Hancock, Backstage Pass with MostArts Festival Faculty - 06/21/16. Student California State University East Bay Foundation June 2010 – June 2014 4 years 1 month. Brian has 1 job listed on their profile. “In my family, I like to say we had music for dessert,” says Maria. See all 1 articles. View Brian Donato’s profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Born in the sunny south of Italy, Maria-Battista Hancock grew up surrounded by music. Brian graduated from the Greatbatch School of Music at Houghton College in 2007. Brian Donat’s Articles. He currently plays with the Southern Tier Symphony in Olean, and the Penfield Symphony Orchestra in Penfield. Donat is best remembered for his role as the school master in Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939). View Brian Donat, AIC’S profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Going Homeless. You'll also hear him share the reasons why he especially loves playing Verdi's Requiem and some of the key lessons he learned practicing in a cabin in the woods during the summer of 2012 at the Meadowmount School. Brian currently teaches privately from his home in Webster and is an active freelancer across Western New York. He has performed abroad in Italy and Australia, as well as with the Glens Falls Symphony, the Orchestra of Northern NY (Potsdam), the Battenkill Chorale (Saratoga Springs), Hubbard Hall Opera (Cambridge), the MostArts Festival (Alfred), and just about everywhere in between. She's non-verbal, but when we played music as a family, her face would light up and she would try to sing along,” says Maria. Brian Donat is The Adirondack Cellist, and he's performed on wild peaks, in hunting cabins, and on lakeside docks. You'll also hear him share the reasons why he especially loves playing Verdi's Requiem and some of the key lessons he learned practicing in a cabin in the woods during the summer of 2012 at the Meadowmount School. Brian has 3 jobs listed on their profile. The music you expect, the voices you know, when times are tough. September 15, 2014 162 views; Experience. Australian film critic Brian McFarlane writes: "Class-ridden and sentimental perhaps, it remains extraordinarily touching in his Oscar-winning performance, and it ushers in the Donat of the postwar years." This summer festival features talented musicians from across the country performing chamber and orchestral music, and a Young Pianist Competition, as well as workshops in ceramics and glass blowing at area art exhibitions and museums. When he's not playing the cello, he can usually be found playing outside - running hiking, biking, skiing or gardening. As the Adirondack Cellist, he has won the WeddingWire Couples' Choice award for five years in a row for his wedding services; he's played for countless local events and productions and collaborated with soprano Holly McCormack as the duo Cello Voce. Its sound has echoed across remote lakes and dense pine forests. It was through music that Maria learned how to speak English, and through music that she found her calling—music therapy. Brian has 9 jobs listed on their profile. WXXI Public Broadcasting Council, 280 State Street, Rochester, NY 14614, (585) 325-7500. “My cousin Giovanna is a few years younger than me and has Down syndrome.