The  Morandini House Concert, on Friday 7th September at 6.30pm, will be a benefit concert for cellist Santiago Cañón Valencia (top prize-winner of the Beijing International Cello Competition 2010, and currently studying at the Waikato University's Conservatorium of Music).

As Santiago embarks on his career as a concert musician, the opportunities for New Zealanders to hear the sublime performances of this young Colombian prodigy will become increasingly rare. And hearing him perform in the intimate surroundings of a house concert will be even rarer.

Santiago is now in his fifth and final year of study in New Zealand with James Tennant. Having first come with his mother at the age of 12 to study with Tennant, Santi is now 17 years of age, and at the end of this year will complete his Bachelor of Music Degree in Cello Performance.

Having Santiago, or Santi as we call him, perform for us has been described as "like having the young Pablo Casals, or Yoyo Ma in our midst'. We are in awe that one so young can play so brilliantly, so flawlessly, already beyond the capabilities of most cellists in the world, but more importantly this is a deeply moving experience  and often his audiences find themselves moved to tears.

Santiago will be accompanied by Katherine Austin. Katherine teaches piano performance at Waikato University and performs as soloist and chamber musician throughout NZ, and as a member of the NZ Chamber Soloists and the Tennant-Austin Duo in Europe, USA and South America. She has performed with Santiago Canon Valencia throughout NZ as well as in Colombia for the past 5 years.

Note: no charge for children under 14 years of age