I Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 Christine Re-:K:'er C^'ieg.;:n Billy Test performs a solo jazz piano concert at the State Theatre on Sunday. Test is currently pursuing double degrees in jazz-piano studies and classical piano performance at Williamn Patterson University. Pianist returns, holds concert By Robin Tilley COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Billy Test plays the piano as if no one is around. Bobbing his head, tapping his foot and humming along with his songs, he acknowledges nothing but his hands, his piano and his mind where he keeps his extensive musical librarv. Test, a 2007 State College Area High School graduate, performed a solo jazz piano concert Sunday afternoon at the State Theatre. 130 W College Ave. He played pieces by composers like Miles Davis, as well as origi nal compositions, addressing the audience between songs to explain each piece. He not only attracted the audience with his talent, but also with his personal ity. "He has a gracious stage pres ence. w’hieh is something you don't ahvays see." said Eric Kernfeld. a current senior at State College Area High School. Kernfeld was a freshman when Test was a senior, and he said Test is now' a legend at the high school. Test attends William Paterson University’ in Wayne. N.J.. where he is pursuing double degrees in jazz piano studies and classical piano performance, according to his Web site. k He told the audience it s a fng eam come true to perform in Writers, Take Note The Daily Collegian to attend r. jj-sss-jsrr---- Whether it's or regional ts jf you widely read by fenow are a Collegian reporter. his former hometown. But his past performances hav e already moved well beyond Pennsylvania and New Jersey By the age of 15, Test had per formed three times in Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. During the last few years, he's played for public figures like President Jimmy Carter and the princess of Sweden, according to his Web site. He has also instructed masters classes in piano in China while touring with other musicians from William Paterson. Nancy Crane, a State College resident who attended the con cert. said Test's personality and willingness to perform makes him stand out from other musi "Artistry is one thing, but he is a performer." she said. Boalsburg resident Chris Lee. whose daughter play ed in a high school jazz ensemble with Test, cailed him "playful" for dancing and humming to his own music. Test shines in comparison to some other musicians, partially because of his vouth. he said. "To be so good at such a y oung age ... and so astute in classic jazz is remarkable." Lee said. "He's like the neighborhood kid playing great jazz." To e-mail reporter: rmtso4B@psu.edu ro interested in app'y'» n 9 for Kwssess*’ Zola’s to feature oil By Stephanie Goga COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Those looking to escape the hassles of everyday life may seek comfort in "Tao of Landscape," the latest exhibition from local artist and Penn State graduate Veronica Winters. Hosting 15 large oil paintings mainly focused on landscapes of Utah. California and other scenery, the works of art may help viewers become more con nected to nature. Winters said. "They make people want to go out and explore the natural won ders instead of being in the office at all times and working on the computer." she said. "It's more about relaxation and looking at nice scenes and colors and imag ining the places you could go." Winters received her Master of Fine Arts degree in 2005 from Penn State and now paints full time in her State College home. She also teaches at the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania and the Galaxy; a local art educa tion program. "Tao of Landscape" continues until Feb. 7 at Zola New World Bistro. 324 W College Ave. Winters said the exhibition is a testament to some of her favorite pastimes: traveling and taking pictures. She said she usually starts with photographs for her oil paintings, making sketches and then painting. The restaurant tries to feature work from local artists. Winters Students write 30 poems in 30 days By Chidi Ugwu COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Thirty poems in 30 days: that's the challenge two Penn State stu dents have set for themselves. Once Quay Anthony (junior women's studies and human development and family studies' decided to write 30 poems in one month - a project he's calling "30 in 30" he posted a message on Facebook asking if anyone would like to do it with him. He quickly received a response from student Chris King. I'm really interested in writing poetry, and I had heard that Quay was looking for someone to do it with, so I thought it was a good opportunity." said King (senior If you go What: “Tao of Landscape” by Veronica Winters When: Now through Feb. 7 Where: Zola New World Bistro, 324 W. College Ave. Details: Admission is free said, and she's pleased with the exhibition space. Laura Winn Kane, an artist and friend of Winters, said she used to help at Zola by setting up work from other local artists. "They have always hung work from local artists since they opened." Kane said. "It's fabu lous. because a lot of people don't necessarily go to art galleries this is a nice way for artists to get their work out there." Kane had seen Winters' still life art before, but the variety of skills used in "Tao of Landscape" was new to her. "These are mostly landscape oriented paintings, which I’m not as familiar with," Kane said. "It's nice to see that she's able to do different subject matters." Though Winters said she does n't belong to any particular reli gion. her spiritual journeys and the spiritual quality’ of landscapes inspired the exhibition's title. She said the exhibition is reflective of most of her artwork which she describes as somewhat ethereal. "It's a larger purpose for me to criminal justice and African and African American studies). Anthony was inspired by simi lar projects executed by other poets in the past. "Poets do this kind of thing all the time, but I haven't seen any one do it in a while, and I thought that now would be a good time to start." he said. A love of poetry isn't new’ for Anthony or King. .Anthony has been writing seriously since he was in fifth grade, while King said he's been writing since junior high. That said, their methods of writing differ drastically. "Before I started this. I wrote down thirty’ topics and I created a title for each." .Anthony said. "The title of the topic could become the layouts: Tuesday, Jan. 2-3:30 pm 6-7:30 pm Wednesday, Jan. 20 2-3:30 6-7:30 Thursday, 2-3:30 Bring: A pencil and blue exam book Where: 123 South Burrowes Street Any questions? Call News Adviser John Harvey at 865-3842 a 2 | O-^COLLEGIAN 5 m co CO H BEAVER AVE W The Daily Collegian The D uly Collegian paintings Courtesy of Veronica Winters Oil paintings by local artist Veronica Winters will be at Zola New World Bistro through early February. Winters' collection is titled "Tao of Landscape." study nature in my surreal work she said. Katya Bazilevskaya. Class of 2009, who visited the exhibition, said she particularly loves Winters' landscapes and thought Zola was a great place to socialize and view’ art. "I don't think there are other artists who draw in that style." Bazilevskaya said. "I think she's unique." To e-mail reporter: scgso2s@psu.edu actual title of the poem or just another line in it, and I just cross off the topics as I go." King tends to work in the oppo site direction: He only titles his poems after he's finished writing them. Instead of starting out with a list of topics, he writes them down as they come to him. The poets say there's no com mon theme to their poems, but both are inspired by real-life situ ations. "The things I talk about aren't things that people really want to hear but they're things that need to be talked about" Anthony said. "...I put myself out there to be judged." To e-mail reporter: ciusol2@psu.edu pm pm Jdn« 21 PSU CAMPUS COLLEGE AVE
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