Please join us as we celebrate 63 years of “Bringing to YOU, Musicians at their Best.”

Members of Symphony East gather throughout the year for a series of luncheons featuring guest speakers and artists. In recent years, members and guests have enjoyed a splendid variety of musical programs: solo and group performances by Pittsburgh Symphony musicians, various vocal presentations; jazz and popular music performers; the CAPA show choir; and the Franklin Regional Band’s Wind Ensemble previewing their Thanksgiving Day and Tournament of Roses parades performances.
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Our April Event:

Gemma Stemler

Flutist, Author and Poet

Monday, April 21  1:00 PM

Gemma Stemley is a writer, poet, retired College administrator, and musician, having played the flute for several years professionally. She was born in Trinidad and Tobago and emigrated to the US more than twenty-five years ago.  However, she has strong ties with Trinidad through her family who still reside on the island.  She now pays regular visits home, especially to coincide with carnival or Christmas.

As a poet and musician whose art reflects a deep connection to the land of her upbringing, she epitomizes the true Caribbean spirit.  Her poetry explores the intimate emotions of growing up in the one place where she can only receive a birth certificate and where her ancestors are buried.  Gemma has performed on several college campuses, where she was hired to play her Caribbean music.  She has also made appearances to read her poetry.

Gemma has a BS from the University of the West Indies and a Master’s degree from Clarion University in Library and Information Science.  She is ABD (All But Dissertation) having completed coursework for her PhD in Literature and Criticism from Indiana University of Pa. She taught classes at both Clarion University and Cheyney University in International Women’s literature while working as an administrator on both these campuses. Being an avid reader in world literature she is especially influenced by Caribbean, African, Indian and African American writers.  She loves the poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks, Derek Walcott and Rabindranath Tagore.

Gemma volunteers to play music for the senior community in Pittsburgh. She is also an advocate for continuing education beyond High School as she and her husband, Calvin Stemley award three scholarships each year to graduating seniors who are African Americans. Gemma has published two books, one of which received an award from the National Indie Book of Excellence. It is an exploration of the meaning of home and is entitled-Finding Home and Sentimental Journey. Her most recent book- Sharing Spaces: Poems of the Heart is a collection of her poems.

Lamplighter Restaurant Ballroom

6566 William Penn Highway

Route 22 East

Delmont, PA  15626

 

 

 

 

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Contact us at info@symphonyeast.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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