Bryan has been taking lessons from Keis for two years.
“It makes me happy to play and it shows all your hard work,” Bryan said, of the recital.
“Hard work pays off.”
Keis and another one of his students, 16-year-old pianist Ian Irwin, played an improvised piano duet. Ian played the piano and Keis performed on the keyboard. The two received a standing ovation after their performance.
“I’m glad I can put on a good show,” Ian, a Burbank resident, said. “It makes me feel good that people can connect to it.”
Keis, whose been playing the piano for 45 years, complimented his students at the end of the recital.
“I think they did marvelous,” he said.
After the recital ended, guests headed toward the courtyard in the recital hall where Valerie’s artwork stood on display.
Valerie, a Glendale resident, exhibited her watercolor portraits, still lives, and paintings of animals. Her work also included the western themed drawings she did for the invitations for Gene Autry Museum’s fashion show fundraiser in April.
“It’s fabulous work,” said Glendale resident, Leroy Smith. “We have some of her work at home. She’s an all around good girl too.”
Glendale resident Russell Dawe also attended the recital and art show.
“The music was quite good,” Dawe said. “Although I like the more conventional classical. I’m old school.”
Dawe met Valerie during her visit to the Elms’ Convalescent Home, where his wife was staying. Valerie stopped by to paint with the residents.
“She has a lot of talent,” he said.
As people admired her work, Valerie explained her technique.
“I think it’s a good thing to see how people react,” she said.
“If the work is well received, it’s a good thing.”
