Benefit concert a tribute to Dr Marilyn Meier-Kapavale

A benefit concert will be held in Australia on Saturday May 26 for Dr Marilyn Meier-Kapavale, an internationally acclaimed pianist who is battling a rare form of liver cancer.

Marilyn is an Australian pianist from a multicultural background with a Tongan mother and Australian-born German father. She has won many awards as a pianist, and performed in many countries around the world before returning to Australia to raise a family of three children.

Her father Hermann said that due to her illness, Marilyn had this year resigned her position at the University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba as Head of Keyboard, having held this position since beginning of 2007.

"Marilyn’s career as a pianist and teacher has had an amazing impact on people all over the world, and in the last 12 months she has continued to bless many people by her warm smile, her sense of humour and her courage and optimism as she has undergone many rounds of chemotherapy," said Hermann.

"She is now a single mum facing further medical treatment and on-going expenses for her children's future. What better way to bless her than by having a benefit concert!"

Dr Meier-Kapavale's research interests include piano and performance practices and techniques, the music of Frederic Chopin and Tongan music. She has recorded three albums titled Just Chopin, Liszt Legends and Country Gardens. In Tonga, over the years she has organised tours by Australian performers and orchestras, was a frequent performer for the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal for services to music in Tonga.

The Benefit Concert for Marilyn will be held on May 26, at the Camden Civic Centre, NSW, Australia, at 7:30pm and will include performances by local community groups, soloists and her former students. It is organized by AGAPE, the Amazing Grace Academy of Performing Excellence.- Press Release.  Enquiries: maladaki [at] bigpond [dot] net [dot] au