Family Pets

Mesa, AZ â?? â??Youâ??re All I Want for Christmasâ? a family-friendly, holiday performance combining musical sketches, improv and audience interaction will be held 7 p.m., Dec 16 and 18 at the Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St. in Mesa.

The special event stars world-renowned pianist Marvin Goldstein, Actor and Songwriter Kirby Heyborne and Classical Vocalist Sarah Morgann.  Tickets are $25 and $35 at the Mesa Arts Center box office or at www.mesaartscenter.com.  Information is also available by calling 480-644-6500.

â??This performance is unique in that it offers festive and inspirational fun for everyone in the family,â? said Cory Ellsworth, promoter of the project. â??Experiences, rather than presents, really create the kind of holiday joy that many individuals are missing.  Those who see â??Youâ??re All I Want for Christmasâ? are sure to walk away with a holiday glow that will be remembered for many years to come.â?

The joyous theme of the concert is an integral part of Goldsteinâ??s approach to music and life.  He created the Goldsteinâ??s Peace through Music Foundation.  The organizationâ??s mission is to bridge the cultural, religious and political differences of people everywhere through the medium of music.

Goldstein, who is Jewish by birth but converted to the Mormon faith, has received world-wide recognition not only for his musical talents, but also for his humanitarian efforts.  One notable event was a highly successful tour in Haifa and Jerusalem, Israel, that brought Arabic, Israeli and American Jazz vocalists together in a night of Peace through Music.

Goldstein will also be an expert instructor in the Music & Music Business Seminar at the Phoenix Mesa Marriott, 200 N. Centennial Way in Mesa, Dec. 17 and 18.  The event is sponsored by Adelaide Music Group.  Signup is available online, through or at www.theadelaidemusicgroup.com or by calling 480-766-0381.

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ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

Marvin Goldstein, a highly acclaimed pianist, arranger and entertainer, began musical training at age 9. When he was 18 years old Marvin was awarded a music scholarship to Tel Aviv University School of Music, Tel Aviv, Israel. His studies continued at the famed â??Mozarteumâ? of Salzburg, Austria. He completed a Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. His performance degrees were earned on the French horn. Marvin has many honors to his credit. He is listed in Whoâ??s Who in Music in Europe at Cambridge, England. Additionally, Marvin is a National Keyboard Artist with the Kawai America Corporation. Marvin is currently working with Palestinian and Israeli singers, Arab and Jewish. He believes the power of music can, given the opportunity, change hearts, minds and souls and bring a lasting peace to The Middle East.Marvin travels extensively sharing his gift of music. Performances have included Anchorage, Alaska, Oahu, Hawaii, Copenhagen, Denmark, Amsterdam, Holland, Brussells, Belgium, Central America, various provinces of Canada, London, England, Sydney Australia at the Opera House and many more. He performed last year in the Baltic Capitals, Italy and Greece as well as several appearances all over the continental USA.

Kirby Heyborne is a singer, songwriter and actor who is known for his work in LDS films.  He is a self-taught musician who began playing the guitar at age 15.  He began writing his own music and lyrics and later toured Utah with the bands Shasta Daisy and Bentleigh.  In the mid 1990s he and band mate Marc Thorup, opened as an acoustic duo for various artists such as Peter Breinholt, Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band. During the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games, Bentleigh performed at various events and parties and opened for N’SYNC at the Olympic Medals Plaza.

After graduating from the University of Utah, Kirby signed with an agent and began a career in acting.  While working on film, The R.M., Kirby let the producers know that he was a practicing musician.  He recorded both a hymn for a soundtrack, followed by one of his personal favorites, â??I Believe in Santa Clausâ? for an upcoming Christmas album. In 2003 Kirby recorded a pop album and filmed a “making of the band” mockumentary called Sons of Provo. One of Kirbyâ??s songs from the soundtrack, Beautiful Inside, caught the attention of filmmaker Christian Vuissa and they recorded the album Inside during December of 2004.  Kirbyâ??s second solo album, Braver Days is released with Nathan DeVore as producer.  Kirby has appeared in 23 movies and television episodes and is the associate producer of Singles 2nd Ward and co-producer of Take a Chance, and Pirates of the Great Salt Lake.

Sarah Morgann is a vocalist from North Carolina. Her voice training comes from Dan Truhitte, famed for his movie role of Rolfe in The Sound of Music. She has been singing solo since the age of six. The requests for Sarahâ??s performances became so many by the age of twelve that she recorded a CD, Sarah Morgann.  This led directly to recording with Marvin Goldstein, famed concert pianist.  Their first collaboration, Journey of the Soul, has been tremendously successful. Their second album together, Angels We Have Heard On High, is a favorite in its genre.  After an inspiring trip to perform in Israel, Marvin and Sarah recorded Life of Christ, which was released in 2002.  Sarahâ??s fifth CD, Voices of Nauvoo, is a celebration of the Nauvoo, Illinois LDS temple and the people throughout the past who worked so hard to build it.  Her sixth CD, Cantatrice, is a compilation of classic love songs.  On this CD, Sarah collaborates once more with Marvin Goldstein and sings two special numbers with her friend and mentor, Dan Truhitte.   Sarahâ??s latest release, Encore, is full of deep reflections and emotions.  Two more CDâ??s will be released in the coming months and include some of Sarahâ??s own songs.

Currently, Sarah works recording for composers.  She frequently performs at benefits and at relief organizations, and she devotes her talents and resources on behalf of causes such as battered women, the Humane Society and the Red Cross. Sarah travels and performs at firesides, concerts, and special events.