At St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, music is more than a part of our services. It is one of the ways our parish comes together in worship, celebration, and fellowship.Since 2024, our parish has enjoyed a growing tradition of community concerts that bring together parishioners, families, friends, and musicians of all ages to celebrate the joy of music.

 

 

 

The concert series was created and organized by parish choir member Viktoriia Riabukhina, who joined the choir of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in 2023. Each program featured performances by Viktoriia as a vocalist and pianist alongside performances by her students, creating an opportunity for musicians of different ages and experience levels to share their talents with our community

 

 

 

Viktoriia is a jazz vocalist, pianist, songwriter, and music educator with extensive experience performing and teaching in Russia and the United States. Her work has included performances with her own jazz ensemble, appearances at jazz festivals and concert venues, and performances as a vocalist and pianist with the University of Delaware Jazz Ensemble. She is also the creator of It’s Jazzst for Kids, an educational project that introduces young learners to jazz through original music, interactive performances, and creative activities.

The concert series was created to celebrate music, build community, and provide a welcoming space where performers of all ages could share their gifts after the Sunday Divine Liturgy.

Many of the young musicians spent months preparing for the concerts. For some, it was their very first public performance, while for others it marked another milestone in their musical journey.

 

 

 

Several performances featured original songs from Viktoriia’s It’s Jazzst for Kids project, giving students the opportunity to perform original jazz music written especially for young musicians.

Choir members, parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors gathered to encourage the performers, enjoy live music, and spend time together as a parish family.

 

 

 

“Music has always been about bringing people together,” Viktoriia says. “Whether I’m singing with our choir, performing on stage, or helping a student prepare for a concert, my hope is always the same: to create moments that inspire people and help them feel connected.”

As the concert series continues to grow, it is becoming a cherished tradition at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, bringing our parish together through music, fellowship, and the shared joy of performance.