Concert à la Carte
Concert a la Carte is an exciting boutique collection of musical and educational programming. We have seven unique programs to choose from for your next concert, or you can create your own concert program.
With Anna Kusner (guitar, lute), Peter Omelchenko (domra, mandolin), and Luda Bard (narrator), Concert a la Carte will deliver a one-of-a-kind performance designed to perfection according to your preferences.
We offer virtuoso interpretations of classical, folk favorites, and international music with fun and educational stories. You choose the program(s) to support, and we guarantee to make it happen.
We can do FacebookLive or Zoom performances as well as live performances in your house or a concert hall. We offer programming in English and Russian.
To plan your own program by us please contact Luda Bard, Concert a la Carte Producer, at 443-538-8153.
WHO ARE WE?
Concert a la Carte is an amazing group of three accomplished musicians who found each other through their shared love of music and music education. Together, they combine the joy of performing virtuoso interpretations of classical, folk favorites, and international music along with interesting and educational stories.
Peter Omelchenko, a domra/mandolin virtuoso, arranger, composer, and conductor; is a graduate of the well-known elite Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow. Peter has performed with the leading National Osipov Balalaika Orchestra and was an artistic director, conductor, and soloist of the Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra. Now, Peter is the president of the nonprofit East-West Cultural and Educational Center in Pikesville, Maryland.
Anna Kusner, a guitarist, graduated from the State Gnessin Music College in Moscow. In a duo with a Bolshoi Theater singer, she performed Russian art songs for several years at the Moscow Philharmonic Society. After graduating from the Academy of Music in Jerusalem in 1995, Anna performed with chamber orchestras and ensembles on Israeli TV, radio, and at music festivals. She has taught classical guitar widely, and has somehow found time to record sixteen CDs!
Luda Bard, a producer, narrator, presenter, and educator. When she is not performing, she is Chair of the Life Sciences Department and Professor of Genetics and Microbiology at Howard Community College in Maryland.
Around the World with Jewish Music: Then and Now!
Ashkenazi and Sephardi History, Music, Songs, Languages and Traditions
Around the World with Jewish Music: Then and Now! is an exquisite and enthralling educational program featuring Ashkenazi and Sephardi History, Music, Songs, Languages, and Traditions. This program compares and contrasts Jewish music from the past and present as well as investigates different traditions and cultures that became a part of Jewish culture. You will hear familiar Yiddish and Ladino melodies and will be introduced to new sounds. The program is interactive: the audience will sing and play musical instruments throughout the concert along with the performers. Around the World with Jewish Music: Then and Now! is performed by internationally known performing artists Peter Omelchenko (a virtuoso domrist) and Anna Kusner (a classical guitarist). The program is narrated by Luda Bard (Professor of Biological Sciences and Faculty Advisor for the Jewish group at HCC).
Enjoy this short demo of our program. And watch more of our Jewish music program videos.
From Baroque to Flamenco
From Baroque to Flamenco is a unique program that was captured on a CD “Fantasy for Two“. The program features arrangements from the Baroque to Flamenco. You will hear unique interpretations of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee” and D. Shostakovich – Second Waltz from the Suite for Jazz Orchestra №2, and many many more. You will be entertained through interesting stories about composers and their creations.
With Anna Kusner (guitar, lute) and Peter Omelchenko (domra, mandolin), and Luda Bard as a narrator, Concert a la Carte is a one-of-a-kind performance made to perfection according to your preferences. We offer virtuoso interpretations of classical, folk favorites, and international music with fun and educational stories.
Listen to us perform Lara’s Theme (from Doctor Zhivago) by Maurice Jarre.
Three & Three
A new concert program called “Three & Three” includes vocal and instrumental masterpieces by the three most famous composers of the 18th century – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach, and George Frideric Handel. The music is rearranged for the classical guitar, domra, and soprano.
With Anna Kusner (guitar, lute) and Peter Omelchenko (domra, mandolin), Yulia Petrachuk (soprano), and Luda Bard as a narrator, Concert a la carte is a one-of-a-kind performance made to perfection according to your preferences. We offer virtuoso interpretations of classical, folk favorites, and international music with fun and educational stories.
Listen to our rehearsal of this program.
Our guest artist, Yulia Petrachuk, a soprano, studied at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and is a graduate of Bern Opera Studio in Bern, Switzerland. Her debut as a professional opera singer was with the State TheaterBern, Switzerland, in 2010. Yulia specializes in contemporary operas and other forms of vocal music of the 20th century. She has performed at many world and US premieres. Ms. Petrachuk has robust experience in international performing art projects’, execution, and collaborations in the USA and EU. Yulia is an active performer and a soloist in many famous venues such as Salzburg Mozarteum in Austria, Carnegie Hall in NYC, Gotha Theater in Germany, Musikvereinin Vienna, Bolshoi Hall in Moscow and others.
Music of the World
We are excited to present this incredibly exciting new program “Music of the World”. The program guarantees to have something special and dear to everyone’s heart. It is truly a musical trip around the world. In a time of limited travel opportunities, this is a great chance to experience the music of Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean.
With Anna Kusner (guitar, lute) and Peter Omelchenko (domra, mandolin), and Luda Bard as a narrator, Concert a la carte is a one-of-a-kind performance made to perfection according to your preferences. We offer virtuoso interpretations of classical, folk favorites, and international music with fun and educational stories.
Enjoy this recording of Paganini’s Carnival of Venice.
Modern Suite – Bach, Vivaldi, Paganini
Modern Suite is a new program of modern arrangements of baroque and classical masterpieces by Antonio Vivaldi, J.S. Bach, Nicolo Paganini, and many others, along with interesting stories about the composers and their creations.
With Anna Kusner (guitar, lute) and Peter Omelchenko (domra, mandolin), and Luda Bard as a narrator, Concert a la carte is a one-of-a-kind performance made to perfection according to your preferences. We offer virtuoso interpretations of classical, folk favorites, and international music with fun and educational stories.
A familiar and much-loved piece orchestrated for our instruments – Bach’s Air from Orchestral Suite.
Children’s Music Program
The Children’s Music program is a unique interactive educational music program for the entire family. You will be able to sing, play musical instruments, dance, act out, and spend quality time together as a family. You will be able to learn words in new languages and remember songs from your childhood.
With Anna Kusner (guitar, lute) and Peter Omelchenko (domra, mandolin), and Luda Bard as a narrator, Concert a la carte is a one-of-a-kind performance made to perfection according to your preferences. We offer virtuoso interpretations of classical, folk favorites, and international music with fun and educational stories.
Enjoy a sample of our Children’s concert.