After hundreds of performances with several famous groups, George Komsky, of Danville, is going solo.
The 24-year-old tenor takes the stage March 19 at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek.
He will perform songs he describes as “opera, pop opera, Neapolitan classics and musical surprises.”
George was the lead soloist for the North American tour of Riverdance, the internationally acclaimed Irish dancing show, in 2004. He also starred in “Twelve Irish Tenors,” a Dublin Worldwide Production, touring throughout the U.S., and was one of the contestants on “America’s Got Talent” in its first season (as George Kelly).
George and his parents, Henry and Irene, have lived in Danville since 1991. They moved to the Bay Area with George’s grandparents and other family members.
“We’re blessed to be here. We were immigrants right after the (Berlin) Wall fell,” said George. “It was very difficult to leave Russia; my family was denied a visa for 10 years, and it was like nine years of hell. It’s difficult to understand when you live in an open society.”
Inspired by his pianist grandfather, George began vocal training when he was 11. Even then, he dreamed of performing in the Bel Canto singing style made famous by Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Tito Schipa. He is a 2003 graduate of Monte Vista High School in Danville, where he was chosen to be in the school’s renowned Chamber Choir and travel with them to Italy in 2001 to perform Verdi’s “Requiem” in St. Paul’s Basilica in Rome.
George graduated in 2007 from UCLA, where he was in the opera program. He said that 25 minutes after his last college final, he auditioned for the “Twelve Irish Tenors” tour.
“I just knew I hadn’t gotten it,” he said. “I’d gone without sleep for two days, studying my hardest subject (economics), and it showed in my tryout. Then six or seven weeks later, I got the call that I’d made it.”
George now studies with Seth Riggs, a world-renowned vocal teacher whose students have included Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole and Josh Groban.
He said working with Riggs has changed his life and his understanding of the Italian style of singing. He works with Riggs in Los Angeles, but comes back to Danville often. At the request of family friend Joyce Tucker, George sang two romantic arias at the recent wedding of Tom and Malissa Behring. Tom is the oldest son of Kenneth and Pat Behring and the wedding and reception took place at their Blackhawk estate.
“George Komsky Live in Concert” begins at 8 p.m. March 19 in the Margaret Lesher Theatre at the Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at www.lesherartscenter.org or by calling 925-943-7469.
A portion of the proceeds from George’s concert will be donated to the Wheelchair Foundation, which was started by Kenneth Behring. The foundation’s mission is to provide a wheelchair for everyone in the world who needs one but can’t afford it.
George will also perform at the eighth annual Wheelchair Foundation charity ball, “Chilean Delights,” on Feb. 27 at the Blackhawk Museum. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes hors d’oeuvres, wine-tasting, dinner, live music, a stage show, and live and silent auctions.
The cost per person is $150. For ticket information, contact Jeff Behring at 925-648-3829 or jeffbehring@wineforwheels.org.
SOURCE: Contra Costa Times
