By Kelly A. Shue
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Playing to a standing-room only crowd at Greenspring’s 250-seat chapel, Avery Nielsen, grandson of residents Al and Vivian Nielsen, filled the air with the moving music of Bach, Mozart, Brahms, and Chopin.

A grandparent’s wish
“We’ve been trying to have Avery play at Greenspring ever since he played at Riderwood for his maternal grandparents two years ago,” says Al Nielsen.

“As a double major in piano and physics at the University of Indiana he is very busy, so scheduling a time for him to come and play for us was no small task. But we are so glad he was able to play here. Everyone really enjoyed themselves.”

An accomplished pianist, graduate of Washington, D.C.’s Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts, and current piano student at the University of Indiana, Avery visited Greenspring prior to his performance in search of the perfect venue.

“He really liked the setting in the chapel,” says Nielsen. “It really worked out well, the acoustics were great, and we were happy that many people were able to hear him play.”

Avery’s performance at Greenspring is one of many he has given in the Washington, D.C. area. In addition to winning numerous local competitions, he has performed at The Kennedy Center and Warner Theater and has had his music broadcast internationally.

High caliber performance
During the more than hour-long concert, Avery delighted audience members with a toccata by Bach, a sonata by Mozart, “Six Piano Pieces” by Brahms, and a scherzo by Chopin. Following a standing ovation, Avery concluded with a crowd-pleasing encore of Chopin’s Etude, Opus 10, Number 3, sometimes known as “No Other Love.”