BETWEEN TWO WORLDS

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Date and time
Saturday, September 26 · 4:30pm - 6pm EDT

Location:
The Gallery at the Betsy Hotel 
(Enter the property at 1433 Collins Avenue for the venue. If you are valet parking, enter at 1440 Ocean Drive).  

About the event: 

Between Two Worlds brings together music, literature, and personal reflection in an intimate performance by violinist and author Yasa Poletaeva, joined by pianist Darren Matias. Drawing on Poletaeva’s book, How to Move to America, or a Journey from St. Petersburg to Florida, the program weaves live music with readings and conversation, exploring migration, cultural identity, belonging, and the sometimes unexpected experience of making a home in a new country.

Music becomes another voice in the story. Works ranging from Mozart and Rachmaninoff to Massenet, Monti, and Matt Riley create a musical journey of their own—by turns intimate, nostalgic, lyrical, and exuberant. Together, words and music illuminate the spaces between places and cultures, memory and reinvention, and the lives we leave behind and the ones we build.

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DARREN MATIAS · piano
YASA POLETAEVA · author & violin

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Program:

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Works of Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Massnet, Monti and more

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COME EARLY AND JOIN US FOR A WELCOME RECEPTION 🥂🍾​

Begin the afternoon with us at 4:00 PM for a welcome reception at The Betsy, with complimentary Prosecco and non-alcoholic refreshments, before Between the Lines begins at 4:30 PM.​

One complimentary beverage is included with each admission.
The performance begins promptly at 4:30 PM.

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS

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YASA POLETAEVA · AUTHOR & VIOLIN

Yasa Poletaeva is a sought-after violinist hailing from Saint Petersburg, Russia. A graduate of Saint Petersburg Conservatory, she concertized in United States, Russia, and several cities in Europe. This season, she will be touring in New York City, Boston, California, Florida, and in the South East Asia region as a member of the Contrasts Duo. As a soloist, Yasa appeared several times with the Lynn Philharmonia, High Peak Festival Orchestra, Saint Petersburg Symphony, Wagner Festival Orchestra (Germany), and World International Youth Orchestra (Italy). She is a winner of the 4th "Violin of the North" International Competition, First Russian Chamber Music Competition, and the Ovcharek International Chamber Music Competition (Russia), Lyric Chamber Music Competition (USA), finalist of Coleman (Pasadena, 2014) and Fishoff (Notre Dame, 2014), Arriaga (New York, 2015) Chamber Music Competitions, Carnegie Hall fellowship (New York, 2014). Just recently she has performed for Donald Trump, countess de Hoernle, Sisaundra Lewis (X-factor), Lillie McCloud (The Voice), Linda Eder, and Jon Secada. Yasa is the recipient of the Boca West scholarship fund for her studies at Lynn Conservatory. She is currently pursuing Master of Music degree under the tutelage of an internationally renowned violinist, Elmar Oliveira. Ms. Poletaeva also happens to be the grand prize winner of the Miss Saint Petersburg beauty pagean

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DARREN MATIAS · PIANO

Darren Matias is equally active as soloist and chamber musician as well. He started playing the piano at the age of 14 and has been a musician ever since. He appeared as soloist of the Charlotte Symphony, Philippine Philharmonic, FilHarmonika, Lynn Philharmonia, Florida Atlantic Symphony, Banda 31 Wind Symphony and several concerts with the University of Santo Tomas Symphony, among others. He received fellowships and assistantship award from the High Peak Summer Festival, New York Summit Festival, Boca West Chorus and Florida Atlantic University. His creative pursuits yielded him into appearing as Mr. Liberace in the Kravis Center and he was even named as the 2008 Ultimate Pianist of the Philippines. He appeared in the masterclasses of Gary Graffman, Leon Fleisher, Arie Vardi, Philippe Entremonte, and Phillip Evans. He also appeared Piano Studio Concert. Mr. Matias earned his Masters and Performance Certificate degrees at Lynn University Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Professor Roberta Rust. He is currently pursuing his Performance Certificate in Collaborative Piano under Professor Lisa Leonard. 

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