St. John’s United Church of Christ, 733 Central Avenue, Dunkirk, will present “Christmas Vespers — the Music of Christmas” on Friday, Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m., featuring pianist Ann Rose and violist David Rose.

Ann Rose was born in South Korea, and started playing the piano at age 5. She began improvising and composing at a very early age — two skills which she pursued through her early training, achieving a degree in Composition and Piano from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada. Her teachers have included Sydney Young, Jamie Parker, Glenn Buhr, and Heather Taves. Ann has appeared with the Canadian Chamber ensemble, and has been seen and heard on CBC television. The winner of numerous competitions and awards, her music has been performed and recorded by several artists in Canada, most recently by her former teacher and also by her husband, violist David Rose. Ann received her Master of Piano Performance degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia, studying under Father Sean Duggan, as well as a degree in Music Education. She is the organist at St. John’s UCC in Dunkirk, and teaches choir and general music at Sinclairville Elementary School.

David Rose was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. His principal teachers have been Ernest Kassian, Gerald Stanick at the University of British Columbia, and Atar Arad at Indiana University. He was awarded the position of associate principal viola of the Vancouver Symphony. He served for eight seasons as principal violist of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and violist with the Canadian Chamber Ensemble, as well as teaching at the University of Waterloo. David served as the acting assistant principal violist of the San Francisco Symphony, enjoying involvement in a European tour and the Grammy winning Mahler symphony recording cycle. David plays regularly at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House’s annual Bach and Beyond festival. He is currently associate professor of viola at SUNY Fredonia.

Also taking part will be Ann and David’s sons, Billy and Manny, with their own musical contributions to the program. Billy is in ninth grade. He was in the 2012 Hillman Opera “Gianni Schicchi” at SUNY Fredonia, sometimes serves as accompanist for his school chorus, and enjoys reading and video games. Manny is in sixth grade and enjoys art, board games, video games, and anything to do with outer space. Both boys study piano with Phyllis East.

All are welcome to attend this special celebration of Christmas. Admission is free. Parking and handicapped access is on the Eagle Street entrance of the church. The church phone number is 366-0710.