Students at Ellenville Elementary School were inspired by a brilliant performance by a world-renowned pianist on Friday. Soheil Nasseri, who was born in Santa Monica and now resides in Berlin, Germany and New York City, played pieces from his new concert tour. The program included:

· Mozart: Sonata No. 18 in D Major, K576

· Chopin: Scherzo No. 2 and No. 4, Nocturne in E minor, Waltzes in D-flat major and C-sharp minor

· Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsodies No. 6 and No. 9, Petrarch Sonnet 104, Un Sospiro

Nasseri spent Thursday night at a private home in Ulster Heights, where he enjoyed the close contact with nature before performing Friday morning. He encouraged his audience of school children, grades 3 to 6, to keep their eyes wide open to all new experiences, to be on the lookout for what they like to do, and invest time and energy to become good at it.

Nasseri also spoke about the lives and challenges faced by the composers whose work he performed. The children engaged Nasseri with thoughtful, funny and enlightening questions and comments.

Nasseri has performed at more than 60 public schools. In addition to extensive critical acclaim for his playing, via television, radio and the internet he has been seen and heard by millions of people. As a recording artist, he has released eight solo discs on the Naxos, Centaur, 21CCC and Mahoor labels. In addition, he is committed to new music, with nine composers having written pieces specifically for him. For more information, visit soheilnasseri.com.