Donʼt get bit by a tarantella

Cellist and pianist work together in concert

Acombination of modern and folk music came from the music hall of Pierce College that filled the auditorium up to its last seat at the Thursday concert on March 27.

James Bergman, music adjunct and host, introduced the audience to their guests with a quick welcome.

“Please give an applause to Ruslan Biryukov playing the cello and James Lent playing the piano,” Bergman said. “We’re glad to have them both here with us today at Pierce.” even more jealous, he went home and wrote the composition.

The duo, Biryukov and Lent, played with great respect and emotion for their instruments and their audience. The trio gave a dynamic performance.

Biryukov told a brief story about a composition called Tarantella written by David Popper. It was about a beautiful little girl who was bitten by a horrible tarantula and refused to die as she danced her way miraculously back to health. Dance became the antidote that saved her life.

“A piece for a violin and guitar with separate variations on the theme,” Biryukov said.

Lastly, Biryukov shared the differences in his instrument and the violin. He said that a cellist is a little more advanced than a violinist because violinists usually use four fingers and cellists use all five.” another volunteer with her so they can throw the ball, squeak a toy or find out what the dog responds to most, so she can capture the real spirit of the dog in camera, but sometimes she is on her own.

“A lot of people think dogs are in the shelter because they are damaged,” Zuckerman said.

Owner surrenders are the largest category of homeless dogs. People drop the dogs at the shelter because they are moving, don’t have time, and can’t afford the pet anymore. Some even turn in an old dog because they have gotten a new dog, or a younger model.

“I just absolutely love volunteering and finding homes for these dogs,” Liz Goldberg said. Goldberg was sitting in an open area hugging a beauty of a dog named Panda. She is hoping to be able to “foster parent” Panda.

In addition to re-doing the kennel cards the new photo goes online for the shelter.

West Valley Adoptables and Fosters is my Facebook page,” Zuckerman said. “What I do is create a profile for each dog and post a picture on that page.”

Playing compositions by Alexander Arutiunian, Arif Melikov, David Popper, Fikret Amirov and Niccolo Paganini, the duo showed their diversity as musicians when they played two pieces of Armenian and Azerbaijan folk music. They played with great intensity and effortlessly, feeding off the audience’s astonished reaction to their intricate techniques as musicians.

Just before the duo began their piece, Biryukov made a humorous remark to the audience.

“If you ever get bitten by a horrible tarantula don’t dance, call 911,” he said.

While ending on the final piece composed by Niccolo Paganini called “the Moses variations on one string,” Biryukov shared how musicians were so envious of the player that they once cut three strings from his violin. Eager to humiliate Paganini, they were taken back when he was able to finish his entire recital on one string. Winning over the audience and making those envious of him

“It was amazing,” Pierce student Manuel Quezada said. “His passion is different. Some people just perform a piece, but he (Biryukov) performs it with emotion and he adds another element than just performing. I can respect that a million percent. It was great.”

Closing the show, Bergman spoke to the audience with insight on how he met Biryukov at a recital and overheard him play.

“He entertained everyone under the sun like he’s been showing you. He played violin concertos, bass concertos, trumpet concertos, and he didn’t stop playing. I have a lot of respect for a fantastic player and great entertainer,” Bergman said.

The Pierce Student Concert is set to play next Thursday, April 3. Admission is free and doors open at 12:45 p.m. in the Music Hall, Room 3400.

When the dog first comes to the pound a picture is taken, but it is not a good representation of that animal. If the dog is black in color, the photo promotes black dog syndrome. The syndrome prevents dogs getting adopted because there is an association with aggression.

“I saw a couple of stories online about people that were redoing shelter photos and taking photos with backdrops and lighting. It really presented the dogs in a

Zuckerman works at making friends with the dog, the whole time calming him down.

A family of four finds their way into the same hallway.

“We got a new house and are looking for a bigger dog because we already have a small dog and now quite a big yard,” Rosario Acosta said. “Before we rescued one dog and feel this is the way to go.”

Zuckerman takes Tyson to an outdoor area. Usually she has

There is also a database that’s been set up by an outside organization called Shelter Me and it is another place where the profile is set up. Photos and videos are included.

This organization covers all of the Los Angeles County and city shelters and after the original photo is replaced, the online pictures of the animals make them more adoptable.

The photos just portray the dogs in a better light, not scared in a dark room like people imagine when coming to the shelter. The dogs could now be perceived as a family dog, there outside in the yard running and playing. It really shows the better traits of their personality.

According to Zuckerman, there is a whole emotional aspect to taking photos of animals especially in a kill shelter.

Just walking through the door of the kill shelter alone is enough to put emotions on high alert.

“I know I’m here for a purpose and I know I can save the life of an animal. I know there is no guarantee, but it is worth it to put the effort out to do something for them.”

For more information, look up West Valley Adoptables and Fosters on Facebook.