Concert: Steve Hom and Melissa Jean Chavez

On Wednesday, Aug.12 at 7 p.m. Steve Hom and Melissa Jean Chavez will perform at the Village Center. Melissa Jean Chávez has been acclaimed by the Washington Post for her “voluptuous voice” and “coolly exemplary production.” She did her apprenticeship for four years as young artist at the prestigious Castleton Festival, directed by Lorin Maazel, and has been a soprano soloist with the United States Army Chorus and with several full orchestras. Melissa is a winner of the Bach-Handel Competition, and was a finalist in the American Prize for Opera, among other competitions. She attended the Shenandoah Conservatory and has studied with Susanne Mentzer, Debra Lawrence, Stanford Olsen, Aimé Sposato and Richard Kennedy. She will be accompanied by guitarist Steve Hom who has performed with many of the top area jazz singers at venues such as the Strathmore Mansion, Silver Spring Veterans Plaza, and the 6th & I Historic Synagogue. He has entertained numerous ambassadors, members of Congress, the Governor of Maryland, and the Mayor of Washington, D.C., among others.