LCC students to benefit from
Enrique Chia performance on Oct. 16

In an effort to generate more than $50,000 in scholarships for the benefit of Laredo Community College students, the LCC Citizens Advisory Committee will host a Fall 2003 Concert Gala featuring Grammy-nominated recording artist Enrique Chia and his Latin Ensemble on Oct. 16 at the new Martinez Fine Arts Center.
The evening affair will begin with a reception featuring wine and hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m. The concert performance will begin at 8:15 p.m.
LCC Citizens Advisory Committee chair David Kalisz says that Laredo and area citizens will have a special opportunity to enjoy a music concert featuring a high-caliber performing artist with a unique style of music.
"Maestro Chia is a talented pianist who is recognized internationally for entertaining music lovers with his romantic boleros, tangos, and other traditional styles so well known and loved in our culture," said Kalisz.
The multi-talented Chia is a man caught between his passion for science and the romantic allure of his music. Chia, who began playing the piano at age five, studied in his native Cienfuegos, Cuba, at Havana's Conservatory of Music. In 1961, as Cuba's political climate was changing, Chia left home to pursue studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he obtained his master's and doctorate degrees in metallurgy. He has received 46 U.S. patents for his research work.
Chia's music was private until he recorded a cassette for family and friends. His music was so well-received by the public that he continued recording. Today he has recorded 30 albums, including romantic boleros, tangos, traditional tropical, Christmas, inspirational, and two sets of international hits of American music.
Initially, Chia began performing at benefit concerts only. However, he is now a regular performer across the U.S. and Latin America. He has performed in Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, and Venezuela.
Chia has received numerous commendations and accolades. Most recently, he received the prestigious Casandra International Award in the Dominican Republic and a nomination for a Grammy Award for his recording, "The Music of Ernesto Lecuona."
Tickets for the LCC Fall Gala Concert featuring Enrique Chia are $100 per person, with all proceeds designated for student scholarships. To purchase tickets, contact the LCC Development Office at 721-5812.
The LCC Fall Gala is underwritten by several local businesses and individuals. In the Maestro category, the sponsors are International Bank of Commerce Laredo, Commerce, and Zapata; Barnes and Noble; Falcon International Bank; Leyendecker Construction; and the Hurd Family. In the Director category, the sponsor is Laredo National Bank. In the Artist category, the sponsors are South Texas National Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Ana Ochoa and Company, Walker Plaza, and Daniel B. Hastings, Jr.