George Komsky

George Komsky is a Ukrainian-born American tenor. He is best known for his live performances as a solo vocalist, touring internationally with Chris Botti, in the North American tour of the Irish theatrical show Riverdance, and at non-profit concert events.[1][2]

George Komsky
Komsky at the Denim & Diamonds for Autism Event, November 2012
Background information
Born (1985-09-09) 9 September 1985
Kiev, Ukraine
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Opera singer (tenor)
  • Songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Associated actsChris Botti, Riverdance

Komsky's performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the San Francisco 49ers NFL game against the New England Patriots was part of a tribute honoring the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting, broadcast live to 18 million viewers.[3][4]

Komsky appeared on the first season of America's Got Talent.[5]

Early life

Komsky was born in Kiev in 1985. His family fled the Soviet Union in 1988 and settled in the Bay Area, Northern California.[2][6] Komsky showed an interest in music at an early age, learning piano and saxophone at age eight. He took formal singing classes during his teenage years.[7]

Komsky went to Monte Vista High School where he joined the chamber choir. In 2001, as part of the school's choir, Komsky performed Verdi's Messa da Requiem at the Basilica of Saint Paul in Rome. He won a scholarship to UCLA, graduating with a degree in Political Science.[7][8]

He trained with Seth Riggs, vocal coach of artists including Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole and Michael Jackson.[9]

Career

Riverdance

In 2004, Komsky toured as lead soloist with the North American touring company of the Irish theatrical show Riverdance.[5][10]

America's Got Talent

Komsky was a contestant in the first season of America's Got Talent, under the name "George Kelly". He reached the semi finals, described by Judge Piers Morgan as "the best male vocalist in the show".[8]

Performances of the National Anthem

Komsky performed "The Star-Spangled Banner", national anthem of the United States, at the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots on December 26, 2012. The performance was part of a memorial honoring the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that had occurred two days before. The memorial was broadcast live to approximately 18 million viewers.

Komsky has performed the United States national anthem on different sporting events afterwards, including the MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 5, 2013.[11][12]

Touring with Chris Botti
Komsky performing with Chris Botti in Napa, California 2013

In September 2013, Komsky joined trumpeter Chris Botti's Central Asian tour as a solo vocalist.[11] He performed songs including "Time To Say Goodbye" and Botti's "Italia".[13] Komsky continued touring with Botti over a period of three years in venues including Carnegie Hall,[14] Hollywood Bowl,[14] The Kennedy Center,[15] Blue Note Jazz Club,[16] Billboard Live Osaka,[17] the Orchestra Hall Minneapolis[18] and the Uptown Theatre in Napa.[13][19][20][21][22]

Performances

Komsky's first live solo appearance took place at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek on March 19, 2010. He performed pieces including "The Barber of Seville", "The Elixir of Love" and "Tosca". The proceeds were donated to the Wheelchair Foundation.[8][23]

In November 2010, Komsky performed at the "Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes" benefit concert at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco.[9][24][25]

In October 2013, he performed at the fundraising gala concert "Come On, Support New York, New York", dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.[26]

Other live performances include the 3rd Face Forward Gala[27] Festa Coloniale Italiana in San Francisco[28] and the Bear Valley Music Festival.[29]

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References
  1. "Entertainment". Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  2. Amanda Pazornik (2010-11-05). "Opera prodigy gives back to JFCS with benefit concert". J. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  3. Berns, Suzan (2013-01-11). "Faces". J. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  4. "New England Patriots will honor shooting victims". NFL.com. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
  5. "Vote for Monte Vista grad | August 4, 2006 | Danville Express | DanvilleSanRamon.com |". www.danvillesanramon.com. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  6. Correspondent, J. (2013-05-24). "Israel in the Gardens | Hitting all the high notes for the Holy Land". J. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  7. "Kiev: Hero City of the Ukraine". aliveeastbay.com. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  8. "george komsky Archives". Wheelchair Foundation. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  9. "The Independent" (PDF). 2011-03-03.
  10. "Historical Cast List". Riverdance. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  11. "Harrington: Danville native George Komsky gets a star-spangled career boost". The Mercury News. 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  12. "Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants Box Score, July 5, 2013". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  13. Carson, L. Pierce. "Trumpeter Chris Botti and musical friends enchant Uptown crowd". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  14. Keddy, Genevieve Rafter. "Photo Coverage: Chris Botti Plays Joins New York Pops for Season Opener". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  15. Schnoor, Diane Jackson (2014-05-23). "Washington Performing Arts: Chris Botti". DC Metro Theater Arts. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  16. "Blue Note CHRIS BOTTI - 10TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY RESIDENCY - 2014-12-22". www.bluenote.net. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  17. "クラブインフォメーション｜ビルボードライブ大阪｜Billboard Live（ビルボードライブ）". Billboard-LIVE | ビルボードライブ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  18. "Variety". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  19. Jazz, All About. "Chris Botti at Blue Note Jazz Club article @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  20. "Sitting down with Chris Botti". temeculaentertainment.com. 2015-09-01. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  21. Site, Peace Center-Official. "Botti comes back | Peace Center - Official Site". www.peacecenter.org. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  22. "Concert Review: Chris Isaak, Chris Botti, & the LA Philharmonic". Weeping Elvis. 2014-07-18. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  23. "Walnut Creek native Komsky readies for his first solo opera concert". East Bay Times. 2010-03-03. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  24. "International Opera Star Gets Local". diablomag.com. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  25. San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center - Minutes (PDF). 2010-05-03.
  26. "Hurricane sandy concert with aida vedisheva". Issuu. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  27. "Beverly Hills Courier" (PDF). 2012-10-05.
  28. http://plus.google.com (2013-08-23). "Festa Coloniale Italiana Delights North Beach". italoamericano.org. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  29. "Bear Valley Music Festival - classical & pop in a spectacular environment". GoCalaveras.com. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
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