Young pianists charm seniors at Atria

Playing selections from Beethoven to Brahms, piano students of Jessica Klein had seniors at the Atria Riverdale in raptures during a biannual recital Monday evening.

As 18 of Ms. Klein’s 30 students waited their turn at the Wurlitzer Baby Grand Piano, they leaned on bright brown tables in the room’s wings, chatting and occasionally dashing across the room to connect with friends.

Their youthful energy only brought more smiles to the faces of residents at the assisted-living facility at 3718 Henry Hudson Parkway. One audience member followed along and pressed keys in the air as the children performed on the Wurlitzer.

Ms. Klein took interruptions in stride and coaxed even her shyest and youngest pupils to play for the receptive audience.

During intervals, Ms. Klein, a Riverdale-based singer who performed in the New York City Opera before retiring to raise children, took to the stage. She treated the audience to her rich soprano with renditions of songs like “What I Did For Love.” 

Once the last student played Beethoven’s “Russian Folk Song” and Ms. Klein herself gave a finale performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” the young musicians had reached bedtime.

“Thank you so much for giving the kids, and me, a venue to be artists in,” she said.

Parents were pleased to see the results of their children’s practice. They seemed just as excited to see Ms. Klein sing.

“It’s great,” parent Jessica Schwab said after the performance. “We’re always hearing about her days as an opera singer, and now we’ve had a chance to see her sing.”

As parents and performers walked out the door, some of the adults lingered to discuss their connections to Ms. Klein.

Rosesara Greenspun recalled the first time she saw an ad for a piano teacher in the laundry room at the 5800 Arlington Ave. Skyview apartment building, about four years ago. Her sons Andrew, 12, and Matthew, 8, have taken lessons with Ms. Klein ever since.