BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — ArtsBridge, a celebration of the arts in our neighborhood, will launch its fifth annual season with Three Pianists Concert and Exhibit at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18 at First Presbyterian Church, 475 Green Avenue on Morton Hill in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Three talented pianists—Ivan Akansiima, Susan Burkholz and Jean Prosper—will take turns performing on the piano.

The music selections include jazz, popular, classical and gospel music that will be announced during the program.

Joan Judd, who is the visual artist, will have some of her watercolor and oil paintings on display and for sale.

Pastor Laurie Hartzell of First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor notes “ArtsBridge is a vehicle of reconciliation and joy in a region that is often known for its divisions and brokenness. When people come together from various walks of life to celebrate and enjoy each other’s artistic talents and gifts, hope is born again.”

A reception will follow the program in Goff Hall. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. For details call (269) 925-7075 or visit on Facebook: First Presbyterian of Benton Harbor.

Ivan Akansiima is a naturally gifted, multi-talented, self-taught musician (piano, bass, acoustic guitar, drums) from Uganda, East Africa, currently living in South Haven. He began playing music at age 7 as a drummer for his church in his hometown of Jinja. Ivan’s growth and experience as a musician has come from 18-plus years of playing and performing as an accompanist and solo act in churches, concert halls, music festivals, parties, jazz clubs, events, art centers, and schools in over 40 countries. It was during a tour with Kinobe and Soul Beat Africa that Ivan became acquainted with South Haven.

He focused on learning and understanding jazz and its various styles. Ivan obtained an Associates degree from Lake

Michigan College this past spring and is currently studying jazz performance at Hope College.

Susan Burkholz is a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor where she first performed on the piano and sang as a child. She studied piano with local instructors Anne Haupt, Gertrude Brown, and Mildred Fiore. She also studied classical piano with Dr. Michael Coonrod at Interlochen Arts Academy for two years where she graduated from high school. Then she studied piano performance with Professor Balint Vazsonyi for five years at Indiana University. Returning to her musical roots, Susan is currently the church pianist at First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor and has been involved with coordinating ArtsBridge programs since 2011. Susan is also an Administrative Assistant with Child

& Family Services of Southwestern Michigan, Inc. where she works with the management team and Board of Directors.

Jean Prosper, who hails from Port au Prince, Haiti, studied classical piano at Canada’s Royal Conservatory of Music in Montreal then at Kingsway College, in Oshawa, Ontario. When he moved to the United States, he continued his studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, and Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. Jean’s musical influences are as diverse as his training. His primary musical influences include classical, gospel, and jazz music. Even percussive Haitian rhythms can be heard in Jean’s music. Jean currently resides in South Bend, Indiana where he graces the Pilgrim Baptist Church as the congregation’s minister of music. When he’s not leading the Pilgrim Baptist Church band on piano, Jean tours both nationally and worldwide.

Joan Judd has always enjoyed watercolor paintings in exhibitions and art shows. When she turned 65, Joan decided to try her hand at painting with watercolors. She signed up for lessons because she and her husband Bob Judd were planning to take a trip with a Krasl group and painting was an optional activity. Joan enjoys painting scenes from places she has lived and traveled. She also enjoys creating still life paintings of simple everyday objects. Joan has participated in the Chartreuse Artist Coop for several years, something she never thought she would do. Her new venture is exploring painting with oils. “When I’m painting, I’m challenged and time flies.”