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Christmas, Bogdan Ota-style

by HANNAH NEFF/Staff Writer
| December 3, 2021 1:00 AM

Bogdan Ota, a professional concert pianist, composer, producer and recording artist, is performing “Hallelujah” with special guests at the Salvation Army Kroc Center theater at 7:30 on Dec. 14.

Born in Romania, the Harrison resident, and now U.S. citizen, said he considers North Idaho and the Coeur d’Alene area to be his home and is excited to bring his art to the area. Following his performance and becoming a finalist on "Norway’s Got Talent" in 2012, he toured the world and released three albums.

Songs in Ota’s holiday concert will include his compositions along with traditional Christmas music he rearranged.

“It’s my signature all over the show,” Ota said.

Ota said the concert is also a chance for him to introduce people to his voice.

“I'm not famous for my voice because I got famous as a pianist and I never got to show that to the world,” Ota said.

Ota and guest singer Emily Cleveland will perform “Hallelujah” to close the concert.

Other guest artists include dancers Nathan and Delayna Fontes and Callie Servey.

Servey said she is excited for Ota’s talent and European style to come to the area.

“I was born and raised here so I've seen a lot of good stuff here, but I just, I'm really excited to bring in even bigger,” Servey said. “It’s going to be really fun to incorporate the dancing and the concert is something that’s going to be really cool.”

Ota said he’s trying to put together all the arts in around an hour and 15 minute concert with dancing, music, visual arts, a light show and more. Each song has a video clip and there will be graphics and animations.

“I’m excited because this concept is going to have almost everything,” Ota said. “I’m trying to bring everything at a cost that everybody can afford.”

Through using backing tracks for orchestration and more, Ota said he’s going for the big production look but with a low cost to keep ticket pricing down.

Tickets are $25 or $21 for students and selling out quickly. Tickets: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=131352