Local singer-songwriter to present original music May 31
Local singer-songwriter Elaina DeJong will present a concert of original music at 7 p.m. May 31 at the Kroc Center.
Courtesy photo
Singer-songwriter Elaina DeJong will present "Montage Season: A Night of Original Music" at 7 p.m. May 31 at the Kroc Center.
Inspired by songwriting greats like Billy Joel and Rich Mullins and contemporary artists Lizzy McAlpine, Laufey, Sara Bareilles and Switchfoot, DeJong describes her style as alternative pop-rock with folk and jazz influences.
The concert will include 12 original songs featuring DeJong on vocals and piano, an opening from Coeur d'Alene music duo AP Collective and a six-piece supporting band of local artists.
A Coeur d’Alene local, DeJong began playing gigs around the area in summer 2023, booking solo and as part of the duo The Kindreds with Kat Keseloff. She said she is honored to have been one of five 2024 grant recipients of Ellen Travolta’s Jack Bannon Memorial Fund for the Arts in support of the concert. DeJong recently appeared on the Ali and Callie Artcast, episode 124, to speak about the concert and the grant.
DeJong produced her first single this spring, “City Park,” in Spokane with Jimmy Hill at Amplified Wax Recording Studio, which also features the talents of local musicians Dalton Shotwell, Chuck Johnson and Mellad Abeid. The single released May 17. DeJong will play “City Park” as part of the May 31 concert, supported by Keseloff on backup vocals, Shotwell on drums, Johnson on bass, Abeid on guitar, Richard Altenbach on violin, Scott Michaelsen on piano and Faith Griffin playing cello.
DeJong has been a part of the Coeur d’Alene arts community since childhood. Her first time onstage was at the Kroc, 10 years ago with Christian Youth Theater North Idaho. She has since been involved with over 60 local arts productions and projects, from musicals and commercials to films, plays and concerts. She has worked with Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, Eastern Washington University, North Idaho College, Mitchell Actors and Models (MAM Talent Agency), Aspire Community Theatre, Lake City Playhouse, Liberty Lake Community Theatre, Spokane Civic Theatre and more.
Admission for "Montage Season: A Night of Original Music" is $20 per person. Visit kroccda.org/kroc-cda/events or elainadejong.com for tickets.