Concert to Benefit Public Interest Law Program

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Two University at Buffalo Law School professors and two second-year law students will be among the featured performers at a benefit concert that will raise scholarship funds for students pursuing internships and careers in public interest law.

The concert is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 19 in Temple Beth Zion, 805 Delaware Ave., Buffalo. It will feature classical and jazz music. Pieces for classical violin and piano will be performed in the first half of the concert before the program transitions to American jazz and blues tunes. A champagne-and-dessert reception will follow the concert. All proceeds will benefit the UB Public Interest Law Program (BPILP) at the UB Law School.

Headlining the event will be accomplished violinist and second-year UB law student Larissa Shahmatova. Born in Vladivostok, Russia, she began studying violin at the age of 6 and made her solo debut at 10. By the age of 17, Shahmatova had performed solo recitals and concerts with Russia's major orchestras, including the Moscow Philharmonic, Moscow Chamber Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Chamber Orchestra.

Before coming to the UB Law School, she studied at The Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where she earned bachelor's and master's of music degrees. Shahmatova's recent performances have included two solo appearances with the Oregon Symphony and multiple concerts in Avery Fisher Hall and Alice Tully Hall in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.

For the jazz portion of the concert, a UB Law School musical combo will put a fresh twist on some highly recognizable jazz and blues tunes composed by Gershwin, Reinhardt, Lewis and others. The group will feature UB Law School professors James Gardner, an accomplished jazz pianist, and John Schlegel, an aspiring vocalist. Nicholas Chamberlain, a second-year law student, will play the drums. Before starting law school, Chamberlain played with musical groups that opened for Styx and the Beach Boys, and played with the Chamberlain Family Band. Shahmatova will play the violin and local musician Marc Cousins will play the double bass.

Among the many organizations that have benefited from BPILP's fellowship program are Neighborhood Legal Services, Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, U.S. Department of Justice and the Kenya Human Rights Commission. Through these public interest internships, BPILP members have worked on legal issues including child welfare, elder care, domestic violence, mental health and legal assistance to the indigent.

Tickets for the event are $30. Those who are unable to attend and would like to make a donation may mail checks payable to Buffalo Public Interest Law Program to: Buffalo Public Interest Law Program, University at Buffalo Law School, 609 O'Brian Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260.

To purchase your tickets or for further information, contact Dawn Skopinski at (716) 645-6261 or ublaw_bpilp@yahoo.com.