By Marilou Yacoub, Concordia Conservatory

March 25, 2025: Concordia Conservatory continues its Baking with the Classics series with Melodies of Naples, an intimate piano concert event that pairs music with a taste of Italy’s rich culinary dessert heritage.

The performance will take place on Friday, April 4, at 1:00 PM at the home of the Gleason family in Bronxville.

Conservatory piano faculty and department head Jacob De Hoyos will perform Francis Poulenc’s Napoli: Suite pour le piano. This vibrant work captures the essence of Naples, its history, and its connection to the legendary Mount Vesuvius.

The concert will transport audiences through Poulenc’s signature blend of elegance, wit, and lyricism, painting a vivid musical portrait of southern Italy. In keeping with the series' theme, the performance will be accompanied by desserts inspired by Poulenc’s Napoli: Suite pour le piano featuring the iconic Neapolitan pastry sfogliatelle, known for its delicate layers and rich filling, bringing the flavors of the region to life.

Tickets are available for $40 for adults and $20 for children/seniors at concordiaconservatory.org or by calling 914-395-4507.

This concert is the second installment in Concordia Conservatory’s Baking with the Classics series, which celebrates the intersection of music and cuisine, offering audiences a multi-sensory experience of culture and artistry.

About the Artist: Dr. Jacob De Hoyos 

Dr. Jacob De Hoyos is the piano department head, piano faculty and summer program director at Concordia Conservatory and serves as a professor of piano at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) and a Master of Music (M.M.) from Stony Brook University, where he was awarded both a Teaching Assistantship and a scholarship, and served on the undergraduate faculty, teaching piano and accompanying students.

Additionally, he earned a Pedagogy Certificate and a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) from Texas Tech University. Described as “charming, cultured, and highly musical,” Dr. De Hoyos has received numerous accolades, including second place at the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, second place at the Janice K. Hodges Piano Competition, and the MTNA New Mexico Competition, as well as first prize at the Texas Tech Concerto Competition. He has performed as a soloist with the Texas Tech Symphony, presenting Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and has appeared as a chamber musician at both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.