‘We’re really so fortunate’

MoorArts’ Evening of Performing & Fine Arts will be held at the Community House of Moorestown on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m.

The organization’s biennial fundraiser will feature an exhibition and sale of small works and statement pieces by approximately 30 professional artists, as well as live entertainment and special performances.

“Every year I am just amazed and astonished and delighted by the depth of talent that is in our Moorestown community,” enthused MoorArts President Amy Penwell, “and there’s just so much variety of artwork.

“We’ve got a really nice collection of art pieces that are larger in scale and some that are smaller in scale…,” she added.

“We’re really so fortunate that so many talented people are willing to share their work with us, and we just want to play our part to make sure that as many people as possible can see it.”

Performers are expected to include Andrew Moorer, CORii (Courtney Halpin MacBride), Marc G. Dalio and Laura Dishong. Moorer has had the honor of sharing the show bill with artists such as Philip Philips, Jennel Garcia, CADE and Mike Posner. Combining classical roots and musical influences like Kenny Loggins, Ed Sheeran and Elton John, Moorer strives to bring enlightenment wherever he performs.

MacBride, a pop/rock singer-songwriter from Moorestown, has been on NBC’s Songland and Season 24 of The Voice. She has had music in television shows like Good Trouble and Love Island. Aside from being an artist, her biggest passion is coaching people. Her business – Courtney MacBride Music Studio in Moorestown – is where she coaches people to be the best singers, performers and songwriters.

Dalio has been featured as a soloist with the Vermont Philharmonic, the Encore Orchestra of New Jersey, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Mark Heter’s Band and Craig Scott Entertainment. He holds degrees in vocal performance and music education from Rowan University and a master’s in music education from Boston University. An active director and musical director, Dalio’s next project will be directing and conducting the New Jersey premiere of Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” at New Jersey City University in collaboration with the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City.

Dishong, a graduate of Susquehanna University, has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center, Union Transfer, the Philadelphia Flower Show and at many other venues in the United States, Canada, Ireland and France. She recorded her first CD “Little Green Apples” in 2014, which features 11 of her folk/rock style original songs for harp, voice, drums, keyboard, cello and violin. She is currently teaching music at Mary E. Roberts Elementary School and continues to write original songs as a member of the Philadelphia Area Songwriters Association. As a harpist, her mission is to transform the way the harp is perceived in the music world, one string at a time.

“It’s great to hear people that are really talented, and you just close your eyes and you’re taken someplace else,” MoorArts vice President Andrea Seuren said. “MoorArts is thrilled to have connections to these folks who are passionate about the arts. Music changes your life. It gives you hope and it’s important for us because it’s our biggest fundraiser.”

“It’s very important to us that we engage the community with even just being aware of all the art that is around us in Moorestown,” Penwell said. “Whether someone is looking at the website and seeing all the artwork… Whether it’s just a little bit of personal appreciation or coming to the event and falling in love with a piece of artwork and bringing something home, it’s creating that kind of conversation with the community about art that’s happening around us and appreciating all talents and the investments that artists make in creating their work.”

Event proceeds support arts-based teacher grants and scholarships in Moorestown’s public schools and arts events throughout the community. The online sale for artwork will run from Saturday, Jan. 17, to Saturday, Feb. 14. For more information or tickets, visit www.moorarts.org.