The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset will present Australian organist, Nicole Marane, in a solo recital on Sunday, April 29, at 1:30 p.m. as part of its 2006-07 Music at Shelter Rock Concert Series. Ms. Marane will perform on the church's distinctive 47 rank, 2 manual mechanical action Jaeckel pipe organ.

In 2004, Nicole Marane earned first prize in two major international competitions: the Miami International Organ competition and the John Rodland Memorial Scholarship Competition. The following year she was selected as a competitor in the 2005-2006 American Guild of Organists' National Young Artist's Competition. She is currently a doctoral student in the studio of David Higgs at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. For three years she has served as Professor Higgs' Teaching Assistant, for which she has won a Graduate Teaching Assistant Prize for excellence in teaching. Ms. Marane completed a Master of Music Degree at Eastman in 2003, holding graduate assistantships in both the harpsichord and sacred music programs.

Prior to her studies in America, in 1999 Nicole Marane earned her undergraduate degree with First Class Honors at the Australian National University. She has performed throughout the world, including Grace Cathedral (San Francisco), St. Paul's Cathedral (London), St. Giles' Cathedral (Edinburgh) and Sydney Town Hall, as well as a soloist with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. She currently serves as the Organist and Choirmaster at the Penfield United Methodist Church in Rochester, New York.

Ms. Marane's Long Island recital will include works by Bach, Buxtehude, Pasquini, Jongen, Litaize and Graeme Koehne. The performance will take place in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation's Worship Hall, located at 48 Shelter Rock Road in Manhasset. The facility offers adequate free parking and is fully handicapped accessible. The performance is open to the public, and a reception to meet the artist will follow in the Art Gallery. A suggested contribution of $5 will be requested at the door. For further information, please call 516-626-0560.