Vero Beach Pianist Dr. Jacob Craig to be Featured in Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s Upcoming Recital
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is kicking off its 18th performing season with a free recital on May 3, featuring celebrated Vero Beach pianist Dr. Jacob Craig and renowned soprano Tesia Kwarteng, ahead of upcoming full-orchestra performances scheduled for both Melbourne and Vero Beach.
Music lovers in Indian River County have an exciting musical event to look forward to as the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra gears up to announce its 2026-2027 season. On Sunday, May 3, the orchestra will host a season announcement party followed by a special free recital titled The Music Between Us: From Habanera to Hollywood.
The recital will take place at Riverside Presbyterian Church, located at 3400 N. Atlantic Avenue (A1A). While the launch event takes place in Cocoa Beach, it holds strong ties to the Treasure Coast, prominently featuring one of Vero Beach’s most distinguished local musical figures, Dr. Jacob Craig.
A Showcase of Local and National Talent
The afternoon recital will pair Dr. Jacob Craig with Ghanaian-American soprano Tesia Kwarteng. Moving effortlessly across various musical styles, the duo will present an eclectic program that embraces spirituals, jazz standards, Broadway favorites, and European art songs. Audiences can expect to hear celebrated selections, including:
- Georges Bizet’s famous Habanera
- The upbeat jazz standard Fly Me to the Moon
- The timeless George Gershwin classic Love is Here to Stay
Spotlight on Vero Beach’s Dr. Jacob Craig
Dr. Jacob Craig is a cornerstone of the Vero Beach arts and music community. He currently serves as the Director of Music and Arts at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. His local leadership extends across several prominent regional ensembles. He is the Director of the Vero Beach Choral Society, ACTS Choristers, Sea Oaks Chorus, John’s Island Singers, and the Silver Tones community choirs. In addition to his choral and piano expertise, Dr. Craig is a competitive highland bagpipe player and the Pipe Major for the Vero Beach Pipes and Drums.
He will be joined by Tesia Kwarteng, a highly versatile artist who recently made her Broadway debut in Camelot and performed at the 76th Annual Tony Awards. Her extensive opera credits include performances with the Washington National Opera, Virginia Opera, and Cincinnati Opera.
Upcoming Vero Beach Performances
Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins views this recital as a free gift to the community, celebrating the timeless power of melody and storytelling. Following the May 3 season announcement, Treasure Coast residents can also look forward to the orchestra’s remaining 2025-2026 season presentation, Made in America: Side by Side. This performance will feature works by all-American composers and include select youth musicians from across Central Florida playing alongside professionals.
The Made in America concerts will take place on May 23 and May 24, with performances officially scheduled in both Melbourne and Vero Beach.
Event and Ticket Information
Admission to the 5:00 p.m. recital, The Music Between Us, is free of charge, though a $20 donation is suggested to help defray the production costs of the orchestra’s free community concerts. The preceding 3:30 p.m. mixer and season announcement party requires a free ticket reservation. The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra also maintains a strict commitment to local accessibility; concertgoers aged 18 and under, or those presenting a valid college ID, are admitted completely free of charge to every orchestra concert.
