The memorial garden was made possible by a gift from a generous donor, John C. Donnelly, who envisioned it as a place not only to remember his wife Mevluda but also as a place for the entire community to enjoy. It is an oasis, a place for meeting friends and family, a place for receptions, a place to remember loved ones, and a place for quiet reflection.
VENUE & DIRECTIONS
Mevluda Tahirovic Memorial Garden 1 Barristers Row, Staunton, VA 24401
ABOUT NAHAR ELIAZ
18-year old Israeli cellist and two-time Heifetz Institute attendee Nahar Eliaz has distinguished herself as an internationally acclaimed award-winning performer, earning more than a dozen First Prize awards in international competitions since 2019. Her success has led to concerts at venues such as Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in the US, the Barcelona Arts Center in Spain, the Beethovenhaus in Germany, and the Musikverein and Mozarthaus in Austria. Following a personal invitation from Itzhak Perlman, Nahar was featured at the 2018 gala event for the Israeli Prime Minister.
As a soloist, Nahar has appeared with orchestras in Israel and around the world, as well as in recitals in music festivals and events in Europe and the USA. Nahar was chosen to be a part of the New York Festival of Strings, participating in the traditional Carnegie Hall concerts in New York in December of 2023.
Nahar is a winner of several awards from the America-Israel Cultura Foundation, receiving scholarships for 7 consecutive years. She has also received awards from the Zefunot Culture Foundation, and the Ronen Foundation. She is the recipient of a Dean's Scholarship at the New England Conservatory, where she studies with teachers (and Heifetz faculty members) Laurence Lesser and Yeesun Kim.
Nahar performs on a Galiano cello from 1760.
Heifetz alumna Nahar Eliaz (cello) gives a special performance to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Mevluda Tahirovic Memorial Garden.