Classical Guitarist Esteban to Perform at Keystone Montessori

Business Wire, Sept 16, 2002

Business Editors

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 2002

Keystone Montessori, one of Arizona's highest scoring charter elementary schools on Stanford 9 and state AIMS tests, today announced that world renowned classical guitarist Esteban would perform at the school's Second Annual Benefit Concert and Auction on Nov. 9, 2002.

Keystone also announced that anyone purchasing concert tickets before Sept. 25 would be eligible to win two Diamond Level tickets to the Arizona Diamondbacks versus Colorado game on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2002.

This is Esteban's second benefit concert at Keystone Montessori, which last year brought in nearly $14,000 for the well-respected charter school. Dinner catered by Tukees, and dancing to the music of DJ Craig Travis will follow the concert, which is slated to begin at 4 p.m.

Two well-known Ahwatukee establishments, Rock Bottom Brewery and The Wine Merchant, will be providing a fine selection of beer and wine.

During dinner, Keystone will host both silent and live auctions for a variety of high-value items including sports memorabilia, tickets to sporting events, concerts and theaters, restaurant gift certificates, airline tickets, spa services, birthday parties, jewelry, and various services for the home and auto.

For the first time, Keystone will also auction some of the items simultaneously on eBay(R), the leading online auction marketplace considered by many to be the most popular shopping site on the Internet. Proceeds from this year's event will be used to help fulfill Keystone teachers' classroom wish lists.

Esteban, who has topped the international Billboard charts countless times, including two No. 2 slots for Top New Age Album (Esteban Live, Esteban By Request) and the No. 1 Top Music Video (Flame Flamenco & Romance), has nearly a dozen critically acclaimed CDs and two music videos to his name.

He has appeared on the Today Show, Entertainment Tonight and nationwide on PBS, and regularly tours worldwide.

Having taught himself to play guitar at age eight, Esteban went on to spend five years studying under the classical master guitarist, Andres Segovia, of Spain. Shortly after receiving Segovia's endorsement and completing a world tour, Esteban was hit by a drunk driver in 1980 and lost the use of his hands.

After 10 years of intensive rehabilitation and shear determination to play again, Esteban soared to the top of the international Billboard charts. His music is critically acclaimed and loved by all that have the pleasure of hearing him play.

Tickets for the Esteban Benefit Concert and Auction can be purchased by calling Michelle Block, Keystone Development Coordinator, at 480/460-7312. Reserved seating is limited to 300, and tickets purchased before Sept. 25 will be entered into the raffle for the Diamondbacks game on Sept. 26. Doors to the event will open at 3 p.m. to preview auction items.

Samples of Esteban's music can be heard at http://www.estebanmusic.com. For more information, visit the Keystone Montessori Web site at http://www.keystonemontessori.com.

About Keystone Montessori

Keystone Montessori is an Arizona state charter school and a member of the Montessori International Council, offering Montessori educational programs from pre-school through sixth grade.

Designed to help a child achieve his fullest potential and mental ability by carefully preparing a learning environment to meet the child's needs, Keystone use materials designed to assist growth in practical life, sensorial, mathematics, language arts, music, art, science and geography.

Since its inception in 1995, Keystone Montessori students have consistently achieved some of the highest scores on Stanford 9 and AIMS tests, well above both national and state averages.