An Evening with Concert Pianist and Author in The Children of Willesden Lane

Week of January 25, 2025

Join American concert pianist and author Mona Golabek, star of acclaimed theatrical production “ The Pianist of Willesden Lane” when she shares the inspirational story of her mother, Lisa Jura, based on the best-selling book, The Children of Willesden Lane soon to be a major feature film. Through music and acting, Mona tells the inspiring story of her mother’s experience on the Kindertransport, her life in a foster home in London with 30 other Jewish refugee students, her commitment to her musical studies, and the eventual realization of her dream of becoming a concert pianist. Her performance has been acclaimed by critics and audiences across America, with recent sold out theatrical runs in New York and London. Ms. Golabek has received Best Actress Nominations from the New York and Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle.

“I tell my mother’s story because I believe one story, one dream, can change our lives and help us achieve the highest values within ourselves. I hope that everyone who has a dream will never forget that his or her passion and courage can overcome all obstacles. We have it within ourselves to inspire others and to make this a better world. “

Author, recording artist, and internationally renowned concert pianist Mona Golabek learned to play the piano from her mother, Holocaust survivor Lisa Jura. Those piano lessons were deeply meaningful as Mona learned the story of her mother’s struggles as a young Jewish refugee in WW2 who held onto her dream of becoming a pianist.

As a result of those early piano lessons, Mona chose a singular path in life. She has used her gifts as a musician and storyteller to create a groundbreaking educational initiative to inspire students, readers, and audiences far and wide.

In 2002, she published The Children of Willesden Lane. The book, which tells the story of her mother, has been translated in a dozen languages.

In 2012, Mona made her stage debut in The Pianist of Willesden Lane, adapted from the book. The production has been celebrated by critics and audiences with sold out theatrical runs in New York, London, and many other cities. Mona has received Best Actress nominations from the New York Drama Desk and Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle. A Grammy nominee, Mona is a prolific recording artist and has been the subject of several PBS documentaries including Concerto for Mona with conductor Zubin Mehta. Her discography includes the best-selling Carnival of the Animals and Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, both recorded with her sister Renee and receiving Grammy nominations.

In 2002, Mona formed the Hold On To Your Music Foundation with the help of the Milken Family Foundation, Facing History and Ourselves, and the Annenberg Foundation. Its mission is to foster hope through the power of storytelling and music and embolden the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Her foundation partners with several renowned educational organizations including the USC Shoah Foundation and Discovery Education, and has created The Willesden Project which brings her mother’s story to students and communities across the globe. More than ten million students, readers, and audience goers have experienced the inspirational message of “Willesden Lane”.