Gretna Music invites the community to breathe, rest, and reconnect at its one hour Well-Being Concerts on Friday, August 28, with performances at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the historic Mt. Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064.
Acclaimed pianist Mathis Picard and heart meditation specialist Leslie Bures will lead two intimate, immersive experiences that blend live music with mindfulness. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.gretnamusic.org. Healthcare workers, caregivers, and social service volunteers can email gretnamusic@gmail.com with subject line WELLBEING to receive free admission (based on availability).
Created in partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, the Well-Being Concerts offer something a little out of the ordinary. Rather than a traditional seated performance, this is a gentle, restorative gathering designed for deep relaxation and renewal. Attendees are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or meditation pillow—they will also be provided on site—to settle in on stage near the performers. Chairs on stage and seating in the hall are also available, so everyone can find their own perfect spot.
A growing body of research shows that music can lift mood and ease the physical and psychological markers of stress, anxiety, and depression. With two in five American adults reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression, Gretna Music sees these performances as a warm, welcoming space to recharge both body and mind, connect with others, and carry a sense of shared renewal into everyday life.
Community impact sits at the heart of the event. Ticket proceeds support Sixth Street Playground, a free summer day camp serving children in grades 1 through 8 in Lebanon, complete with free lunches. The performances are generously underwritten by the William Drendall Endowment.
About Mathis Picard
Mathis Picard is an internationally acclaimed pianist, composer, and producer whose music draws from a rich tapestry of cultural influences rooted in France, Madagascar, and the United States. A Juilliard alumnus mentored by jazz legend Kenny Barron and an ASCAP Next Generation of Songwriters recipient, Picard has been turning heads since he was named a “rising star” by The Scotsman at just 10 years old — the same age he became the youngest-ever finalist at the Montreux Jazz Piano Competition. His latest studio album, Heat of the Moment, earned a five-star “glorious” review from The Times, which praised him as a pianist and composer whose “vast range and imagination” is “anchored to a powerful musical personality.” In 2025, he completed an Asia Tour headlining the Imagine Land Festival in Hong Kong, premiered Preludes & Fugues: Book 1 at Joe’s Pub in New York City and L’Écurie in Paris — broadcast live by Radio France — and was named Musical Director and Arranger for the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Ain’t Misbehavin’. He has shared the stage with Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Christian McBride, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and many more.
About Leslie Bures
Leslie Bures is a certified heart meditation specialist and wellness practitioner whose work explores the profound connection between the body, breath, and inner stillness. Drawing on years of training in mindfulness and heart-centered meditation traditions, Leslie guides individuals and groups toward deeper states of relaxation and self-awareness. Her practice is rooted in the belief that true well-being begins with learning to listen — to oneself, to others, and to the world around us. At the Well-Being Concerts, Leslie brings her signature warmth and expertise to a shared space where music and meditation meet, inviting every attendee to slow down, breathe deeply, and arrive fully in the present moment.
