Hinsdale Church Bridges Faith and Community Through Music

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GUEST AUTHOR:

Angie Grozdic

Communications Director,

Hinsdale SDA Church

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HINSDALE, IL — On the evening of June 29th, the Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church opened its doors for a special community concert titled Piano Concertos with Orchestra — an event that went far beyond music. With an estimated 80% of attendees being non-Adventists, many of whom had never stepped foot inside a church before, the evening became a powerful example of how music can create sacred spaces of connection, curiosity, and faith.

The concert featured talented pianists Cristóbal Araneda Yáñez and Justin Kent Gjata, and the orchestra under the baton of conductor Reid Taylor. The program was more than a performance — it was an intentional outreach effort, prayerfully planned and warmly executed by Hinsdale SDA Church’s Music Ministry team, lead by Heidi Grozdic. “Music is a divine language that speaks to hearts when words fall short,” said Grozdic. “We believe that sharing God’s Word through music opens a gentle and beautiful door for people to experience His love, many for the very first time.”

That belief was evident in every detail of the evening. From the signage with QR codes inviting guests to register for future musical programs, to the friendly volunteers stationed at each entrance ready to greet and guide visitors, the goal was clear: make every person feel seen, welcome, and comfortable. After the concert, guests were invited to a reception in the Fellowship Hall, where they were treated to a variety of wholesome, plant-based refreshments, reflecting the church’s emphasis on health and wellness.

The featured artists brought both technical brilliance and spiritual sensitivity to the concert.

Cristóbal Araneda Yáñez, just 14 years old, has been immersed in music since early childhood. By the age of two, he was singing and leading hymns in church services in Chile. He began formal piano training at four, and by 2021 had earned a scholarship to the prestigious Conservatory of the University of Chile. That same year, he became the regular pianist for the Las Condes Seventh-day Adventist Church in Santiago. After traveling to Hinsdale in April 2024 for advanced training with Professor Victor Moreno, Cristóbal continues his lessons virtually from Chile. His father currently serves as the treasurer of the Greater Santiago Conference.

Justin Kent Gjata, a recent graduate of Roosevelt University with a Bachelor's in Piano Performance, began piano studies at age 12 under Victor Moreno. His career has included performances across the U.S. and abroad, and in 2023 he was named Youth Ambassador of Peace in Albania. He currently teaches at Bel Canto Music Academy and collaborates with the College of DuPage’s music department. He will begin his Master’s in Piano Performance at Roosevelt University this fall.

The orchestra was conducted by Reid Taylor, a distinguished conductor and operatic tenor with credits that include Carnegie Hall and the Opera Festival of Chicago. Known for his ability to bring emotional depth and artistic excellence to every performance, Taylor helped lead the musical evening with both precision and passion.

The community response was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees of all ages and backgrounds from across the Chicagoland area filled the church sanctuary and lingered in the reception hall afterwards. Many expressed an eagerness to return and learn more about the church and its music ministry.

This event is part of a growing effort by the Hinsdale SDA Music Ministry to create non-threatening, high-quality programs where church members can invite friends, neighbors, and co-workers — offering an introduction to faith through the universal gift of music.

“Our prayer is that every concert becomes more than an event,” Grozdic said. “We want it to be a ministry moment — one that leaves people feeling loved, inspired, and drawn closer to God.”

NEXT STEPS

Future concerts and events are already in the works. For more information or to sign up for updates, visit: www.hsdac.org/music.

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Please send any news items of what God is doing around the Illinois Conference to communication@ilcsda.org.