Deak divides his time between composing and performing as the associate principal bass of the New York Philharmonic. Deak also studied at Juilliard and has a long list of musical residencies and accomplishments to his name.

In addition to his work as a musician, Deak has an apparent knack for working with youth. He teaches composition to school-age students and adds an informal, entertaining element to Riverrun's performances.

According to Renda Horn, an area musician and music teacher who is helping to organize the event, Deak performs what he calls "concert dramas" that feature soloists who both narrate and enact the story with music and words.

"The words of the tale are turned into music, which sometimes takes over the storytelling entirely and sometimes supplies the background to declamation," Horn said.

Other performers coming to the peninsula are violist Jenny Douglass, violinist Liang-Ping How and cellist Lisa Lancaster.

The musicians will open their tour of the Kenai Peninsula with a "Classical Cabaret" event at the Bunnell Street Gallery tonight at 7. The evening will include music by Mozart, Honegger, Bach and will also include a sampling of the concert to follow on Sunday. In addition, Deak's original Homer-inspired work "Brother Asaiah at the Renegade Parade" will be performed. The event is aimed at being an intimate introduction to the artists and their work, and will include discussion of the music with the performers. Tickets are $25, available at the Homer Council on the Arts and the Bunnell. Desserts and beverages will be served.

On Sunday, Riverrun will perform at the Mariner Theatre at 4 p.m.

The concert will include a musical retelling of the Dracula story titled "Lucy and the Count." The family-oriented event will also include a collage of movements by Shostakovich, Haydn and Rossini centered on the theme "Humor in Music.

Jenner said the collages usually appeal to everyone, from critics and sophisticates to newcomers to classical music.

"It will explore the varieties of humor in music from educated wit and satire all the way to slapstick," she said.

Tickets are $5 youth, $10 Bunnell Street Gallery and Homer Council on the Arts members, $15 general, $25 per family (up to four). Following the concert there will be a potluck reception at the Homer Council on the Arts.

While in Homer, the musicians will perform at two area schools, drawing on Deak's talent working with youth.

"Jon Deak is also known as Leonard Bernstein's protEgE in music education," Jenner said. "He has become well known for enticing young composers to find their own voices and has lead many Young People's Concerts with the New York Philharmonic. We simply hope to share our love of this music with kids."

Last but not least, the Riverrun musicians will share their talent with the musicians of the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, which is currently rehearsing for "Carmina Burana."

"With the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra, we will offer our combined expertise from many, many years of playing professionally in the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Santa Fe Opera and many other ensembles," Jenner said.

Mark Robinson, director of the local orchestra, said in the past, having professional musicians sit in and coach during rehearsals has been an inspiring experience.

"Our experience has been that we both learn technique and that it's just a shot in the arm," Robinson said. "It makes our players want to do better and want to practice more. I'm very much looking forward to having them here."