BY BILL MEREDITH, SPECIAL TO THE PALM BEACH POST | JANUARY 15, 2015

There's an under-the-radar concert series in a two-story condo complex on Lucerne Avenue in Lake Worth, and it's west of Dixie Highway and the downtown area. That's where violinist Gareth Johnson (garethjohnson.org) — who earned his master's from the Lynn Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton — has resided and presented his monthly downstairs "Parlor Series" since last summer.

The 29-year-old St. Louis native moved to Wellington with his family at 16, and studied classically at Lynn (and with private instructors including icon Itzhak Perlman), resulting in his award-winning technique. He became an artist-in-residence at Albany State University in Georgia before returning to South Florida to branch out as a musician and educator.

Live music: Violinist mixes classical, hip-hop in Lake Worth show photo
Gareth Johnson, a Lynn Conservatory grad, is playing Saturday in The Parlor Series in Lake Worth with pianist Tao Lin. Contributed
"I was looking for something more," Johnson says, "so I moved back here to focus on The Parlor Series. I also teach students here, and still play other concerts, mostly as a featured soloist."

Complimentary refreshments are served 15 minutes prior to parlor performances, which average 35-50 listeners in the intimate setting. Johnson's influences range from Joshua Bell to Jay-Z, so his musical partners must be versatile. For this weekend's show, it's acclaimed Chinese-American pianist Tao Lin, back by popular demand for the third time. The two will play Mendelssohn, Tartini, and Chausson. And beyond.

See "Two Wonders in Winter," with Gareth Johnson and Tao Lin, at 3 p.m. on Sunday at The Parlor Series, 1202 Lucerne Ave. Unit C, Lake Worth. Tickets: $25 through manager Rachel Cimmino at 203-339-5725 or rachel@garethjohnson.org, $30 at the door.