Emmy award winner and renowned musician Enrique Chia and his orchestra and dancers are performing a benefit concert for the nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul Atlanta to fund programs that help people get high school equivalency degrees and other educational projects.

Called the “Piano of the Americas” concert, the event will feature Chia performing stirring favorites, from tango and Afro-Cuban rhythms to salsa and Broadway musical favorites. A special $125 ticket allows patrons to meet Chia in a reception after the concert.

The fundraising concert is on Sunday, March 22, at the Woodruff Arts Center’s Atlanta Symphony Hall. The performance begins at 4 p.m.

Chia’s music has been embraced by many. He has recorded more than 40 albums and performs regularly in the United States and Latin America. In November 2008, Chia received the Emmy award for his work with PBS. He was also recently presented with the prestigious Casandra International Award. In 2002 he was nominated for a Grammy.

Born in Cuba, Chia moved to the United States in 1961. He attended West Georgia College in Carrollton, receiving a bachelor’s degree in English, and later earned master’s and doctorate degrees in metallurgy from Georgia Tech. He worked in the engineering field before beginning his recording career at the request of his relatives in 1990.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit the local chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The organization is nonprofit that provides financial, material, educational and spiritual support to those in need, regardless of faith or background. Its goal is to aid people receive self-sufficiency. The event will help fund educational programs such as computer courses and English as a Second Language.

Ticket prices for the seats are $25 in the second balcony, $40 in the first balcony and rear orchestra and $50 for the front main orchestra.

The $125 VIP tickets include preferred orchestra seating and a reception after the concert with Chia. These tickets must be purchased through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

General tickets can be purchased both from the society, by mail at 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Road Atlanta, GA 30341 or from the organization’s Web site: www.svdpatl.org. Also, tickets can be bought from the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office by calling (404) 733-5000 or online at www.woodruffcentertickets.org.