Odyssey Artists, Season 21
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Iskander Akhmadullin
Emily Aponte Amy Appold Dominique Archambeau Megan Arns Rachel AuBuchon Edward Auer | Plowman Kailey Baker Madeline Balsman Natalia Bolshakova Brandon A. Boyd Meghan Brown Amanda Collins R. Paul Crabb Tara Curtis Alice K. Dade Alexis Doebelin Carol Elliott Chris Farris Isaac Foley |
Andrew Friesen
Joanna Griffith Erik Hassell Heather Hatton Steven Houser Timothy Howe HYO-SIS Ida Kavafian | Plowman Ryan Kee Helena Hyesoo Kim Aaron Krawitz Eli Lara Chien-Kwan Lin | Plowman Angelo Manzo Mareck Center for Dance John McKeever Peter Miyamoto Alexandre Negrão Daniel Noonan Colleen Ostercamp |
Natalie Parker
Curtis Pavey Leslie Perna Prometheus Alison Robuck Rebecca Robuck Julie Rosenfeld Sankofa Chorale Brandon Sconce Christine Seitz Paul Seitz Kirk Trevor Ayako Tsuruta Wesley Warnhoff Austin Way Iris Weber Kyrsten Wehner Dean Wibe Evan Wilde Dan Willett Amy Li Zhou |
Ayako Tsuruta, Executive and Artistic Director | piano
Ayako Tsuruta is Executive and Artistic Director of the Odyssey Chamber Music Series and Artistic Director of the Plowman Chamber Music Competition. As the winner of concerto competitions, she has appeared as soloist with the Juilliard Symphony, Eastern Connecticut Symphony and Connecticut Chamber Orchestra, as well as Wallingford Symphony Orchestra in the United States, and with University Symphony Orchestra in Edmonton, Alberta. She has also performed at summer festivals in Aspen, Banff, Ravinia and Tanglewood, Meranofest and Accademia Chiagiana in Italy, and Figueira da Foz in Portugal, as well as recitals in the United States, Canada, Germany, Lebanon and Serbia. Ms. Tsuruta studied piano with Hiroko Ogura in Nara, Japan, subsequently with Leena K. Crothers at the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, Josef Raieff at Juilliard School, Claude Frank at Yale University, Maria Curcio-Diamand in England, and Marek Jablonski at the University of Alberta. Her influential teachers also include Arkady Aronov, Stephen Coombs, Katsurako Mikami, and Artur Pizarro. She has studied chamber music with Lorand Fenyves, Joseph Fuchs, Felix Galimir, Jacob Lateiner, Harvey Shapiro, and Zoltán Székely to name a few. Ms. Tsuruta has taught as Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and at the University of Missouri, in addition to the Hartwick College Summer Music Institute and Festival and New York Summer Music Festival in Oneonta. In Columbia, she maintains an active private piano studio, in addition to directing Odyssey's Columbia Music School where music classes are taught on weekends at the MU School of Music.
Iskander Akhmadullin, trumpet (Season 1-4, 6-9+, 11-21)
Iskander Akhmadullin, Professor of Trumpet at the University of Missouri, has performed as a trumpet soloist and taught in the United States, Russia, Japan, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Australia, Armenia, France, Mexico, Chile, and South Korea. As an orchestral musician, he worked in Russia and in the United States and can be heard on the Marco Polo, Naxos, Hugo, Klavier, and Delos labels. He is currently co-principal trumpet of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra. In 2018, MSR Classics has released Russian Trumpet Sonatas CD by Iskander Akhmadullin and pianist Natalia Bolshakova, which includes 7 world premiere recordings. Critics agree that they “play all the music idiomatically, stylishly,” “with impetus and élan,” and that “there are plenty of jaw-dropping moments of virtuoso musicianship.” The following year, Dr. Akhmadullin has edited and compiled the music scores of the sonatas and the Canadian publisher qPress made the companion album available for digital download or printing worldwide. Akhmadullin has been a faculty member of the National Trumpet Competition, Midwest Trumpet Festival, Rafael Méndez International Brass Festival in Mexico, and is a member of the World Brass Association. He has performed at the International Trumpet Guild conferences, Missouri and Texas Music Educators Association conventions, as well as at several wind band associations conferences. In Russia, Akhmadullin has performed at the Moscow Autumn Festival and Russian Trumpet Guild conferences. Previously, he held a position at the Southeastern Oklahoma State University and taught at the University of North Texas and Moscow Conservatory. Dr. Akhmadullin holds degrees from the Kazan Music College and Moscow State Conservatory in Russia, and the University of North Texas where he studied with Abbas Slashkin, Vadim Novikov, Leonard Candelaria, and Keith Johnson. He is the first brass player from Eastern Europe to earn a doctorate degree from a major American university. Iskander Akhmadullin is an Artist-Clinician for Schilke Trumpets.
Emily Aponte, horn (Season 21)
Emily Aponte is a versatile horn player currently pursuing her Master of Music degree at the University of Missouri, where she serves as a graduate assistant. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Washington Adventist University, where she studied under Prof. Larry Williams. Emily has held positions as Principal Horn with the New Music Ensemble, University Philharmonic Orchestra, and Mizzou Horn Choir since August 2024. Her professional experience includes performances with the Missouri Symphony, Piedmont Symphony Orchestra, New England Symphonic Ensemble, and the Classical Music Institute Orchestra, where she performed alongside Andrea Bocelli. Emily has also played with the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Bolivar Phil, and FIU Symphony Orchestra. Emily has participated in renowned festivals and masterclasses, including the Salzburg Festival under Simon Rattle and Christoph Koncz, the National Take a Stand Festival under Gustavo Dudamel and Michael Morgan, and the International Women’s Brass Conference.
Amy Kuhlmann Appold, violin (Season 1, 2, 7-10+, 11-14, 16-21)
Amy Kuhlmann Appold, violinist, has performed in major concert halls, venues, and festivals throughout the United States and abroad. As a founding member and first violinist of the Maia String Quartet from 1990-2005, she appeared at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and Clark Studio Theatre, the Kennedy Center, the American Academy in Rome and Harris Hall of the Aspen Music Festival as well as numerous major concert series. Her chamber music career has also included world premiere performances and recordings of music by Pierre Jalbert, Jeffrey Mumford, Donald Grantham, and Ingram Marshall among others, as well as collaborations with noted chamber musicians violist Michael Tree of the Guarneri Quartet, violinist Peter Zazofsky of the Muir Quartet, flutist Samuel Baron and pianist Ann Schein. Ms. Appold has also performed as recitalist throughout the United States and as soloist with the Columbus and Acadiana Symphony Orchestras. Ms. Appold has served on the faculties at the University of Iowa, and at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where the Maia Quartet held positions of Quartet-in-Residence. She received her musical training at the Eastman School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, The Peabody Conservatory and the Juilliard School. Ms. Appold lives in Columbia, where she maintains a studio of private violin students.
Dominique Archambeau, viola (Season 20, 21)
Dominique Archambeau began her musical training in Chicago, where she was an alumnus of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras and a featured artist in the Grant Park Music Festival’s Young Artist Showcase. Ms. Archambeau has since appeared as a soloist with orchestras in the US and abroad, including concerto performances during an international tour with the Gabrovo Chamber Orchestra (Bulgaria) and, most recently, was selected as the 2023 Artist-In-Residence with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Ms. Archambeau was a founding member of several award-winning ensembles, including Siren Duo—a clarinet and viola ensemble that primarily performed contemporary works by living and underrepresented composers—and Kaydenn String Quartet. During her tenure with KSQ, Dominique has performed alongside the renowned Cavani Quartet, as well as with members of the Kronos and Aizuri Quartets. A sought-after chamber musician and collaborator, Ms. Archambeau has participated in several residencies as a member of KSQ, including the Green Lake Festival of Music. Ms. Archambeau is a passionate educator as well as performer: she is currently on the string faculty at Knox College (Galesburg, IL.), where she also is the violist of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony’s resident string quartet. Past faculty appointments include Kirkwood Community College and the Preucil School of Music. Ms. Archambeau is a Doctoral Candidate in Viola Performance and Pedagogy, with a secondary area in Chamber Music Entrepreneurship, at the University of Iowa (ABD). During its inaugural Firefly Music Festival in 2023, Ms. Archambeau was appointed as Associate Principal Viola of the Missouri Symphony, where she is now the Director of Operations.
Megan Arns, percussion (Season 13, 18, 20, 21+)
Dr. Megan Arns is a percussionist, ethnomusicologist, and educator with a diverse set of skills and a driven passion for her craft. She is a member of the music faculty at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO as the Associate Professor of Percussion. Recent past faculty positions include Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and the National Music Conservatory in Amman, Jordan where she was also the Principal Timpanist of the Amman Symphony Orchestra. She is a section member of the New Hampshire Music Festival during the summers and has also performed with the St. Louis, Tallahassee, Sarasota, Missouri, Northwest Florida, Albany, Southern Tier and Macon Symphony Orchestras. Active as a contemporary chamber percussionist, Megan’s recent highlights include collaborative performances in France, Spain, India, Jordan, Costa Rica, Ghana, and the United States at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Millennium Park, Smithsonian Institution, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Megan regularly performs with two contemporary chamber groups: the [Switch~ Ensemble] – an electroacoustic ensemble based out of New York, and DRAX – a saxophone and percussion duo in residence at Mizzou. Megan received her D.M.A. in Percussion Performance & Literature and M.A. in Ethnomusicology at the Eastman School of Music.
Rachel AuBuchon, piano (Season 1-10, 17, 19, 20, 21)
Pianist Rachel AuBuchon has the heart of a collaborator. From assisting choirs in her youth, playing numerous recitals of chamber music, being part of creative opera production, elevating new composers’ voices in performance, or simply spending hours in rehearsal, her passion for creating with others abides. Recent engagements include a series of virtual recitals with Lauren Auge, soprano and serving as music director for Landlocked Opera’s production of The Magic Flute. Most recently, Rachel spent three years working with students at Liberty North High School during the Coronavirus pandemic. Her love of vocal literature led her to participate in the CoOPERAtive program in Princeton, New Jersey (2013) and serve as a staff accompanist for the national NATS conference in 2015, 2016, and 2018. She also participated in the inaugural year for collaborative pianists at the NATS intern program (2017) under the mentorship of Warren Jones. Other recent performances include the 2014 North American Saxophone Conference with Trio Chymera, and the 2012 World Saxophone Congress with Leo Saguiguit. An avid supporter of new music, Dr. AuBuchon participated in the International Composers Festival in Columbia Missouri (2012, 2013), served as a rehearsal pianist for the first UMKC Sounding Board event (2021), and brought to life performances of students’ opera works at UNCG’s Opera at the Carolina (2015–-2017). Rachel has served on the faculty of Stephens College, Truman State University, and UMKC, and now makes a return to the University of Missouri at Columbia. She holds degrees from Truman State University, University of Missouri at Columbia, and University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her journey in learning and musical artistry includes study with David McKamie, Janice Wenger, Natalia Bolshakova, Paul Crabb, James Douglass, and countless talented musicians with whom she has had the privilege to collaborate.
Edward Auer, piano (Plowman 2025)
Edward Auer's musical career began in his childhood in Los Angeles, where he won competition prizes, presented solo and chamber concerts, and gave guest performances on television programs. As a student at the Juilliard School, Auer won the yearly concerto competition; he made his New York début with a recital at Carnegie Hall. In 1965, he was the first American to win a prize at the Seventh International Chopin Competition in Warsaw; this was followed by successes at the Beethoven Competition in Vienna, Concours Marguerite Long, and Tchaikovsky Competition, the last garnering him an invitation to the White House.
With a performance career spanning over 30 countries on five continents, Auer has given numerous solo recitals and concertos with top international orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Paris Orchestre Philharmonique, and Berlin Radio Orchestra. He has appeared at prominent international festivals including Salzburg, and served as a juror for the International Chopin Competition and Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, among many others.
For nearly 40 years, Auer has taught at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington; he has held guest professorships at Toho Gakuen and Seoul National University. He initiated the Edward Auer Piano Workship in 1995, expanding it in 2007 into an annual international festival. Known for his recordings of Chopin’s works, he is currently preparing the Mazurka Project; previous releases include the Preludes, Waltzes, Ballades, Nocturnes, Scherzos, and Concertos.
With a performance career spanning over 30 countries on five continents, Auer has given numerous solo recitals and concertos with top international orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Paris Orchestre Philharmonique, and Berlin Radio Orchestra. He has appeared at prominent international festivals including Salzburg, and served as a juror for the International Chopin Competition and Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, among many others.
For nearly 40 years, Auer has taught at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington; he has held guest professorships at Toho Gakuen and Seoul National University. He initiated the Edward Auer Piano Workship in 1995, expanding it in 2007 into an annual international festival. Known for his recordings of Chopin’s works, he is currently preparing the Mazurka Project; previous releases include the Preludes, Waltzes, Ballades, Nocturnes, Scherzos, and Concertos.
Kailey Baker, dancer (Season 21)
Kailey Baker is a dedicated and passionate dancer who began her training at Stonecrest Dance at a young age. Her love for movement continued to blossom when she moved to Columbia, Missouri, where she trained extensively at the Mareck Center for Dance, Stephens College, and the Columbia Performing Arts Center. These experiences, along with additional programs, have shaped her into a versatile artist with a strong foundation in Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary dance.
Kailey’s performance history includes numerous productions with various schools and significant roles with the Mareck Center for Dance's Youth Ensemble. During her three years with the Youth Ensemble, she performed in excerpts from ballets and took on featured roles in contemporary works. She also portrayed the Lobster and Courtier in Karen Mareck Grundy’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and served as a Company Apprentice at the City Ballet Theater under the direction of Emerson Mertens, performing as the Nutcracker Doll, Snow Queen, and other roles in The Nutcracker. In addition to her performances, Kailey has been a dedicated dance teacher and choreographer at the Mareck Center for Dance since 2022. She teaches a variety of classes, including ballet, jazz, creative movement, and adaptive dance, and creates choreographic works for dancers of all levels showcasing her versatility and creativity. Kailey’s dedication to dance shines through in her teaching and performances.
Kailey’s performance history includes numerous productions with various schools and significant roles with the Mareck Center for Dance's Youth Ensemble. During her three years with the Youth Ensemble, she performed in excerpts from ballets and took on featured roles in contemporary works. She also portrayed the Lobster and Courtier in Karen Mareck Grundy’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and served as a Company Apprentice at the City Ballet Theater under the direction of Emerson Mertens, performing as the Nutcracker Doll, Snow Queen, and other roles in The Nutcracker. In addition to her performances, Kailey has been a dedicated dance teacher and choreographer at the Mareck Center for Dance since 2022. She teaches a variety of classes, including ballet, jazz, creative movement, and adaptive dance, and creates choreographic works for dancers of all levels showcasing her versatility and creativity. Kailey’s dedication to dance shines through in her teaching and performances.
Madeline Balsman, clarinet (Season 21)
Madeline Balsman is a current undergraduate student working towards a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a minor in Economics at the University of Missouri. Outside of her studies, Madeline is an elective student in the School of Music. Throughout her time at Mizzou, she has studied clarinet under Dr. Wesley Warnhoff, played principal clarinet in the Wind Ensemble, and served as a clarinet section leader in Marching Mizzou. Prior to college, Madeline played clarinet in the Missouri All-State Band, Missouri All-State Orchestra, and the Kansas City Youth Symphony. She is motivated by the possibility of bringing people together and inspiring positive change through music.
Natalia Bolshakova, piano (Season 8, 9+, 11, 12, 14-21)
Prize-winning pianist Natalia Bolshakova enjoys an active performing career and has been praised for her beautiful and electrifying playing, astonishing versatility and artistry. She has appeared as a recitalist, chamber musician and soloist with orchestras in France, England, Germany, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Spain, Russia, and across the United States. Her wide repertoire encompasses works from baroque era to the newest music composed for her. Natalia Bolshakova has been a laureate and a winner in many competitions, including the New Orleans International Piano Competition, the Ima Hogg Young Artist International Competition and Vysočina International Piano Competition. As a recording artist, she collaborated with trumpeter John Holt on several albums, two of which were named “best new recordings” from North America by Gramophone magazine in 2005. In April 2018, MSR Classics has released Russian Trumpet Sonatas CD by Iskander Akhmadullin, trumpet and Natalia Bolshakova, which includes 7 world premiere recordings. Dr. Bolshakova, who has been on the faculty of the School of Music at the University of Missouri since 2004, studied at the Moscow Ippolitov-Ivanov College, Moscow State Conservatory and the University of North Texas.
Brandon A. Boyd, piano (Season 15, 16, 18-21)
Dr. Brandon A. Boyd enjoys a versatile career as a conductor, in addition to appearing regularly as a composer-in-residence, collaborative pianist, and presenter for conferences, conventions, collegiate choirs, church choirs, choral symposiums, and festivals. He is the Assistant Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at the University of Missouri, where he conducts the MU Glee Club and Concert Chorale. In addition to his conducting duties at the university, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in choral conducting and choral music education.
As a proponent of choral singing to build community, his research interests include organizing choirs for the homeless, identifying the social and physical effects of choral singing on senior citizens, creating authentic field experiences for music therapy and choral music education students. For three years, Dr. Boyd co-directed three choral community partnerships in Florida: The Tallahassee Senior Choir, RAA Middle School Partnership Choir (university students and middle school singers), and the MTC Women's Prison Glee Club (university students singing with women housed in a correctional facility).
As an active composer and arranger, his music is sung regularly by ensembles throughout the United States and abroad. He is also the curator and editor of the "Brandon A. Boyd Choral Series," a choral series with Hinshaw Music Publications helping promote exciting and innovative works composed by both established and new composers and arrangers. His music also appears in MorningStar, GIA, and Kjos Music Press catalogs. In addition, he is the Executive Editor of Gentry Publications.
In 2017, he served as Santa Fe Desert Chorale’s Composer-in-Residence and Community Engagement Leader for their program Giving Voice to the Voiceless. The Chorale premiered a work commissioned by the SFDC, I Search, during their 35th Anniversary of the Summer Justice Concert Series. He served as assistant conductor, pre-concert lecturer, and guest pianist. He set to music a text written by "Poet V," a young participant in the Voces de Libertad program at the Santa Fe County Youth Development Center. His duties also included organizing and conducting the Interfaith Community Shelter Street Choir, thus creating a safe place for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness within the Santa Fe community. Other commissioning partners include Choirs of America Nationals for Top Choirs at Carnegie, Southwestern Adventist University, Florida State University/Tallahassee Community Chorus, New Mexico Music Educators Association, and the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
In the summer of 2019, Dr. Boyd was invited by Universidad Católica Boliviana - San Pablo of the Unidad Academica Regional Tarija to provide conducting workshops, in addition to serving as guest conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra, Sociedad Corla Andaluz, Symphonic Ochestra in a presentation of American music at the Historic "Casa de la Cultutura de Tarija" (Tarija's House of Culture). In that same year, he served as a guest professor at the Universidad Evangelica in Santa Cruz, Boliviana. The Partners of the Americas sponsored both university partnerships.
In 2020, he made his debut with the London Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Andre Thomas, as guest pianist for the Symphonic Gospel Spirit Concert. In that year, he also served as a guest clinician for the NAfME All-National Honor Choir.
He holds two degrees from Florida State University (Ph.D. in choral music education and M.M. in choral conducting) and earned a B.S. in music education (emphasis in piano) from Tennessee State University. He is a proud member of the American Choral Directors' Association (ACDA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), American Guild of Organists (AGO), and Chorus America. Dr. Boyd also serves as a member of the National ACDA Composition Initiative committee.
Forthcoming highlights include appearances with the 2021 Missouri All-State Festival Chorus, 2021 Royal School of Church Music in America Conference, 2021 Trinity Church-Boston, 2021 Milwaukee Conservatory of Music, 2021 University of Southern Mississippi's Southern Invitational Choral Conference, 2021 ACDA Eastern Division's Directors' Chorus, 2021 Southwest Missouri All-District Honor Choir, 2021 Kansas City All-District Choir, The 2022 Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York at Carnegie Hall Concert and the 2023 Kenosha Choral Festival.
As a proponent of choral singing to build community, his research interests include organizing choirs for the homeless, identifying the social and physical effects of choral singing on senior citizens, creating authentic field experiences for music therapy and choral music education students. For three years, Dr. Boyd co-directed three choral community partnerships in Florida: The Tallahassee Senior Choir, RAA Middle School Partnership Choir (university students and middle school singers), and the MTC Women's Prison Glee Club (university students singing with women housed in a correctional facility).
As an active composer and arranger, his music is sung regularly by ensembles throughout the United States and abroad. He is also the curator and editor of the "Brandon A. Boyd Choral Series," a choral series with Hinshaw Music Publications helping promote exciting and innovative works composed by both established and new composers and arrangers. His music also appears in MorningStar, GIA, and Kjos Music Press catalogs. In addition, he is the Executive Editor of Gentry Publications.
In 2017, he served as Santa Fe Desert Chorale’s Composer-in-Residence and Community Engagement Leader for their program Giving Voice to the Voiceless. The Chorale premiered a work commissioned by the SFDC, I Search, during their 35th Anniversary of the Summer Justice Concert Series. He served as assistant conductor, pre-concert lecturer, and guest pianist. He set to music a text written by "Poet V," a young participant in the Voces de Libertad program at the Santa Fe County Youth Development Center. His duties also included organizing and conducting the Interfaith Community Shelter Street Choir, thus creating a safe place for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness within the Santa Fe community. Other commissioning partners include Choirs of America Nationals for Top Choirs at Carnegie, Southwestern Adventist University, Florida State University/Tallahassee Community Chorus, New Mexico Music Educators Association, and the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
In the summer of 2019, Dr. Boyd was invited by Universidad Católica Boliviana - San Pablo of the Unidad Academica Regional Tarija to provide conducting workshops, in addition to serving as guest conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra, Sociedad Corla Andaluz, Symphonic Ochestra in a presentation of American music at the Historic "Casa de la Cultutura de Tarija" (Tarija's House of Culture). In that same year, he served as a guest professor at the Universidad Evangelica in Santa Cruz, Boliviana. The Partners of the Americas sponsored both university partnerships.
In 2020, he made his debut with the London Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Andre Thomas, as guest pianist for the Symphonic Gospel Spirit Concert. In that year, he also served as a guest clinician for the NAfME All-National Honor Choir.
He holds two degrees from Florida State University (Ph.D. in choral music education and M.M. in choral conducting) and earned a B.S. in music education (emphasis in piano) from Tennessee State University. He is a proud member of the American Choral Directors' Association (ACDA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), American Guild of Organists (AGO), and Chorus America. Dr. Boyd also serves as a member of the National ACDA Composition Initiative committee.
Forthcoming highlights include appearances with the 2021 Missouri All-State Festival Chorus, 2021 Royal School of Church Music in America Conference, 2021 Trinity Church-Boston, 2021 Milwaukee Conservatory of Music, 2021 University of Southern Mississippi's Southern Invitational Choral Conference, 2021 ACDA Eastern Division's Directors' Chorus, 2021 Southwest Missouri All-District Honor Choir, 2021 Kansas City All-District Choir, The 2022 Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York at Carnegie Hall Concert and the 2023 Kenosha Choral Festival.
Amanda Collins, horn (Season 17, 21)
Described as “impressively solid” by the Dallas Morning News, Amanda Collins has quickly become a highly sought after performer and educator nationally and abroad. Ms. Collins is a graduate of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Preparatory (certificate), Pennsylvania State University (BM) and Southern Methodist University (MM). She has studied under the tutelage of some of the finest living horn players, including Gregory Hustis, Lisa Bontrager, Larry Williams, Eli Epstein and Richard Deane. Ms. Collins is currently third horn with the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra and second horn with the American Studio Orchestra. In 2017, Ms. Collins was appointed Principal horn of the Gateways Festival Orchestra, an ensemble featuring professional musicians of African descent. She has performed with several notable ensembles including the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Memphis Symphony, Opera Memphis, Sphinx Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Brass Quintet. Ms. Collins recently made her UK debut performing as principal horn with the Chineke! Orchestra on their 2019 UK tour. A sought after freelancer nationally, she regularly performs for a variety of musical theaters, gospel and R&B/soul ensembles, pops ensembles and opera companies. Performances include Mary Poppins- Hershey Theater, Titanic- Signature Theater, various productions with the Soulful Symphony, Opera NOVA and the Washington Opera Society. Ms. Collins appears regularly as a soloist and guest artist. A dedicated chamber musician, she is a member of the Missouri Quintet and the University of Missouri Faculty Brass Quintet. Ms. Collins was a featured artist in 2017 and 2018 on the national radio show, Performance Today, hosted by Fred Child, broadcasted by American Public Media, performing Francis Poulenc’s Sextet for Piano and Wind Quintet, FP 100 with members of the Gateways Music Festival. Additionally, she performed with the Gateways Brass Collective on Backstage Pass with Julia Figeras on WXXI, NPR in January of 2019 in Rochester, NY. Ms. Collins is a passionate educator and is currently Assistant Teaching Professor of French Horn at the University of Missouri. Formerly, she was Adjunct Professor of French Horn at Montgomery College and the University of the District of Columbia. She also served as Instructor of French Horn at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Preparatory and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. In addition to private instruction, Ms. Collins has taught classes in music theory, chamber music and ensemble playing. A strong supporter of diversity and inclusion in the arts, many of Ms. Collins’ students hail from under-served and underrepresented communities. Ms. Collins served on faculty at the Prizm International Chamber Music Festival in 2018 where she worked with students of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. In addition to performing and teaching, Ms. Collins regularly attends events and conferences, the focus of which is on performing and teaching the French horn, promoting and creating a network of diverse musicians, artists and instructors, and administrative networking and conversations. In 2017 and 2018, she was selected as a fellow at the Sphinx Connect conference in Detroit, MI. In 2019, Ms. Collins was interviewed on Backstage with Lee Thomas on Detroit Public Television during the 2019 Sphinx Competition. Ms. Collins is routinely a guest speaker at symposiums and events, discussing a wide range of topics including diversity and inclusion in the arts, college auditioning technique, college career management and entrepreneurship for college students and graduates. Ms. Collins is affiliated with the American Federation of Musicians and the International Horn Society. She currently plays a Yamaha 867 French horn and Laskey 75G gold plate mouthpiece.
R. Paul Crabb, conductor (Season 3-10, 12-16, 18-21)
R. Paul Crabb is Artistic Director of the professional vocal ensemble, PROMETHEUS, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri. His ensembles have sung at state, regional and national conventions, and traveled extensively in Asia, Europe, and Australia. Crabb has served as assistant conductor at the Russian-American symposium at the Moscow Conservatory and as a visiting professor in England, Austria, Sweden, and Poland. He was the first American Visiting Choral Professor at the Liszt Academy of Music (Budapest), and first American lecturer at the Choral Department at the University of Vienna’s Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst. Since 2012 Crabb has served as a faculty member at Laudate Dominum in Vienna. As an orchestral conductor, Crabb was resident conductor for the Dante Music and Arts Festival in Nagoya, Japan, and regularly conducts at the Conservatory of Domenico Cimarosa in Italy. Crabb’s teaching awards include the Allen Teaching Award (Truman State University), the Missouri Professor of the Year, and recipient of a Kemper Fellowship at the University of Missouri.
Alice K. Dade, flute (Season 9-11, 14, 16-21)
Alice K. Dade enjoys a career of great variety including concerto and chamber music appearances, recording projects, television appearances, and guest principal flute of orchestras. As a soloist, Ms. Dade is an award winner of the Olga Koussevitsky Wind Competition of the Musicians Club of New York and The New York Flute Club Competition. She has performed with the Guanajuato Symphony Orchestra (Mexico), Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil Red de Escuelas de Música de Medellín (Colombia), PRIZM Festival Orchestra, and the Festival Mozaic Orchestra. Ms. Dade has performed chamber music as part of the Busan One Asia Festival, Chestnut Hill Chamber Series, Concordia Chamber Players at The Princeton Festival, Summerfest of Kansas City, and National Flute Association Conventions. Ms. Dade’s first solo album, Living Music, was released on Naxos in 2018. She can also be heard in chamber music recordings on Evidence Classics performing Michael Fine’s Quintet for flute and string quartet and Arte Verum with soprano, Barbara Hendricks. Ms. Dade is a recurring guest star of a new PBS series called Now Hear This. Scott Yoo, Ms. Dade’s husband and host of the show, travels the world chasing the secret histories of our greatest musical works and their composers while discovering connections to today’s music, art, and culture. Ms. Dade joined the faculty at the University of Missouri School of Music in 2011 has been a faculty member of PRIZM International Chamber Music Festival, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Flutes by the Sea Masterclass, and Medellín Festicamara. Ms. Dade attended The Juilliard School is a Powell Artist. She plays a handmade 14K Powell Flute with a platinum headjoint.
Alexis Doebelin, horn (Season 21)
Alexis Doebelin is a freshman at the University of Missouri pursuing a Bachelor’s in Music Performance. She currently performs in the University Philharmonic Orchestra led by Dr. John McKeever, and the Horn Studio’s ‘Miz-Q’ Quartet, and she is currently taking lessons with Professor Amanda Collins. In high school, Alexis spent four years playing in the Rock Bridge Wind Symphony led by Patrick Sullivan, and studied with Amber Blumberg. Alexis also had the opportunity to play with the Missouri All-State Orchestra led by Dr. Soo Han, and the Missouri All-State Band led by Dr. Jamie Nix.
Carol Elliott, cello (Season 1-10, 19-21)
Carol Elliott is happy to be able to devote more time to music after spending many years working full time in information technology. Besides playing the cello, she is learning to use music composition software to arrange music for herself and friends, an elected member of the Columbia Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, and a volunteer democracy advocate. Carol is currently principal cellist of the Columbia Civic Orchestra and enjoys opportunities to perform orchestral, chamber, and vocal music with organizations including the Missouri Symphony, Odyssey Chamber Music Series, and the Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri. Throughout her life, everywhere she has lived, Carol has sought out opportunities for musical collaboration. In Pennsylvania from 2015-2021, Carol was a cellist and board member of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic and regularly played electric cello with her church's worship team. In St. Louis, Carol was a freelance musician and member of The Muny orchestra from 1981-1983. She substituted in the Springfield (Missouri) Symphony from 2002-2008. While attending graduate school in northern Illinois, Carol was principal cellist of the Beloit-Janesville Symphony, played in the Rockford (Illinois) Symphony, and taught cello part-time at Beloit College. Carol holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College and Master of Music degree from Northern Illinois University, both in cello performance, and Bachelor of Science degree in Systems and Data Processing from Washington University in St. Louis. She was a fellowship student at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. Carol grew up in central Missouri and studied with Carleton Spotts of the University of Missouri and Eula Simmons of Stephens College as a high school student. Other cello teachers include Andor Toth, Jr., Marc Johnson, and Dan Zollars. Her chamber music coaches include the Vermeer and New Hungarian String Quartets and members of the Boston Symphony. Carol's cello is a copy of the Marquis de Corberon Stradivari made in 2020 by Julia Sarano of London. Her bow was made by David Samuels.
Chris Farris, trumpet (Season 3-5, 7, 9, 18-21)
Chris Farris is a band teacher, trumpet performer, and private instructor who resides in Columbia, MO with his wife, Kate, and their two daughters. His education includes a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Central Missouri, and a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Missouri. Chris is in his fourteenth year with Columbia Public Schools where he teaches band at Oakland Middle School. In addition to his appearances with the Odyssey Chamber Series, Chris can also be seen performing with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Arrow Rock Lyceum Pit Orchestra, Kansas City Street Band, Columbia Jazz Orchestra, John Berkemeyer Big Band, Harmonium Brass, Big Bang Brass Quintet, and as a freelance musician in numerous churches and other settings around the state. In previous years, Chris performed with the University of Missouri Faculty Brass Quintet, the award-winning Fountain City Brass Band, and with artists such as Lou Rawls, Art Garfunkel, the Fifth Dimension, Morgan James, and Under the Streetlamp.
Isaac Foley, bass (Season 17, 18, 20, 21)
Isaac Foley is a Columbia Missouri native who performs and teaches music all around mid Missouri. A multi-instrumentalist, Isaac studied Bass and Guitar at Berklee college of music in Boston for his undergraduate studies before moving to Kauai Hawaii to continue his studies in Guitar and Ukulele. Since returning to Columbia, Isaac has enjoyed helping run youth and adult community jazz jams as well as been involved with many exciting performances at the Lyceum theater, MU, and many other venues around Missouri.
Andrew Friesen, trumpet (Season 21)
Andrew Friesen is a graduate student pursuing a master’s in music education at the University of Missouri. He specializes in brass and wind band pedagogy, with an emphasis on bridging music education and performance in meaningful ways. Friesen has performed in various musical settings, both collegiately and professionally, while sharing his passion for music through education, engagement, and performance. Originally from St. Louis, MO, he earned his undergraduate degree from Missouri State University in December 2021 and gained two years of teaching experience in Charleston, MO.
Joanna Griffith, trombone (Season 17, 18, 21)
Joanna Griffith is a trombonist and music educator originally from Miami, Florida. Joanna earned a Master of Music degree in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2013 and a Bachelor of Music in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Miami in 2011. She moved to Columbia in 2017 from Sacramento, California, where she was a member of the Sacramento Brass Quintet, and the Sacramento Symphonic Winds. Some of her most recent freelance work includes performing with the Missouri Symphony and the Columbia Jazz Orchestra. In addition to her performing experience, Joanna loves teaching and maintains a private lesson studio that includes brass and piano students. She has taught students of all ages as an educator in Sacramento area schools and at the Sacramento Piano Conservatory. Currently, Joanna works for the University of Missouri School of Music as the coordinator of the Community Music Program.
Erik Hassell, violin (Season 5-11, 13-16, 18-21)
Native to Kansas City, Erik Hassell teaches strings at Oxford Middle School in the Blue Valley School District, Overland Park, KS and runs a thriving violin/viola studio in the KC area. He completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music at Mizzou while studying violin with Eva Szekely. In 2022, Mr Hassell received the MoASTA Studio Teacher Award. He subs in the region with the Springfield Symphony (MO), Topeka Symphony, and Missouri Symphony. He currently performs with the Odyssey Chamber Ensemble, Lee's Summit Symphony as associate concertmaster, and the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra as concertmaster. As an active violinist in Kansas City, Mr Hassell has enjoyed working with alternative groups such as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Sonic Symphony, and artists such as Evanescence, The Eagles, and Lindsey Sterling.
Steven Houser, bassoon (Season 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Steven Houser, Lincoln University Professor Emeritus, holds degrees from Wright State University for which he was honored as an Outstanding Music Department Alumnus, the Ohio State University and a PhD from the University of Missouri. Dr. Houser was also a Fulbright Scholar to Egypt. He performs principal clarinet with the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra which he served as immediate past Conductor/Music Director for 12 years and principal bassoon with the Columbia Civic Orchestra. He was the first conductor for the Lake Area Community Orchestra. He also performed in the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and in the United States Air Force Band, Wright Patterson Air Force Base. He is a Past President of the Missouri Music Teachers and the Mid-Missouri Music Teachers Association and is a nationally certified instructor of woodwinds by the Music Teachers National Association and a Missouri High School Association Certified Music Adjudicator. He is a Past President of the Jefferson City Arts Council and a music director for numerous Jefferson City Little Theatre productions as well as the joint Broadway Review presented in Jefferson City and Cork, Ireland. He is a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where he sings bass and performs sacred woodwind solos with his wife, Jan. He is a past choral director in Methodist, Presbyterian, and Disciples of Christ churches in Ohio and Missouri. He dotes on his two college student grandchildren, Emily and Steven, his three-legged dog, Mr. Beats and faithfully feeds the wild birds. Little known facts: in Dayton, Ohio he played lead alto sax for shows with Gladys Knight and the Pips and the Dells. Also, along with his son, he holds a Black Belt in Tae Kwan Do.
Timothy Howe, trombone (Season 10, 13, 19-21)
Timothy Howe received a Bachelor of Music degree in trombone performance from Northwestern University in 1983, where he was a student of the late Chicago Symphony trombonist, Frank Crisafulli. Shortly after his graduation from Northwestern, Dr. Howe was appointed Second Trombone of the Omaha Symphony in 1983. He served in this position for over 20 years, performing everything from great symphonic and operatic masterworks to concerts with popular music artists and educational programs. In addition to his orchestra duties, Dr. Howe was a member of the Omaha Symphony Brass Quintet. During his time in Omaha, Dr. Howe also was appointed Principal Trombone of the Lincoln (NE) Symphony, a position he held from 1997-2003, and Principal Trombone of the Des Moines Metro Opera, a position which he still currently holds. He also performs regularly with the Shreveport Symphony, the Arkansas Symphony, South Arkansas Symphony, and was Principal Trombone of the Pine Bluff (AR) Symphony. Dr. Howe received a Master of Music degree in 1995 and a Doctor of Musical Arts in 2002 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was a student of Vernon Forbes and Dr. Scott Anderson. He has received additional instruction and master classes with Max Bonecutter, Glenn Dodson, and Michael Mulcahy. Dr. Howe’s thesis was entitled: Developing a Historical Model for Trombone Performance Practice in German and Austrian Orchestral Works from the Period 1785-1830. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln honored Dr. Howe as a distinguished arts alumni and he performed a guest recital on campus in 2004. In addition he has performed solo recitals and concerto performances at colleges in Michigan, Indiana, Arkansas, Nebraska and Iowa. In May 2006 and 2008 he presented master classes and recitals at the Sichuan Conservatory in Chengdu, China. Recent premieres include Episodes for Trombone and Timpani by Phillip Parker at the South Central Conference of the College Music Society, and Fanfare for Trombone and Computer by Jeremy Baguyos at the Society for Electro Acoustic Music in the United States National Conference at Iowa State University. He has been a region jazz clinician in Arkansas and president of the Arkansas Jazz Educators Association. Dr. Howe teaches trombone, low brass methods and directs the Trombone Choir at the University of Missouri. Before coming to Missouri, Dr. Howe was Assistant Professor of Music at Arkansas Tech University. He has also served as a faculty member at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Grace University, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Dana College, Concordia College, and Union College.
Ida Kavafian, violin (Plowman 2025)
Internationally acclaimed as a violist as well as a violinist, the versatile Ida Kavafian is an artist-member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and former violinist of the Beaux Arts Trio. For 34 years she has been artistic director of Music from Angel Fire in New Mexico, where some 200 Curtis students have participated in the Young Artist Program to date. She was a founder of the Bravo! Colorado festival, serving as its artistic director for ten years; and co-founded the chamber ensembles Opus One, Tashi, and Trio Valtorna. She also performs as a soloist and in recital with her sister, violinist Ani Kavafian.
Ms. Kavafian has premiered numerous works, including concertos by Toru Takemitsu and Michael Daugherty, whose Fire and Blood she recorded with the Detroit Symphony. She has toured and recorded with jazz artists Chick Corea and Wynton Marsalis, and with fiddler/composer Mark O’Connor.
Born in Istanbul of Armenian parentage, Ms. Kavafian is a graduate of the Juilliard School, where she studied with Oscar Shumsky. She made her debut through Young Concert Artists with the pianist Peter Serkin, and also received the coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant. She resides with her husband, violist Steven Tenenbom, in Philadelphia and Connecticut, where they breed and train prizewinning Hungarian vizsla show dogs.
Since 1998 Ms. Kavafian has served on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music, where she received the 2013 Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Ms. Kavafian has premiered numerous works, including concertos by Toru Takemitsu and Michael Daugherty, whose Fire and Blood she recorded with the Detroit Symphony. She has toured and recorded with jazz artists Chick Corea and Wynton Marsalis, and with fiddler/composer Mark O’Connor.
Born in Istanbul of Armenian parentage, Ms. Kavafian is a graduate of the Juilliard School, where she studied with Oscar Shumsky. She made her debut through Young Concert Artists with the pianist Peter Serkin, and also received the coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant. She resides with her husband, violist Steven Tenenbom, in Philadelphia and Connecticut, where they breed and train prizewinning Hungarian vizsla show dogs.
Since 1998 Ms. Kavafian has served on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music, where she received the 2013 Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Ryan Kee, piano (Season 18-20, S21 Performance Fellow)
Ryan Kee is a piano major at the University of Missouri, studying with Dr. Peter Miyamoto. He was previously a student of Eunsil Stevenson in St. Louis. Most recently, he received an Honorable Mention in the 2021 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Competition. He was also the winner of the 2020 Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Collegiate Honors Auditions in the Undergraduate Lower Division, and received the 2021 Missouri Federation of Music Clubs Nelson Piano Award. Additionally, he won third place in the 2018 Steinway Competition and was a finalist of that competition in 2019. He was recently featured by the World Piano Teachers Association (WPTA), which presented him in a video recital that premiered on October 17, 2021.
Helena Hyesoo Kim, piano (Season 20, 21)
Dr. Helena Hyesoo Kim, a Korean-Canadian pianist renowned for her sensitive and passionate playing, is dedicated to connecting with the community through music. She has performed at prominent venues across the Netherlands, France, Russia, Spain, Korea, Canada, and the United States, including Carnegie Hall (Stern Auditorium) in New York and Severance Hall in Cleveland, OH. Kim has appeared as a soloist with the Chopin Poland Orchestra and has earned numerous accolades in national and international competitions, including first prize at the Han Kuk Ilbo and the Russian Music Festival. Kim has collaborated with a variety of musicians, including soprano Su-Mi Cho, trumpet player Jens Lindemann, pianist Curtis Pavey (in piano duo), clarinetist Christopher Pell, tuba player Chris Blaha, and saxophonist Todd Gaffke, with whom she released the CD Locally Sourced under the Neuma Recording label. Additionally, she has worked as a collaborative pianist at the College-Conservatory of Music, Northern Kentucky University, and the University of Akron, where she also held the position of Coordinator of Collaborative Piano. Kim received her early musical training at Yewon Art School and the Saint-Petersburg Pre-Conservatory. She continued her studies at the University of British Columbia, where she earned a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Music, and later at McGill University, where she completed a Master of Music. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Cincinnati. An advocate for the works of underrepresented composers, Kim has a particular focus on female composers, including Caroline KyungA Ahn, Alexina Louie, Sofia Gubaidulina, and Galina Ustvolskaya. Her doctoral research explored unifying elements in the piano sonatas of Galina Ustvolskaya, works that were marginalized due to repression by the Soviet government. Kim currently teaches at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, serves as a Vice President of Board at Odyssey Chamber Music Series, and a Coordinator of International Engagement of Korea at the Frances Clark Center.
Michael Klyce, violin (Season 21)
Violinist Michael Klyce is a dynamic performer, widely recognized for his compelling stage presence and deep connection with audiences. He has appeared with numerous ensembles, including the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Germantown Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra, and previously served as a section violinist with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. Michael has worked with many well-known pedagogues and chamber ensembles, including William Preucil and Annie Fullard, and has been awarded fellowships and scholarships from renowned summer music festivals including Madeline Island Chamber Music and the Brevard Summer Music Festival. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, he frequently performs in recital at the Village at Germantown and is a former winner of both the Memphis Youth Symphony and Germantown Symphony Young Artists Concerto Competitions. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Vanderbilt University, where he studied with Carolyn Huebl, and a Master of Music degree from Florida State University, where he studied with Shannon Thomas. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Iowa as a recipient of the prestigious Iowa Performance Fellowship, where he studies with Scott Conklin.
Aaron Krawitz, actor (Season 21)
Aaron Krawitz (Narrator and Soldier, L’histoire du Soldat), is a professor emeritus of Engineering at MU who has been involved in community theater since 1995. Beginning in 2010, he did a series of two-man shows with Addison Myers, including Duck Variations, Freud’s Last Session, Sunshine Boys, and Memoirs. In recent years he played Marc in ART, Mark Rothko in RED, and Morrie Schwartz in Tuesdays at Morrie’s. Most recently he was Albert Salvado in Golgotha and Jan Karski in Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski, both one-man plays. These were produced by his production company, Minimal Art Productions.
Chien-Kwan Lin, saxophone (Plowman 2025)
Chien-Kwan Lin (b. 1972, Singapore) has appeared as soloist and guest artist with the United States Navy Band, Eastman Wind Ensemble, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Tanglewood Festival Orchestra, New World Symphony, Beijing Symphony, Singapore Symphony, Boston Philharmonic, Sichuan Philharmonic, Thailand Philharmonic, and Rochester Chamber orchestra.
Mr. Lin’s performances have garnered excellent reviews by critics in New York and Boston. His critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall recital prompted New York Concert Review to portray him as a performer “who has the passion and restraint and beautiful sense of line to take melody where it wants to go, fully and generously,” while the Boston Globe has lauded him for “displaying chops,” and described his playing as “polished,” “charismatic,” and “appealing.” Mr. Lin’s recording of Lei Liang’s Memories of Xiaoxiang for Alto Saxophone & Tape (Mode) was selected among “Amazon.com: Best 20th/21st Century Classical of 2009,” and his recording of Liang’s Xiaoxiang Concerto with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP/sound) was named a Pulitzer Prize Finalist in 2015.
Recent appearances by Mr. Lin have included the World Saxophone Congress, North American Saxophone Alliance, Asian Saxophone Congress, Vienna Sax Fest, Atlanta Saxophone Day, and the U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium. He has presented master classes across the U.S. and internationally, including the Paris Conservatory (CNSMDP), Manuel Castillo Conservatory of Seville (Spain), National Taipei University for the Arts, Mahidol University (Thailand), as well as major conservatories and universities across China.
Mr. Lin is currently Professor of Saxophone at the Eastman School of Music, where he is also founding director of the Eastman Saxophone Project (ESP), and recipient of the 2012-2013 Eisenhart Award for Excellence in Teaching. His students have won more than sixty major national and international prizes. Mr. Lin’s former students hold collegiate teaching positions, and are members of premier military bands in Washington, D.C., including ‘The President’s Own’ U.S. Marine Band, the U.S. Navy Band, and the U.S. Army Band ‘Pershing’s Own’ Ceremonial and Concert Bands.
Chien-Kwan Lin is an artist and clinician for Selmer and Vandoren companies. He holds degrees from the New England Conservatory (BM, MM) and the Eastman School of Music (Performer’s Certificate, DMA). His teachers have included Ken Radnofsky and Ramon Ricker.
Mr. Lin’s performances have garnered excellent reviews by critics in New York and Boston. His critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall recital prompted New York Concert Review to portray him as a performer “who has the passion and restraint and beautiful sense of line to take melody where it wants to go, fully and generously,” while the Boston Globe has lauded him for “displaying chops,” and described his playing as “polished,” “charismatic,” and “appealing.” Mr. Lin’s recording of Lei Liang’s Memories of Xiaoxiang for Alto Saxophone & Tape (Mode) was selected among “Amazon.com: Best 20th/21st Century Classical of 2009,” and his recording of Liang’s Xiaoxiang Concerto with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP/sound) was named a Pulitzer Prize Finalist in 2015.
Recent appearances by Mr. Lin have included the World Saxophone Congress, North American Saxophone Alliance, Asian Saxophone Congress, Vienna Sax Fest, Atlanta Saxophone Day, and the U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium. He has presented master classes across the U.S. and internationally, including the Paris Conservatory (CNSMDP), Manuel Castillo Conservatory of Seville (Spain), National Taipei University for the Arts, Mahidol University (Thailand), as well as major conservatories and universities across China.
Mr. Lin is currently Professor of Saxophone at the Eastman School of Music, where he is also founding director of the Eastman Saxophone Project (ESP), and recipient of the 2012-2013 Eisenhart Award for Excellence in Teaching. His students have won more than sixty major national and international prizes. Mr. Lin’s former students hold collegiate teaching positions, and are members of premier military bands in Washington, D.C., including ‘The President’s Own’ U.S. Marine Band, the U.S. Navy Band, and the U.S. Army Band ‘Pershing’s Own’ Ceremonial and Concert Bands.
Chien-Kwan Lin is an artist and clinician for Selmer and Vandoren companies. He holds degrees from the New England Conservatory (BM, MM) and the Eastman School of Music (Performer’s Certificate, DMA). His teachers have included Ken Radnofsky and Ramon Ricker.
Angelo Manzo, tuba (Seasons 3, 21+)
Dr. Angelo Manzo is currently an Associate Professor of tuba and euphonium at the University of Missouri. Dr. Manzo has been a member of the music faculty at MU since 2001 where he teaches applied tuba and euphonium, directs the MU Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble, and performs regularly with the University of Missouri Faculty Brass Quintet. A native of Washington, he entered his undergraduate studies at the University of Puget Sound as a vocal performance major, but began serious instrumental study his sophomore year. While focusing on tuba performance, he also continued his vocal training throughout both his undergraduate and graduate studies. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Puget Sound, a Master of Music degree from Baylor University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin. His primary tuba instructors include: Ron Munson, Steve Fissel, Michael Fischer, and Steven Bryant. Dr. Manzo has performed on television and radio with professional brass quintets and symphonies, including the Puget Sound Brass Quintet, Brazos Valley Brass Quintet, Tacoma Symphony, Waco Symphony, Federal Way Philharmonic, and the Seattle Symphony. His playing can be heard on many commercials and movie soundtrack credits, including The Empty Mirror, Rudyard Kipling's The Second Jungle Book: Mowgli and Baloo, The Adventures of Pinocchio, and Stargate SG-1. Dr. Manzo is very active throughout the United States as a recitalist, clinician, adjudicator, and most recently has given master classes and performances at several American and Russian universities, including the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, the Moscow Conservatory of Music, the Gnessin Institute (Moscow), and the Mussorgsky School of Music (St. Petersburg). As a soloist/artist he has appeared at a variety of state, regional, and national/international conferences, including the 2006 International Tuba-Euphonium Conference; 2003 and 2007 Great Plains Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference; 2007 Midwest Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference; and 2007 Mid-South Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference. Locally, he performs with the Missouri Brass Consortium, the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Missouri-Faculty Brass Quintet. Dr. Manzo has commissioned, arranged, transcribed, and composed several pieces for tuba and euphonium. Currently, more than twenty of his works for tuba and tuba/euphonium ensemble are published by the Tuba-Euphonium Press.
Peter Miyamoto, piano (Season 1-21)
Peter Miyamoto enjoys a brilliant international career, performing to great acclaim in recital and as soloist in Canada, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, China, and Japan, and in major US cities such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. In 1990, Miyamoto was named the first Gilmore Young Artist. He won numerous other competitions, including the American Pianist Association National Fellowship Competition, the D’Angelo Competition, the San Francisco Symphony Competition and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Competition. Dr. Miyamoto holds degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music, Yale University School of Music, Michigan State University, and the Royal Academy of Music in London. His teachers included Maria Curcio-Diamand, Leon Fleisher, Claude Frank, Peter Frankl, Marek Jablonski, Aube Tzerko, and Ralph Votapek, and Felix Galimir, Szymon Goldberg and Lorand Fenyves for chamber music. He has collaborated in performances with members of the Borromeo, Pacifica and Euclid Quartets as well as instrumentalists such as Charles Castleman, Victor Danchenko, Joel Krosnick, Anthony McGill, Amit Peled, David Shifrin, Lara St. John, and Allan Vogel, among many others. Currently Catherine P. Middlebush Chair of Piano and Coordinator of Keyboard Studies at the University of Missouri, Peter Miyamoto was named MU College of Arts and Sciences Professor of the Year in 2021. Miyamoto formerly taught at Michigan State University, and the California Institute of the Arts. After serving as head of the piano faculty at the New York Summer Music Festival in 2003-2015, he served on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music’s Young Artist Summer Program in 2016-2020. He has presented master classes at major institutions throughout the United States as well as internationally in Canada, China, Greece, Japan and Serbia. Peter Miyamoto has released six CDs of solo piano music on the Blue-Griffin Label as well as a CD of commissioned violin and piano duos with violinist Julie Rosenfeld on Albany Records. More information is available on his website, www.petermiyamoto.com.
Alexandre Negrão, violin (Season 18-21)
Originally from Brazil, Alexandre Negrão was born and raised in Belém where he started his studies in violin at the age of 7 at the Fundação Amazônica de Música, an organization providing access to music education for marginalized communities. His early mentors Antonio de Pádua Batista, Paulo Keuffer, and Serguei Firsanov saw and supported Alexandre’s future career path as a professional violinist. Negrão won a place in the Theatre da Paz Symphony Orchestra, in Belém, in 2013, then won the position of concertmaster in 2014 and held the position for the next 3 years. Alexandre is currently finishing his master’s in music – MM, in violin performance at the University of Missouri – School of Music, in Columbia. He has also developed an important role as violinist of the New Music Ensemble, which performs music composed by composers from our current time as well as composers from the 20th century, Missourian composers, and students from the university. After the completion of his Master’s, Alexandre will be pursuing his Doctoral in Music and Arts in violin performance at a university in the US. He has recently performed with Kaizen piano trio the works by Boulanger, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, and Ravel with cellist Nate Roberts and pianist Ryan Kee with a focus on standard and new works for the genre. His curiosity and passion for chamber music has also led him to be Co-founder of the MU – Camerata, a student ensemble with around thirteen other students that devote their time to playing string quartets, among other center pieces from the literature of string orchestra. Locally, Alexandre has served as concertmaster for the MU Philharmonic, strings coach and assistant conductor with the Mid-Missouri Community orchestra and has performed as section musician as well as assistant concertmaster for the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Columbia Civic Orchestra, and acting concertmaster for Odyssey Chamber Music Series. This last summer, Alexandre toured around South America with the New Music Ensemble. Among the places, the ensemble performed in Bogota – Colombia, and Cordoba, Bariloche and Buenos Aires – Argentina. The pieces performed where composed only by north and south American composers, inluding a former compositional professor at the School of Music at the University of Missouri, Prof. Carolina Heredia. After the tour, Alexandre performed the Brahms violin concerto at the Fundação Amazônica de Música with its Youth Orchestra, where he also conducted masterclasses as well as violin masterclasses and coached some students chamber groups.
Colleen Ostercamp, organ (Season 8, 13-15, 17, 18, 20, 21)
Colleen Ostercamp is the organist at First Baptist Church, a position held for 30 years. She plays the organ, piano, flute and bells. Music has always been a part of her life, as her mother was a piano teacher. Colleen received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Sioux Falls University in South Dakota. Colleen and her husband, Gary, went on from college and seminary to do music and mission work in Brazil, Canada, and Florida, where Gary took chaplaincy training, bringing them to the University of Missouri Hospital in 1990. Their son, Neil, was a music graduate of MU as well as their daughter-in-law, Whitney. Colleen's next music goal includes teaching her favorite folk songs to Quinn, her grand daughter. "For the anniversary of my 30th year at the First Baptist pipe organist's bench, I dedicate this presentation of the Albrechtsberger organ concerto. Its a lifetime goal offered to the people I love. "
Natalie Parker, violoncello (Season 21)
Cellist Natalie Parker began playing in the fourth grade, when the cello was indeed bigger than she was, and has been in love with it ever since. Once she was accepted into the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) as a high school student, there was no stopping her from pursuing her passion to share her love of music with others, either in school, at summer festivals, or amongst the community. She received her bachelor’s degree in music performance at UNCSA in 2013 and her master’s degree in music performance at the University of Oregon in 2015. Natalie has played with a variety of ensembles throughout NC, including the Western Piedmont Symphony, Winston-Salem Symphony, and Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, and joined MOSY in 2024. She recently moved to Missouri to join her husband, Dr. John McKeever, as a part of the MU School of Music.
Curtis Pavey, piano (Season 20, 21)
Dr. Curtis Pavey is a pianist, harpsichordist, and educator based in Columbia, Missouri where he currently serves as Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Performance at the University of Missouri. Pavey has performed as a soloist in the Oklahoma Mozart Festival, the Edward Auer Summer Piano Workshop (EASPW), the Great Lakes Chamber Festival, Montreal’s Kin Experience, and the Madison Performing Arts Foundation. Recently, he gave the world premiere performance of composer Grace Choi’s Voyage, a work for solo piano, and in August 2021 Pavey was named a finalist in the 2021 Beardsley Cup Piano Prize Competition. He has a special interest in the music of Maurice Ravel and is currently working to learn his complete piano music. In 2020, he received a Teacher Enrichment Grant from the Music Teachers National Association that supported private piano lessons on Ravel’s piano music with Canadian pianist and Ravel specialist, André Laplante. In 2016, Pavey won the EASPW Chamber Music Competition and performed Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44 with guest artists. The following year, he won the EASPW Solo Piano Competition. Pavey received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati, where he studied with Professor James Tocco and Dr. Michael Unger. Prior to his studies in Cincinnati, he studied piano and harpsichord at Indiana University where he worked with Professors Edward Auer, Elisabeth Wright, and Evelyne Brancart.
Leslie Perna, viola (Season 4, 12-16, 19-21)
Leslie Perna, violist, is a respected artist and teacher whose performances have been broadcast internationally on radio and television, including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Brazil’s Radio and TV MEC and the ABC Nightly News. She has recorded the music of some of today’s most important composers, including Samuel Adler, James Willey and Andrew list for the Albany, Centaur, Capstone, New World and CRI labels. Her performances have taken her to Europe, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Canada and many major American cities, where she is frequently invited to perform and teach viola and chamber music. She has given presentations at numerous national conferences, and was awarded “Outstanding Collegiate String Educator” and “Artist Teacher of the Year” from Missouri ASTA. She is currently Professor of Viola and Chamber Music at the University of Missouri, violist of the Esterhazy Quartet, Director of the Missouri String Project, and a founding member of the Concordia String Trio.
Kristine Poulsen, flute (Season 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18-21)
Danish flutist, Kristine Poulsen, has worked with some of the finest ensembles in the US and Europe including Alarm Will Sound, The Royal Danish Opera, The Copenhagen Mozart Players, The Festival Mozaic, and The Copenhagen Philharmonic. With the latter, she has played under renowned artists such as Joshua Bell, Renee Fleming and Rolando Villazon. Recent concerts include her appearance with Alarm Will Sound at the Desmond Lee Concert Hall in St. Louis featuring repertoire such as Fang Man’s Golden Lily and Jlin’s Back Against The Wall. As a chamber musician, Ms. Poulsen has been featured in numerous concerts with Ensemble Rosenoern of Copenhagen with repertoire including Debussy: Trio for flute, harp and viola, Jorgen Jersild’s wind quintet: Playing in The Woods, and Mozart’s Flute Quartet in D-Major performed in the beautiful Tivoli Concert Hall of Copenhagen. She has been featured with the University of Missouri Woodwind Faculty Quintet, the University of Missouri Faculty New Music Ensemble ZouM, and she performs regularly with the Odyssey Chamber Concert Series. Ms. Poulsen holds an Advanced Postgraduate Soloist Degree in Flute Performance at The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, Denmark and a Master’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Missouri. Furthermore, during her studies in Copenhagen, she was accepted into the prestigious class of Philippe Bernold (Music Conservatory of Paris) and Julien Beaudiment (Principal, Opera de Lyon) at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et Danse de Lyon. She has played for other renowned flutists, including William Bennett, Andras Adorjan, Marina Piccinini, Vincent Lucas and Philippe Pierlot. From 2015-2020, Ms. Poulsen was an Assistant Professor of Music at Missouri Valley College, where she received the Outstanding New Faculty Award. She has given masterclasses at colleges including the Ollin Yoliztli Conservatory in Mexico City and the University of Central Missouri, just as she has taught for The Missouri Symphony Conservatory and Sunnydale Adventist Academy. Ms. Poulsen is on faculty at Columbia College as well as the online teaching academy "Play with a Pro." Ms. Poulsen plays a 14K Gold Muramatsu flute.
Prometheus (Season 20, 21)
Prometheus: An American Vocal Consort exemplifies vocal excellence as the professional Artists-in-Residence of the Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri (CAAM). Under the direction of Artistic Director R. Paul Crabb and Assistant Director Emily Edgington Andrews, this elite 16-voice ensemble unites distinguished vocalists from across the United States, creating a uniquely versatile and intimate sound. The ensemble's innovative programming bridges historical traditions with contemporary relevance, establishing Prometheus as a leading voice in American choral artistry and a passionate advocate for works by living composers.
Twice yearly, Prometheus embarks on Midwest tours that extend CAAM's mission of Excellence, Education, and Innovation through performances, workshops, and masterclasses. As cultural ambassadors representing CAAM nationally and internationally, they make sophisticated choral music accessible to diverse audiences while creating meaningful connections through their exceptional musicianship and educational outreach.
Twice yearly, Prometheus embarks on Midwest tours that extend CAAM's mission of Excellence, Education, and Innovation through performances, workshops, and masterclasses. As cultural ambassadors representing CAAM nationally and internationally, they make sophisticated choral music accessible to diverse audiences while creating meaningful connections through their exceptional musicianship and educational outreach.
Alison Robuck, oboe (Season 14-21+)
Alison Robuck teaches oboe at Missouri State University. She performed with Ian Hobson's Sinfonia da Camera for two seasons, David Commanday’s Heartland Festival Orchestra for seven seasons, Kirk Trevor’s Missouri Symphony Orchestra for eight seasons and Steven Larson’s Champaign-Urbana Symphony for five seasons. She has performed with the Baroque Artists of Champaign, Peoria Bach Festival, and Peoria Lunaire. She was an invited performer at the International Double Reed Society conventions in NYC, Tokyo, and Columbus, Georgia. She performed and coached chamber music for the Ameropa Chamber Music Festival in Prague. In Prague, she performed solo and chamber concerts in many locations around the city including several in the Prague Castle, the Brevnov Monastery and the Rudolfinum's Dvořák Hall. She has performed as a concerto soloist with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Bradley University Symphony Orchestra, and the Kansas State University Wind Ensemble. She has taught oboe at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Kansas State University, Bradley University, and served as the woodwind coach for the East Central Illinois Youth Orchestra, Youth Music Illinois, and the Missouri Symphony Conservatory. She attended the Music Academy of the West, Sarasota Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Texas Music Festival, and the Bowdoin Music Festival. Find her online at www.alisonrobuckoboe.com .
Rebecca Robuck, violoncello (Season 21)
Rebecca Robuck, cellist, is a freshman at the University of Missouri working towards a B.A. in Music, and a Business degree. She performs in the University Philharmonic Orchestra led by Dr. John McKeever and is currently taking lessons with Dr. Eli Lara. Rebecca began taking cello lessons at the age of 10 with Mary Manulik, and she later studied with Patrick Ordway and Davin Rubicz. In high school, Rebecca spent four years playing in the Rock Bridge Chamber Orchestra with director Alison Lankheit. She has also performed with the Missouri Conservatory and the Missouri Academy of Music conducted by Kirk Trevor. She has performed in a masterclass with St. Louis Symphony cellist James Czyzewski. Rebecca had the honor to play in Carnegie Hall through the Honors Performance Series in 2024, attended multiple sessions at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and participated in the Esterhazy String Quartet Seminar at Mizzou where she was coached by Prof. Julie Rosenfeld performing quartets by Mozart and Haydn.
Julie Rosenfeld, violin (Season 11-21)
Violinist Julie Rosenfeld is “a force of nature”, according to American Record Guide in its review of her CD New Music for Violin and Piano. A native of Los Angeles, for 32 years she was the First Violinist of the Colorado String Quartet, playing more than 1200 concerts in over 20 countries. Winners in 1983 of both the First Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, the Quartet’s discography includes the complete Quartets of Beethoven as well as works of living composers. The group held residencies at Bard, Oberlin, Swarthmore and Amherst Colleges, and taught Master Classes at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Eastman School and at Yale University, among others. In the Fall of 2014, Ms. Rosenfeld joined the faculty of the University of Missouri School of Music and became a member of the Esterhazy String Quartet. From 2009 until 2013, Ms. Rosenfeld was Assistant Professor of Violin In-Residence at the University of Connecticut and from 2000 to 2009 was a Visiting Professor of Music at Bard College. She has also taught at the European Mozart Academy in Poland. After attending the Curtis Institute, Ms. Rosenfeld received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California and her Master of Music from Yale University, studying under such eminent teachers as Szymon Goldberg, Robert Mann, Nathan Milstein, Jascha Brodsky, Yukiko Kamei and Israel Baker. Ms. Rosenfeld has served on juries for the Astral Foundation, the Juilliard School, the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation and the Concert Artists Guild; as well as the Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Fischoff and Coleman Chamber Music Competitions. She has performed at the Marlboro, Santa Fe, Newport and La Jolla Chamber Music Festivals and has appeared as a guest artist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. She collaborated with André Previn on the West Coast premiere of his Violin Sonata and on two CDs of French chamber music for BMG Classics. Ms. Rosenfeld’s most recent recording is a collaboration with her MU colleague Peter Miyamoto on their Albany CD titled New Music for Violin and Piano. Ms. Rosenfeld plays a violin crafted by Giovanni Baptista Guadagnini around 1750, and bows made in the early 19th Century by Dominique Peccatte and Nicolas Maire.
Leo Saguiguit, saxophone | conductor | DRAX (Season 1-10, 12, 15, 17, 19-21)
Leo Saguiguit has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and abroad, including Cuba, Brazil, UK, France, Italy, Sweden, Croatia, Greece, Cyprus, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines. He collaborates with numerous chamber ensembles and currently performs with the saxophone/percussion duo DRAX, Athens (Greece) Saxophone Quartet, and Missouri Saxophone Quartet. Past memberships have included the Chicago, Lithium, Impuls, and Enigma Saxophone Quartets. With the Enigma Quartet, he earned a coveted prize in the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Other collaborations include performances with the Basel Saxophone Quartet (Switzerland), Fulcrum Point New Music Project (Chicago), Thamyris Contemporary Music Ensemble (Atlanta), National Black Arts Festival (Atlanta), and the Sewanee Music Festival (Tennessee). In addition to recitals and festival performances, he has performed at the China International Clarinet & Saxophone Music Festival in Nanning, the World Saxophone Congresses held in Minneapolis, Bangkok, Scotland, Zagreb, and in numerous conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance and U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium. Saguiguit has appeared as concerto soloist with numerous orchestras and wind ensembles and has performed as an orchestral saxophonist with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Milwaukee Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, and the Missouri Symphony. He has appeared in over a dozen CDs, including six with the professional wind ensemble Philharmonia à Vent, and other solo and chamber music performances. Saguiguit has served as saxophone professor at the University of Missouri since 2002. He earned degrees from Emory University as a student of Stutz Wimmer and Northwestern University, where he was a student of Frederick Hemke. Other teachers include Paul Bro and Jonathan Helton.
Luis B Castro Sanchez, violoncello (Season 21)
Luis Bernardo Castro Sanchez is a Venezuelan cellist whose career began at the age of four through El Sistema. His artistic development has been guided by esteemed mentors including Francy Vázquez, Marek Gajzler, César Noguera, William Molina, Germán Marcano, Ulises Ascanio, and Dennis Parker. He graduated with honors from both the Simón Bolívar Conservatory and UNEARTE in Venezuela, earned a Master’s degree with distinction from Louisiana State University, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance with a minor in Arts Administration. A prizewinner of the 2019 Samnium International Competition in Italy, Luis Bernardo has appeared in masterclasses with acclaimed artists such as Wolfgang Boettcher and performed at festivals across Europe and the Americas. In 2020, he was selected as a Britten Pears Artist in the United Kingdom and, in 2023, won the Louisiana State University Concerto Competition with Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D Major. As a chamber musician, he has performed in diplomatic and cultural events for the embassies of Poland and South Korea, the British Council, and the European Union. He has appeared at the European Young Soloists Festival (Venezuela), the Sull’Acqua Festival (Italy), the Collaborative Piano Institute, and the Mostly Modern Festival (USA), where he received an Honorable Mention in 2023. He was invited as soloist by St Bonaventure University in 2024 and as a Guest Artist for the 2025 Lake George Music Festival. As an orchestral performer, Luis Bernardo has worked under the batons of conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel and Sir Simon Rattle. He has toured internationally with the Youth Orchestra of Caracas and the Teresa Carreño Symphony Orchestra, performing at major venues throughout Europe and Asia. He later served as principal cellist of the Juan José Landaeta Symphony Orchestra, where he performed as soloist the Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1. His teaching and outreach experience includes positions at the Encore/Coda Summer Music Camp and an upcoming performance with the Orchestra of the Americas in 2024, collaborating with Yo-Yo Ma.
Brandon Sconce, trumpet (Season 20, 21)
A former educator with Kansas City Public Schools, Brandon Sconce is a first-year master’s student obtaining a degree in Trumpet Performance under Dr. Iskander Akhmadullin. Before his time as an educator, he performed with several prestigious ensembles and for masterclasses with players such as Julian Kaplan of the Kansas City Symphony and Billy Hunter of the New York Opera. He has performed with the St. Joseph Big Band and as a solo and small ensemble member for the Midwest Trumpet Festival. As an educator, he has worked primarily with band directing for Kansas City Public Schools and continues to teach private lessons in the Columbia and Kansas City area.
Christine Seitz, soprano | voice (Season 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21+)
Christine Seitz was the Opera Director for the Pine Mountain Music Festival from 1992 though 2002, where she directed productions of Gianni Schicchi, The Magic Flute, Suor Angelica, Pagliacci, La Bohème, Susannah, Madama Butterfly, Il barbiere di Siviglia, La Traviata, Le nozze di Figaro, Carmen, Falstaff, and Don Giovanni. She sang the leading role of Anna Clemenc in the world premiere of The Children of the Keweenaw, by composer Paul Seitz and librettist Kathleen Masterson, in 2001. She appeared on many New Music programs and she also presided at public Voice Master Classes as a part of PMMF during those years. As a dramatic soprano, recent appearances include singing the role of Madame Larina in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin with the Des Moines Metro Opera, and performances as soloist with the University of Missouri Choral Union. Ms. Seitz has sung operatic roles with the Seattle Opera, the Dallas Opera, Madison Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, the Toledo Opera, Kentucky Opera, the Florentine Opera of Milwaukee, Central City Opera, and in Europe with the Wuppertaler Bühnen and the Stadttheater Bern. She has been the Director of the University of Missouri-Columbia’s Show-Me Opera since the fall of 2008, most recently bringing productions of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro and The Magic Flute, and Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance to the stage of the Missouri Theatre. She directed productions of Die Fledermaus, La Traviata, La Bohème, and Carmen for the Missouri Symphony from 2016 through 2019, and she was on staff with the Des Moines Metro Opera as a stage director for the Apprentice Artist Program from 2006 through 2013.
Paul Seitz, viola | composer | guitar (Season 7-9, 12, 14-16, 20, 21)
Paul Seitz is a composer of opera and music for instrumental and vocal ensembles large and small. His compositions have been heard across the United States and internationally, including recent performances in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, and New Zealand. Seitz holds a D.M.A. in Composition and M.M. (Music Theory) from the University of Wisconsin and a M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University. His primary composition teachers were Robert Crane, Fred Lerdahl and Stephen Dembski. As a violist and guitarist, Dr. Seitz has performed in many genres of chamber and orchestral music and has taught musicians at every stage of their education: teaching public school orchestra in Wisconsin and New York, classical guitar and lute at Ripon College and Lawrence University, and music theory and composition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, UNLV, University of Texas at Tyler and, most recently, at the University of Missouri School of Music.
Elizabeth Smith, viola (2025 Concerto Competition Winner)
Elizabeth Smith is 16 years old and is currently a junior at Rock Bridge High School. She began playing viola at the Omaha Conservatory of Music (OCM) at the age of 6, and currently studies with Professor Leslie Perna. She has served as principal violist in the Missouri Academy of Music (MAM), Missouri Symphony (MOSY) Conservatory, and the Rock Bridge High School orchestras. She has also been an active chamber musician in the Redbud Quartet for the past five years, has participated in the Esterhazy Chamber Seminar for the past two years, and has been a finalist in Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) competition. Elizabeth also works with City of Refuge to share her joy of music and provide lessons to children in refugee families. Aside from viola, Elizabeth loves drawing and experimenting with different art styles and mediums. She is also an avid reader and enjoys singing with her sisters. She would like to thank her teacher, her friends, and especially her family who share her love of music by playing alongside her and being a constant support to her throughout the years.
Kirk Trevor, conductor | violoncello (Season 2, 11, 13, 16-17, 19-21)
Kirk Trevor has made a global impact in the areas of orchestral recording and conducting teaching, as well as leading the musical lives of three major American cities by bringing them the highest level of orchestral performance and symphonic music education.
Maestro Trevor became Music Director of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in 2000. He has led the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in the summer music festival since 2001 and in 2004 transformed the Festival into Hot Summer Nights, expanding the number of performances as well as the diversity of the program.
Born and educated in England, he graduated cum laude in cello performance and conducting. He came to the United States in 1975 on a Fulbright grant and subsequently became Resident Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He then served as Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for eighteen years. At the same time, he was also Music Director of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, whom he transformed into one of America’s leading chamber ensembles.
His lifelong philosophy has been one of how to make classical music relevant within current culture, and to project and inspire the joy of music making in his conducting and teaching.
To that end he has tried to make programs that are engaging and entertaining for audiences as well as identify, train and mentor new generations of young musicians through the various educational programs he has established. In Knoxville he founded the “Strings in our Schools” program, a collaboration to put full time string teachers back in county schools.
It has been through Maestro Trevor’s involvement in the training and development of new generations of listeners, players, and conductors that he has developed an international following. Winner of the 1990 Leonard Bernstein Conducting Competition, he is now widely recognized as one of the leading conducting teachers in the world. He has been a guest teacher at more than thirty universities around the globe, including the universities of Zurich, Basel, Hong Kong, Sao Paolo, Brasilia, Natal and Oslo as well as in the United States at the universities of Tennessee, North Texas, Denver, Brown, Northwestern, Illinois, SMU and Manhattan School of Music. His own conducting summer school in the Czech Republic is now in its’ thirtieth year. In the spring semester of 2019, he held an interim position at the famed Eastman School of Music as Director of Orchestras and Conducting.
Maestro Trevor is one of the world’s most recorded conductors of the past fifty years with more than 120 albums to his name. His discography includes opera (Tender Land), choral music as well as more than 65 albums of new American composers.
He has recorded for all the major record labels, and has also recorded symphonic music for movies, documentaries (Ezekial, Terezin in Israel), TV, (Mozart in the Jungle) and video games (Diablo, Warcraft). As a guest conductor, Maestro Trevor has conducted more than 40 orchestras in 15 countries. He made his London Symphony Orchestra debut in 2003 and his Carnegie Hall debut in 2007.
From 1995 to 2000 he was Music Director of the Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra in the Czech Republic and from 2002 until 2005 was Principal Guest Conductor of the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. He and his wife Maria and their three children; Sylvia, Daniel and Aidan make their home in Columbia and Bratislava. Maestro Trevor's eldest daughter Chloe is a renowned violin soloist and appears worldwide, and often shares the spotlight with her father.
Maestro Trevor became Music Director of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in 2000. He has led the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in the summer music festival since 2001 and in 2004 transformed the Festival into Hot Summer Nights, expanding the number of performances as well as the diversity of the program.
Born and educated in England, he graduated cum laude in cello performance and conducting. He came to the United States in 1975 on a Fulbright grant and subsequently became Resident Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He then served as Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for eighteen years. At the same time, he was also Music Director of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, whom he transformed into one of America’s leading chamber ensembles.
His lifelong philosophy has been one of how to make classical music relevant within current culture, and to project and inspire the joy of music making in his conducting and teaching.
To that end he has tried to make programs that are engaging and entertaining for audiences as well as identify, train and mentor new generations of young musicians through the various educational programs he has established. In Knoxville he founded the “Strings in our Schools” program, a collaboration to put full time string teachers back in county schools.
It has been through Maestro Trevor’s involvement in the training and development of new generations of listeners, players, and conductors that he has developed an international following. Winner of the 1990 Leonard Bernstein Conducting Competition, he is now widely recognized as one of the leading conducting teachers in the world. He has been a guest teacher at more than thirty universities around the globe, including the universities of Zurich, Basel, Hong Kong, Sao Paolo, Brasilia, Natal and Oslo as well as in the United States at the universities of Tennessee, North Texas, Denver, Brown, Northwestern, Illinois, SMU and Manhattan School of Music. His own conducting summer school in the Czech Republic is now in its’ thirtieth year. In the spring semester of 2019, he held an interim position at the famed Eastman School of Music as Director of Orchestras and Conducting.
Maestro Trevor is one of the world’s most recorded conductors of the past fifty years with more than 120 albums to his name. His discography includes opera (Tender Land), choral music as well as more than 65 albums of new American composers.
He has recorded for all the major record labels, and has also recorded symphonic music for movies, documentaries (Ezekial, Terezin in Israel), TV, (Mozart in the Jungle) and video games (Diablo, Warcraft). As a guest conductor, Maestro Trevor has conducted more than 40 orchestras in 15 countries. He made his London Symphony Orchestra debut in 2003 and his Carnegie Hall debut in 2007.
From 1995 to 2000 he was Music Director of the Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra in the Czech Republic and from 2002 until 2005 was Principal Guest Conductor of the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. He and his wife Maria and their three children; Sylvia, Daniel and Aidan make their home in Columbia and Bratislava. Maestro Trevor's eldest daughter Chloe is a renowned violin soloist and appears worldwide, and often shares the spotlight with her father.
Wes Warnhoff, clarinet (Season 13, 14, 17-21)
American clarinetist Wesley Warnhoff’s “thoughtful, effortless, and intense” performance style has gained him international acclaim as a soloist, orchestral, and chamber musician. Dr. Warnhoff is currently serving as Assistant Teaching Professor of Clarinet at the University of Missouri where he leads the clarinet studio, performs with the Missouri Quintet, and assists Exit 128, a student-led new music ensemble. He is a founding member of the VCP Trio, a violin, clarinet, and piano trio that advocates new music performance. Dr. Warnhoff is also the principal clarinet of the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra in Michigan, a post he has held since 2010. An avid proponent of music education, Dr. Warnhoff’s research into the clarinet’s contemporary extended techniques has helped him to develop a unique pedagogical approach that provides a new perspective on creating the ideal embouchure and sound concept. It is this dedication to teaching that makes him a sought-after artist and clinician throughout the United States. As a champion of new music, Dr. Warnhoff has given many new music premieres including the world-premiere of Murray Gross’ Rhapsody for Clarinet, “I Surrender.” Along with performing new music, Dr. Warnhoff has also added to the performing repertoire, most notably with his transcription for clarinet, voice, and piano of “La Vita e Inferno” from Verdi’s La Forza del Destino. Prior to his appointment at the University of Missouri, Dr. Warnhoff was on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he was Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clarinet and performed with the Wingra Wind Quintet, an ensemble-in-residence at UW-Madison. He has also served on faculty at Alma and Albion Colleges in Michigan. Dr. Warnhoff is a proud native Columbian and Rock Bridge High School graduate. He holds his degrees in higher education from Michigan State University, where he earned his DMA and MM, and Missouri State University where he earned his BM. His primary teachers include Dr. Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr, Dr. Allison Storochuk, and Dr. Jack Scheurer.
Austin Way, bassoon (Season 18, 21)
Bassoonist Austin Way currently serves as the Associate Principal Bassoonist of the Missouri Symphony and can frequently be seen performing with the Kansas City Symphony. Prior to this he performed as the Second Bassoonist of the Orquesta Sinfónica Sinaloa de las Artes during its 2015 to 2016 season and served as Acting Principal Bassoonist for the 2016 to 2017 season, where he had the opportunity to tour with the orchestra throughout Mexico, including a performance in December of 2016 in Mexico City’s Palacio de Bellas Artes to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the orchestra. As a chamber musician Mr. Way performed with Pittsburgh’s Incidental Chamber Players during its inaugural season of 2014 to 2015, as well as collaborating with musicians across the country in chamber music performances in Los Angeles, Aspen, and Kansas City among others. As an advocate for new music, he has had the opportunity to work with many composers and can be heard performing as the principal bassoonist on a recorded collection of concertos for soloists with wind ensemble by Leonardo Balada, recorded for the Naxos Label. Mr. Way performed as part of a double reed consort in recital at the 2010 International Double Reed Society Conference in Norman, Oklahoma as both a bassoonist and contrabassoonist. From 2012 to 2015 he held the bassoon and contrabassoon fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival and School where he spent these summers performing in the faculty orchestras. Involved in the community as well, Mr. Way has maintained a focus on community outreach, including his partnership with Musicians with a Mission. Through this organization he was able to team up with colleagues and take programs of solo and chamber music to retirement homes and senior groups, as well as performing selections of music from around the world for the University of Pittsburgh’s Nationality Rooms, a festival to celebrate the cultures of the world. Mr. Way holds degrees from the University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance as well as Carnegie Mellon University. His primary teachers include Marita Abner, Nancy Goeres, and Per Hannevold.
Iris Weber, violin (Season 21)
Violinist Iris Weber is a junior at Hickman High school, where she plays in the Camerata orchestra. She also participates in the Virtuosi MAM orchestra outside of school. Iris has been playing violin since she started first grade and has been studying under Siri Geenen for 5 years. While living in Hawaii, Iris studied under Anna Womack, where she participated in multiple competitions. Competing in the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) events each year, she has medaled at the state competitions with solos and small ensembles. In the summer of 2024, Iris participated with the Hickman and MAM orchestras as they traveled to Italy, performing in Venice, Florence, and Rome. She performed with her friends in a quartet in Italy where she played viola. She has participated in the Missouri Music Teacher’s Association (MMTA) competition with top ratings as well as the Junior Festival (Federation). She received honorable mention this year for the Missouri All State orchestra. She was ranked number one at the Junior Festival competition in strings and will be performing in the Junior Festival Competition at the MFMC State Convention. Iris also volunteers at the City of Refuge each Saturday, where she teaches violin to a few students. Beyond music, Iris loves the outdoors and traveling.
Kyrsten Wehner, flute (Season 20, 21)
Kyrsten Wehner is currently working on her Masters in Music in Flute Performance at the University of Missouri. She is a member of the Wind Ensemble and has a Graduate Assistantship that focuses on Administrative Duties. Prior to her time at the University of Missouri, Kyrsten earned her Bachelors of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Florida. While working towards her undergraduate degree, Kyrsten participated in many ensembles including the UF Gator Band, New Music Ensemble, UF Wind Symphony and UF Orchestra. She also participated in the University Flute Choir and a variety of smaller ensembles premiering works by Brendan Sweeney, Dr. Paul Richards, Gabriel Gekoskie, Robert Milne, Dalton Ringey, and other students and faculty at the University. Outside of school, Kyrsten freelanced with the Ocala Symphony and performed in various ensembles throughout the community. At Florida, Kyrsten also served in the music service organization Tau Beta Sigma, focusing her time to bringing music performances to retirement communities and preschools around campus. Kyrsten Wehner started playing music when she was very young, moving from violin to piano and, finally, to the flute. She earned all-county and all-state positions throughout high school. During her last year in high school, Kyrsten was also a member of the Tri-state honor band, the First Coast Youth Orchestra, and won the Concert on the Green Young Artist concerto competition, winning the opportunity to play as a soloist for the Jacksonville Symphony in Jacksonville, FL. Kyrsten credits her success to the support of her family and her private instructors Professor Alice Dade, Dr. Kristen Stoner, Professor Kristine Poulsen, and Dr. Mary Birkner.
Evan Wilde, violin (Season 20, 21)
A native of Jefferson City, Evan Wilde came to Columbia in 2016 and has enjoyed numerous opportunities to serve the community through performing, conducting, and teaching. He has performed as a member of the Jefferson City Symphony, the Mizzou Philharmonic, and the Missouri Symphony. He is a past director of the Mid-Missouri Community Orchestra and the current Director of Orchestras at West Middle School. He also directs the beginning string group Prelude Strings on behalf of the Missouri Symphony. Some of life’s delights according to Evan are cats, listening to Joni Mitchell, playing the timpani, amassing an unread library, and the occasional video game.
Dan Willett, oboe (Seasons 4, 10-21+)
Dan Willett is Professor of Oboe in the University of Missouri School of Music, where his faculty duties have included teaching the oboe and reed-making, coaching chamber music, music appreciation, music fundamentals, and performing as a member of the Missouri Woodwind Quintet, ensemble-in-residence at MU. A native of Okemos, Michigan, Willett earned both bachelor and master's degrees from Michigan State University, where he studied oboe with Daniel Stolper. In addition to regular solo recitals on and off campus, Willett has performed with the St. Louis Symphony, St. Louis Bach Society, Kammerguild Chamber Orchestra, and Columbia Civic Orchestra, at the Bach Aria Group Festival, New College Music Festival, Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the International Double Reed Society Convention. As a member of the Missouri Quintet, he has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, the International Chamber Music Festival in Belem, Brazil, and in other cities including St. Louis, Boston, and Chicago. The Missouri Quintet has recorded on the Cambria label (Quintets Nos. 1 and 2 by David Maslanka), and has appeared on National Public Radio's Performance Today. In 2017, in collaboration with Brazilian guitarist Paulo Oliveira, he released Two Hemispheres, an album of jazz/crossover music by American and Brazilian composers. Willett has also been active as a composer and arranger, having studied composition with Jere Hutcheson at Michigan State University. His woodwind quintet transcriptions have been favorably reviewed by the New York Times, and broadcast nationwide. His original works include assorted chamber pieces, choral works, and Three Settings of Old Tunes for woodwind quintet and band.
Sarah Won, piano (2025 Concerto Competition Winner)
Sarah Won is a senior at Hickman High School. She started piano lessons at age five with Chris Vitt and has been a student of Natalia Bolshakova for six years. During high school, Sarah was selected to perform at the Piano Showcase for four consecutive years and received gold ratings at the MSHSAA District and State Music Festival for both violin and piano. Outside of music, Sarah served as the Team Captain of the Hickman Girls Golf team and the Treasurer of Student Government. She currently enjoys writing and designing her school newspaper as the Managing Editor.
Amy Li Zhou, piano (Season 21 | 2025 Concerto Competition Winner)
Amy Zhou is a ten-year-old fifth grader at Mill Creek Elementary School and an accomplished young musician and scholar. She has been studying piano with Ms. Ayako Tsuruta since she was five. Amy has been consistently earning superior ratings at Federation and Guild auditions. She has also been selected to perform in the Missouri Symphony League’s Piano Showcase every year in the past five years. In addition to piano, Amy has also been playing violin with Ms. Siri Geenen since she was seven. She currently plays violin at the Missouri Academy of Music and serves as the concertmaster of Sinfonietta. She was even invited with honors to accompany the Mill Creek Choir on violin in her school. Her dedication and talent have earned her multiple top awards in both instruments at Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) competitions. Beyond music, Amy excels academically, frequently earning recognition at regional and state math competitions. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, painting, biking, and traveling. Amy is also good at playing hula hoop and played many times at school multicultural nights at Mill Creek Elementary School.
Past Seasons
Odyssey Artists*Updated Continuously*
Rodney Ackmann Iskander Akhmadullin Anya Akhmadullina (Concerto 2024) Akropolis Reed Quintet Amy Kuhlmann Appold Mallory Alekna Emily Edgington Andrews Dominique Archambeau Astraios String Quartet Rachel AuBuchon Sergei Babayan (Plowman 2015) Bach Collegium Choir Enrico Baiano Hayden Baker (Concerto 2024) Zoe Baldwin (Concerto 2024) Maurycy Banaszek Michael Bancroft Jennifer Margaret Barker Matthew Barnes Carli Bates Christopher Baumgartner Andrew Bell John Bell Julia Bentley Zach Beran Stephanie Berg Tiffany Blake Anthony Blatter Natalia Bolshakova Graham Bond Brandon A. Boyd Lucas Boyd BNB Trio Preconcert Grant Bradshaw Allison Brenner Gareth Briscoe Elizabeth Brixey Michael Budds Courtney Burris Jamie Canepa Cantare Sam Caldwell Miguel Calleja Debora Capitanio Charles Castleman Chanticleer Aya Chen Jerry Chiang (Concerto 2024) The Children's Grove Frederic Chiu (Plowman 2013) Yoon Choi Lucille Chung (Plowman 2023) Patrick Clark Zachary (Zack) Clark Ben Colagiovanni Columbia Handbell Ensemble Columbia Youth Choi J. Scott Clemens Dale Clevenger (Plowman 2019) Contreras Saxophone Quartet Amanda Collins Brooksie Collins David Colwell Sam Copeland R. Paul Crabb Amanda Craven Evelyn Simpson Curenton Tara Curtis Alice K. Dade Katie Dancer Craig Datz Steve Dawson Patrick Dell! Daniel Deutsch Clara Dey Elizabeth Dingman Holly Dinkel Edward Dolbashian Darry Dolezal Doox of Yale DRAX: Megan Arns & Leo Saguiguit Mitchell Drury Xiaoxiao Du Stefanie Duff Max Duffy Alexander East Emily Edgington eighth blackbird Elan Singers of Columbia Carol Elliott Philip Elsbecker John Ernst Esterhazy String Quartet Euclid Quartet Lily Farnen James Farquhar |
Chris Farris Amanda Fenton Frank Fleschner | Prometheus Isaac Foley Wakefield Foster Roberta Franca Don Freund Julia Freund Stefan Freund Briana Joy Frieda Dustin Frieda David Luke Frith Tonya Fuller Christopher Fusco Julia Gaines Cole Galbraith Arun Garg Lindsay Garritson Paul Garritson Siri Heglund Geenen Linnea Geenen Solveig Geenen Steve Geibel Maya C. Gibson Anthony Gilbert Daniel Gilbert puckmaren glass (anna provo) Anthony Glise Lucas Gonzaga da Silva Harry González John Goodson Bruce Gordon Joanna Griffith Julia Gundacker Olga Haldey Adam Hall Matt Hamilton Ed Hansen Caleb Harris Noah Hartsfield | FBC Erik Hassell David Hays Andrew Heglund Raymond Helble Joseph Hendricks Sydney Hendrickson Matthew Henry Sofia Heredia (Concerto 2023) Hans Bridger Heruth Jill Heyboer Maura Higgins Michael Hill Emma Hoeft Madeleine Hogan Hye-Jung Hong Ned Horner Steven Houser Timothy Howe Brandon Hu (Concerto 2024) Henry Huang (Concerto 2019) Wendy Hymes | IMI Lauren Hynes Mia Kim Hynes Alex Innecco I Quattri Venti Andrea Isaacson (Fultz) Ema Iwasaki (Concerto 2023) Jacque Thibaud Trio Jasper String Quartet Susan Jensen Steven Jepson Darrell J. Jordan Sejoon Jun Bill Kalinkos Tanya Kalmanovitch Ryan Kee Daniel Keeler Hazel Keithahn (Concerto 2018, 2023) Zahra Kelariz Keshavarz Bomi Kim Brandon Kim Helena Hyesoo Kim Joseph Kim Leonard King Brett Klaus Wendy Kleintank Ryan Koesterer (OPF) Katie Krawczak Jonathan Kuuskoski [New Muse Piano Duo] Lisa Jablow William J. Lackey John Lane-Watson Lindsey Lang | Prometheus Tim Langen James Langen Lara Langeneckert |
Eli Lara Karen Larvick Naomi Sugino Lear Jiae Lee Erik Lenz Drew Leslie Andrew Lewis Tenson Liang (OPF) Tenson Liang | OPF Jennifer Lochhead Tao Lin David Ludwig Grace Lyden Andrew Linn Fred Lowrance Sarah Lucas David Ludwig Grace Lyden Judith Mabary Patrizia Maggio Roberto Maggio Andrew Mahonen (OPF) Anne Manahan William Mann Judith Mabary Mary Manulik Angelo Manzo Erica Manzo Troy Marsh Saeka Matsuyama Elaina Maurer Ian McClaflin Bryce McDonald David McDonald Donald McInnes W. Thomas McKenney Shannon Merciel Carolina Neves Merritt Mark Menzies John McLeod McKenzie Miller Nathan Miller Tamara Miller-Campbell Annelise Miner Neil Minturn Missouri Contemporary Ballet Missouri Saxophone Quartet Missouri Woodwind Quintet Peter Miyamoto Nollie Moore Melissa Morrow MU Bassoon Ensemble MU Percussion Ensemble MU Faculty Brass Quintet MU Saxophone Ensemble MU Trombone Choir Leigh Muñoz Meaghan Neel (OPF) Meyer Neel Alexandre Negrão Nancy Nehring Shawn Nemati-Baghestani The N-E-W Trio Christine Nichols | Prometheus Jordan Nielsen Erica Ohmann G. Murray Oliver Darin Olson Patrick Ordway Kassandra Ormsby (OPF) Clenice Ortigara Colleen Ostercamp Neil Ostercamp [Trio Chymera] Tim O'Sullivan Morgan Owen Monica Senecal Palmer Taylor Pancoast Nicole Parker Angela Parrish Curtis Pavey Chad R. Payton Amit Peled (Plowman 2023) John D. Perkins Leslie Perna Ben Phelps Holly Piccoli Anna Polonsky (Plowman 2013) Christy Pond Kristine Poulsen Prairie View Concert Chorale Prometheus Quatuor Diotima Stephen Radcliffe Emily Rahn Trent Rash Abby Rehard Sara Renaud (Ernst) D. Lydia Redding Gyumi Rha Emily Riekhof Jeremiah Rittel Elizabeth Roberts Preston Roberts |
Jolie Rocke Edward S. Rollins Alison Robuck Julie Rosenfeld Mark Rudoff Andrew Ruben | IMI Marques Jerrell Ruff Sankofa Chorale Leo Saguiguit Ronaldo Sarmanho Stephanie Sant'Ambrosio Katrina Bobbs Savitski Paola Savvidou Jeff Scott (Plowman 2023) Justin Schilb Christin Schillinger Brandon Sconce Christine Seitz Paul Seitz Sophie Shao Judy Shaw Brian Sherwood David Shifrin (Plowman 2011) Olivia Sletteland Jared Smith Soma Quartet (Plowman 2019) Matheus Souza Marcia Spence Lara St. John (Plowman 2019) Kyle Stegall Michelle Stewart Emily Stoll Sue Stubbs Andrew Stump Eva Szekely Brian Tate Alison Tatum A. Jan Taylor Shawn Teague Bob Thalhuber Steven Tharp Skip Thompson Thornbrook Piano Trio Preconcert Taylor Thorne Jo Ella Todd Brianna Trainor Maria Duhova Trevor Kirk Trevor Trio Chymera Trio Menil, 2023 Plowman Grand Prize Bion Tsang Ayako Tsuruta Cameron Tubbs James Tucker Carrie Turner University Percussion Ensemble Dan Urton Chris Van Leeuwen Daniel Velasco Verdehr Trio Annette-Barbara Vogel Vox Nova Aaron Wacker Korin Wahl Jane Wang Elizabeth Warne Jessica Warner Carina Nyberg Washington Lecolion Washington Jane Wang Wesley Warnhoff Carline Waugh Janice Wenger Kyrsten Wehner Charles Wetherbee Michael White Molly White Dean Wibe (OPF) Andrew Wiele (OPF) Evan Wilde Peter Wiley (Plowman 2013) Dan Willett Peter Willett Richard Williams Jairo Wilkens David Witter Graham Woodland Wontanara Anthony Wu (Concerto 2020, 2022) Wei-Yi Yang (Plowman 2019) Scott Yoo Kristen Yu (Concerto 2021 and 2023) Priscilla Yuen Pete Zambito José A. Zayas Cabán Iren Zombor |
Anya Akhmadullina, piano|violin (Season 17-19, Season 20 Concerto Competition Winner)
Anya Akhmadullina, a junior at Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri, started playing both violin and piano at the age of four and has the distinction of having won prizes at each MMTA Competition for the past 11 years on both instruments. In 2023 Anya was chosen as Concertmaster of the Missouri All-State Orchestra and is currently a member of the 1st violin section of the St. Louis Youth Orchestra, where she has performed under the direction of Leonard Slatkin. In the summer of 2023, she attended the Musica Mundi festival in Belgium where she worked with Alexandra Soumm and Jacques Rouvier, among others. This coming summer, Anya has been selected to join the National Youth Orchestra of the USA, which will perform under Marin Alsop at Carnegie Hall and on a tour of South America in Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. Anya is currently studying violin with Julie Rosenfeld and wishes to express her heartfelt thanks to Scott Yoo for his invaluable coaching, as well as to her previous teachers Amy Appold, Siri Geenen, Pavel Ilyashov, and Renan Leme.
Anya Akhmadullina, a junior at Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri, started playing both violin and piano at the age of four and has the distinction of having won prizes at each MMTA Competition for the past 11 years on both instruments. In 2023 Anya was chosen as Concertmaster of the Missouri All-State Orchestra and is currently a member of the 1st violin section of the St. Louis Youth Orchestra, where she has performed under the direction of Leonard Slatkin. In the summer of 2023, she attended the Musica Mundi festival in Belgium where she worked with Alexandra Soumm and Jacques Rouvier, among others. This coming summer, Anya has been selected to join the National Youth Orchestra of the USA, which will perform under Marin Alsop at Carnegie Hall and on a tour of South America in Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. Anya is currently studying violin with Julie Rosenfeld and wishes to express her heartfelt thanks to Scott Yoo for his invaluable coaching, as well as to her previous teachers Amy Appold, Siri Geenen, Pavel Ilyashov, and Renan Leme.
Mallory Alekna, double bass (Seasons 6-8)
Mallory Alekna is a graduate of Illinois State University (ISU) with a degree in music education. She studied bass with Dr. Bill Koehler and conducting with Dr. Stephen K. Steele and Dr. Glenn Block. Mallory has performed as principal bassist for Illinois State University’s Symphonic Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Ensemble I. She served as Assistant Conductor to Dr. Glenn Block for ISU’s production of Candide. Her recordings include the premiere of David Maslanka’s Symphony No. 8 and Traveler. She is currently teaching middle school and high school band and choir at the Northeast Randolph County Schools in Cairo, Missouri.
Emily Edgington Andrews, director (Season 13)
Long an advocate for quality musical arts in the community, Emily Edgington Andrews is extremely active in Columbia, working with children and adults at every level of their musical development. She recently joined the music faculty at the University of Missouri, teaching in the Choral Department. In addition to her work at MU, she enters her seventh year as the vocal music teacher at Columbia Independent School, the city’s only non-sectarian college preparatory campus, conducting six ensembles for students in grades 4-12. In 2013 Emily was appointed Artistic Director for the Columbia Chorale, and under her baton has helped to expand the organization, now in its 37th season, to include more than 350 singers, ten staff members, and nine additional choral ensembles. Under the new umbrella title Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri, the organization includes Columbia Youth Choirs, an all-inclusive community youth choir program serving children in grades 2-12; Columbia Chorale, the non-auditioned community ensemble; Columbia Chamber Choir, an auditioned community chamber ensemble; and Prometheus, the professional vocal chamber consort. This is Emily’s tenth year as conductor at the historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Columbia, MO, where she maintains a thriving music program, conducting the 45-member Adult Choir of volunteer and paid musicians. She is the Assistant Conductor for Prometheus: An American Vocal Consort, managing the ensemble and assisting in conducting the highly sought-after twelve-member professional ensemble. Emily regularly serves as a guest clinician and adjudicator, and currently is the Northeast Missouri High School Choral Vice-President. She is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association and the Missouri Music Educators Association. Emily received her degrees in Music at Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri (B.A.; M.A.) and at the University of Missouri (M.M.).
Long an advocate for quality musical arts in the community, Emily Edgington Andrews is extremely active in Columbia, working with children and adults at every level of their musical development. She recently joined the music faculty at the University of Missouri, teaching in the Choral Department. In addition to her work at MU, she enters her seventh year as the vocal music teacher at Columbia Independent School, the city’s only non-sectarian college preparatory campus, conducting six ensembles for students in grades 4-12. In 2013 Emily was appointed Artistic Director for the Columbia Chorale, and under her baton has helped to expand the organization, now in its 37th season, to include more than 350 singers, ten staff members, and nine additional choral ensembles. Under the new umbrella title Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri, the organization includes Columbia Youth Choirs, an all-inclusive community youth choir program serving children in grades 2-12; Columbia Chorale, the non-auditioned community ensemble; Columbia Chamber Choir, an auditioned community chamber ensemble; and Prometheus, the professional vocal chamber consort. This is Emily’s tenth year as conductor at the historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Columbia, MO, where she maintains a thriving music program, conducting the 45-member Adult Choir of volunteer and paid musicians. She is the Assistant Conductor for Prometheus: An American Vocal Consort, managing the ensemble and assisting in conducting the highly sought-after twelve-member professional ensemble. Emily regularly serves as a guest clinician and adjudicator, and currently is the Northeast Missouri High School Choral Vice-President. She is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association and the Missouri Music Educators Association. Emily received her degrees in Music at Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri (B.A.; M.A.) and at the University of Missouri (M.M.).
Astraios String Quartet (Season 8)
Astraios String Quartet was named the First Place winner in the prestigious Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) State Chamber Music Competition held in November 2010. They have represented Missouri to compete at the West Central Division in South Dakota in January 2011. Began as one of the string quartets of School of Music at at University of Missouri (MU), Astraios was coached by Professor Eva Szekely. Previously, Astraios was invited, and has participated in the MU School of Music’s 2009 Mendelssohn Festival. Astraios was originally formed in 2006 at the University of Missouri under the guidance of Amy Appold. Members have been changed over the years; the ensemble continued as String Trio, and it received Honorable Mention at the 2007 MTNA State Chamber Music Competition. Currently, the members consist of Carolina Neves Merritt and Matheus Souza on violin, Dustin Frieda on viola, and Matthew Pierce on cello. For more information, visit their web site: astraiosstrings.com
Sergei Babayan, piano (Season 11 - The 7th Plowman Competition)
*Mr. Babayan was one of the three judges for the 7th Plowman Chamber Music Competition, sponsored by the MU Chancellor's Distinguished Visitors Program.
Hailed for his emotional intensity, bold energy and remarkable levels of color, Sergei Babayan brings a deep understanding and insight to a stylistically diverse repertoire, which includes a performance history of 54 concertos. Le Figaro has praised his "unequaled touch, perfectly harmonious phrasing and breathtaking virtuosity." Highlights of the 2014/2015 season include performances in Lugano with Martha Argerich; a return to the Verbier Festival, where he debuted in July 2014; and a performance at Wigmore Hall. In the 2013/2014 concert season, Sergei Babayan and his star student Daniil Trifonov played several concerts in duo performing the music of Schubert, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, Rimsky-Korsakov and Prokofiev. Mr. Babayan is a frequent guest at music festivals in Europe and the US. In July 2013, he was invited by Martha Argerich to her festival "Progetto Martha Argerich" in Lugano, Switzerland. The two artists performed a newly created cycle of transcriptions for two pianos by Babayan from Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet". The concert was broadcast live, and Ms. Argerich invited Mr. Babayan to perform the transcription with her again at the Klavier-Festival in Ruhr, Germany. Babayan has collaborated with such conductors as Yuri Temirkanov, Neeme Jarvi, Hans Graf, David Robertson, Tugan Sokhiev, and Kazimierz Kord, among others. Since 2006, Babayan has performed with Valery Gergiev numerous times to great critical acclaim, including appearances at the International Festival “Stars of the White Nights”, the Moscow Easter Festival, the Barbican with Mo. Gergiev conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, in St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Théâtre des Champs-Elyseés in Paris, at the Salzburg Festival, and at the Rotterdam Philharmonic-Gergiev Festival where Babayan was artist-in-residence. For more information: www.opus3artists.com/artists/sergei-babayan
Hailed for his emotional intensity, bold energy and remarkable levels of color, Sergei Babayan brings a deep understanding and insight to a stylistically diverse repertoire, which includes a performance history of 54 concertos. Le Figaro has praised his "unequaled touch, perfectly harmonious phrasing and breathtaking virtuosity." Highlights of the 2014/2015 season include performances in Lugano with Martha Argerich; a return to the Verbier Festival, where he debuted in July 2014; and a performance at Wigmore Hall. In the 2013/2014 concert season, Sergei Babayan and his star student Daniil Trifonov played several concerts in duo performing the music of Schubert, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, Rimsky-Korsakov and Prokofiev. Mr. Babayan is a frequent guest at music festivals in Europe and the US. In July 2013, he was invited by Martha Argerich to her festival "Progetto Martha Argerich" in Lugano, Switzerland. The two artists performed a newly created cycle of transcriptions for two pianos by Babayan from Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet". The concert was broadcast live, and Ms. Argerich invited Mr. Babayan to perform the transcription with her again at the Klavier-Festival in Ruhr, Germany. Babayan has collaborated with such conductors as Yuri Temirkanov, Neeme Jarvi, Hans Graf, David Robertson, Tugan Sokhiev, and Kazimierz Kord, among others. Since 2006, Babayan has performed with Valery Gergiev numerous times to great critical acclaim, including appearances at the International Festival “Stars of the White Nights”, the Moscow Easter Festival, the Barbican with Mo. Gergiev conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, in St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Théâtre des Champs-Elyseés in Paris, at the Salzburg Festival, and at the Rotterdam Philharmonic-Gergiev Festival where Babayan was artist-in-residence. For more information: www.opus3artists.com/artists/sergei-babayan
Bach Collegium Choir (Season 3-10, 12-16, 18, 19)
Feb. 2022: Baroque Concerto (Katherine F. Blake Photography)
The Bach Collegium Choir is comprised of some of the finest young vocal musicians in the Columbia area. Its members also perform with University Singers, Show-Me Opera, MU Summer Singers and Choral Union. Each year its members win voice competitions at the state, regional and national level. The ensemble meets once each year to prepare Baroque motets and cantatas, with special emphasis on applying historical performance practice.
Season 19: J. S. Bach: Cantata BWV 191 Gloria in excelsis Deo (1742) * = Soloists
Soprano I: Elise Cressey, Megan S. Lyon, Amanda Obeso, *Clara E. Smith
Soprano II: Faith Fullen, Haley Mesz, Kate Wyman
Alto: Tara Boydston, Presley Davis, Miranda Frankenbach, Rachel Misner, Aubri Stewart
Tenor: Paul Anderson II, Nathan Le, Topher Otake, *Benjamin Roker, Sam Varnon
Bass: Henry Braeske, Brandon Brown, Jonathan Crader, Nathan Lange, Sam Romine
Season 18: J. S. Bach: Cantata BWV 61 Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Now come, Savior of the heathens, 1714) * = Soloists
Soprano: L. Amelia Lufkin*, Lauren Rankin, Clara Smith, Emeline Yorty, Karen Zeferino
Alto: Isabella Conley, Miranda Frankenbach, Maddie Jenkins, Morgan Jennings, Dani Major, Rachel Misner
Tenor: Nathan Lange, Nathan Le, Connor Lovelace, Benjamin Roker, Daniel Shafer
Bass: Yonathan T. Astatke, Henry Braeske, Brandon Brown, Jonathan Crader, Joshua Engle
Season 16: J. S. Bach: Cantata BWV 71 Gott ist mein König (1708)
(* = Soloists)
Soprano: Mariah Dale, Kendra Franks. Amelia Lufkin, Michelle Peters, Isabel Quintela*, Emeline Yorty
Alto: Samantha Barry, Gabby Davis, Bailee Dougherty, Greta Sonnenberg, Anna Yannessa*
Tenor: Joey Belmore, Truman Butler, Connor Lovelace, David Pelino*, Michael Sauer
Bass: Henry Braeske, Connor Cochrane, Arun Garg, Marques Jerrell Ruff*, Jordan Ulrich, Jeremy Wagner
Season 15: J. S. Bach: Cantata BWV 182 Himmelskönig, sei wilkommen (1714)
(* = Soloists)
Soprano: Nicohl Corretjer, Maddie Page, Michelle Peters, Aubrey Smith, Samantha Walker, Hannah Stanfield Zizza
Alto: Samantha Barry, Gabby Ewert, Keisha Rush, Tâmila Freitas de Souza*, Maddi Lombardo, Kate Mosier
Tenor: Joshua Chism, Matheus Cruz, David Fazekas*, Savon Hayes, Connor Lovelace, Preston Wilson
Bass: Lafe Arens, Anthony Blatter, Connor Cochran, Hans Bridger Heruth, Truman Butler, Jordan Ulrich*
Season 14: J. S. Bach: Missa in F, BWV 233 (1738)
(* = Soloists)
Soprano: Amanda Furtick; McKenna Ranfield; Aubrey Smith*; Kiernan Steiner; Bailey Wilkerson; Hannah Zizza
Alto: Martha Allen; Meaghan Neel; Kate Mosier; Keisha Rush; Samantha Stokes; Samantha Walker
Tenor: Josh Chism; Savon Hayes; David Fazekas; David Peana; James Shemwell; Holt Skinner*
Bass: Patrick Graham*; Hans Bridger Heruth; Marques Ruff; Jacob Stone; Jeremy Wagner; Ben Worley
Season 13: J. S. Bach: Cantata, "O ewiges Feuer, o Ursprung der Liebe," BWV 34 (1745)
(* = Soloists)
Soprano: Jenna Braaksma, Erin Hoerchler, Maddie Page, Erin Schlabach, Sarah Schulte, Kiernan Steiner
Alto: Martha Allen, Meaghan Linn, Erin Smith, Samantha Stokes, Paige Wakefield, Samantha Walker
Tenor: Andrew Fansher, Nathan Fratzke, Savon Hayes, Topher Otake, George Peng, Holt Skinner*
Bass: Patrick Graham, Hans Bridger Heruth, Ryan Layton, Jacob Stone, Jeremy Wagner, Ben Worley*
Season 12: G.F. Handel Chandos Anthem No. 11, "Let God Arise," HWV 256a
Soprano: Madelyn Munsell, Catherine Sandstedt, Pax Baker, Jenna Braaksma, Madeline O'Meara, Sarah Schulte
Alto: Laura Kitchel, Martha Allen, Bria Jones, Jennifer Yerganian, Darneisha Coleman, Paige Wakefield
Tenor: Andy Flanagin, EJ Harrison, Ian Meyer, Nathan Fratzke, Topher Otake, Jordan Walker
Bass: Patrick Graham, Paden Richey, Sam Wright, Colin Knoth, Jeremy Wagner, Ben Worley
Season 10: J.S. Bach Cantata, Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt (God so loved the world), BWV 68
(* = Soloists; ^ = Guests from Italy)
Soprano: Anna Bridgman, Rebecca Preston, Catherine Sandstedt, Sarah Sheldon*, Melissa Nichols, Júlia Coelho
Alto: Christina Adams, Christina Casey, Katie Shay, Hana Katsenes, Kayla Peters, Daniela Salvo^, Antonella Carpenito^
Tenor: Andy Flanagin, Steven Hirner, Evan Babel, Tyler Tvurdy, Brandon Jones
Bass: Phillip Woodmore, Brandon Browning*, Ben Worley, Sam Wright, Scott Mayfield
Season 9: J.S. Bach Cantata, Preise, Jerusalem, de Herrn, BWV 119
Soprano: Melissa Baughman, Anna Bridgman, Rachel Kunce, McKenzie Miller, Rebecca Preston, Rachel Marschke*, Sarah Sheldon,
Catherine Sandstedt
Alto: Christina Adams, Christine Jarquio, Hana Katsenes, Berthold Schindler*, Christina Casey, Elizabeth McFarland, Stephanie Michalicek,
Sarah McGrath
Tenor: Victor Lee, Nathan Ward*, Tristan Frampton, Todd Oberlin, Evan Babel, Brandon Jones
Bass: D.J. Jordan*, Ben Worley, Steven Hirner, Travis Herd, Scott Mayfield, Sam Wright, Brandon Browning
Season 8: J.S. Bach Cantata,'Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit' [Actus tragicus] BWV 106
Soprano: Robin Anderson, Melissa Baughman, Kaitlin Foley, Rebecca Preston
Alto: Jenna Ash, Melanie Hagen, Christine Jarquio, Hana Katsenes, Laura Thompson
Tenor: Brian Parrish - Tristan Frampton - Nathan Ward - Todd Oberlin
Bass: Brandon Browning - Ben Donnelly-Strait - DJ Jordan - Nathan Park
Season 7: J.S. Bach Cantata, “Nach dir, herr, Verlanget mich,” BWV150
Soprano: Claire Huck, Robin Anderson, Anna Bridgman, Kaitlin Foley*, Mallory Harding, Erica Jackson, Rebecca Preston
Alto: Melanie Hagen, Mary-Kate Matthews, Jana Fox, Laura Thompson, Christina Adams*, Christina Casey, Meaghan Linn
Tenor: Tim Hercules, Brian Parrish, Nathan Ward*, Tristan Frampton, Victor Lee, Andrew Lang
Bass: Ryan Cooper, D.J. Jordan, Joel Schilb, Brandon Browning*, Frank Manda, Ben Donnelly-Strait, Max Vale
Season 6: J. S. Bach Motet No. 7, "O Jesu Christ meins Lebens Licht," BWV118 and Cantata BWV 192, “Nun danket”
Soprano: Robin Anderson, Kaitlin Foley, Claire Huck, Rachel Miller, Katie Wieberg
Alto: Cheron Coleman, Katherine Holleman, Melanie Hagan, Laura Thompson, Rachel Wyss
Tenor: Tristan Framptonn, Jordan Halane, Brian Hartman, Tim Hercules, Todd Moore
Bass: Andy Bowman, Brandon Browning, Jake Clifford, Drake Douglas, Darrell J. Jordan
Seaon 5: J, S, Bach: Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131 (1707)
Soprano: Sami Dane, Kaitlin Foley, Claire Huck, Katie Wieberg, Betsy Bledsoe, Rachel Miller
Alto: Katheriine Holleman, Hannah Rice, Cheron Coleman*, Rebecca Lee, Rachel Wyss*, Matt Halton
Tenor: Jordan Halane, Miles Lutterbie, Trent Rash, Kyle Stegall, Tristan Frampton, Joel Garber, Kem Jeffs
Bass: Drake Douglas, Darrell J. Jordan, Jazz Rucker, Tim Whipple, Brian Hartman, Andy Bowman, Jake Clifford, Frank Manda
Season 4: J S, Bach: Christ lag in Todesbandenm BWV 4 (1707-8)
Soprano: Melissa Anderson, Emily Bennett, Betsy Bledsoe, Sarah Burkhead, Meghan Callahan, Sami Dane, Melissa Gaddis, Robin Schweitzer (Anderson)
Alto: Cheron Coleman*, Christine Jarquio, Cori Haynes, Lindsey Lang, Amy Larmmli, Emily Matthews, Chad Payton, Whitney Reed
Tenor: Tristan Frampton, Joel Garber, Ryan Hampton, James Hutchings, Miles Lutterbie, Trent Rash, Kyle Stegall, Mark Woodward
Bass: Brett Kehoe, Rob Levinson, Mark McDaniel, Jazz Rucker, Tim Whipple, Matt Haltom, Joseph Beeman, Curtis Edwards
Season 3: J.S. Bach Cantata, "Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild," BWV79
Soprano: Emily Bennett, Meghan Callahan, Natalie Gibbs, Lindsey Lang, Amelia Northup, Whitney Parker Reed
Alto: Emily Edgington, Corinne Hayes, Christine Jarquio, Susan Kim, Teresa Water
Tenor: Ryan Frampton, James Hutchings, Buddy Green, Miles Lutterbie, Trent Rash, Matt Woodward
Bass: Harry Ceil, Tim Whipple, Jordan Black, Jake Clifford, Derrik Fox
(In 2007 the choir was called "Chorus L'Allegro)
Season 19: J. S. Bach: Cantata BWV 191 Gloria in excelsis Deo (1742) * = Soloists
Soprano I: Elise Cressey, Megan S. Lyon, Amanda Obeso, *Clara E. Smith
Soprano II: Faith Fullen, Haley Mesz, Kate Wyman
Alto: Tara Boydston, Presley Davis, Miranda Frankenbach, Rachel Misner, Aubri Stewart
Tenor: Paul Anderson II, Nathan Le, Topher Otake, *Benjamin Roker, Sam Varnon
Bass: Henry Braeske, Brandon Brown, Jonathan Crader, Nathan Lange, Sam Romine
Season 18: J. S. Bach: Cantata BWV 61 Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Now come, Savior of the heathens, 1714) * = Soloists
Soprano: L. Amelia Lufkin*, Lauren Rankin, Clara Smith, Emeline Yorty, Karen Zeferino
Alto: Isabella Conley, Miranda Frankenbach, Maddie Jenkins, Morgan Jennings, Dani Major, Rachel Misner
Tenor: Nathan Lange, Nathan Le, Connor Lovelace, Benjamin Roker, Daniel Shafer
Bass: Yonathan T. Astatke, Henry Braeske, Brandon Brown, Jonathan Crader, Joshua Engle
Season 16: J. S. Bach: Cantata BWV 71 Gott ist mein König (1708)
(* = Soloists)
Soprano: Mariah Dale, Kendra Franks. Amelia Lufkin, Michelle Peters, Isabel Quintela*, Emeline Yorty
Alto: Samantha Barry, Gabby Davis, Bailee Dougherty, Greta Sonnenberg, Anna Yannessa*
Tenor: Joey Belmore, Truman Butler, Connor Lovelace, David Pelino*, Michael Sauer
Bass: Henry Braeske, Connor Cochrane, Arun Garg, Marques Jerrell Ruff*, Jordan Ulrich, Jeremy Wagner
Season 15: J. S. Bach: Cantata BWV 182 Himmelskönig, sei wilkommen (1714)
(* = Soloists)
Soprano: Nicohl Corretjer, Maddie Page, Michelle Peters, Aubrey Smith, Samantha Walker, Hannah Stanfield Zizza
Alto: Samantha Barry, Gabby Ewert, Keisha Rush, Tâmila Freitas de Souza*, Maddi Lombardo, Kate Mosier
Tenor: Joshua Chism, Matheus Cruz, David Fazekas*, Savon Hayes, Connor Lovelace, Preston Wilson
Bass: Lafe Arens, Anthony Blatter, Connor Cochran, Hans Bridger Heruth, Truman Butler, Jordan Ulrich*
Season 14: J. S. Bach: Missa in F, BWV 233 (1738)
(* = Soloists)
Soprano: Amanda Furtick; McKenna Ranfield; Aubrey Smith*; Kiernan Steiner; Bailey Wilkerson; Hannah Zizza
Alto: Martha Allen; Meaghan Neel; Kate Mosier; Keisha Rush; Samantha Stokes; Samantha Walker
Tenor: Josh Chism; Savon Hayes; David Fazekas; David Peana; James Shemwell; Holt Skinner*
Bass: Patrick Graham*; Hans Bridger Heruth; Marques Ruff; Jacob Stone; Jeremy Wagner; Ben Worley
Season 13: J. S. Bach: Cantata, "O ewiges Feuer, o Ursprung der Liebe," BWV 34 (1745)
(* = Soloists)
Soprano: Jenna Braaksma, Erin Hoerchler, Maddie Page, Erin Schlabach, Sarah Schulte, Kiernan Steiner
Alto: Martha Allen, Meaghan Linn, Erin Smith, Samantha Stokes, Paige Wakefield, Samantha Walker
Tenor: Andrew Fansher, Nathan Fratzke, Savon Hayes, Topher Otake, George Peng, Holt Skinner*
Bass: Patrick Graham, Hans Bridger Heruth, Ryan Layton, Jacob Stone, Jeremy Wagner, Ben Worley*
Season 12: G.F. Handel Chandos Anthem No. 11, "Let God Arise," HWV 256a
Soprano: Madelyn Munsell, Catherine Sandstedt, Pax Baker, Jenna Braaksma, Madeline O'Meara, Sarah Schulte
Alto: Laura Kitchel, Martha Allen, Bria Jones, Jennifer Yerganian, Darneisha Coleman, Paige Wakefield
Tenor: Andy Flanagin, EJ Harrison, Ian Meyer, Nathan Fratzke, Topher Otake, Jordan Walker
Bass: Patrick Graham, Paden Richey, Sam Wright, Colin Knoth, Jeremy Wagner, Ben Worley
Season 10: J.S. Bach Cantata, Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt (God so loved the world), BWV 68
(* = Soloists; ^ = Guests from Italy)
Soprano: Anna Bridgman, Rebecca Preston, Catherine Sandstedt, Sarah Sheldon*, Melissa Nichols, Júlia Coelho
Alto: Christina Adams, Christina Casey, Katie Shay, Hana Katsenes, Kayla Peters, Daniela Salvo^, Antonella Carpenito^
Tenor: Andy Flanagin, Steven Hirner, Evan Babel, Tyler Tvurdy, Brandon Jones
Bass: Phillip Woodmore, Brandon Browning*, Ben Worley, Sam Wright, Scott Mayfield
Season 9: J.S. Bach Cantata, Preise, Jerusalem, de Herrn, BWV 119
Soprano: Melissa Baughman, Anna Bridgman, Rachel Kunce, McKenzie Miller, Rebecca Preston, Rachel Marschke*, Sarah Sheldon,
Catherine Sandstedt
Alto: Christina Adams, Christine Jarquio, Hana Katsenes, Berthold Schindler*, Christina Casey, Elizabeth McFarland, Stephanie Michalicek,
Sarah McGrath
Tenor: Victor Lee, Nathan Ward*, Tristan Frampton, Todd Oberlin, Evan Babel, Brandon Jones
Bass: D.J. Jordan*, Ben Worley, Steven Hirner, Travis Herd, Scott Mayfield, Sam Wright, Brandon Browning
Season 8: J.S. Bach Cantata,'Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit' [Actus tragicus] BWV 106
Soprano: Robin Anderson, Melissa Baughman, Kaitlin Foley, Rebecca Preston
Alto: Jenna Ash, Melanie Hagen, Christine Jarquio, Hana Katsenes, Laura Thompson
Tenor: Brian Parrish - Tristan Frampton - Nathan Ward - Todd Oberlin
Bass: Brandon Browning - Ben Donnelly-Strait - DJ Jordan - Nathan Park
Season 7: J.S. Bach Cantata, “Nach dir, herr, Verlanget mich,” BWV150
Soprano: Claire Huck, Robin Anderson, Anna Bridgman, Kaitlin Foley*, Mallory Harding, Erica Jackson, Rebecca Preston
Alto: Melanie Hagen, Mary-Kate Matthews, Jana Fox, Laura Thompson, Christina Adams*, Christina Casey, Meaghan Linn
Tenor: Tim Hercules, Brian Parrish, Nathan Ward*, Tristan Frampton, Victor Lee, Andrew Lang
Bass: Ryan Cooper, D.J. Jordan, Joel Schilb, Brandon Browning*, Frank Manda, Ben Donnelly-Strait, Max Vale
Season 6: J. S. Bach Motet No. 7, "O Jesu Christ meins Lebens Licht," BWV118 and Cantata BWV 192, “Nun danket”
Soprano: Robin Anderson, Kaitlin Foley, Claire Huck, Rachel Miller, Katie Wieberg
Alto: Cheron Coleman, Katherine Holleman, Melanie Hagan, Laura Thompson, Rachel Wyss
Tenor: Tristan Framptonn, Jordan Halane, Brian Hartman, Tim Hercules, Todd Moore
Bass: Andy Bowman, Brandon Browning, Jake Clifford, Drake Douglas, Darrell J. Jordan
Seaon 5: J, S, Bach: Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131 (1707)
Soprano: Sami Dane, Kaitlin Foley, Claire Huck, Katie Wieberg, Betsy Bledsoe, Rachel Miller
Alto: Katheriine Holleman, Hannah Rice, Cheron Coleman*, Rebecca Lee, Rachel Wyss*, Matt Halton
Tenor: Jordan Halane, Miles Lutterbie, Trent Rash, Kyle Stegall, Tristan Frampton, Joel Garber, Kem Jeffs
Bass: Drake Douglas, Darrell J. Jordan, Jazz Rucker, Tim Whipple, Brian Hartman, Andy Bowman, Jake Clifford, Frank Manda
Season 4: J S, Bach: Christ lag in Todesbandenm BWV 4 (1707-8)
Soprano: Melissa Anderson, Emily Bennett, Betsy Bledsoe, Sarah Burkhead, Meghan Callahan, Sami Dane, Melissa Gaddis, Robin Schweitzer (Anderson)
Alto: Cheron Coleman*, Christine Jarquio, Cori Haynes, Lindsey Lang, Amy Larmmli, Emily Matthews, Chad Payton, Whitney Reed
Tenor: Tristan Frampton, Joel Garber, Ryan Hampton, James Hutchings, Miles Lutterbie, Trent Rash, Kyle Stegall, Mark Woodward
Bass: Brett Kehoe, Rob Levinson, Mark McDaniel, Jazz Rucker, Tim Whipple, Matt Haltom, Joseph Beeman, Curtis Edwards
Season 3: J.S. Bach Cantata, "Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild," BWV79
Soprano: Emily Bennett, Meghan Callahan, Natalie Gibbs, Lindsey Lang, Amelia Northup, Whitney Parker Reed
Alto: Emily Edgington, Corinne Hayes, Christine Jarquio, Susan Kim, Teresa Water
Tenor: Ryan Frampton, James Hutchings, Buddy Green, Miles Lutterbie, Trent Rash, Matt Woodward
Bass: Harry Ceil, Tim Whipple, Jordan Black, Jake Clifford, Derrik Fox
(In 2007 the choir was called "Chorus L'Allegro)
Enrico Baiano, harpsichord (Season 7, 10)
“If more 18thcentury harpsichordists had played like this there would have been no need to invent the piano” [Early Music Review]
“He must have spent a lot of time in his Neapolitan garret, because boy he knows his stuff!” [International record review]
"Concerning Baiano's interpretation, at the risk of being a bore I can only repeat for the umpteenth time that his playing is beyond criticism"[CD Classica]
" Superb - dare to buy it! A magnificent interpretation which will disappoint nobody - Diapason guarantees it!" [Diapason]
"The exceptional combination of wit and flair in compositions and performer make this one of the most significant harpsichord recordings of the decade" [Le Monde de la Musique]
Thus the press continues to greet Neapolitan harpsichordist Enrico Baiano's recordings and concerts, earning him awards such as the Deutsche Schallplattenpreis, Diapason d’Or ,Choc de la Musique and Platte des Monats. The virtuosity and panache of his playing perfectly reflect his upbringing and training in that most colourful and musical of Mediterranean cities, Naples, where he was born in 1960 and subsequently graduated in Piano and Composition at Naples’ Conservatorio ‘S.Pietro a Majella’ before specialising in Harpsichord with Emilia Fadini at Milan’s Conservatorio ‘G.Verdi’. Enrico Baiano has performed at the most renowned early music festivals. His repertoire ranges from 16th to 21st century. He is one of the co-founders of the Italian ensemble “Cappella della Pietà dei Turchini”, with whom he has played and recorded from 1986 to 2000. He often plays with the Neapolitan contemporary music ensemble ‘Dissonanzen’ and with ‘Piccolo concerto Wien’. His solo recordings for Symphonia have won him several international prizes. He took part in two documentary films directed by Francesco Leprino: 'Un gioco ardito' on Domenico Scarlatti and ‘Sul nome B.a.c.h.’ on J.S.Bach. He has written a Harpsichord Method published by Ut Orpheus; for the editor L.I.M. he is writing a book on the sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti. In addition to teaching harpsichord at the Conservatorio ‘Domenico Cimarosa’ in Avellino, he is particularly interested in composition and research.
DISCOGRAPHY
Pier Domenico PARADIES (Paradisi) - Sonate di Gravicembalo SY95140
Johann Jakob FROBERGER - Diverse curiose partite - SY 96152
Antonio de CABEZON - Obras de Mùsica - SY 98156
Domenico SCARLATTI - Sonate - SY 99166
Antonio VIVALDI - Concerti per clavicembalo (Ann Dawson’s Book) - SY 00175
Musica al Tempo di Luca Giordano - Il cembalo nella Napoli del ‘600 - SY01184
Girolamo FRESCOBALDI – Intavolature di Cimbalo – SY02202
Domenico SCARLATTI - Sonate – 2nd volume SY 05218
Domenico SCARLATTI - Sonate – Stradivarius
“He must have spent a lot of time in his Neapolitan garret, because boy he knows his stuff!” [International record review]
"Concerning Baiano's interpretation, at the risk of being a bore I can only repeat for the umpteenth time that his playing is beyond criticism"[CD Classica]
" Superb - dare to buy it! A magnificent interpretation which will disappoint nobody - Diapason guarantees it!" [Diapason]
"The exceptional combination of wit and flair in compositions and performer make this one of the most significant harpsichord recordings of the decade" [Le Monde de la Musique]
Thus the press continues to greet Neapolitan harpsichordist Enrico Baiano's recordings and concerts, earning him awards such as the Deutsche Schallplattenpreis, Diapason d’Or ,Choc de la Musique and Platte des Monats. The virtuosity and panache of his playing perfectly reflect his upbringing and training in that most colourful and musical of Mediterranean cities, Naples, where he was born in 1960 and subsequently graduated in Piano and Composition at Naples’ Conservatorio ‘S.Pietro a Majella’ before specialising in Harpsichord with Emilia Fadini at Milan’s Conservatorio ‘G.Verdi’. Enrico Baiano has performed at the most renowned early music festivals. His repertoire ranges from 16th to 21st century. He is one of the co-founders of the Italian ensemble “Cappella della Pietà dei Turchini”, with whom he has played and recorded from 1986 to 2000. He often plays with the Neapolitan contemporary music ensemble ‘Dissonanzen’ and with ‘Piccolo concerto Wien’. His solo recordings for Symphonia have won him several international prizes. He took part in two documentary films directed by Francesco Leprino: 'Un gioco ardito' on Domenico Scarlatti and ‘Sul nome B.a.c.h.’ on J.S.Bach. He has written a Harpsichord Method published by Ut Orpheus; for the editor L.I.M. he is writing a book on the sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti. In addition to teaching harpsichord at the Conservatorio ‘Domenico Cimarosa’ in Avellino, he is particularly interested in composition and research.
DISCOGRAPHY
Pier Domenico PARADIES (Paradisi) - Sonate di Gravicembalo SY95140
Johann Jakob FROBERGER - Diverse curiose partite - SY 96152
Antonio de CABEZON - Obras de Mùsica - SY 98156
Domenico SCARLATTI - Sonate - SY 99166
Antonio VIVALDI - Concerti per clavicembalo (Ann Dawson’s Book) - SY 00175
Musica al Tempo di Luca Giordano - Il cembalo nella Napoli del ‘600 - SY01184
Girolamo FRESCOBALDI – Intavolature di Cimbalo – SY02202
Domenico SCARLATTI - Sonate – 2nd volume SY 05218
Domenico SCARLATTI - Sonate – Stradivarius
Hayden Baker, violin (Season 20 Concerto Competition Winner)
Hayden Baker is in 10th grade at the Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis, and has just begun studying with Joo Kim. Currently Assistant Principal Second Violin of St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, Hayden is looking forward to upcoming concerto performances, with Belleville Philharmonic in March, and with Town & Country Symphony Orchestra in Fall 2024. Hayden has numerous performing experiences, including chamber music at Madeline Island Chamber Music for Strings and Arianna Chamber Music Festival, in addition to participating in master classes with concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra David Kim, and Alejandro Valdepenãs.
Hayden Baker is in 10th grade at the Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis, and has just begun studying with Joo Kim. Currently Assistant Principal Second Violin of St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, Hayden is looking forward to upcoming concerto performances, with Belleville Philharmonic in March, and with Town & Country Symphony Orchestra in Fall 2024. Hayden has numerous performing experiences, including chamber music at Madeline Island Chamber Music for Strings and Arianna Chamber Music Festival, in addition to participating in master classes with concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra David Kim, and Alejandro Valdepenãs.
Zoe Baldwin, violin (Season 20 Concerto Competition Winner)
Zoe Baldwin is in 9th grade at Clayton High School, and has been studying with Angie Smart for three years. Zoe has performed in biannual studio recitals, in addition to performing chamber music at the Arianna Chamber Music Festival and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. Zoe has won the Young Peoples Symphonic Orchestra, St. Louis Civic Orchestra, and University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL) Young Artists concerto competitions, in addition to participating in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) competition the past two years.
Zoe Baldwin is in 9th grade at Clayton High School, and has been studying with Angie Smart for three years. Zoe has performed in biannual studio recitals, in addition to performing chamber music at the Arianna Chamber Music Festival and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. Zoe has won the Young Peoples Symphonic Orchestra, St. Louis Civic Orchestra, and University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL) Young Artists concerto competitions, in addition to participating in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) competition the past two years.
Maurycy Banaszek, viola (Season 20)
Maurycy Banaszek, from Warsaw, Poland, joined the Concert Artist Faculty at Kean University in 2011. His festival appearances include Marlboro, Seattle, Santa Fe, Aldeburgh, Moritzburg, Mozaic, Kingston, Martha’s Vineyard, Warsaw Autumn, among others. He toured with the Musicians from Marlboro and has frequently appeared at Barge Music in New York. As a founding member of the Elsner String Quartet he has played in such prestigious venues as the Carnegie Hall in New York, Wigmore Hall in London and Gewandhaus in Leipzig. In August 1998 he was invited by the members of the legendary Amadeus String Quartet to perform at their 50th Anniversary Gala Concert in London. He was recently featured as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico. He was also invited by Gidon Kremer to participate at the Kronberg Festival, where he performed with the Guarneri String Quartet. Founding member of the conductor-less chamber orchestra ECCO, he held the position of Principal Viola at the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, Sejong Soloists, the Metropolis Ensemble and the New York Symphonic Ensemble. Additionally, he acted as Guest Principal Violist of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, as well as the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra. He is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music in New York where he studied with Michael Tree, and plays a viola made by Hiroshi Iizuka in Philadelphia in 1997.
Maurycy Banaszek, from Warsaw, Poland, joined the Concert Artist Faculty at Kean University in 2011. His festival appearances include Marlboro, Seattle, Santa Fe, Aldeburgh, Moritzburg, Mozaic, Kingston, Martha’s Vineyard, Warsaw Autumn, among others. He toured with the Musicians from Marlboro and has frequently appeared at Barge Music in New York. As a founding member of the Elsner String Quartet he has played in such prestigious venues as the Carnegie Hall in New York, Wigmore Hall in London and Gewandhaus in Leipzig. In August 1998 he was invited by the members of the legendary Amadeus String Quartet to perform at their 50th Anniversary Gala Concert in London. He was recently featured as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico. He was also invited by Gidon Kremer to participate at the Kronberg Festival, where he performed with the Guarneri String Quartet. Founding member of the conductor-less chamber orchestra ECCO, he held the position of Principal Viola at the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, Sejong Soloists, the Metropolis Ensemble and the New York Symphonic Ensemble. Additionally, he acted as Guest Principal Violist of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, as well as the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra. He is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music in New York where he studied with Michael Tree, and plays a viola made by Hiroshi Iizuka in Philadelphia in 1997.
Michael Bancroft, organ (Season 11)
Michael Bancroft has played the organ at First Presbyterian Church for over 33 years. He taught English at Rock Bridge High School for 27 years to support his musical avocation! In recent years he served two terms as the dean of regional chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Michael Bancroft has played the organ at First Presbyterian Church for over 33 years. He taught English at Rock Bridge High School for 27 years to support his musical avocation! In recent years he served two terms as the dean of regional chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Jennifer Margaret Barker, composer (Season 10)
Jennifer Margaret Barker’s compositions have been hailed by critics in North America, Europe and Asia as “extraordinarily moving”, “soul-stirring”, “at once gripping and timeless”, “blazingly alive, with lovely, aching melodies”, “show-stopping”, “anything but passive”, “beautiful…warm”, “haunting”, “thrilling new sounds”, “familiar and yet always new”, “illuminated by dreamy images”, and her compositional output has been noted for its “amazing array”. Barker has received commissions and performances from most notably The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra with the St. Louis Children’s Choirs, The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra with the New Jersey Youth Chorus, The Virginia Symphony with The Virginia Children’s Chorus, The Fort Collins Symphony, The Bearsden Choir with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Brass and Percussion Ensembles, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra String Quartet, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra String Trio, Relâche, Network for New Music, The Society for New Music, Trio Arundel, The Taggart-Grycky Duo, Del’Arte, Musica Nova, Mélomanie, The Holywell Ensemble, Marimolin, The Children’s Chorus of Maryland, and The Bay Youth Symphony, as well as an extensive list of international concert artists. She was invited to compose a work for The 2002 American Liszt Society National Conference, and her compositional work is featured on the Distant Voices Touring Theatre ‘September Echoes’ production. Her compositions have also been featured on documentary and art films, including “No Denying”. To date, her works have been performed in China, Australia, Sweden, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, The Czech Republic and Slovenia, as well as in the United Kingdom (Scotland, England and Wales) and the United States. In addition to ASCAP awards and varying international awards, Barker has received grants from organizations such as The National Endowment for the Arts, the Pew Charitable Trust, the American Composers Forum, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Norfolk (USA) Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Meir Rimon Commissioning Assistance Grant, the Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, the Philadelphia Music Project and The Scottish Arts Council. In 2007 she received an Established Artist Fellowship from the Delaware Division of the Arts for her contributions to the State of Delaware. Published by Theodore Presser, Vanderbeek & Imrie Ltd. and Southern Percussion, Barker has received numerous broadcasts of her compositions on American public radio and the BBC. Her first CD, ‘Nyvaigs’, was released in April 2000 on the CRI label and is currently distributed by New World Records. Her second CD, ‘Geenyoch’, which includes a bonus DVD featuring four music videos of her compositions filmed by award-winning cameraman John Anthony Palmer, was released in May 2005 on the Meyer Media LLC label (www.meyer-media.com). Barker is Co-Chair of New Music Delaware and Co-Artistic Director/Founder of Still Breathing: The University of Delaware Contemporary Music Ensemble. Born and raised in Scotland, she has lived in America since 1987. In addition to composing, Barker remains active as a pianist. www.jennifermargaretbarker.com
Matthew Barnes, oboe (Season 19)
Matthew Barnes is a senior at Mizzou studying Oboe performance. He was born and raised in Columbia, MO, and throughout his life he has performed with countless ensembles across the Midwest. Notable performances include CBDNA with the University Wind Ensemble, MMEA with the University Philharmonic as well as two years with the All-State Orchestra. Matthew will be graduating in May and plans to start a career as an Oboe technician but also hopes to continue to perform as often as possible.
Matthew Barnes is a senior at Mizzou studying Oboe performance. He was born and raised in Columbia, MO, and throughout his life he has performed with countless ensembles across the Midwest. Notable performances include CBDNA with the University Wind Ensemble, MMEA with the University Philharmonic as well as two years with the All-State Orchestra. Matthew will be graduating in May and plans to start a career as an Oboe technician but also hopes to continue to perform as often as possible.
Christopher Baumgartner, conductor (Season 8)
Christopher Baumgartner is currently pursuing a Ph. D. in Music Education at the University of Missouri. A native of Ohio, Mr. Baumgartner holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bowling Green State University. While at BGSU, he guest conducted the University Band, the BGSU Men’s Chorus, and PRAECEPTA, an ensemble devoted to the performance of student compositions. He remains active as a conductor, routinely guest conducting university ensembles at Mizzou. As a clinician, Mr. Baumgartner has worked with middle school and high school bands throughout Ohio, and recently in the mid-Missouri area. Mr. Baumgartner’s master’s thesis, A Performance Analysis of Whirlwind and Shadow Rituals, Ticheli Composition Contest Award Winning Works in 2007, won the Distinguished Theses Awardfrom BGSU in 2010. Recently, he was published in Visions of Research in Music Education and Missouri School Music Magazine. Christopher Baumgartner is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Missouri Bandmasters Association, College Music Society, Society for Research in Teacher Education, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and National Band Association.
Andrew Bell, bassoon (Season 2, 7, 8, 11-12)
Andrew Bell is a native of Columbia, Missouri. While attending Hickman High School, Andrew studied under Albie Micklich, Gabriel Beavers, and Lecolion Washington of the University of Missouri, as well as filling in for the University’s Philharmonic. Andrew was a member of a Missouri All-State ensemble all four years in high school. After completing his freshman year at the University of Missouri, Andrew completed his Bachelors of Music degree at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. There he studied under William Buchman and Robert Barris. At DePaul, Andrew was a member of the Wind Ensemble, as well as the DePaul Symphony Orchestra, culminating in a performance of the Rite of Spring at Chicago’s Symphony Center under the baton of Cliff Colnot. Andrew has performed in masterclasses with Loren Glickman, Mark Popkin, Daniel Matsukawa, David McGill, Lewis Kirk, among others. Andrew now lives in Columbia, close to family and friends. While remaining an active orchestral bassoonist in the community, Andrew focuses most of his efforts on the advancement of free improvisation and integrating the bassoon in new musical territories.
Andrew Bell is a native of Columbia, Missouri. While attending Hickman High School, Andrew studied under Albie Micklich, Gabriel Beavers, and Lecolion Washington of the University of Missouri, as well as filling in for the University’s Philharmonic. Andrew was a member of a Missouri All-State ensemble all four years in high school. After completing his freshman year at the University of Missouri, Andrew completed his Bachelors of Music degree at DePaul University in Chicago, IL. There he studied under William Buchman and Robert Barris. At DePaul, Andrew was a member of the Wind Ensemble, as well as the DePaul Symphony Orchestra, culminating in a performance of the Rite of Spring at Chicago’s Symphony Center under the baton of Cliff Colnot. Andrew has performed in masterclasses with Loren Glickman, Mark Popkin, Daniel Matsukawa, David McGill, Lewis Kirk, among others. Andrew now lives in Columbia, close to family and friends. While remaining an active orchestral bassoonist in the community, Andrew focuses most of his efforts on the advancement of free improvisation and integrating the bassoon in new musical territories.
John Bell, clarinet (Season 15 and 16)
John Bell is an avid performer and an aspiring pedagogue. He has performed around Missouri as a member of the Missouri Clarinet Quartet and as a member of the University of Missouri Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic Orchestra. As an educator, he is spending time volunteering in the Columbia Public School system and works at the Wildwood Academy for Music and the Arts (WAMA) in Arkansas as an instructor and as a member of the WAMA Orchestra. Mr. Bell is currently a student at the University of Missouri under the tutelage of Dr. Wesley Warnhoff, and is working toward a BM in Music with an emphasis in Music Education. His previous teacher was Dr. Andy Wen
John Bell is an avid performer and an aspiring pedagogue. He has performed around Missouri as a member of the Missouri Clarinet Quartet and as a member of the University of Missouri Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic Orchestra. As an educator, he is spending time volunteering in the Columbia Public School system and works at the Wildwood Academy for Music and the Arts (WAMA) in Arkansas as an instructor and as a member of the WAMA Orchestra. Mr. Bell is currently a student at the University of Missouri under the tutelage of Dr. Wesley Warnhoff, and is working toward a BM in Music with an emphasis in Music Education. His previous teacher was Dr. Andy Wen
Zach Beran, trumpet (Season 16)
Zach Beran is an avid performer and educator. He has diverse ensemble experience performing a wide range of genres from classical to jazz to contemporary. He has performed in University Philharmonic (MU), University Philharmonic (UNO), the Missouri Symphony, University Wind Ensemble (MU), University Wind Ensemble (UNO), Jazz One & “Too” (UNO), the Music in Catholic Schools “Swing Tones”, and multiple chamber ensembles. He has been a member of the Strayhornz Brass Band, Esencia Latina Band, Omaha Symphonic Winds, Mike Gurciullo’s Las Vegas Big Band (Ozone Big Band), and the Nebraska Wind Symphony Swing Tones. In 2013, Zach was a featured concerto soloist with Nebraska Wind Symphony as the winner of their concerto competition. Additionally, he was also featured in masterclasses with Otto Sauter, Jeff Strong, and Paul Baron. Passionate about all things trumpet, Zach has sought out many ways to give back to the trumpet community. He has taught lessons since 2013 and he loves seeing his students get better at the trumpet while they enjoy the music that they make. He is also a Life Member of the national band service fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi and an alumnus of the national social music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Zach received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance degree from the University of Nebraska – Omaha and is currently pursuing a career as an insurance agent with State Farm. His principal teachers include Joe Homan, Joel Edwards, Jason Johnson, and Iskander Akhmadullin.
Zach Beran is an avid performer and educator. He has diverse ensemble experience performing a wide range of genres from classical to jazz to contemporary. He has performed in University Philharmonic (MU), University Philharmonic (UNO), the Missouri Symphony, University Wind Ensemble (MU), University Wind Ensemble (UNO), Jazz One & “Too” (UNO), the Music in Catholic Schools “Swing Tones”, and multiple chamber ensembles. He has been a member of the Strayhornz Brass Band, Esencia Latina Band, Omaha Symphonic Winds, Mike Gurciullo’s Las Vegas Big Band (Ozone Big Band), and the Nebraska Wind Symphony Swing Tones. In 2013, Zach was a featured concerto soloist with Nebraska Wind Symphony as the winner of their concerto competition. Additionally, he was also featured in masterclasses with Otto Sauter, Jeff Strong, and Paul Baron. Passionate about all things trumpet, Zach has sought out many ways to give back to the trumpet community. He has taught lessons since 2013 and he loves seeing his students get better at the trumpet while they enjoy the music that they make. He is also a Life Member of the national band service fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi and an alumnus of the national social music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Zach received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance degree from the University of Nebraska – Omaha and is currently pursuing a career as an insurance agent with State Farm. His principal teachers include Joe Homan, Joel Edwards, Jason Johnson, and Iskander Akhmadullin.
Julia Bentley, mezzo-soprano (Season 13, 14)
Mezzo-soprano Julia Bentley is honored to be the newest addition to the MU School of Music voice faculty. Since completing apprenticeships with the Santa Fe Opera and the Chicago Lyric Opera, she has appeared in leading operatic roles (Carmen, Rosina, Dorabella, Despina, and both Rossini and Massenet Cinderellas) from Anchorage to New York, and been featured as a soloist with orchestras led by George Manahan, Raymond Leppard, Oliver Knussen, Robert Shaw and Pierre Boulez. A long-time Chicago resident, she performs frequently with that city’s many fine ensembles, including Contempo, the New Budapest Orpheum Society, the Rembrandt Chamber Players, Fulcrum Point, the Chicago Chamber Musicians, Chicago Opera Theater, the Newberry Consort, the Chicago Civic Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Lyric Opera and the MusicNOW series at Symphony Center with conductor Cliff Colnot. She has appeared to critical acclaim at Weill Hall with Pierre Boulez as the soloist in Le Marteau Sans Maître, and recorded on the Albany, Cedille and Tintagel labels. Recent engagements have included performances of La Damnation de Faust with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Pierrot Lunaire with eighth blackbird, La Cenerentola with Sacramento Opera, Berg's Lyric Suite with the Emerson String Quartet, and the Bach B Minor Mass with the Apollo Chorus as well as chamber music series in Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. Prior to her arrival in Columbia, she taught voice and chamber music at the DePaul University School of Music, as well as at Concordia University, North Park University, and NIU. Ms. Bentley was a featured presenter at the NATS National Conference in 2016, speaking on the vital importance of collaboration between young singers and composers. This season includes concerts of music from her Grammy-nominated CD As Dreams Fall Apart (available at Cedille Records) and multiple premiers on texts by Carl Sandburg for Ear Taxi, Chicago’s fabulous new music festival.
Mezzo-soprano Julia Bentley is honored to be the newest addition to the MU School of Music voice faculty. Since completing apprenticeships with the Santa Fe Opera and the Chicago Lyric Opera, she has appeared in leading operatic roles (Carmen, Rosina, Dorabella, Despina, and both Rossini and Massenet Cinderellas) from Anchorage to New York, and been featured as a soloist with orchestras led by George Manahan, Raymond Leppard, Oliver Knussen, Robert Shaw and Pierre Boulez. A long-time Chicago resident, she performs frequently with that city’s many fine ensembles, including Contempo, the New Budapest Orpheum Society, the Rembrandt Chamber Players, Fulcrum Point, the Chicago Chamber Musicians, Chicago Opera Theater, the Newberry Consort, the Chicago Civic Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Lyric Opera and the MusicNOW series at Symphony Center with conductor Cliff Colnot. She has appeared to critical acclaim at Weill Hall with Pierre Boulez as the soloist in Le Marteau Sans Maître, and recorded on the Albany, Cedille and Tintagel labels. Recent engagements have included performances of La Damnation de Faust with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Pierrot Lunaire with eighth blackbird, La Cenerentola with Sacramento Opera, Berg's Lyric Suite with the Emerson String Quartet, and the Bach B Minor Mass with the Apollo Chorus as well as chamber music series in Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. Prior to her arrival in Columbia, she taught voice and chamber music at the DePaul University School of Music, as well as at Concordia University, North Park University, and NIU. Ms. Bentley was a featured presenter at the NATS National Conference in 2016, speaking on the vital importance of collaboration between young singers and composers. This season includes concerts of music from her Grammy-nominated CD As Dreams Fall Apart (available at Cedille Records) and multiple premiers on texts by Carl Sandburg for Ear Taxi, Chicago’s fabulous new music festival.
Stephanie Berg, clarinet (Season 6-8)
Stephanie Berg is a December 2008 graduate of the University of Missouri, having earned a Bachelor of Music degree in clarinet performance. She continues her studies at the University of Missouri, pursuing a Master’s degree in clarinet performance and composition. She performs in the University Philharmonic, University of Missouri’s New Music Ensemble, is principal of the 9th Street Philharmonic, and an auxiliary member of the Columbia Civic Orchestra, playing Bb, A, Eb, and Bass clarinets whenever required. In addition to performing, Stephanie is very active in music composition. This is her fourth year serving as the project manager of the Creating Original Music Program, and she is the 2009 recipient of the Sinquefield Composition Competition, resulting in the commissioned work, Motive and Reflection for full orchestra. She has also received commissions from the 9thStreet Philharmonic and Columbia Civic Orchestra, has had several works performed by the New Music Ensemble, including premieres at the St. Louis Contemporary Art Museum and Missouri Botanical Garden, and was accepted to the 2010 Atlantic Music Festival Composition Program.
Allison Brenner, flute | General Manager (Season 14-16)
Allison Brenner graduated from the University of Arkansas (U of A) in December 2010 with a degree in Music Business. At the U of A, she studied under Dr. Ronda Mains and fulfilled the studio requirements of a flute performance major. During her tenure, she performed with the U of A Wind Symphony for five semesters and also played with the University Symphony Orchestra (USO) for two semesters. In the spring of 2009, she won the U of A Concerto Aria Competition and was awarded the opportunity to perform her selection with the USO. She performed in various local musical ensembles, was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) – a women’s fraternity for music – and was awarded several music scholarships during her tenure at the U of A. After graduation, she continued to play in local ensembles and taught flute and piano lessons. She and her husband moved to South Carolina for her husband to attend medical school in 2012, and then to Columbia in 2016 for his residency at the MU Hospital. Since coming to Columbia, she has joined the Columbia Civic Orchestra and the Odyssey Board as general manager. She currently works full-time as a credentialing specialist with Real Radiology.
Allison Brenner graduated from the University of Arkansas (U of A) in December 2010 with a degree in Music Business. At the U of A, she studied under Dr. Ronda Mains and fulfilled the studio requirements of a flute performance major. During her tenure, she performed with the U of A Wind Symphony for five semesters and also played with the University Symphony Orchestra (USO) for two semesters. In the spring of 2009, she won the U of A Concerto Aria Competition and was awarded the opportunity to perform her selection with the USO. She performed in various local musical ensembles, was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) – a women’s fraternity for music – and was awarded several music scholarships during her tenure at the U of A. After graduation, she continued to play in local ensembles and taught flute and piano lessons. She and her husband moved to South Carolina for her husband to attend medical school in 2012, and then to Columbia in 2016 for his residency at the MU Hospital. Since coming to Columbia, she has joined the Columbia Civic Orchestra and the Odyssey Board as general manager. She currently works full-time as a credentialing specialist with Real Radiology.
Graham Bond, piano (Season 17)
Graham Bond is currently a freshman studying mechanical engineering at the University of Missouri Honors College, where he is performing undergraduate research as a Discovery Fellow in Dr. Jian Lin’s Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory. Graham is also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Mizzou Space Program. Though his primary focus is on the sciences, he is also a performing musician and is pursuing minors in music and mathematics. Graham began his piano journey at five years old and began playing the oboe in the sixth grade, quickly falling in love with both instruments. While studying underneath Ken Kehner, he earned six gold medals at the MSHSAA State Music Festival, consistent exemplary ratings and a 1st place title at the Piano Federation District Festival, and an honorable mention at the MTNA Missouri State Competition, Senior Piano Division. He now studies piano with Dr. Peter Miyamoto and oboe with Professor Dan Willett. In his first semester at Mizzou, he also earned an honorable mention in the MMTA Collegiate Honors Auditions and performed in the University’s Wind Ensemble. While a student at Jefferson City High School, Graham earned the National Merit Scholarship, the National AP Scholar Award, the American Legion Award, the Eagle Scout Rank, the NSDA Academic-All-American Award, and graduated as a salutatorian. He was also the president of the Speech and Debate team, where he was the district champion of Policy Debate and Informative Speaking. He even placed in the top 16 nationally at the NCFL 2019 Policy Debate Tournament. He also performed in the high school’s jazz band, symphonic band, and marching band, as well as in the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra and the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra.
Graham Bond is currently a freshman studying mechanical engineering at the University of Missouri Honors College, where he is performing undergraduate research as a Discovery Fellow in Dr. Jian Lin’s Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory. Graham is also a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Mizzou Space Program. Though his primary focus is on the sciences, he is also a performing musician and is pursuing minors in music and mathematics. Graham began his piano journey at five years old and began playing the oboe in the sixth grade, quickly falling in love with both instruments. While studying underneath Ken Kehner, he earned six gold medals at the MSHSAA State Music Festival, consistent exemplary ratings and a 1st place title at the Piano Federation District Festival, and an honorable mention at the MTNA Missouri State Competition, Senior Piano Division. He now studies piano with Dr. Peter Miyamoto and oboe with Professor Dan Willett. In his first semester at Mizzou, he also earned an honorable mention in the MMTA Collegiate Honors Auditions and performed in the University’s Wind Ensemble. While a student at Jefferson City High School, Graham earned the National Merit Scholarship, the National AP Scholar Award, the American Legion Award, the Eagle Scout Rank, the NSDA Academic-All-American Award, and graduated as a salutatorian. He was also the president of the Speech and Debate team, where he was the district champion of Policy Debate and Informative Speaking. He even placed in the top 16 nationally at the NCFL 2019 Policy Debate Tournament. He also performed in the high school’s jazz band, symphonic band, and marching band, as well as in the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra and the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra.
Anthony Blatter, bass baritone (Season 17, 18)
Anthony Coleman Blatter, baritone, comes from St. Louis Missouri, and is a senior working towards a B.M. in vocal performance and a B.A. in theater performance by the spring of 2022. He studies voice with Professor Steven Tharp. He is also a member of University Singers and the Show-Me Opera program on campus. He serves as the event coordinator for the Alpha Zeta Delta chapter of Alpha Psi Omega honor society and is a proud member of the Zeta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Anthony recently debuted the role of Mr. Mankstrummpf in the brand-new musical “All the Spaces” and a musical theater revue of Brett Kristofferson’s music entitled “So Near, So Far” through the Larry D. Clark Summer Repertory Theatre company. He also has played the role of Sarastro in Mozart’s The Magic Flute and just recently played the title role in Verdi’s opera Falstaff at the Missouri Theater. Anthony is also a National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) 1st Place National Winner (2018), and National Semi-Finalist (2019). He also recently performed as a finalist in the Mizzou school of music Emerging Artist Gala concert. Anthony hopes to finish his undergraduate studies and move onto Graduate school and study either vocal music or theatre.
Anthony Coleman Blatter, baritone, comes from St. Louis Missouri, and is a senior working towards a B.M. in vocal performance and a B.A. in theater performance by the spring of 2022. He studies voice with Professor Steven Tharp. He is also a member of University Singers and the Show-Me Opera program on campus. He serves as the event coordinator for the Alpha Zeta Delta chapter of Alpha Psi Omega honor society and is a proud member of the Zeta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Anthony recently debuted the role of Mr. Mankstrummpf in the brand-new musical “All the Spaces” and a musical theater revue of Brett Kristofferson’s music entitled “So Near, So Far” through the Larry D. Clark Summer Repertory Theatre company. He also has played the role of Sarastro in Mozart’s The Magic Flute and just recently played the title role in Verdi’s opera Falstaff at the Missouri Theater. Anthony is also a National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) 1st Place National Winner (2018), and National Semi-Finalist (2019). He also recently performed as a finalist in the Mizzou school of music Emerging Artist Gala concert. Anthony hopes to finish his undergraduate studies and move onto Graduate school and study either vocal music or theatre.
BNB Trio (Pre-concerts, Season 16-18)
BNB Trio is a two-time winner of the MMTA State Competition in Chamber Music in 2021 and 2020. Comprised of violinist Brandon Kim, cellist Nicole Parker and pianist Benjamin Xu, their ensemble name comes from the first initial of their first names. Coached by Ayako Tsuruta since 2019, BNB Trio has had master classes with violinists David Colwell and Scott Yoo, co-coached by violinist Holly Piccoli, and performed a number of times in Odyssey Chamber Music Series’ Pre-Concert programs
Brandon Kim began studying the violin with Amy Appold at the age of 6, and currently studies with Prof. Julie Rosenfeld. He was the winner of the 2018 Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) statewide competition in the Junior String Division and Runner Up of the 2019 and 2020 MMTA Senior String Division. Brandon was selected for the Missouri All-State Orchestra for all four years of his high school career and played an improvised solo in the 2020 All-State Orchestra. This year, he was given the honor to serve as the concertmaster of the 2022 All-State Orchestra. As an orchestra player, Brandon has also been a member of the highly selective 2020 and 2021 NAfME All-National Symphony Orchestras. With the Missouri Symphony, he played at the Hot Summer Nights Festival and the Symphony of Toys concert in 2018, 2019, and 2021. He is not only an avid instrumental player but also a composer. Brandon has composed various instrumental compositions since age 10 and has won multiple national awards in the MTNA and National Federation of Music Clubs Composition Competitions. He will graduate Rock Bridge High school as a valedictorian and will be bringing his music to Rice University. He plans on joining the symphonic orchestra and chamber groups in college, as well as continuing lessons and composing music.
Nicole Parker is currently a senior at Rock Bridge High School. She began playing the cello with Mary Manulik at age 7 and currently studies with Dr. Eli Lara. Nicole entered the Missouri All-State Orchestra competition in 2018 and 2019 and was selected both years. She received an honorable mention for the 2019 Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) State Senior Strings competition. Nicole was the winner of the 2021 Odyssey Pre-Collegiate Aria/Concerto Competition and was runner-up in 2020. In 2020, she was the assistant principal cellist in the Honor Orchestra of America. She attended Kinhaven Music School’s Senior Session Program in the summer of 2021. She is currently a member of the Crossing Church music team, the BNB trio and Cloud 9 Quartet. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, camping, canoeing and spending time with her family. In the fall of 2022, Nicole will attend the University of Texas, Austin - Butler School of Music. She has been admitted to the studio of cellist Bion Tsang. She will also pursue a degree in psychology.
Benjamin Xu, a senior at Rock Bridge High School, has been playing piano under the tutelage of Beverly Kyriakos, Anne Manahan, and Ayako Tsuruta since he was six. Benjamin has won many state-wide music competitions such as the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Piano Competition and the Mid-America Music Association (MAMA) Piano Competition. He has also participated in many other music events such as the Blind Boone Concert Series, Odyssey’s Kids@Heart programs, and auditions held by the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) and the National Guild of Piano Teachers, in which he has received superior ratings consistently. Benjamin has auditioned and performed in the Missouri Symphony League’s Piano Showcase every year since he began playing and has won the Best Audition Award twice since its inauguration in 2018. He also performed at the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in February 2020. In the future, Benjamin plans to major in applied mathematics at Yale University and hopes to obtain a music degree there as well.
BNB Trio is a two-time winner of the MMTA State Competition in Chamber Music in 2021 and 2020. Comprised of violinist Brandon Kim, cellist Nicole Parker and pianist Benjamin Xu, their ensemble name comes from the first initial of their first names. Coached by Ayako Tsuruta since 2019, BNB Trio has had master classes with violinists David Colwell and Scott Yoo, co-coached by violinist Holly Piccoli, and performed a number of times in Odyssey Chamber Music Series’ Pre-Concert programs
Brandon Kim began studying the violin with Amy Appold at the age of 6, and currently studies with Prof. Julie Rosenfeld. He was the winner of the 2018 Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) statewide competition in the Junior String Division and Runner Up of the 2019 and 2020 MMTA Senior String Division. Brandon was selected for the Missouri All-State Orchestra for all four years of his high school career and played an improvised solo in the 2020 All-State Orchestra. This year, he was given the honor to serve as the concertmaster of the 2022 All-State Orchestra. As an orchestra player, Brandon has also been a member of the highly selective 2020 and 2021 NAfME All-National Symphony Orchestras. With the Missouri Symphony, he played at the Hot Summer Nights Festival and the Symphony of Toys concert in 2018, 2019, and 2021. He is not only an avid instrumental player but also a composer. Brandon has composed various instrumental compositions since age 10 and has won multiple national awards in the MTNA and National Federation of Music Clubs Composition Competitions. He will graduate Rock Bridge High school as a valedictorian and will be bringing his music to Rice University. He plans on joining the symphonic orchestra and chamber groups in college, as well as continuing lessons and composing music.
Nicole Parker is currently a senior at Rock Bridge High School. She began playing the cello with Mary Manulik at age 7 and currently studies with Dr. Eli Lara. Nicole entered the Missouri All-State Orchestra competition in 2018 and 2019 and was selected both years. She received an honorable mention for the 2019 Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) State Senior Strings competition. Nicole was the winner of the 2021 Odyssey Pre-Collegiate Aria/Concerto Competition and was runner-up in 2020. In 2020, she was the assistant principal cellist in the Honor Orchestra of America. She attended Kinhaven Music School’s Senior Session Program in the summer of 2021. She is currently a member of the Crossing Church music team, the BNB trio and Cloud 9 Quartet. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, camping, canoeing and spending time with her family. In the fall of 2022, Nicole will attend the University of Texas, Austin - Butler School of Music. She has been admitted to the studio of cellist Bion Tsang. She will also pursue a degree in psychology.
Benjamin Xu, a senior at Rock Bridge High School, has been playing piano under the tutelage of Beverly Kyriakos, Anne Manahan, and Ayako Tsuruta since he was six. Benjamin has won many state-wide music competitions such as the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Piano Competition and the Mid-America Music Association (MAMA) Piano Competition. He has also participated in many other music events such as the Blind Boone Concert Series, Odyssey’s Kids@Heart programs, and auditions held by the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) and the National Guild of Piano Teachers, in which he has received superior ratings consistently. Benjamin has auditioned and performed in the Missouri Symphony League’s Piano Showcase every year since he began playing and has won the Best Audition Award twice since its inauguration in 2018. He also performed at the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in February 2020. In the future, Benjamin plans to major in applied mathematics at Yale University and hopes to obtain a music degree there as well.
Lucas Boyd, bassoon (Season 6, 7, 18)
Lucas has enjoyed an international career of performing and was the Co-Principal Bassoon of the Hyogo Performing Arts Orchestra in Japan from 2014-2017. A Kansas City native, Lucas received his undergraduate degree from Mizzou, studying bassoon with Rodney Ackmann and torturing Peter Miyamoto in piano lessons. He then attended Northwestern University, was a member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra, and a fellow of Music Academy of the West. Lucas was also Second Bassoon of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Missouri Symphony Orchestra, and has been a substitute musician for the Chicago Symphony and Kansas City Symphony. Lucas spends a great deal of his time applying the lessons learned through music to pursue his many interests, including software development and finance, and currently works in game design while freelancing as a musician.
Lucas has enjoyed an international career of performing and was the Co-Principal Bassoon of the Hyogo Performing Arts Orchestra in Japan from 2014-2017. A Kansas City native, Lucas received his undergraduate degree from Mizzou, studying bassoon with Rodney Ackmann and torturing Peter Miyamoto in piano lessons. He then attended Northwestern University, was a member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra, and a fellow of Music Academy of the West. Lucas was also Second Bassoon of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Missouri Symphony Orchestra, and has been a substitute musician for the Chicago Symphony and Kansas City Symphony. Lucas spends a great deal of his time applying the lessons learned through music to pursue his many interests, including software development and finance, and currently works in game design while freelancing as a musician.
Grant Bradshaw, viola (Season 13-14, 18-20)
Grant Bradshaw, a native of Columbia, Missouri, has studied viola with Chris Tantillo of the St. Louis Symphony and Leslie Perna at the University of Missouri. He also studied music composition with Dr. W. Thomas McKenney at the University of Missouri, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music composition in 2015. Grant enjoys performing orchestral music, and he has performed in the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, the Texas Music Festival Orchestra, the Round Top Festival Institute, and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. As a composer at the University of Missouri, Grant was the recipient of a Sinquefield New Music Scholarship and has enjoyed composing works for his friends. Grant is currently a software engineer at Shelter Insurance in Columbia, Missouri. In his spare time he enjoys listening to audiobooks, improvising at the piano, and studying theology.
Grant Bradshaw, a native of Columbia, Missouri, has studied viola with Chris Tantillo of the St. Louis Symphony and Leslie Perna at the University of Missouri. He also studied music composition with Dr. W. Thomas McKenney at the University of Missouri, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music composition in 2015. Grant enjoys performing orchestral music, and he has performed in the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, the Texas Music Festival Orchestra, the Round Top Festival Institute, and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. As a composer at the University of Missouri, Grant was the recipient of a Sinquefield New Music Scholarship and has enjoyed composing works for his friends. Grant is currently a software engineer at Shelter Insurance in Columbia, Missouri. In his spare time he enjoys listening to audiobooks, improvising at the piano, and studying theology.
Sam Caldwell, double bass (Season 19, 20)
Sam Caldwell is a double bassist from St. Louis Missouri. He started music in 4th and went through the Lindbergh Strings program. He ended his time with the Lindbergh Strings program through an internship where he began to focus n on his music education career. As a performer his past ensembles include Lindbergh Schools Symphony Orchestra, 2021 & 2022 Missouri All-State orchestra, and a season with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. As an educator he began a private studio in St. Louis teaching cello and bass, when he moved to Columbia, he extended his studio to support Columbia bass students. He taught for one semester at the Missouri Academy of Music and currently teaches at the Missouri String Project. He is currently working towards a bachelor's degree in K-12 instrumental music education degree with an emphasis in strings. His teacher is Sue Stubbs, and his past teacher is Tim Weddle.
Sam Caldwell is a double bassist from St. Louis Missouri. He started music in 4th and went through the Lindbergh Strings program. He ended his time with the Lindbergh Strings program through an internship where he began to focus n on his music education career. As a performer his past ensembles include Lindbergh Schools Symphony Orchestra, 2021 & 2022 Missouri All-State orchestra, and a season with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. As an educator he began a private studio in St. Louis teaching cello and bass, when he moved to Columbia, he extended his studio to support Columbia bass students. He taught for one semester at the Missouri Academy of Music and currently teaches at the Missouri String Project. He is currently working towards a bachelor's degree in K-12 instrumental music education degree with an emphasis in strings. His teacher is Sue Stubbs, and his past teacher is Tim Weddle.
Miguel Calleja, violin (Season 13)
Miguel Calleja started playing the violin at a young age under the guidance of Biljana Belloti, former concertmaster of the Belgrado Symphony Orchestra. Later, he continued his studies with Ofelya Karapetyian and Fernando Cornejo, at the Royal Conservatory of Granada. Since 2016 he is studying under Eva Szekely in the University of Missouri. He has played as an orchestral musician in several ensembles, performing as the Principal of the second violins and then as Concertmaster of the Symphony Orchestra of the Royal Conservatory of Granada. Also, he has toured Spain and Europe with ensembles such as the Young Orchestra and Granada, Orquesta Filarmonia and the Hispanian Symphony Orchestra. An avid chamber musician, Calleja has performed recitals across Spain, invited by institutions such as the University of Granada and the Royal Conservatory of Granada. Currently he is a member of the Graduate String Quartet of the University of Missouri. In his many years teaching violin, Calleja´s students have been accepted into the top music institutions in Spain, including the Royal Conservatory of Granada and many young orchestras.
Miguel Calleja started playing the violin at a young age under the guidance of Biljana Belloti, former concertmaster of the Belgrado Symphony Orchestra. Later, he continued his studies with Ofelya Karapetyian and Fernando Cornejo, at the Royal Conservatory of Granada. Since 2016 he is studying under Eva Szekely in the University of Missouri. He has played as an orchestral musician in several ensembles, performing as the Principal of the second violins and then as Concertmaster of the Symphony Orchestra of the Royal Conservatory of Granada. Also, he has toured Spain and Europe with ensembles such as the Young Orchestra and Granada, Orquesta Filarmonia and the Hispanian Symphony Orchestra. An avid chamber musician, Calleja has performed recitals across Spain, invited by institutions such as the University of Granada and the Royal Conservatory of Granada. Currently he is a member of the Graduate String Quartet of the University of Missouri. In his many years teaching violin, Calleja´s students have been accepted into the top music institutions in Spain, including the Royal Conservatory of Granada and many young orchestras.
Eman Chalshotori, cello (Season 18)
Hailed for his “ferocious playing” Eman Chalshotori is a highly sought-after solo artist, chamber and orchestral musician. He is the principal cellist of the Topeka Symphony and associate principal cellist for the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. As a soloist, Chalshotori made his debut with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and has since performed great works of the cello repertoire by Saint-Säens, Dvorak, Lalo, Tchaikovsky, Strauss, with recent performances of Brahms Double Concerto and and Elgar Cello Concerto. As a recitalist and chamber musician, Chalshotori has recently been featured in the Ruel Joyce Recital Series in Overland Park (KS), the Westport Center for the Arts’ Brown Bag Concert Series in Missouri, and the Grace Cathedral Concert Series in Topeka (KS). Chalshotori has performed with many local ensembles including the Kansas City Symphony, Midwest Chamber Ensemble, Kansas City Baroque Consortium, Medical Arts Orchestra, and the Kinnor Philharmonic. Chalshotori’s principal teachers include Dr. Tess Remy-Schumacher, Carter Enyeart, Dr. Evgeny Raychev and Guy Parkhurst including additional studies with Mark Gibbs and Michael Mermagen. Eman attended and participated in masterclasses with Eleonore Schoenfeld, Lynn Harrell, Colin Carr, Nina Kotova, and Nicholas Alstaedt. He studied Cello Performance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, Stephen F. Austin State University, and the University of Central Oklahoma.
Hailed for his “ferocious playing” Eman Chalshotori is a highly sought-after solo artist, chamber and orchestral musician. He is the principal cellist of the Topeka Symphony and associate principal cellist for the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. As a soloist, Chalshotori made his debut with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and has since performed great works of the cello repertoire by Saint-Säens, Dvorak, Lalo, Tchaikovsky, Strauss, with recent performances of Brahms Double Concerto and and Elgar Cello Concerto. As a recitalist and chamber musician, Chalshotori has recently been featured in the Ruel Joyce Recital Series in Overland Park (KS), the Westport Center for the Arts’ Brown Bag Concert Series in Missouri, and the Grace Cathedral Concert Series in Topeka (KS). Chalshotori has performed with many local ensembles including the Kansas City Symphony, Midwest Chamber Ensemble, Kansas City Baroque Consortium, Medical Arts Orchestra, and the Kinnor Philharmonic. Chalshotori’s principal teachers include Dr. Tess Remy-Schumacher, Carter Enyeart, Dr. Evgeny Raychev and Guy Parkhurst including additional studies with Mark Gibbs and Michael Mermagen. Eman attended and participated in masterclasses with Eleonore Schoenfeld, Lynn Harrell, Colin Carr, Nina Kotova, and Nicholas Alstaedt. He studied Cello Performance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, Stephen F. Austin State University, and the University of Central Oklahoma.
Jerry Chang, piano (Season 20 Concerto Competition Winner)
Jerry Chang, a 10th-grade student at the John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Missouri, started playing piano at age four and currently studies with Ms. Zena Ilyashov and Dr. Sasha Starcevich. Jerry has won top prizes in many prestigious piano competitions, his recent accolades include the National Finalist and Chopin Award Winner of 2023-2024 MTNA Piano Competition Senior Division, one of the seven semi-finalists for the 2023 Yamaha USASU International Junior Piano Competition, two-time Chopin scholarship recipient by the U.S. Chopin Foundation, 2023 YoungArts Winner (Honorable Mention) and 2024 Winner with Distinction (Finalist) for the Classical Music/Piano category by the National YoungArts Foundation. Jerry made his orchestra debut with the Alton Symphony Orchestra in Illinois at age nine and has since performed with the Virtuosi Brunensis Orchestra in Italy and the Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis. He has appeared on local and national radio programs, including St. Louis Classic 107.3, NPR’s From the Top, and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. He has undergone training through master classes led by renowned musicians and actively participated in various summer music festivals and camps. Beyond the stage, Jerry is committed to spreading the joy of music with his community and frequently volunteers at schools and cultural festivals, accompanies local ensembles, and entertains residents at senior living centers.
Jerry Chang, a 10th-grade student at the John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Missouri, started playing piano at age four and currently studies with Ms. Zena Ilyashov and Dr. Sasha Starcevich. Jerry has won top prizes in many prestigious piano competitions, his recent accolades include the National Finalist and Chopin Award Winner of 2023-2024 MTNA Piano Competition Senior Division, one of the seven semi-finalists for the 2023 Yamaha USASU International Junior Piano Competition, two-time Chopin scholarship recipient by the U.S. Chopin Foundation, 2023 YoungArts Winner (Honorable Mention) and 2024 Winner with Distinction (Finalist) for the Classical Music/Piano category by the National YoungArts Foundation. Jerry made his orchestra debut with the Alton Symphony Orchestra in Illinois at age nine and has since performed with the Virtuosi Brunensis Orchestra in Italy and the Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis. He has appeared on local and national radio programs, including St. Louis Classic 107.3, NPR’s From the Top, and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. He has undergone training through master classes led by renowned musicians and actively participated in various summer music festivals and camps. Beyond the stage, Jerry is committed to spreading the joy of music with his community and frequently volunteers at schools and cultural festivals, accompanies local ensembles, and entertains residents at senior living centers.
Chanticleer (Season 13)
Called “the world’s reigning male chorus” by The New Yorker magazine, the GRAMMY® award winning ensemble Chanticleer embarks upon its 39th season in 2016-17. Chanticleer performs over 100 concerts in the U.S. and around the world annually. The Boston Globe said of Chanticleer “(Their singing) is breathtaking in its accuracy of intonation, purity of blend, variety of color and swagger of style.” Chanticleer – based in San Francisco – is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for the seamless blend of its twelve male voices ranging from countertenor to bass and its original interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music.
Under the direction of Music Director William Fred Scott, Chanticleer will perform this season in 52 cities in 22 of the United States, with 26 performances in the San Francisco Bay Area, its home. A winter tour of Europe will feature returns to a number of Europe's great concert halls such as Vienna's Musikverein, Prague’s Rudolfinum, Budapest's Lizst Academy, and Dublin's National Theater, as well as a debut in Berlin's Konzerthaus. Other cities included in the tour are Paris, St. Petersburg, Pécs, Veszprém, Szeged, Somborn, Siegen, Friedrichshafen and Dachau.
The 16-17 season in the Bay Area features a return collaboration with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and the New Century Chamber Orchestra in a program called Americans in Paris. My Secret Heart, which includes a new commission by Finnish composer Jaako Mantyjärvi, opens the Bay Area season in September and A Chanticleer Christmas will have its usual 23 performances across the United States as well as the Bay Area, and will be broadcast by American Public Media, and a new program of sacred music, Psalm, featuring Pulitzer prize winner John Harbison's first work for the ensemble, will premiere in June.
With the help of individual contributions, foundation and corporate support, the Ensemble involves over 5,000 young people each year. The Louis A. Botto (LAB) Choir—an after school honors program for high school and college students—is now in its fifth year, adding to the ongoing program of in-school clinics and workshops, Chanticleer Youth Choral Festivals™ in the Bay Area and around the country, master classes for university students nationwide, and the biannual Chanticleer in Sonoma summer workshop for adult choral singers. The Singing Life—a documentary about Chanticleer’s work with young people—was released in 2008. In 2010, Chanticleer’s education program was recognized by the Chorus America Education Outreach Award.
Since Chanticleer began releasing recordings in 1981, the group has sold well over a million and won two GRAMMY® awards. Chanticleer’s recordings are distributed by Chanticleer, Naxos, Rhino Records, Arkiv, and iTunes among others, and are available on Chanticleer’s website, www.chanticleer.org.
Called “the world’s reigning male chorus” by The New Yorker magazine, the GRAMMY® award winning ensemble Chanticleer embarks upon its 39th season in 2016-17. Chanticleer performs over 100 concerts in the U.S. and around the world annually. The Boston Globe said of Chanticleer “(Their singing) is breathtaking in its accuracy of intonation, purity of blend, variety of color and swagger of style.” Chanticleer – based in San Francisco – is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for the seamless blend of its twelve male voices ranging from countertenor to bass and its original interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music.
Under the direction of Music Director William Fred Scott, Chanticleer will perform this season in 52 cities in 22 of the United States, with 26 performances in the San Francisco Bay Area, its home. A winter tour of Europe will feature returns to a number of Europe's great concert halls such as Vienna's Musikverein, Prague’s Rudolfinum, Budapest's Lizst Academy, and Dublin's National Theater, as well as a debut in Berlin's Konzerthaus. Other cities included in the tour are Paris, St. Petersburg, Pécs, Veszprém, Szeged, Somborn, Siegen, Friedrichshafen and Dachau.
The 16-17 season in the Bay Area features a return collaboration with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and the New Century Chamber Orchestra in a program called Americans in Paris. My Secret Heart, which includes a new commission by Finnish composer Jaako Mantyjärvi, opens the Bay Area season in September and A Chanticleer Christmas will have its usual 23 performances across the United States as well as the Bay Area, and will be broadcast by American Public Media, and a new program of sacred music, Psalm, featuring Pulitzer prize winner John Harbison's first work for the ensemble, will premiere in June.
With the help of individual contributions, foundation and corporate support, the Ensemble involves over 5,000 young people each year. The Louis A. Botto (LAB) Choir—an after school honors program for high school and college students—is now in its fifth year, adding to the ongoing program of in-school clinics and workshops, Chanticleer Youth Choral Festivals™ in the Bay Area and around the country, master classes for university students nationwide, and the biannual Chanticleer in Sonoma summer workshop for adult choral singers. The Singing Life—a documentary about Chanticleer’s work with young people—was released in 2008. In 2010, Chanticleer’s education program was recognized by the Chorus America Education Outreach Award.
Since Chanticleer began releasing recordings in 1981, the group has sold well over a million and won two GRAMMY® awards. Chanticleer’s recordings are distributed by Chanticleer, Naxos, Rhino Records, Arkiv, and iTunes among others, and are available on Chanticleer’s website, www.chanticleer.org.
Aya Chen, cello (Season 12)
Aya Chen is a cellist with more than a decade and a half experience. Ms. Chen came to the United States from Taiwan to study at the University of Missouri. Having specialized in cello since age 12 at the National Chung-Cheng Junior High School program for the musically gifted, Ms. Chen obtained a master's degree in cello performance from the University of Missouri in 2014 with Dorothy Miller String Scholarship. Ms. Chen is a former member of the University of Missouri Graduate String Quartet. Since graduating from the University of Missouri, Ms. Chen has taught cello at Timur Elementary School in Pingtung, Taiwan and participated as a guest performer for the Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra Concert Tour.
Aya Chen is a cellist with more than a decade and a half experience. Ms. Chen came to the United States from Taiwan to study at the University of Missouri. Having specialized in cello since age 12 at the National Chung-Cheng Junior High School program for the musically gifted, Ms. Chen obtained a master's degree in cello performance from the University of Missouri in 2014 with Dorothy Miller String Scholarship. Ms. Chen is a former member of the University of Missouri Graduate String Quartet. Since graduating from the University of Missouri, Ms. Chen has taught cello at Timur Elementary School in Pingtung, Taiwan and participated as a guest performer for the Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra Concert Tour.
Samuel S. Chen, trombone (Season 18)
Samuel S. Chen, from Huntington, Indiana, was raised in a musical family. First studying cello at age 9, Sam started euphonium in the 6th grade band and later began trombone at 16. He is grateful for the opportunity to work as a professional musician, and is thankful for his parents, teachers, and colleagues for their many contributions. Graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy in 1993, Sam previously was a winner of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Young Artist Solo Competition, attended the Interlochen Arts Camp, and won first place in the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition. and performed as soloist for the Blue Lake Camp International Symphonic Band. Sam earned his B.M. in Trombone Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 1997, studying with Steven Witser. Sam is the only trombonist to have been a solo winner in the CIM concerto competition. Earning the Artist Diploma at Indiana University, Sam studied with Carl Lenthe and M. Dee Stewart. Other influences include Scott Hartman, Cristian Ganicenco, and Jay Friedman. Since joining the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra as principal trombone in 2000, Sam holds positions, performing with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra, and as the bass trombonist for both Symphony of the Mountains, and the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra. Sam has also served as principal trombone of the Missouri Symphony and has performed as a substitute with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas, as well as symphony orchestras of Fort Wayne, Kalamazoo, Akron, Evansville, Jacksonville, Charlotte, San Diego, and has recorded with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on their Grammy nominated CD entitled Trans Atlantic. Sam has been soloist with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra under conductors Kirk Trevor, Daniel Meyer, Cornelia Laemli, Keith Brion, and James Fellenbaum and has appeared with the CIM Orchestra under Alan Gilbert, Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra under Serge Fournier, Fort Wayne Philharmonic under Ronald Ondrejka and David Crowe, and the Missouri Symphony under Kirk Trevor. Additional solo performances include the New York Summer Music Festival Wind Ensemble, CIM Orchestra, the Case Western Reserve University Wind Ensemble, the University of the Cumberlands Wind Ensemble, the Blue Lake International Symphonic Band, and the Erie Band of Huntington, IN.
Samuel S. Chen, from Huntington, Indiana, was raised in a musical family. First studying cello at age 9, Sam started euphonium in the 6th grade band and later began trombone at 16. He is grateful for the opportunity to work as a professional musician, and is thankful for his parents, teachers, and colleagues for their many contributions. Graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy in 1993, Sam previously was a winner of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Young Artist Solo Competition, attended the Interlochen Arts Camp, and won first place in the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition. and performed as soloist for the Blue Lake Camp International Symphonic Band. Sam earned his B.M. in Trombone Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 1997, studying with Steven Witser. Sam is the only trombonist to have been a solo winner in the CIM concerto competition. Earning the Artist Diploma at Indiana University, Sam studied with Carl Lenthe and M. Dee Stewart. Other influences include Scott Hartman, Cristian Ganicenco, and Jay Friedman. Since joining the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra as principal trombone in 2000, Sam holds positions, performing with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra, and as the bass trombonist for both Symphony of the Mountains, and the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra. Sam has also served as principal trombone of the Missouri Symphony and has performed as a substitute with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas, as well as symphony orchestras of Fort Wayne, Kalamazoo, Akron, Evansville, Jacksonville, Charlotte, San Diego, and has recorded with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on their Grammy nominated CD entitled Trans Atlantic. Sam has been soloist with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra under conductors Kirk Trevor, Daniel Meyer, Cornelia Laemli, Keith Brion, and James Fellenbaum and has appeared with the CIM Orchestra under Alan Gilbert, Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra under Serge Fournier, Fort Wayne Philharmonic under Ronald Ondrejka and David Crowe, and the Missouri Symphony under Kirk Trevor. Additional solo performances include the New York Summer Music Festival Wind Ensemble, CIM Orchestra, the Case Western Reserve University Wind Ensemble, the University of the Cumberlands Wind Ensemble, the Blue Lake International Symphonic Band, and the Erie Band of Huntington, IN.
The Children's Grove (Season 13)
Their quest received immediate backing from Mayor McDavid, Christine Corcoran, president of Putting Kids First, and Tara Collier, coordinator of Columbia Public Schools’ home-school coordinators. The group of concerned citizens, co-chaired by the two of us, envisioned a grove of trees that would symbolize a commitment by the entire community to promote children’s mental, emotional and physical health, happiness and safety. The grove would be a place of beauty and peacefulness, a place for joyful activity and commemoration, and a place to celebrate the love of family and friends — and always acts of kindness.
[More on their history, visit their web site: http://www.childrensgrove.com]
Success of the Children’s Grove endeavors depends on building a shared vision — of parents, neighbors, teachers, youth/service groups and faith-based leaders, school volunteers and business people all joining together in a firm commitment to support the safety and nurturing of our youths. This vision and commitment motivate us all to act upon the belief that a single act of kindness can change a life forever — because it can, at the Children’s Grove and everywhere.
Their quest received immediate backing from Mayor McDavid, Christine Corcoran, president of Putting Kids First, and Tara Collier, coordinator of Columbia Public Schools’ home-school coordinators. The group of concerned citizens, co-chaired by the two of us, envisioned a grove of trees that would symbolize a commitment by the entire community to promote children’s mental, emotional and physical health, happiness and safety. The grove would be a place of beauty and peacefulness, a place for joyful activity and commemoration, and a place to celebrate the love of family and friends — and always acts of kindness.
[More on their history, visit their web site: http://www.childrensgrove.com]
Success of the Children’s Grove endeavors depends on building a shared vision — of parents, neighbors, teachers, youth/service groups and faith-based leaders, school volunteers and business people all joining together in a firm commitment to support the safety and nurturing of our youths. This vision and commitment motivate us all to act upon the belief that a single act of kindness can change a life forever — because it can, at the Children’s Grove and everywhere.
Lucille Chung, piano (Plowman 2023)
Born in Montréal, Canadian pianist Lucille Chung has been acclaimed for her “stylish and refined” performances by Gramophone. She is the First Prize winner of the Stravinsky International Piano Competition and made her debut at the age of 10 with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Charles Dutoit subsequently invited her as soloist on the orchestra’s tour to Asia.
She has since performed with over 70 leading orchestras around the world including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Moscow Virtuosi, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, KBS Orchestra, Israel Chamber Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerífe, Staatskapelle Weimar, UNAM Philharmonic (Mexico), Flemish Radio Orchestra, Belgrade Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, as well as all the major Canadian orchestras, including Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver among others. She has appeared with conductors such as Penderecki, Spivakov, Nézet-Séguin, Denève, Oundjian, Petrenko and Dutoit.
Lucille has given solo recitals on the finest concert halls in over 35 countries including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Washington’s Kennedy Center and Phillips Collection, the Myra Hess Series in Chicago, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Wigmore Hall in London, and Madrid’s Auditorio Nacional. Festival appearances include the Verbier Festival, Incontri in Terra di Siena, Felicja Blumental Festival in Israel, International Keyboard Institute and Festival in NYC, MDR Festival in Dresden, Bard Festival in NY, Music@Menlo and the Santander International Festival, where she premiered the 6 Piano Etudes by I.D. Martínez.
Lucille graduated from both the Curtis Institute and the Juilliard School before she turned 20. She then furthered her studies in Europe with Maria Curcio-Diamand, Arthur Schnabel’s protégée, at the “Mozarteum” in Salzburg, Hochschule für Musik “Franz Liszt” Weimar and Accademia Pianistica in Imola, Italy, where she worked with the late Lazar Berman. She also worked with Joaquín Achúcarro at SMU where she was the Johnson-Prothro an Artist-in-Residence from 2015-2019. She is the recipient of the prestigious Virginia Parker Prize by the Canada Council of the Arts and the Honors Diploma from the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy.
Lucille has been receiving excellent reviews worldwide for her discs of the complete works of Ligeti as well as Scriabin piano works on the Dynamic label, garnering the maximum 5 Stars from the BBC Music Magazine and Fono Forum in Germany, as well as R10 from Répertoire Classica in France. Her diverse discography also includes “Saint-Saëns Piano Transcriptions”, “Mozart & Me”, Mendelssohn Piano Concertos, and for Signum Records, Poulenc Piano Works, Liszt Piano Works, and a four hand recital which includes Stravinsky’s Pétrouchka with pianist Alessio Bax.
Lucille is fluent in French, English, Korean, Italian, German and Russian. She and her husband, pianist Alessio Bax make their home in New York City with their daughter, Mila, and are artistic co-directors of the Joaquín Achúcarro Foundation.
Born in Montréal, Canadian pianist Lucille Chung has been acclaimed for her “stylish and refined” performances by Gramophone. She is the First Prize winner of the Stravinsky International Piano Competition and made her debut at the age of 10 with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Charles Dutoit subsequently invited her as soloist on the orchestra’s tour to Asia.
She has since performed with over 70 leading orchestras around the world including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Moscow Virtuosi, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, KBS Orchestra, Israel Chamber Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerífe, Staatskapelle Weimar, UNAM Philharmonic (Mexico), Flemish Radio Orchestra, Belgrade Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, as well as all the major Canadian orchestras, including Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver among others. She has appeared with conductors such as Penderecki, Spivakov, Nézet-Séguin, Denève, Oundjian, Petrenko and Dutoit.
Lucille has given solo recitals on the finest concert halls in over 35 countries including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Washington’s Kennedy Center and Phillips Collection, the Myra Hess Series in Chicago, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Wigmore Hall in London, and Madrid’s Auditorio Nacional. Festival appearances include the Verbier Festival, Incontri in Terra di Siena, Felicja Blumental Festival in Israel, International Keyboard Institute and Festival in NYC, MDR Festival in Dresden, Bard Festival in NY, Music@Menlo and the Santander International Festival, where she premiered the 6 Piano Etudes by I.D. Martínez.
Lucille graduated from both the Curtis Institute and the Juilliard School before she turned 20. She then furthered her studies in Europe with Maria Curcio-Diamand, Arthur Schnabel’s protégée, at the “Mozarteum” in Salzburg, Hochschule für Musik “Franz Liszt” Weimar and Accademia Pianistica in Imola, Italy, where she worked with the late Lazar Berman. She also worked with Joaquín Achúcarro at SMU where she was the Johnson-Prothro an Artist-in-Residence from 2015-2019. She is the recipient of the prestigious Virginia Parker Prize by the Canada Council of the Arts and the Honors Diploma from the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy.
Lucille has been receiving excellent reviews worldwide for her discs of the complete works of Ligeti as well as Scriabin piano works on the Dynamic label, garnering the maximum 5 Stars from the BBC Music Magazine and Fono Forum in Germany, as well as R10 from Répertoire Classica in France. Her diverse discography also includes “Saint-Saëns Piano Transcriptions”, “Mozart & Me”, Mendelssohn Piano Concertos, and for Signum Records, Poulenc Piano Works, Liszt Piano Works, and a four hand recital which includes Stravinsky’s Pétrouchka with pianist Alessio Bax.
Lucille is fluent in French, English, Korean, Italian, German and Russian. She and her husband, pianist Alessio Bax make their home in New York City with their daughter, Mila, and are artistic co-directors of the Joaquín Achúcarro Foundation.
Yoon Choi, violin (Season 6-8)
Yoon Choi is a senior at Hickman High School. She has won several competitions, including Alternate in 2010 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Strings competition, Winner in 2010 Missouri Youth Orchestra / Mid-Missouri Area Music Teachers Association (MYO/MMAMTA) Pre-collegiate Concerto Competition, Honorable Mention in the 2009 MTNA Junior Strings, Alternate in 2008 MTNA Junior Strings, and State Representative in 2007 MTNA Junior Strings. She was also the Winner of the 2005 and 2006 Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) String competitions. Yoon has attended the Indiana University Summer String Academy in 2007 and the Missouri Chamber Music Seminar, 2009 - 2011. In 2010, Yoon was selected to participate in the prestigious Quartet Program directed by renowned violinist Charles Castleman at the State University of New York (SUNY) in Fredonia. Yoon has participated in the Missouri All-state Orchestra in 2010 and 2011.
Patrick Clark, composer | conductor (Season 12, 14-15)
Patrick David Clark was born in St. Louis, MO, is a composer, conductor, and founder and Artistic Director of the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra. Patrick is musical director of the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, frequent guest conductor for the Columbia Civic Orchestra and Mizzou New Music Ensemble, and musical director for many productions by The Little Theater. As a composer Patrick has been commissioned by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and many American and European chamber ensembles and soloists including his work for piano solo, Snow Coming, for St. Louis Symphony pianist Peter Henderson, and a chamber work for The Odyssey Chamber Concerts Series in Columbia, MO. Orchestral works by Patrick have been programmed by the Seattle Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Spokane Symphony, and the Nederlands Ballet Orkest. Chamber works by Patrick have been performed and recorded in The Netherlands and Israel. Recent performances include that by the Roosevelt University Contemporary Music Ensemble of Glancing Blade for chamber orchestra, March 2017. The Dutch new music ensemble, But What About..,(BWA), whose formation has centered on Patrick’s, Light Bending Forward, which is based on texts drawn from Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, includes this work in their regular performance repertoire.. Patrick is currently working with the American Composers Alliance in planning a tour for BWA to New York City to perform new works by American composers including one of his own: Tao de ching. Dr. Clark has worked with American Voices as Composition faculty on several trips to Kurdistan, Thailand, and Lebanon. Patrick is a Tanglewood Fellow (1997), participated as a composer at June in Buffalo and studied with Louis Andriessen at the Royal Conservatory in Holland on a Fulbright scholarship. Works by Patrick can be heard at: http://soundcloud.com/patrick-david-clark
Patrick David Clark was born in St. Louis, MO, is a composer, conductor, and founder and Artistic Director of the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra. Patrick is musical director of the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, frequent guest conductor for the Columbia Civic Orchestra and Mizzou New Music Ensemble, and musical director for many productions by The Little Theater. As a composer Patrick has been commissioned by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and many American and European chamber ensembles and soloists including his work for piano solo, Snow Coming, for St. Louis Symphony pianist Peter Henderson, and a chamber work for The Odyssey Chamber Concerts Series in Columbia, MO. Orchestral works by Patrick have been programmed by the Seattle Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Spokane Symphony, and the Nederlands Ballet Orkest. Chamber works by Patrick have been performed and recorded in The Netherlands and Israel. Recent performances include that by the Roosevelt University Contemporary Music Ensemble of Glancing Blade for chamber orchestra, March 2017. The Dutch new music ensemble, But What About..,(BWA), whose formation has centered on Patrick’s, Light Bending Forward, which is based on texts drawn from Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, includes this work in their regular performance repertoire.. Patrick is currently working with the American Composers Alliance in planning a tour for BWA to New York City to perform new works by American composers including one of his own: Tao de ching. Dr. Clark has worked with American Voices as Composition faculty on several trips to Kurdistan, Thailand, and Lebanon. Patrick is a Tanglewood Fellow (1997), participated as a composer at June in Buffalo and studied with Louis Andriessen at the Royal Conservatory in Holland on a Fulbright scholarship. Works by Patrick can be heard at: http://soundcloud.com/patrick-david-clark
Zachary Clark, double bass (Season 16, 17)
Zachary Clark is a professional bassist who comes from the St. Louis, Missouri area. He obtained his BA in Jazz Performance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (Edwardsville, IL) in 2010, and his Masters of Music in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Missouri-Columbia (Columbia, MO) in 2017. Since 2012, Zachary has been performing professionally on both double bass and electric bass. He has played in a wide variety of settings including, but not limited to: jazz combo, jazz bands, orchestras, chamber ensembles, avant-garde/improvisational ensembles, marching bands, concert bands, event bands, rock bands, country bands, and even in Bollywood Music groups. He has previously performed for Odyssey, in 2017. In addition to performing, Zachary has been a music educator since 2013. He has taught not only bass, but also piano, drums, guitar, ukulele, and vocals. Zachary has instructed individual musicians in the many styles he is a proficient performer in. He has also taught in group settings including, but not limited to jazz combos, jazz bands, jazz choirs, choirs, and children's choirs. While in Columbia, he served as Jazz Consultant for Battle High School (2017-2018), and helped co-found and run the Columbia Youth Jazz Jam. While living in Columbia, in addition to the above pursuits, Zachary also worked as a recording assistant/technician for LinderVox Sound, principal bassist for Columbia Civic Orchestra, and recording artist for several Columbia-based musicians. In June 2020, after having lived in Columbia for 5 years, Zachary relocated to the St. Louis area due to the economic and career impact of Covid-19. He is currently attending his alma mater, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, as a Masters in Music Education student, and will serve as a Jazz Area Graduate Assistant in Fall 2021. He hopes to be able to teach General Music, be a Jazz Band director, and still find time to pursue his performing aptitudes. Zachary is grateful and thrilled to be returning to Columbia and Odyssey to perform.
Zachary Clark is a professional bassist who comes from the St. Louis, Missouri area. He obtained his BA in Jazz Performance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (Edwardsville, IL) in 2010, and his Masters of Music in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Missouri-Columbia (Columbia, MO) in 2017. Since 2012, Zachary has been performing professionally on both double bass and electric bass. He has played in a wide variety of settings including, but not limited to: jazz combo, jazz bands, orchestras, chamber ensembles, avant-garde/improvisational ensembles, marching bands, concert bands, event bands, rock bands, country bands, and even in Bollywood Music groups. He has previously performed for Odyssey, in 2017. In addition to performing, Zachary has been a music educator since 2013. He has taught not only bass, but also piano, drums, guitar, ukulele, and vocals. Zachary has instructed individual musicians in the many styles he is a proficient performer in. He has also taught in group settings including, but not limited to jazz combos, jazz bands, jazz choirs, choirs, and children's choirs. While in Columbia, he served as Jazz Consultant for Battle High School (2017-2018), and helped co-found and run the Columbia Youth Jazz Jam. While living in Columbia, in addition to the above pursuits, Zachary also worked as a recording assistant/technician for LinderVox Sound, principal bassist for Columbia Civic Orchestra, and recording artist for several Columbia-based musicians. In June 2020, after having lived in Columbia for 5 years, Zachary relocated to the St. Louis area due to the economic and career impact of Covid-19. He is currently attending his alma mater, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, as a Masters in Music Education student, and will serve as a Jazz Area Graduate Assistant in Fall 2021. He hopes to be able to teach General Music, be a Jazz Band director, and still find time to pursue his performing aptitudes. Zachary is grateful and thrilled to be returning to Columbia and Odyssey to perform.
Ben Colagiovanni, author | composer | piano (Season 12, 14)
Ben Colagiovanni is currently completing a B.M. in music composition with a piano concentration under the guidance of Dr. Stefan Freund (composition) and Dr. Peter Miyamoto (piano). He has also studied jazz performance with Hal Crook and Peter Martin. Ben has had his pieces premiered throughout the Columbia area, at the Sheldon concert hall and Forest Park Jewel Box in St. Louis, and at the Eglise Saint Jacques le Majeur in the French commune of Valdeblore. His compositions have been performed by the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, members of the St. Louis Symphony, and jazz luminaries including Sean Jones, Christian McBride, and Terell Stafford. He has won several awards for his compositions, most notably first place in the 2016 MTNA Young Artists Composition Competition, and has also been recognized for his scholarly writing on the topics of Thelonious Monk and the Skandalkonzert of 1913 respectively.
Ben Colagiovanni is currently completing a B.M. in music composition with a piano concentration under the guidance of Dr. Stefan Freund (composition) and Dr. Peter Miyamoto (piano). He has also studied jazz performance with Hal Crook and Peter Martin. Ben has had his pieces premiered throughout the Columbia area, at the Sheldon concert hall and Forest Park Jewel Box in St. Louis, and at the Eglise Saint Jacques le Majeur in the French commune of Valdeblore. His compositions have been performed by the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, members of the St. Louis Symphony, and jazz luminaries including Sean Jones, Christian McBride, and Terell Stafford. He has won several awards for his compositions, most notably first place in the 2016 MTNA Young Artists Composition Competition, and has also been recognized for his scholarly writing on the topics of Thelonious Monk and the Skandalkonzert of 1913 respectively.
Columbia Handbell Choir (Season 7, 9, 10, 12, 20)
The Columbia Handbell Ensemble, Inc., is now celebrating its 35th anniversary season though some could argue that the Covid pandemic knocked off two years of this organization’s life. Formed in 1988, the ensemble’s first “big” performance was in St. Joseph, Missouri for the 1992 Area 8 Festival. Since that time, the CHE has performed for four national events of the Handbell Musicians of America, three other performances for Area 8, and a host of regional, national, and international events. The CHE has been a trend setter on the national level for community-based handbell organizations. One of very few community groups in 1988, this ensemble was instrumental in helping to begin an increasing development of community groups around the country. Other non-HMA performances include collaborations locally with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, the Missouri Symphony, the Columbia Chorale, Bella Canta of the Columbia Youth Choirs, the University of Missouri Concert Series, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, the Legion of Black Collegians, the Columbia Values Diversity Breakfast, the Whitman Air Force Tree Lighting, and the Hermann holiday arts celebration, to name but a few. In addition, CHE regularly introduces handbells to children in Columbia preschools and public schools.
The CHE has five commissions or works written for the ensemble that are now published or on the way to be published. They include:
Carol of the Birds – arr. Deb Carr
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day – arr. Kevin McChesney
Be Still My Soul – arr. Hart Morris
Land of Make Believe – Chuck Mangione/arr. Hart Morris
Hoedown (from Rodeo) – Leonard Bernstein/arr. Hart Morris
Other arrangements of note include, Blackberry Winter – Connie Ellisor/arr. Ed Rollins, Bound for the Promised Land (marimba or dulcimer) – Mack Wilberg/Patrick Dell!, Libertango – Anton Piazzolla/Patrick Dell! and America (from "West Side Story") – Leonard Bernstein/Arnold Sherman.
For 30 years, the CHE collaborated with The Office of Cultural Affairs, City of Columbia, whose support was a big part of our success.
2024 Columbia Handbell Ensemble members are:
Cindy Butler, Nancy Dreier, Rachel Newman, Jane Piester
Rene Miserez, Gretchen Rohrs, Lynne Schwartze, Andrea Beshuk
Becky Wehrman, Kelli Embry, Nathan Cotner, Sara Rohrs, and Daniel Bogle
2015 Columbia Handbell Ensemble members are:
Rachel Newman, Nancy Dreier, Sarah Wells-Morgan, Anne Miller,
Debbie Taylor, Tom Brintnall, Jane Piester, Ryan Iadanza,
Brenda Martin, Adriane Price, Matt Fetterly, and Noah Hartsfield
2013 Columbia Handbell Ensemble members were:
Ryan Iadanza C3-D4 / Nancy Dreier GA6 & 7 / Sarah Wells-Morgan E67-F67 / Jennifer Green C6-D67
Debbie Taylor A5 - B5 / Tom Brintnall FG / Ed Rollins DE / Noah Hartsfield BC
Brenda Martin GA / Kelly Embry E4-F4 / Matt Fetterly G3-D4 / Gunnar Grantham C3-D4
The CHE has five commissions or works written for the ensemble that are now published or on the way to be published. They include:
Carol of the Birds – arr. Deb Carr
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day – arr. Kevin McChesney
Be Still My Soul – arr. Hart Morris
Land of Make Believe – Chuck Mangione/arr. Hart Morris
Hoedown (from Rodeo) – Leonard Bernstein/arr. Hart Morris
Other arrangements of note include, Blackberry Winter – Connie Ellisor/arr. Ed Rollins, Bound for the Promised Land (marimba or dulcimer) – Mack Wilberg/Patrick Dell!, Libertango – Anton Piazzolla/Patrick Dell! and America (from "West Side Story") – Leonard Bernstein/Arnold Sherman.
For 30 years, the CHE collaborated with The Office of Cultural Affairs, City of Columbia, whose support was a big part of our success.
2024 Columbia Handbell Ensemble members are:
Cindy Butler, Nancy Dreier, Rachel Newman, Jane Piester
Rene Miserez, Gretchen Rohrs, Lynne Schwartze, Andrea Beshuk
Becky Wehrman, Kelli Embry, Nathan Cotner, Sara Rohrs, and Daniel Bogle
2015 Columbia Handbell Ensemble members are:
Rachel Newman, Nancy Dreier, Sarah Wells-Morgan, Anne Miller,
Debbie Taylor, Tom Brintnall, Jane Piester, Ryan Iadanza,
Brenda Martin, Adriane Price, Matt Fetterly, and Noah Hartsfield
2013 Columbia Handbell Ensemble members were:
Ryan Iadanza C3-D4 / Nancy Dreier GA6 & 7 / Sarah Wells-Morgan E67-F67 / Jennifer Green C6-D67
Debbie Taylor A5 - B5 / Tom Brintnall FG / Ed Rollins DE / Noah Hartsfield BC
Brenda Martin GA / Kelly Embry E4-F4 / Matt Fetterly G3-D4 / Gunnar Grantham C3-D4
Columbia Youth Choir (Season 13)
Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri (CAAM) provides exceptional choral arts experiences, accessible to all individuals from beginning youth to professional musicians. Through each of its choral ensembles, CAAM seeks to serve everyone from the beginning singer to the professional musician, build a sense of community, and make connections with a diverse demographic with its varied educational and outreach programs. CAAM originally began as Columbia Chorale, which was chartered in 1978. Columbia Conservatory Chorus (CCC) serves as the flagship choral ensemble for Columbia Youth Choirs (CYC) and the Missouri Symphony Conservatory. Designed for unchanged voices in grades 6-12, CCC is for those desiring a more intense and accelerated vocal experience with many diverse performance opportunities. Since its inception in fall 2016, CCC has already performed with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Odyssey Chamber Music Series, and Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters. Auditions will be required for those interested. All CCC members will also serve as musical leaders in CYC's Girls' Choir or Boys' Choir I. CCC is conducted by Emily Edgington Andrews, Artistic Director of Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri, and assisted by Colin Knoth. About CYC: We truly believe in the importance of providing a quality vocal education for every child. Multitudes of studies show the positive impact group singing can have on an individual, and we want everyone to have the opportunity to be part of CYC regardless of their ability level or zip code. CYC is the youth extension of Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri (CAAM), and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, registered with the State of Missouri.
Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri (CAAM) provides exceptional choral arts experiences, accessible to all individuals from beginning youth to professional musicians. Through each of its choral ensembles, CAAM seeks to serve everyone from the beginning singer to the professional musician, build a sense of community, and make connections with a diverse demographic with its varied educational and outreach programs. CAAM originally began as Columbia Chorale, which was chartered in 1978. Columbia Conservatory Chorus (CCC) serves as the flagship choral ensemble for Columbia Youth Choirs (CYC) and the Missouri Symphony Conservatory. Designed for unchanged voices in grades 6-12, CCC is for those desiring a more intense and accelerated vocal experience with many diverse performance opportunities. Since its inception in fall 2016, CCC has already performed with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Odyssey Chamber Music Series, and Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters. Auditions will be required for those interested. All CCC members will also serve as musical leaders in CYC's Girls' Choir or Boys' Choir I. CCC is conducted by Emily Edgington Andrews, Artistic Director of Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri, and assisted by Colin Knoth. About CYC: We truly believe in the importance of providing a quality vocal education for every child. Multitudes of studies show the positive impact group singing can have on an individual, and we want everyone to have the opportunity to be part of CYC regardless of their ability level or zip code. CYC is the youth extension of Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri (CAAM), and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, registered with the State of Missouri.
David Colwell, violin (Season 8, 15, 16)
Violinist David Colwell enjoys a diverse career as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. In demand at national and international festivals and universities, Colwell has given recitals and masterclasses at Eastman School of Music, Cornell University, McGill University, Swarthmore College, Ithaca College, California State University-Fullerton, Buffalo State College, Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, the Deià International Music Festival (Spain) and the Palau March Summer Concert series in Palma de Mallorca (Spain). Concerto engagements have included the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Alberta Baroque Ensemble, Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra and the Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra. An avid chamber musician, he has collaborated with such artists as Edgar Meyer, Timothy Eddy, Paul Katz, Barry Shiffman, Henk Guittart, Pekka Kuusisto, Scott St. John and Ralf Gothóni. Passionate about performing the music of our time, he has presented works by John Corigliano, Steven Stucky, Jennifer Higdon, Gabriela Lena Frank, Stephen Paulus, Christopher Theofanidis, Rob Deemer, Ted Coffey, Judith Shatin and Matthew Burtner. As winner of the Johann Strauss Foundation Scholarship, he was afforded the opportunity to study at the Internationale Sommerakademie Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria with Igor Oistrakh, Jean-Jacques Kantorow and Igor Ozim. As well, he spent two summers studying at the prestigious Steans Institute for Young Artists at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago and made his main festival debut in 2005 at the Martin Theater. Colwell completed his undergraduate education in his native Canada at the University of Alberta where he studied with Martin Riseley. As a full scholarship student at Yale School of Music, he completed his graduate degrees under Peter Oundjian and Ani Kavafian. His other teachers have included William van der Sloot, Ranald Shean and Edmond Agopian. A dedicated, holistic and innovative teacher, Colwell became a member of the performance faculty at the University of Virginia in 2006. From 2011 to 2018, he served on the faculty of State University of New York at Fredonia and attained the rank of Associate Professor in 2017. He joined the music faculty at the University of Kansas in 2018.
Sam Copeland, double bass (Season 9-12, 14)
Sam Copeland’s performing career spans jazz and classical music. He is in demand among jazz performers all over Missouri, having performed with the Dave Dickey Big Band, All-SEC Big Band, and Tom Andes Trio, among many others. An accomplished classical musician, he is a member of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, and Midwest Chamber Ensemble. Also an adept composer and arranger, his big band compositions have been played by college bands across the Midwest. Sam is currently pursuing a Master’s degree from UMKC Conservatory. Mentors include John Clayton, Arthur White, Sue Stubbs, Kevin Hennessey, Dan Thomas, and James Albright.
Evelyn Simpson Curenton (Season 20)
Evelyn Simpson Curenton earned many titles including composer, arranger, pianist, organist, vocalist, artistic director, lecturer, producer, and clinician. Her versatile skills consequently make her one of the most sought after musicians in the country within many musical genres.
A native of Philadelphia, she began playing the piano at the age of two and began her studies at the age of five. By the time she was nine, she was accompanying her renowned musical family, The Singing Simpsons of Philadelphia, in public performances. She graduated from Temple University where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and Voice.
Mrs. Curenton was commissioned to complete seven arrangements for the Carnegie Hall concert featuring Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman and the Chorus and Orchestra of New York’s acclaimed Metropolitan Opera. She has also been commissioned to write works for George Shirley. Many additional orchestras and ensembles have performed her works in the U.S., including the Philadelphia Orchestra, The National Symphony, The Baltimore Symphony, The Minnesota Orchestra, The U.S. Marine band. Many other distinguished musicians, including the late Duke Ellington, her late sister and Naumberg winner Joy Simpson, Hubert Laws, Denyce Graves, John Blake, Angela Brown of the Metropolitan Opera, David Murray, have also performed works by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton.
Recordings of Evelyn Simpson-Curenton’s arrangements include: “Spirituals in Concert” featuring Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle on the Deutsche Grammophone Label, Denyce Graves, “Angels Watching Over Me/Spirituals” on the NPR Classics label, Louise Toppin and Bill Brown “Songs of Illumination,” Centaur Records”Behold That Star” by the local chapter of the Washington Revels singing aggregation of Washington, DC,Janice Chandler -Eteme, “Devotions,” “Sacred Sounds” a collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs by The Third Street Church of God musicians of Washington DC, “Bi-Centennial Celebration recording of The Alfred Street Baptist Church ” of Alexandria Virginia, “My Soul hath found Refuge in Thee”, with Vocal Essence on their Witness Recording Series on the Clarion label in Minneapolis, Minnesota , Angela Brown ,”Mosaic” on the Albany label , and “Wade in the Water” (Congregational Singing) , on the Folkway label, available at the Smithsonian , Washington DC. Evelyn Curenton contributed several of her hymn arrangements in the recently published “African American Heritage Hymnal,” a landmark documentation of interdenominational sacred songs ranging from pre-Civil War music to contemporary musical offerings (G.I.A. Publishers). Other notable works include “Amazing Grace” (G.I.A. Publishers), “Were You There” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” in the African-American Organ Music Anthology Volumes 3 and 5 edited by Dr. Mickey Thomas Terry and published by Morningstar Music Publishers and past Astral artist Julietta Curenton Flautist and Mezzo Soprano Marietta Simpson in premiere of “Voices of Freedom” with 3 choirs and combo. Evelyn’s music has alrecently performed by Philadelphia ‘s GirlChoir, The Philadelphia Mass Choir and the Howard University Jazz Band. She has performed her music with numerous groups in Beijing China,the U.K., Italy,South Africa ,France and Russia. You will see and hear Evelyn’s extraordinary music gifts and ministry in Sunday worship at Shiloh Baptist Church ,Third Street Church of God and Capitain Washington, DC, and Capital Hill Seven Day Adventist Church in Washington DC ,YouTube,and Facebook E. C. Curenton Publishers.
“The rich, unusually moody arrangement by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton, played with considerable sensitivity by the orchestra, added to the effectiveness of the performance, which Hall shaped eloquently.” The Baltimore Sun
Evelyn Simpson Curenton earned many titles including composer, arranger, pianist, organist, vocalist, artistic director, lecturer, producer, and clinician. Her versatile skills consequently make her one of the most sought after musicians in the country within many musical genres.
A native of Philadelphia, she began playing the piano at the age of two and began her studies at the age of five. By the time she was nine, she was accompanying her renowned musical family, The Singing Simpsons of Philadelphia, in public performances. She graduated from Temple University where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Music Education and Voice.
Mrs. Curenton was commissioned to complete seven arrangements for the Carnegie Hall concert featuring Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman and the Chorus and Orchestra of New York’s acclaimed Metropolitan Opera. She has also been commissioned to write works for George Shirley. Many additional orchestras and ensembles have performed her works in the U.S., including the Philadelphia Orchestra, The National Symphony, The Baltimore Symphony, The Minnesota Orchestra, The U.S. Marine band. Many other distinguished musicians, including the late Duke Ellington, her late sister and Naumberg winner Joy Simpson, Hubert Laws, Denyce Graves, John Blake, Angela Brown of the Metropolitan Opera, David Murray, have also performed works by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton.
Recordings of Evelyn Simpson-Curenton’s arrangements include: “Spirituals in Concert” featuring Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle on the Deutsche Grammophone Label, Denyce Graves, “Angels Watching Over Me/Spirituals” on the NPR Classics label, Louise Toppin and Bill Brown “Songs of Illumination,” Centaur Records”Behold That Star” by the local chapter of the Washington Revels singing aggregation of Washington, DC,Janice Chandler -Eteme, “Devotions,” “Sacred Sounds” a collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs by The Third Street Church of God musicians of Washington DC, “Bi-Centennial Celebration recording of The Alfred Street Baptist Church ” of Alexandria Virginia, “My Soul hath found Refuge in Thee”, with Vocal Essence on their Witness Recording Series on the Clarion label in Minneapolis, Minnesota , Angela Brown ,”Mosaic” on the Albany label , and “Wade in the Water” (Congregational Singing) , on the Folkway label, available at the Smithsonian , Washington DC. Evelyn Curenton contributed several of her hymn arrangements in the recently published “African American Heritage Hymnal,” a landmark documentation of interdenominational sacred songs ranging from pre-Civil War music to contemporary musical offerings (G.I.A. Publishers). Other notable works include “Amazing Grace” (G.I.A. Publishers), “Were You There” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” in the African-American Organ Music Anthology Volumes 3 and 5 edited by Dr. Mickey Thomas Terry and published by Morningstar Music Publishers and past Astral artist Julietta Curenton Flautist and Mezzo Soprano Marietta Simpson in premiere of “Voices of Freedom” with 3 choirs and combo. Evelyn’s music has alrecently performed by Philadelphia ‘s GirlChoir, The Philadelphia Mass Choir and the Howard University Jazz Band. She has performed her music with numerous groups in Beijing China,the U.K., Italy,South Africa ,France and Russia. You will see and hear Evelyn’s extraordinary music gifts and ministry in Sunday worship at Shiloh Baptist Church ,Third Street Church of God and Capitain Washington, DC, and Capital Hill Seven Day Adventist Church in Washington DC ,YouTube,and Facebook E. C. Curenton Publishers.
“The rich, unusually moody arrangement by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton, played with considerable sensitivity by the orchestra, added to the effectiveness of the performance, which Hall shaped eloquently.” The Baltimore Sun
Tara Curtis, mezzo-soprano (Season 20)
Mezzo-soprano Tara Curtis had established herself as an "impressively full-voiced, dramatic" singer of operatic and concert repertoire. Her "keen, bright mezzo, darkened with raw edges" with its "arresting power and radiant tone" has been hailed as "a natural fit for Verdi." She recently returned to Columbia in 2022 as the mezzo soloist in Verdi’s Requiem with the University Chorale and Orchestra for Dr. Crabb’s final year of teaching. She also traveled back to Pennsylvania for a musical theatre concert with Penn Square Opera. In 2021, she returned to the Opera Company of Middlebury as The Old Lady in Bernstein’s Candide in a filmed production. Other credits include Sarasota Opera, Opera on the Avalon (Canadian debut), Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Tulsa Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Syracuse Opera, St. Petersburg Opera, Opera in the Heights, Wichita Grand Opera, Merola Opera, Trentino Music Festival, Crested Butte Music Festival, Janiec Opera Company at Brevard Music Center, and numerous roles at the University of Kansas, the Boston Conservatory and the University of Missouri. She has sung Hannah After in As One, Azucena and Inez in Il Trovatore, Third Lady in The Magic Flute, the title role in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, Cornelia in Giulio Cesare, The Witch in Into the Woods, Madame de la Haltière in Cendrillon, Mrs. Herring in Albert Herring, Ruth in Pirates of Penzance, Mother Marie in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Voice of Antonia's Mother in Les Contes d'Hoffman, Marthe Schewertlein in Faust, Mrs. Peachum in Threepenny Opera, Berta in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Der Trommler in Der Kaiser von Atlantis. Tara was the alto soloist in Verdi’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Mass in C Major and Choral Fantasie, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Stabat Mater, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Bach's Mass in B Minor and Cantata 140, Vivaldi's Magnificat, Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes, Elgar’s Sea Pictures, Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder and Bernstein’s Arias and Barcarolles.
Mezzo-soprano Tara Curtis had established herself as an "impressively full-voiced, dramatic" singer of operatic and concert repertoire. Her "keen, bright mezzo, darkened with raw edges" with its "arresting power and radiant tone" has been hailed as "a natural fit for Verdi." She recently returned to Columbia in 2022 as the mezzo soloist in Verdi’s Requiem with the University Chorale and Orchestra for Dr. Crabb’s final year of teaching. She also traveled back to Pennsylvania for a musical theatre concert with Penn Square Opera. In 2021, she returned to the Opera Company of Middlebury as The Old Lady in Bernstein’s Candide in a filmed production. Other credits include Sarasota Opera, Opera on the Avalon (Canadian debut), Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Tulsa Opera, Palm Beach Opera, Syracuse Opera, St. Petersburg Opera, Opera in the Heights, Wichita Grand Opera, Merola Opera, Trentino Music Festival, Crested Butte Music Festival, Janiec Opera Company at Brevard Music Center, and numerous roles at the University of Kansas, the Boston Conservatory and the University of Missouri. She has sung Hannah After in As One, Azucena and Inez in Il Trovatore, Third Lady in The Magic Flute, the title role in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, Cornelia in Giulio Cesare, The Witch in Into the Woods, Madame de la Haltière in Cendrillon, Mrs. Herring in Albert Herring, Ruth in Pirates of Penzance, Mother Marie in Dialogues of the Carmelites, Voice of Antonia's Mother in Les Contes d'Hoffman, Marthe Schewertlein in Faust, Mrs. Peachum in Threepenny Opera, Berta in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Der Trommler in Der Kaiser von Atlantis. Tara was the alto soloist in Verdi’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Mass in C Major and Choral Fantasie, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Stabat Mater, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Bach's Mass in B Minor and Cantata 140, Vivaldi's Magnificat, Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes, Elgar’s Sea Pictures, Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder and Bernstein’s Arias and Barcarolles.
Katie Dancer, flute (Season 10, 15, 20)
Katie received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Missouri State University in 2005 and began her career in the St. Louis Metro area as an instrumental music educator and private flute instructor. She then completed a Masters of Music in flute performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2013 while studying with Professor Alice Dade and performing with the University Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and the Missouri Symphony Orchestra. Since then Katie continues to teach privately and has performed with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra (2012 - Present), the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra (2017-2019), Odyssey Chamber Music Series (Vivaldi Piccolo Concerto, 2019), and Howard & Smyth Flute & Guitar Duo (2017 - 2022). In addition to orchestral and chamber settings, Katie enjoys performing solo background music for events and presenting multi-media concerts that combine solo flute music with stories and footage from her outdoor hiking and kayaking adventures. You can connect with Katie at www.flutejourney.com or Instagram (@the.flute.journey).
Katie received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Missouri State University in 2005 and began her career in the St. Louis Metro area as an instrumental music educator and private flute instructor. She then completed a Masters of Music in flute performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2013 while studying with Professor Alice Dade and performing with the University Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and the Missouri Symphony Orchestra. Since then Katie continues to teach privately and has performed with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra (2012 - Present), the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra (2017-2019), Odyssey Chamber Music Series (Vivaldi Piccolo Concerto, 2019), and Howard & Smyth Flute & Guitar Duo (2017 - 2022). In addition to orchestral and chamber settings, Katie enjoys performing solo background music for events and presenting multi-media concerts that combine solo flute music with stories and footage from her outdoor hiking and kayaking adventures. You can connect with Katie at www.flutejourney.com or Instagram (@the.flute.journey).
Craig Datz, organ (Season 16 & 18)
Deciduous Trio (Season 11 - The 7th Plowman Competition)
The Deciduous Trio was formed in the summer of 2012 during the Texas Music Festival. Ms. Cowan, is a current graduate student at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, and Ms. Strange, and Ms. Mientka are recent masters graduates. At the Shepherd School, the trio participated in several chamber music recitals, and master classes. After being together for only a year, in April 2014 the Deciduous Trio were semi-finalists for the Coltman Chamber Music Competition in Austin, TX. In addition, they were offered a two week chamber music residency at Avaloch Farm Institute in New Hampshire in August 2014. While at Avaloch, they rehearsed daily to learn new repertoire, performed several concerts, participated in community outreach, and also recorded a demo CD at a local recording studio. In the fall, they were featured artists on the Western Slope Concert Series in Colorado. This gave them the opportunity to share their music with the communities of Grand Junction and Montrose and give a masterclass at Colorado Mesa University. As an emerging chamber group, the Deciduous Trio is committed to exploring and expanding the repertoire for their ensemble. Ms. Strange and Ms. Cowan are also active individual freelance musicians in the Houston area, and Ms. Mientka recently relocated to the Denver area to play in the Boulder and Colorado Springs Philharmonic orchestras.
The Deciduous Trio was formed in the summer of 2012 during the Texas Music Festival. Ms. Cowan, is a current graduate student at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, and Ms. Strange, and Ms. Mientka are recent masters graduates. At the Shepherd School, the trio participated in several chamber music recitals, and master classes. After being together for only a year, in April 2014 the Deciduous Trio were semi-finalists for the Coltman Chamber Music Competition in Austin, TX. In addition, they were offered a two week chamber music residency at Avaloch Farm Institute in New Hampshire in August 2014. While at Avaloch, they rehearsed daily to learn new repertoire, performed several concerts, participated in community outreach, and also recorded a demo CD at a local recording studio. In the fall, they were featured artists on the Western Slope Concert Series in Colorado. This gave them the opportunity to share their music with the communities of Grand Junction and Montrose and give a masterclass at Colorado Mesa University. As an emerging chamber group, the Deciduous Trio is committed to exploring and expanding the repertoire for their ensemble. Ms. Strange and Ms. Cowan are also active individual freelance musicians in the Houston area, and Ms. Mientka recently relocated to the Denver area to play in the Boulder and Colorado Springs Philharmonic orchestras.
Steve Dawson, actor (Season 20)
Steve is very excited to be a part of The Schumann Play with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. Steve studied theater at the North Carolina School of the Arts, and studied acting and improvisation at the Second City in Chicago and the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. Steve has directed several shows in Columbia such as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at TRYPS, and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown & Schoolhouse Rock Live! at Columbia Independent school. Most recently Steve appeared in Greenhouse Theater Project's production of The Threepenny Opera. Steve would like to thank his incredible family for their humor, love and support.
Steve is very excited to be a part of The Schumann Play with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. Steve studied theater at the North Carolina School of the Arts, and studied acting and improvisation at the Second City in Chicago and the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. Steve has directed several shows in Columbia such as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at TRYPS, and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown & Schoolhouse Rock Live! at Columbia Independent school. Most recently Steve appeared in Greenhouse Theater Project's production of The Threepenny Opera. Steve would like to thank his incredible family for their humor, love and support.
Patrick Dell, composer (Season 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 18)
Patrick Dell has taught choir for 13 years, twelve of them at Hermann Middle and High Schools in Hermann, MO., where he currently teaches. He has music education degrees from the University of Missouri - Columbia (B.S.Ed.) and Boston University (M.Mus.Ed.). Patrick's compositions and arrangements have been performed by soloists and ensembles around the country of many levels of ability at venues ranging from Missouri football fields to Carnegie Hall, by a variety of groups including high school ensembles, US Coast Guard musicians, and MU professors and artists in the Odyssey Chamber Music Series.
An advocate for music literacy, Patrick routinely presents clinics and guest lectures at collegiate and professional levels, and writes materials used by many teachers and schools for sight-singing instruction and assessment. Students under his direction enjoy superior ratings and many honor choir placements. Hermann High School choirs under his direction have been invited to perform at MMEA and MSBA conferences since he began teaching. Patrick has led the vocal music track of the MMEA Mentoring program since its inception, guiding numerous new educators through their first years of teaching. He continues to give presentations about mentoring and teaching vocal music annually at state-level conferences.
As a pianist, Patrick has accompanied many regional and national honor choir events and tours both at home and internationally. He remains active in collaborative musicianship with high school, collegiate, and professional musicians, through degree recitals, convention performances, and professional venues like Odyssey. He has directed numerous honor choirs, and continually serves as a judge for MSHSAA contests and MCDA auditions. When not active in music, Patrick works part time as a wedding officiant; he has enjoyed the privilege of marrying over 120 couples from around the world, including the weddings of seven former students, four friends, and a former St. Louis Blues hockey player. He lives in Hermann with his husband and their two dogs, two cats, and 14 chickens.
An advocate for music literacy, Patrick routinely presents clinics and guest lectures at collegiate and professional levels, and writes materials used by many teachers and schools for sight-singing instruction and assessment. Students under his direction enjoy superior ratings and many honor choir placements. Hermann High School choirs under his direction have been invited to perform at MMEA and MSBA conferences since he began teaching. Patrick has led the vocal music track of the MMEA Mentoring program since its inception, guiding numerous new educators through their first years of teaching. He continues to give presentations about mentoring and teaching vocal music annually at state-level conferences.
As a pianist, Patrick has accompanied many regional and national honor choir events and tours both at home and internationally. He remains active in collaborative musicianship with high school, collegiate, and professional musicians, through degree recitals, convention performances, and professional venues like Odyssey. He has directed numerous honor choirs, and continually serves as a judge for MSHSAA contests and MCDA auditions. When not active in music, Patrick works part time as a wedding officiant; he has enjoyed the privilege of marrying over 120 couples from around the world, including the weddings of seven former students, four friends, and a former St. Louis Blues hockey player. He lives in Hermann with his husband and their two dogs, two cats, and 14 chickens.
Clara Dey, violin (Season 14)
Clara Dey is a freshman at the University of Missouri, studying viola with Leslie Perna. She has previously studied violin with Amy Appold for 10 years and participated in the Missouri Symphony Conservatory for 8 years.
Clara Dey is a freshman at the University of Missouri, studying viola with Leslie Perna. She has previously studied violin with Amy Appold for 10 years and participated in the Missouri Symphony Conservatory for 8 years.
Daniel Deustch, trumpet (Season 13)
Elizabeth Dingman, English horn (Season 9-11)
Elizabeth Dingman hails from Kansas City, Missouri, and has been playing the oboe for nine years. She has enjoyed playing oboe and English horn in the pit orchestra for musicals such as The Music Man, My Fair Lady, and Jeckyl and Hyde, the Park Hill High School Symphonic Band, the Missouri All-State Band, the Kansas City Youth Symphony, and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. She has studied previously with Jann Mills and Christina Moll, and currently studies with Dan Willett. Elizabeth is currently a junior at the University of Missouri, studying Music Performance and International Studies with an East Asian emphasis. She currently plays with the University Philharmonic Orchestra.
Holly Dinkel, clarinet (Season 10)
Sophomore Holly Dinkel came to Columbia from St. Joseph, Missouri to pursue chemical engineering and music degrees at the University of Missouri. A clarinetist of eight years, saxophonist of six years and bassoonist of three years, she has acquired experience in a variety of ensembles, performing standards in concert band, jazz band, orchestral, pit, chamber and solo settings. Holly recently won the Mary Mottl Memorial Scholarship for her clarinet performance of Osborne’s Rhapsody and Weber’s Concerto No. 1 in the S.A.I. - St. Louis Scholarship Competition. She is indebted with gratitude to her teachers—Paul Garritson, Roy Maxwell, Elizabeth Roberts and Richard Yeager—for nourishing her understanding and appreciation of music and performance. Holly currently enjoys membership in Symphonic Band and Bassoon Ensemble at the University of Missouri.
Edward Dolbashian, conductor (Season 3, 8)
Edward Dolbashian has been Director of Orchestras and Orchestral Conducting Studies at the University of Missouri since 1985. He is also currently Music Director of the Alton Symphony, in Alton, Illinois, the Clayton Symphony Orchestra in Clayton, Missouri, and the Compton Heights Concert Band of St. Louis. Under the leadership of Professor Dolbashian, the University Philharmonic has received numerous awards and invitations to perform throughout the state including four appearances at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conferences in 1987, 1992, 2001, and 2005. In 1996, the Philharmonic was awarded the prestigious honor of performing at the biennial meeting of the Music Educators National Conference in Kansas City. Most recently, in April 2006, the University Philharmonic was again selected to perform at Music Educators National Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. As Music Director of these organizations, Mr. Dolbashian presents over thirty concerts a year throughout Missouri and Illinois, covering a range of repertoire from Mahler to Sousa. His concerts feature a wide variety of renowned artists, including the late, legendary baritone William Warfield, violinists Philip Quint, David Halen, Xiang Gao, and jazz greats Doc Severinsen, and Peter Nero, and Arturo Sandoval. His guest conducting activities have included concerts with the Festival Orchestra of the International Festival of Music in Belem, Brazil, the Londrina Symphony, in Londrina, Brazil, the Missouri Chamber Orchestra, the Gateway Symphony Orchestra, and, several performances with the St. Louis Philharmonic. Mr. Dolbashian is also an accomplished oboist. His professional performing career began at age seventeen with a solo debut performance at New York City's Town Hall. Before moving to Missouri, Mr. Dolbashian was a member of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for ten years, and, served as oboist of the Hartford Symphony Woodwind Quintet. In 1982, he joined the Hartford Chamber Orchestra as principal oboist, and served for three years. Mr. Dolbashian's formal musical training began at the renowned High School of Performing Arts in New York City as an oboe and piano major. He holds degrees in oboe performance from the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut, and in orchestral conducting from Yale University where he studied under Otto Werner-Mueller. Further conducting study included several summers at the Pierre Monteux Conducting Seminar under Charles Bruck, the Boris Goldovsky Opera Conducting Seminar, the Herbert Blomstedt Conducting Seminar, and the Tanglewood Festival under Leonard Bernstein, Gustav Meier, and Seiji Ozawa.
Darry Dolezal, cello (Season 1-4, 7, 8, 10-12)
Darry Dolezal's concert career has taken him to most major cities in the United States as well as several musical centers abroad. From 1991 to 1995 he toured North America with the Artaria Quartet of Boston, named one of the world's ten best young string quartets at the 1992 Banff International String Quartet Competition. His solo and chamber music performances have been broadcast on CBC radio and television in Canada, the ABC Nightly News with Peter Jennings, TV Cultura in Brazil, Minnesota Public Radio, WFMT in Chicago, and WGBH in Boston. His performances can be heard on Centaur, Albany, CRI and Capstone Records. Professor Dolezal is interested in contemporary music and has premiered more than one hundred works, including several commissions and dedications. He co-founded the Warebrook Contemporary Music Festival in Vermont and served as its artistic director for two years. As a teacher, he has presented master classes in many universities and conservatories in the U.S. and abroad. He has received several awards and grants, including a Rural Residency Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Professor Dolezal attended the University of Kansas, where he earned his bachelor's degree in cello performance with highest distinction and received the coveted Presser Award. He studied cello and chamber music at the Aspen and Roundtop Music Festivals and earned a master's degree from the Peabody Conservatory. Professor Dolezal's principal teachers have been Raymond Stuhl, Edward Laut, and Yehuda Hanani. His chamber music coaches and mentors include members of the Juilliard, Guarneri, and American string quartets, and such notable musicians as Leon Fleisher, Eugene Lehner, Menachem Pressler, and Leonard Shure. Professor Dolezal came to the University of Missouri from Viterbo College. He has been a visiting Artist/Lecturer at Boston College, Boston University, Florida State University, Georgia State University, the University of Kansas, and the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory. At MU, Professor Dolezal is cellist in the Esterhazy Quartet, ensemble-in-residence at the University, teaches cello and a low strings techniques class, and coaches string chamber ensembles. He is also the founder and director of the MU Cello Choir.
DRAX (Season 12-15, 20)
DRAX is an ensemble-in-residence at the University of Missouri School of Music with faculty members Leo Saguiguit (saxophone) and Megan Arns (percussion). Formed in the fall of 2014, DRAX made its international debut at the World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg, France in July 2015. Additionally, the duo has performed at the Mizzou International Composers Festival, the Region 4 Conference of the North American Saxophone Alliance in Oklahoma, and the Missouri Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion. Dedicated to creating new repertoire for this unique combination of instruments, DRAX has recently commissioned and premiered works by composers José Martínez, Carolina Heredia, Aaron Mencher, Steven Snowden, and Asha Srinivasan.
Saxophonist Leo Saguiguit joined the MU faculty in 2002 after holding previous faculty positions at Northwestern University, University of the South (Sewanee), and Emory University. His degrees are from Emory University and Northwestern, where his major teachers were Stutz Wimmer and Fred Hemke, respectively. Additional teachers include Paul Bro and Jonathan Helton. He has performed throughout the US and abroad, including France, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Cuba, China, Thailand, and the Philippines. He collaborates with many ensembles and currently performs with the Athens (Greece) Saxophone Quartet, Missouri Saxophone Quartet, Chicago Saxophone Quartet, and Trio Chymera. He has performed regularly with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Milwaukee Symphony, Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, and Missouri Symphony. He appears in over a dozen CD recordings, including six with the professional wind ensemble Philharmonia à Vent and three with the Athens Quartet.
Megan Arns is a percussionist, ethnomusicologist, and educator with a diverse set of skills and a driven passion for her craft. She is a member of the music faculty at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO as an Assistant Professor of Percussion. Past faculty positions include Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and the National Music Conservatory in Amman, Jordan where she was also the Principal Timpanist of the Amman Symphony Orchestra. Active as a contemporary chamber percussionist, Megan’s recent highlights include collaborative performances in France, Spain, India, Jordan, Costa Rica, Ghana, and the United States at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Millennium Park, Smithsonian Institution, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Megan earned a DMA in Percussion & Literature and a MA in Ethnomusicology from the Eastman School of Music. She endorses Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets, Pearl/Adams Musical Instruments, Black Swamp Percussion, Remo Drumheads, and Zildjian Cymbals.
DRAX is an ensemble-in-residence at the University of Missouri School of Music with faculty members Leo Saguiguit (saxophone) and Megan Arns (percussion). Formed in the fall of 2014, DRAX made its international debut at the World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg, France in July 2015. Additionally, the duo has performed at the Mizzou International Composers Festival, the Region 4 Conference of the North American Saxophone Alliance in Oklahoma, and the Missouri Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion. Dedicated to creating new repertoire for this unique combination of instruments, DRAX has recently commissioned and premiered works by composers José Martínez, Carolina Heredia, Aaron Mencher, Steven Snowden, and Asha Srinivasan.
Saxophonist Leo Saguiguit joined the MU faculty in 2002 after holding previous faculty positions at Northwestern University, University of the South (Sewanee), and Emory University. His degrees are from Emory University and Northwestern, where his major teachers were Stutz Wimmer and Fred Hemke, respectively. Additional teachers include Paul Bro and Jonathan Helton. He has performed throughout the US and abroad, including France, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Cuba, China, Thailand, and the Philippines. He collaborates with many ensembles and currently performs with the Athens (Greece) Saxophone Quartet, Missouri Saxophone Quartet, Chicago Saxophone Quartet, and Trio Chymera. He has performed regularly with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Milwaukee Symphony, Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, and Missouri Symphony. He appears in over a dozen CD recordings, including six with the professional wind ensemble Philharmonia à Vent and three with the Athens Quartet.
Megan Arns is a percussionist, ethnomusicologist, and educator with a diverse set of skills and a driven passion for her craft. She is a member of the music faculty at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO as an Assistant Professor of Percussion. Past faculty positions include Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and the National Music Conservatory in Amman, Jordan where she was also the Principal Timpanist of the Amman Symphony Orchestra. Active as a contemporary chamber percussionist, Megan’s recent highlights include collaborative performances in France, Spain, India, Jordan, Costa Rica, Ghana, and the United States at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Millennium Park, Smithsonian Institution, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Megan earned a DMA in Percussion & Literature and a MA in Ethnomusicology from the Eastman School of Music. She endorses Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets, Pearl/Adams Musical Instruments, Black Swamp Percussion, Remo Drumheads, and Zildjian Cymbals.
Xiaoxiao Du, violin (Season 12 Odyssey Performance Fellow, 13)
Xiaoxiao Du is currently pursuing the Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance at the University of Missouri with Prof. Eva D. Szekely. Ms. Du is a proud winner of scholarships including Raymond and Vaona Peck Strings Scholarship, Horace & Ruth M. Allen Music Scholarship and Catherine and Rogers Whitmore Music Scholarship/Fellowship. She was honored by Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society in 2014 in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music. Ms. Du has won awards including Alternate in MTNA Missouri State Competition and West Central Division Competition, Runner-Up in MMTA Competition and First Prize in Jiangxi Provincial Violin Competition, China. In 2011, Ms. Du toured with Zhejiang University Wenqin Art Troupe and gave a solo performance at The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. She has given performances in China, Canada, Australia and USA. Ms. Du is also an enthusiastic chamber and orchestral musician. She actively plays in duo, trio, quartet and other chamber ensembles including the annual Chamber Soloists Ensemble with Evgeni Ratchev and Exit 128 chamber orchestra. In summer 2015, she attended the prestigious Bowdoin International Music Festival in Brunswick, Maine as a scholarship recipient. She served as concertmaster for Zhejiang University Wenqin Symphony Orchestra and Nanchang City Youth Orchestra. Ms. Du also holds an M.S. degree and is now a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Missouri.
Xiaoxiao Du is currently pursuing the Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance at the University of Missouri with Prof. Eva D. Szekely. Ms. Du is a proud winner of scholarships including Raymond and Vaona Peck Strings Scholarship, Horace & Ruth M. Allen Music Scholarship and Catherine and Rogers Whitmore Music Scholarship/Fellowship. She was honored by Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society in 2014 in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music. Ms. Du has won awards including Alternate in MTNA Missouri State Competition and West Central Division Competition, Runner-Up in MMTA Competition and First Prize in Jiangxi Provincial Violin Competition, China. In 2011, Ms. Du toured with Zhejiang University Wenqin Art Troupe and gave a solo performance at The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. She has given performances in China, Canada, Australia and USA. Ms. Du is also an enthusiastic chamber and orchestral musician. She actively plays in duo, trio, quartet and other chamber ensembles including the annual Chamber Soloists Ensemble with Evgeni Ratchev and Exit 128 chamber orchestra. In summer 2015, she attended the prestigious Bowdoin International Music Festival in Brunswick, Maine as a scholarship recipient. She served as concertmaster for Zhejiang University Wenqin Symphony Orchestra and Nanchang City Youth Orchestra. Ms. Du also holds an M.S. degree and is now a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Missouri.
Stefanie Duff, soprano (Season 9)
Stefanie Duff, soprano, is completing a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Communication with a minor in Spanish at the University of Missouri, where she studies vocal performance under Jo Ella Todd. She also has studied opera in Salzburg, Austria with Miami Frost School of Music and La Musica Lirica in Italy. She has sang roles of Il Destino from Cavalli’s La Calisto, and Amor from Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea and was a chorus member in Verdi’s Rigoletto under the direction of Dr. Joseph Rescigno. She also studied with Brian Leeper of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Italian coach Ubaldo Fabbri, and Dennis Jesse of Louisiana State University. At the University of Missouri, she sang the role of Gianetta from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore and Fiordiligi from Mozart’s Così fan tutte, was a Grisette in The Merry Widow, and a chorus member in La Traviata. Stefanie received an Honorable Mention in Missouri NATS competition, sings with Pediatric Princesses for Children’s Hospital and performs the National Anthem at various events. Outside of her musical studies, Ms. Duff works for the Office of Visitor Relations as a Mizzou Tour Team Co-Chair and leads several volunteer efforts in Columbia including Rockin’ Against Multiple Sclerosis and the Sean & Jeremy Memorial 5K Race. She is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, an alumnae of the MU Chancellor’s Leadership Class and received the Top Academic Scholarship for Juniors through the Music School. She serves as an officer of Mortar Board National Honor Society and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, was honored as one of the MU Homecoming 30 Finalists and was named one of the Mizzou 39 Top Seniors.
Max Duffy, Actor (Season 20)
Springfield, Missouri based Max Duffy will be a high school junior next year attending Middle College at the Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC). She is excited to be in Columbia playing Marie Schumann in "The Schumann Play" (formerly called "Love Triangle"). Past credits include Charlotte in 13 The Musical at Theatre in the Park. At Springfield Little Theatre she has enjoyed many roles, a few of those being Clarisse in The Lightning Thief, Young Laura in Little House on the Prairie and her favorite role as Les in Disney’s Newsies. The last few years has led to some once in a lifetime opportunities for her. She was cast as Mary Clara in the World Premier of Sweet Louisa at the Springfield Regional Opera and has had the honor of another World Premier role playing Marie Schumann in Love Triangle, at the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. She would like to thank her parents for their unwavering support of her adventures and travels as she pursues her God given talent.
Springfield, Missouri based Max Duffy will be a high school junior next year attending Middle College at the Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC). She is excited to be in Columbia playing Marie Schumann in "The Schumann Play" (formerly called "Love Triangle"). Past credits include Charlotte in 13 The Musical at Theatre in the Park. At Springfield Little Theatre she has enjoyed many roles, a few of those being Clarisse in The Lightning Thief, Young Laura in Little House on the Prairie and her favorite role as Les in Disney’s Newsies. The last few years has led to some once in a lifetime opportunities for her. She was cast as Mary Clara in the World Premier of Sweet Louisa at the Springfield Regional Opera and has had the honor of another World Premier role playing Marie Schumann in Love Triangle, at the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. She would like to thank her parents for their unwavering support of her adventures and travels as she pursues her God given talent.
Daniel Edwards, percussion (Performance Fellow, Season 11)
Daniel Edwards is a performer, an educator, and an advocate for world music. He received a bachelor’s degree in music from Brigham Young University- Hawaii, and is currently studying to receive a master’s degree in percussion performance and certificates in jazz studies and music entrepreneurship from the University of Missouri. He has performed with many groups, including the North Shore Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Missouri Symphony, the Columbia Hand Bell Ensemble, and the Latin Rock group La Movida. Along with orchestral percussion, he performs on the steel pan, the marimba, and a variety of world instruments. He has toured and performed in regions of the United States, Europe, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia. Besides performing, Daniel has taught beginning music skills to children in Kosovo, and currently teaches percussion at the University of Missouri. He also spent two years serving as a full time volunteer in Guatemala, where he taught life skills to families and assisted in many service projects. He hopes that his work will expose audiences around the world to new and unfamiliar genres of music, as well as promote quality music education for students from every background of life.
eighth blackbird (Season 8)
Tim Munro, flutes • Michael J. Maccaferri, clarinets
Yvonne Lam, violin & viola • Nicholas Photinos, cello
Matthew Duvall, percussion+ • Lisa Kaplan, piano
See their week-long residency schedule at MU HERE.
Hailed as “friendly, unpretentious, idealistic, and highly skilled” by the New Yorker, eighth blackbird is widely lauded for its unusual performing style – often playing from memory with theatrical flair – and for its efforts to make new music accessible to wider audiences. Since its founding in 1996, the sextet has actively commissioned and recorded new works; recent commissions include a concerto from Jennifer Higdon and pieces from Steve Reich, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Steven Mackey, David Lang, Stephen Hartke, and Bruno Mantovani. The group’s CD strange imaginary animals won two Grammy Awards in 2008, including one for Best Chamber Music Performance.
Now celebrating its 15th season, eighth blackbird showcases music by the two most recent Pulitzer Prize-winning composers in its 2010-11 recording and performing repertoire, featuring new and recent works (written expressly for the ensemble) by both Jennifer Higdon and Steve Reich. Headlining the group’s season is its new politically-driven two-part program "PowerFUL/less", tackling Stravinsky's provocative statement questioning the value, meaning and power of art. The ensemble will curate and perform in Park Avenue Armory’s new “Tune-In” contemporary music festival in New York City. Other highlights include a return to Zankel Hall; performances at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art; a tour of Higdon’s new concerto On a Wire with several high-profile orchestras; Reich festivals on both sides of the Atlantic – at Carnegie Hall and at London’s Barbican Hall; a return to the Library of Congress for a concert that includes the world premiere of a new work by Stephen Hartke; and a new CD featuring Reich’s prize-winning Double Sextet on Nonesuch, which was released in September 2010.
Last season eighth blackbird made its debut at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, playing the world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Grazioso!, and presented a new version of Schoenberg's Pierrot lunaire. The ensemble premiered Slide, a new music-theater piece by Rinde Eckert and Steven Mackey, at the Ojai Music Festival (where eighth blackbird acted as Music Director for the 2009 season), and it held a week-long residency at the Curtis Institute of Music. Highlights of past seasons have included performances in South Korea, Mexico, the UK, the Netherlands, and at nearly every major chamber music venue in North America. eighth blackbird was honored in 2007 with the American Music Center’s Trailblazer Award and a Meet The Composer Award, and the group’s numerous competition wins include the Grand Prize at the Concert Artists Guild International Competition and the Naumburg Chamber Music Award. The sextet has been profiled in the New York Times and featured on CBS News Sunday Morning and Bloomberg TV’s Muse. eighth blackbird has recorded for the Cedille, Nonesuch and Naxos labels, and is represented by David Lieberman Artists' Representative.
Yvonne Lam, violin & viola • Nicholas Photinos, cello
Matthew Duvall, percussion+ • Lisa Kaplan, piano
See their week-long residency schedule at MU HERE.
Hailed as “friendly, unpretentious, idealistic, and highly skilled” by the New Yorker, eighth blackbird is widely lauded for its unusual performing style – often playing from memory with theatrical flair – and for its efforts to make new music accessible to wider audiences. Since its founding in 1996, the sextet has actively commissioned and recorded new works; recent commissions include a concerto from Jennifer Higdon and pieces from Steve Reich, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Steven Mackey, David Lang, Stephen Hartke, and Bruno Mantovani. The group’s CD strange imaginary animals won two Grammy Awards in 2008, including one for Best Chamber Music Performance.
Now celebrating its 15th season, eighth blackbird showcases music by the two most recent Pulitzer Prize-winning composers in its 2010-11 recording and performing repertoire, featuring new and recent works (written expressly for the ensemble) by both Jennifer Higdon and Steve Reich. Headlining the group’s season is its new politically-driven two-part program "PowerFUL/less", tackling Stravinsky's provocative statement questioning the value, meaning and power of art. The ensemble will curate and perform in Park Avenue Armory’s new “Tune-In” contemporary music festival in New York City. Other highlights include a return to Zankel Hall; performances at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art; a tour of Higdon’s new concerto On a Wire with several high-profile orchestras; Reich festivals on both sides of the Atlantic – at Carnegie Hall and at London’s Barbican Hall; a return to the Library of Congress for a concert that includes the world premiere of a new work by Stephen Hartke; and a new CD featuring Reich’s prize-winning Double Sextet on Nonesuch, which was released in September 2010.
Last season eighth blackbird made its debut at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, playing the world premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Grazioso!, and presented a new version of Schoenberg's Pierrot lunaire. The ensemble premiered Slide, a new music-theater piece by Rinde Eckert and Steven Mackey, at the Ojai Music Festival (where eighth blackbird acted as Music Director for the 2009 season), and it held a week-long residency at the Curtis Institute of Music. Highlights of past seasons have included performances in South Korea, Mexico, the UK, the Netherlands, and at nearly every major chamber music venue in North America. eighth blackbird was honored in 2007 with the American Music Center’s Trailblazer Award and a Meet The Composer Award, and the group’s numerous competition wins include the Grand Prize at the Concert Artists Guild International Competition and the Naumburg Chamber Music Award. The sextet has been profiled in the New York Times and featured on CBS News Sunday Morning and Bloomberg TV’s Muse. eighth blackbird has recorded for the Cedille, Nonesuch and Naxos labels, and is represented by David Lieberman Artists' Representative.
Élan Singers of Columbia (Season 10)
In the summer of 2011, three musicians and educators found themselves bitterly missing the hardworking, collaborative atmosphere of the collegiate choral ensemble. The concept of Élan formed over countless meetings, brainstorming sessions, and shared meals. The founders (Robin Anderson, Trent Rash, & Jazz Rucker) constructed a diverse program and select member list with the vision of sharing choral literature in a non-traditional, dynamic manner. From there, the ensemble flourished organically, drawing singers, educators, and audiences from around Missouri. The group does not follow one conductor, but shares artistic decisions in the hopes of creating a truly collaborative musical product and bringing meaningful experiences to listeners.
SOPRANO Robin Anderson - Meg Phillips - Sarah Wells-Morgan
ALTO Beth Hunter - Christine Jarquio - Audra Sergel
TENOR Tristan Frampton - Tim Hercules - Trent Rash
BASS DJ Jordan - Desmond Peters - Jazz Rucker
PIANIST Tony Hernandez
SOPRANO Robin Anderson - Meg Phillips - Sarah Wells-Morgan
ALTO Beth Hunter - Christine Jarquio - Audra Sergel
TENOR Tristan Frampton - Tim Hercules - Trent Rash
BASS DJ Jordan - Desmond Peters - Jazz Rucker
PIANIST Tony Hernandez
Philip Elsbecker, trumpet (Season 16)
Philip Elsbecker is fervent trumpeter, educator, and soloist that has performed with a wide array of ensembles, displaying styles from the Baroque to modern eras. Philip teaches private lessons for the Community Music Program at the University of Missouri and continues to keep a private studio with students through the miracles of technology. His students have won seats in All Region Bands in numerous states and received outstanding awards at solo and ensemble competitions. His experience playing principal trumpet with a variety of groups has led to a promising start of a professional musician with the Missouri Symphony, St. Joseph Symphony, and St. Joseph Big Band. Philip is also an outstanding soloist who won the Concerto Competition at Northwest Missouri State University as well as the Brass solo graduate division for MMTA. Philip holds a Baccalaureate degree from Northwest Missouri State University and is on course to graduate with a Masters degree from the University of Missouri in trumpet performance.
Philip Elsbecker is fervent trumpeter, educator, and soloist that has performed with a wide array of ensembles, displaying styles from the Baroque to modern eras. Philip teaches private lessons for the Community Music Program at the University of Missouri and continues to keep a private studio with students through the miracles of technology. His students have won seats in All Region Bands in numerous states and received outstanding awards at solo and ensemble competitions. His experience playing principal trumpet with a variety of groups has led to a promising start of a professional musician with the Missouri Symphony, St. Joseph Symphony, and St. Joseph Big Band. Philip is also an outstanding soloist who won the Concerto Competition at Northwest Missouri State University as well as the Brass solo graduate division for MMTA. Philip holds a Baccalaureate degree from Northwest Missouri State University and is on course to graduate with a Masters degree from the University of Missouri in trumpet performance.
Esterhazy Quartet (Season 13-16+)
Eva Szekely and Julie Rosenfeld, violins
Leslie Perna, viola
Eli Lara, cello
Throughout its distinguished career the Esterhazy Quartet has delighted audiences on three continents, performing at venues such as the Haydn Festspiele in Austria, the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada and the Beethoven Society in Santiago de Chile. Critics have praised the Esterhazy Quartet for its intelligence, refinement, and warmth of sound, described as a “velvety palette of tonal colors” (La Nacion, Buenos Aires). Taking its name from Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy, the patron of composer Joseph Haydn (considered the “father” of the string quartet), the Esterhazy Quartet has appeared at several important music festivals in the United States and abroad, including the Western Arts Festival, the Classical Music Seminar in Eisenstadt, Austria, and the International Music Festival of Pará in Belém, Brazil. Frequently throughout the last four decades the Esterhazy Quartet has performed live on National Public Radio, including a recent appearance on WGBH Boston’s Classical Performances. Formed in 1968 as the ensemble-in-residence of the University of Missouri, the Esterhazy Quartet is widely recognized for its commitment to performing and promoting the music of our time, especially modern music of the Americas. The Esterhazy Quartet maintains one of the largest collections of Latin American string quartets in the United States, and is responsible for the commission, world premiere and recording of several new American string quartets. Recent recordings by the Esterhazy Quartet include the complete string quartets of James Willey, available on Albany and New World Records/CRI. David DeBoor Canfield, of Fanfare magazine raves, “The coruscating playing of the Esterhazy Quartet can scarcely be over-praised. Any composer would be gratified to have his work presented in such stellar fashion.” The Quartet’s latest CD release on Albany features works by Samuel Adler, including String Quartet No. 9, written for the Esterhazy Quartet for its Fortieth Anniversary Celebration. In addition to collaborating with contemporary composers, the Esterhazy Quartet actively promotes the advancement of the string quartet art form through master classes, seminars and workshops for young performers and composers, including an annual residency for composers at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and a yearly summer chamber music seminar at the University of Missouri.
Eva Szekely and Julie Rosenfeld, violins
Leslie Perna, viola
Eli Lara, cello
Throughout its distinguished career the Esterhazy Quartet has delighted audiences on three continents, performing at venues such as the Haydn Festspiele in Austria, the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada and the Beethoven Society in Santiago de Chile. Critics have praised the Esterhazy Quartet for its intelligence, refinement, and warmth of sound, described as a “velvety palette of tonal colors” (La Nacion, Buenos Aires). Taking its name from Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy, the patron of composer Joseph Haydn (considered the “father” of the string quartet), the Esterhazy Quartet has appeared at several important music festivals in the United States and abroad, including the Western Arts Festival, the Classical Music Seminar in Eisenstadt, Austria, and the International Music Festival of Pará in Belém, Brazil. Frequently throughout the last four decades the Esterhazy Quartet has performed live on National Public Radio, including a recent appearance on WGBH Boston’s Classical Performances. Formed in 1968 as the ensemble-in-residence of the University of Missouri, the Esterhazy Quartet is widely recognized for its commitment to performing and promoting the music of our time, especially modern music of the Americas. The Esterhazy Quartet maintains one of the largest collections of Latin American string quartets in the United States, and is responsible for the commission, world premiere and recording of several new American string quartets. Recent recordings by the Esterhazy Quartet include the complete string quartets of James Willey, available on Albany and New World Records/CRI. David DeBoor Canfield, of Fanfare magazine raves, “The coruscating playing of the Esterhazy Quartet can scarcely be over-praised. Any composer would be gratified to have his work presented in such stellar fashion.” The Quartet’s latest CD release on Albany features works by Samuel Adler, including String Quartet No. 9, written for the Esterhazy Quartet for its Fortieth Anniversary Celebration. In addition to collaborating with contemporary composers, the Esterhazy Quartet actively promotes the advancement of the string quartet art form through master classes, seminars and workshops for young performers and composers, including an annual residency for composers at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and a yearly summer chamber music seminar at the University of Missouri.
Alan Evans, trumpet (Season 18)
Alan Evans studied trumpet performance in London, U.K. and freelanced for five years. He then took the position of Co-Principal Trumpet with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Tenerife in the Spanish Canary Islands for a decade. He is currently a member of the SouthWest Florida Symphony and Sarasota Opera and is also Principal Trumpet of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra here in Columbia.
Alan Evans studied trumpet performance in London, U.K. and freelanced for five years. He then took the position of Co-Principal Trumpet with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Tenerife in the Spanish Canary Islands for a decade. He is currently a member of the SouthWest Florida Symphony and Sarasota Opera and is also Principal Trumpet of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra here in Columbia.
Lily Farnen, violin (Season 8-11)
Lily Farnen is a 12th grade honor student at Rock Bridge High School. She is a graduate of the Missouri String Project and is concertmaster of the Missouri Symphony Conservatory Young Artists Philharmonic and the Rock Bridge Chamber Orchestra. Lily was accepted to play at the New York Summer Music Festival in Oneonta, NY in 2011-2013, where she performed in both Chamber and Symphony Orchestras. She was one of three violinists to receive recognition for excellence. Lily recently played with Missouri Symphony Orchestra in 2014 Hot Summer Nights Festival. Lily received I ratings in violin in the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Missouri Teachers Association Pre-Collegiate Honors State Auditions, the 2011 MYO / MMAMTA Pre-Collegiate Concerto Competition and the 2011 Central Methodist University Music Festival. This is the fourth year Lily will be performing in the Odyssey Chamber Music Series Baroque concert. Lily began studying the violin at age 8. She is a student of Amy Appold and studied music theory with Ayako Tsuruta. Lily is the daughter of Mark and Eleanor Farnen.
James Farquhar, cello (Season 18)
James Farquhar, 23, is currently a student under Kurt Baldwin at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Under Baldwin’s instruction, James has attained UMSL Artist of the Year and has organized numerous Outreach recitals in the communities around St. Louis. After completion of his Undergraduate degree in Spring 2022, James plans on pursuing a Master’s degree in Cello Performance, beginning a program in Fall 2022. His ultimate career goal is to be a concert cellist for a major symphony orchestra, as well as teach privately and organize grant-funded outreach concerts for underserved students.
James Farquhar, 23, is currently a student under Kurt Baldwin at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Under Baldwin’s instruction, James has attained UMSL Artist of the Year and has organized numerous Outreach recitals in the communities around St. Louis. After completion of his Undergraduate degree in Spring 2022, James plans on pursuing a Master’s degree in Cello Performance, beginning a program in Fall 2022. His ultimate career goal is to be a concert cellist for a major symphony orchestra, as well as teach privately and organize grant-funded outreach concerts for underserved students.
Alec Feldges, guitar (Season 11)
Alec Feldges is a solo and collaborative classical guitarist, working both as a concert and freelance performer. Studying at the St. Louis Academy for Guitar since the age of six, Alec has spent his whole life perfecting his skills as a musician. Through High school, he toured with the classical guitar ensemble St. Louis Bella Corda, performing in various guitar festivals throughout the U.S. as well as traveling to Germany in 2012 to perform in the GOFI (Guitar Orchestra Festival International). As a solo artist, Alec arranged and performed his own benefit concert for the St. Louis Children's Hospital in 2012 raising over $2000 to the New Born Intensive Care Unit (NICU). He also works as a freelance performer, to provide music for events such as, weddings, cocktail parties, dinner parties, and other such private events. Alec also worked as a Golf Caddy for 5 years at Sunset Country Club in St. Louis, and was awarded Chick Evans caddy scholarship which gave him a full ride scholarship to the University of Missouri in Columbia. He now studies classical guitar at the University Missouri and performs in the MU Guitar Quartet and has collaborated with several artists including an opera singer, flutist and a cellist. Alec plans to pursue music as a career upon graduation and further develop his skills as an artist.
Alec Feldges is a solo and collaborative classical guitarist, working both as a concert and freelance performer. Studying at the St. Louis Academy for Guitar since the age of six, Alec has spent his whole life perfecting his skills as a musician. Through High school, he toured with the classical guitar ensemble St. Louis Bella Corda, performing in various guitar festivals throughout the U.S. as well as traveling to Germany in 2012 to perform in the GOFI (Guitar Orchestra Festival International). As a solo artist, Alec arranged and performed his own benefit concert for the St. Louis Children's Hospital in 2012 raising over $2000 to the New Born Intensive Care Unit (NICU). He also works as a freelance performer, to provide music for events such as, weddings, cocktail parties, dinner parties, and other such private events. Alec also worked as a Golf Caddy for 5 years at Sunset Country Club in St. Louis, and was awarded Chick Evans caddy scholarship which gave him a full ride scholarship to the University of Missouri in Columbia. He now studies classical guitar at the University Missouri and performs in the MU Guitar Quartet and has collaborated with several artists including an opera singer, flutist and a cellist. Alec plans to pursue music as a career upon graduation and further develop his skills as an artist.
Frank Fleschner, tenor (Season 20)
Tenor Frank Fleschner is an accomplished choral musician having just began his nineteenth season with the Grammy Award-winning Kansas City Chorale. His tenure with the Chorale has afforded him the opportunity to work closely with and debut works by several prominent composers such as Mark Hayes, René Clausen, and Eric Whitacre. As a soloist, Frank has appeared in Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Johannes-Passion (Evangelist), Mendelssohn's Elijah and is the featured tenor soloist on the Kansas City Chorale's Grammy Award-winning recording of Rachmaninoff's All Night Vigil. Frank graduated from Truman State University and currently resides in Kansas City with his wife, Lindsey, and sings at Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, KS.
Tenor Frank Fleschner is an accomplished choral musician having just began his nineteenth season with the Grammy Award-winning Kansas City Chorale. His tenure with the Chorale has afforded him the opportunity to work closely with and debut works by several prominent composers such as Mark Hayes, René Clausen, and Eric Whitacre. As a soloist, Frank has appeared in Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Johannes-Passion (Evangelist), Mendelssohn's Elijah and is the featured tenor soloist on the Kansas City Chorale's Grammy Award-winning recording of Rachmaninoff's All Night Vigil. Frank graduated from Truman State University and currently resides in Kansas City with his wife, Lindsey, and sings at Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, KS.
Stefan Freund, composer | conductor | violoncello (Season 1, 2, 7, 9, 20)
Stefan Freund received a BM with High Distinction from the Indiana University School of Music and an MM and a DMA from the Eastman School of Music. His primary composition teachers included Pulitzer Prize winners Christopher Rouse and Joseph Schwantner as well as Augusta Read Thomas, Frederick Fox, and Don Freund, his father. He studied cello with Steven Doane, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, and Peter Spurbeck, among others. He is presently Professor of Composition at the University of Missouri. Previously he was Assistant Professor of Composition at the Eastman School of Music.
Freund is the recipient of two William Schuman Prizes and the Boudleaux Bryant Prize from BMI, five ASCAP Morton Gould Grants, twenty ASCAP Plus Awards, a Music Merit Award from the National Society of Arts and Letters, and the Howard Hanson Prize. He was selected as the 2004 Music Teachers National Association-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year. In 2006 and 2013 he was awarded Outstanding Faculty Research and Creative Activity Awards from MU. Freund has received commissions from the Barlow Endowment, the New Spectrum Foundation, the Carnegie Hall Corporation, the Lincoln Center Festival, the New York Youth Symphony, the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, the Verdehr Trio, Town Hall Seattle, Sheldon Concert Hall, and SCI/ASCAP. His music has been performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Library of Congress as well as by ensembles such as the Copenhagen Philharmonic, the St. Louis Symphony, and the Phoenix Symphony. International performances include the Berliner Philharmonie, the Moscow International Performing Arts Center, Glinka Hall (St. Petersburg), Queen's Hall (Copenhagen), the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, and concert halls in seven other European countries, Canada, and Mexico. His works have been recorded on the Albany, Centaur, Crystal, Innova, New Focus, and Ravello labels.
Active as a performer, conductor, and producer of new music, Freund is the founding cellist of the new music ensemble Alarm Will Sound. His cello performances include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Met Museum, Merkin Hall, Millennium Park, Disney Hall, the Barbican (UK), the Hermitage Theatre (RU), the Muzikgebouw (ND), the World Financial Center, Culture Station Seoul, and the Beijing Modern Music Festival. His cello playing can be heard on 18 released albums featuring Alarm Will Sound. In addition, Freund is the Artistic Director of the Mizzou New Music Initiative and the Music Director of the Columbia Civic Orchestra.
Freund is the recipient of two William Schuman Prizes and the Boudleaux Bryant Prize from BMI, five ASCAP Morton Gould Grants, twenty ASCAP Plus Awards, a Music Merit Award from the National Society of Arts and Letters, and the Howard Hanson Prize. He was selected as the 2004 Music Teachers National Association-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year. In 2006 and 2013 he was awarded Outstanding Faculty Research and Creative Activity Awards from MU. Freund has received commissions from the Barlow Endowment, the New Spectrum Foundation, the Carnegie Hall Corporation, the Lincoln Center Festival, the New York Youth Symphony, the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, the Verdehr Trio, Town Hall Seattle, Sheldon Concert Hall, and SCI/ASCAP. His music has been performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Library of Congress as well as by ensembles such as the Copenhagen Philharmonic, the St. Louis Symphony, and the Phoenix Symphony. International performances include the Berliner Philharmonie, the Moscow International Performing Arts Center, Glinka Hall (St. Petersburg), Queen's Hall (Copenhagen), the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, and concert halls in seven other European countries, Canada, and Mexico. His works have been recorded on the Albany, Centaur, Crystal, Innova, New Focus, and Ravello labels.
Active as a performer, conductor, and producer of new music, Freund is the founding cellist of the new music ensemble Alarm Will Sound. His cello performances include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Met Museum, Merkin Hall, Millennium Park, Disney Hall, the Barbican (UK), the Hermitage Theatre (RU), the Muzikgebouw (ND), the World Financial Center, Culture Station Seoul, and the Beijing Modern Music Festival. His cello playing can be heard on 18 released albums featuring Alarm Will Sound. In addition, Freund is the Artistic Director of the Mizzou New Music Initiative and the Music Director of the Columbia Civic Orchestra.
Briana Joy Frieda, viola (Season 7, 8, 9)
Briana Joy Frieda is a senior at the University of Missouri where she is pursuing her Bachelors of Music in viola performance. A frequent guest of the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, Briana is currently principal violist in the University Philharmonic as well as in the Columbia Civic Orchestra. The last two years, Briana has placed runner-up and honorable mention, respectively, in the senior strings division of the Missouri Music Teachers Association annual competition. In addition to performing, Briana has a busy teaching schedule as part of the Missouri String Project and the Community Music Program (both through the University) as well as a private studio. Briana is studying with Professor Leslie Perna, and studied previously with members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Leonid Gotman and Gerry Fleminger. Following her graduation in the spring of 2013, Briana plans to earn her PhD in musicology.
Dustin Frieda, viola (Season 9-16)
Dustin Bennett Frieda, violist, has performed extensively as a chamber musician and soloist throughout the United States and Western Europe. With degrees in performance and education from the University of Missouri, Frieda is committed to the spread of string education programs throughout Columbia and Mid-Missouri. Frieda currently directs the Missouri Youth Orchestra, the Columbia Public School's Honor Orchestra, and works as a music education specialist at Thomas Hart Benton S.T.E.M. Elementary. Frieda's principal viola studies were with Leslie Perna and Donald McInnes.
David (Luke) Frith, bassoon (Season 19, 20)
David Frith is a resident of Columbia, originally from Warrensburg, Missouri. He received his Bachelor of Music from VanderCook College of Music in 2016 where he studied with Emily Warner Smith and Matthew Hogan. He teaches private music lessons for beginning high school and middle school musicians. Currently, he is working towards his Master of Music Degree in Bassoon performance at the University of Missouri where he studies under Austin Way. He is a member of the University’s Bassoon ensemble and the University Philharmonic Orchestra.
David Frith is a resident of Columbia, originally from Warrensburg, Missouri. He received his Bachelor of Music from VanderCook College of Music in 2016 where he studied with Emily Warner Smith and Matthew Hogan. He teaches private music lessons for beginning high school and middle school musicians. Currently, he is working towards his Master of Music Degree in Bassoon performance at the University of Missouri where he studies under Austin Way. He is a member of the University’s Bassoon ensemble and the University Philharmonic Orchestra.
Liz Fetzer, percussion (Season 18)
Liz Fetzer is a Junior at the University of Missouri pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree of Music in Percussion Performance. She attended Kickapoo Highschool in Springfield, Missouri where she was avidly involved in the Kickapoo Golden Arrow Band and Winter Drumline. During her high school career, she was recognized both on the district and state level and performed at MMEA with the Springfield Youth Symphony and Missouri All State Band. At the University of Missouri, Liz is very involved and finds herself playing in many ensembles. Although her time has been spent among many groups, she especially loves her time spent with the University Percussion Ensemble, Tiger Pans, and World Percussion Ensemble. Additionally, she enjoys her time participating in the University of Missouri Wind Ensemble and currently works as the Percussion Coordinator for the Columbia Civic Orchestra. Her primary teachers are Dr. Megan Arns and Dr. Troy Hall. Liz hopes to continue her musical education by pursuing a graduate degree in Percussion Performance.
Liz Fetzer is a Junior at the University of Missouri pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree of Music in Percussion Performance. She attended Kickapoo Highschool in Springfield, Missouri where she was avidly involved in the Kickapoo Golden Arrow Band and Winter Drumline. During her high school career, she was recognized both on the district and state level and performed at MMEA with the Springfield Youth Symphony and Missouri All State Band. At the University of Missouri, Liz is very involved and finds herself playing in many ensembles. Although her time has been spent among many groups, she especially loves her time spent with the University Percussion Ensemble, Tiger Pans, and World Percussion Ensemble. Additionally, she enjoys her time participating in the University of Missouri Wind Ensemble and currently works as the Percussion Coordinator for the Columbia Civic Orchestra. Her primary teachers are Dr. Megan Arns and Dr. Troy Hall. Liz hopes to continue her musical education by pursuing a graduate degree in Percussion Performance.
Christopher Fusco, drumset (Season 17)
Christopher Fusco, 23, is currently a senior at the University of Missouri. Having played for the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Columbia Jazz Orchestra, Cafe Berlin, We Always Swing charity events, and many other University Sponsored events, Christopher is proud to be able to participate in the Columbia community again with Odyssey. Christopher first started his musical journey in Kansas City, playing in venues such as the Kauffman Center, the American Jazz Museum, and Arrowhead Stadium with the wonderful community band, 5 Star Jazz Band. Thanks to Marching Mizzou and the pep band, Christopher has been able to play outside of Missouri in Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Michigan. As of writing this, he has been accepted to the California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita, California to pursue a Jazz Masters degree and is currently waiting to hear back from the Frost School of Music in Miami after passing the first round of auditions.
Christopher Fusco, 23, is currently a senior at the University of Missouri. Having played for the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Columbia Jazz Orchestra, Cafe Berlin, We Always Swing charity events, and many other University Sponsored events, Christopher is proud to be able to participate in the Columbia community again with Odyssey. Christopher first started his musical journey in Kansas City, playing in venues such as the Kauffman Center, the American Jazz Museum, and Arrowhead Stadium with the wonderful community band, 5 Star Jazz Band. Thanks to Marching Mizzou and the pep band, Christopher has been able to play outside of Missouri in Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Michigan. As of writing this, he has been accepted to the California Institute of the Arts in Santa Clarita, California to pursue a Jazz Masters degree and is currently waiting to hear back from the Frost School of Music in Miami after passing the first round of auditions.
Julia Gaines, percussion (Season 1-11, 14, 20)
Julia Gaines has recently finished up 9 years as the Director of the MU School of Music and is looking forward to a year’s research leave beginning in January 2024. She is teaching percussion this Fall and enjoying being back in the studio. She has performance degrees from Lawrence Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music, and the University of Oklahoma. She is an author with two books published by Tapspace Publications on marimba pedagogy and will be working on a 3rd volume next year. Her solo CD, Tiger Dance, came out in 2017 which includes several pieces she commissioned for marimba. She’s been an active performer around the world and has also been involved in the Percussive Arts Society.
Cole Galbraith, horn (Season 15)
Cole Galbraith is a senior at Hickman High School, where he plays horn for the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Denis Swope and Tom Sweeney. Cole has been studying horn for 7 years with Dr. Marcia Spence and Michael Hill. Cole also plays trombone for the Hickman Jazz Ensemble, and is involved with various musical productions for Hickman, playing various instruments in pit orchestra. In addition to Hickman musical activities, Cole also plays in the University of Missouri Horn Choir, was awarded 2nd chair in the Missouri All State Band, and has performed as a soloist as well as in both a woodwind and brass quintet for the MSHSAA solo and ensemble festival.
Cole Galbraith is a senior at Hickman High School, where he plays horn for the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Denis Swope and Tom Sweeney. Cole has been studying horn for 7 years with Dr. Marcia Spence and Michael Hill. Cole also plays trombone for the Hickman Jazz Ensemble, and is involved with various musical productions for Hickman, playing various instruments in pit orchestra. In addition to Hickman musical activities, Cole also plays in the University of Missouri Horn Choir, was awarded 2nd chair in the Missouri All State Band, and has performed as a soloist as well as in both a woodwind and brass quintet for the MSHSAA solo and ensemble festival.
Arun Garg, piano (Season 16)
Arun Garg is from the St. Louis area. He recently earned a dual Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology at the University of Missouri in December 2018. He also studied piano performance at the Peabody Conservatory. His teachers include Larisa Morozova, Ruth Slencynska, Peter Miyamoto, and Leon Fleisher. Arun has also been Music Director for a number of musical theatre productions both in Missouri and on the East Coast; these include Urinetown, Assassins, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Wild Party, South Pacific, and Songs for a New World. He also spent a year as a rehearsal pianist for the soloist and principal rank of dancers at the Washington National Ballet. In his free time, Arun enjoys hiking, cooking, playing with his beagle, and watching period dramas.
Arun Garg is from the St. Louis area. He recently earned a dual Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology at the University of Missouri in December 2018. He also studied piano performance at the Peabody Conservatory. His teachers include Larisa Morozova, Ruth Slencynska, Peter Miyamoto, and Leon Fleisher. Arun has also been Music Director for a number of musical theatre productions both in Missouri and on the East Coast; these include Urinetown, Assassins, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Wild Party, South Pacific, and Songs for a New World. He also spent a year as a rehearsal pianist for the soloist and principal rank of dancers at the Washington National Ballet. In his free time, Arun enjoys hiking, cooking, playing with his beagle, and watching period dramas.
Paul Garritson, clarinet (Season 10+)
Paul Garritson joined the faculty at MU in 1986 as professor of clarinet. He completed the bachelor of arts degree at the University of California-Berkeley, and the master of music degree at Yale University. He has performed with numerous orchestras, including the St. Louis Symphony, the New Haven Symphony, the Orchestra of New England, and the State Ballet of Missouri. Professor Garritson performs regularly with the Gateway Festival Orchestra in St. Louis, with which he has soloed on several occasions. He was selected as principal clarinet for the east coast tour of the New Sousa Band with Keith Brion. Professor Garritson has performed as soloist at the annual meeting of the International Clarinet Society and has twice appeared in recital at the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium. Professor Garritson has taught at Principia College, Webster University, and Washington University in St. Louis. His students have won or placed in competitions sponsored by Missouri Music Teachers Association, the National Federation of Music Clubs, and at the state, regional, and national levels of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). Professor Garritson is a member of the Missouri Quintet, an ensemble-in-residence at MU, which made its Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1989 and performs both in the United States and abroad. In the most recent CD release of the Missouri Quintet (2001) on which several works for winds by composer David Maslanka were recorded, American Record Guide (March/April 2002) made note of Professor Garritson's performance of the unaccompanied work Little Symphony, stating, "[he] executes his part to perfection with a reading that is full of nuance and insight."
Solveig Geenen, violin (Season 14)
Solveig Geenen, is 16 years old and a junior at Hickman High School. She began studying the violin when she was 3 years old, with her mother and currently studies violin with Amy Appold. Solvieg is Concertmaster of the MOSS Young Artists’ Philharmonic, MOSS Chamber Players, and Hickman Symphonic Orchestra. In the 2015, Solveig won first place in the MMTA statewide competition for strings ages 7 through 9th grade. Solveig has been a member of the 2016 Missouri All State Orchestra, was Principal Second violin for the 2017 All State Orchestra, and was recently Concertmaster of the 2018 All State Orchestra this past January. In the summer of 2016, Solveig attended the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Tennessee, where she was Concertmaster of the Cumberland Orchestra. This past summer of 2017 Solveig attended the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where she was a member of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, and received a special Fine Arts Award in violin. This upcoming March, 2018, Solveig has been selected to be a member of the Honors Orchestra of America and will be going to Indianapolis to perform with other high school musicians from around the United States.
Solveig Geenen, is 16 years old and a junior at Hickman High School. She began studying the violin when she was 3 years old, with her mother and currently studies violin with Amy Appold. Solvieg is Concertmaster of the MOSS Young Artists’ Philharmonic, MOSS Chamber Players, and Hickman Symphonic Orchestra. In the 2015, Solveig won first place in the MMTA statewide competition for strings ages 7 through 9th grade. Solveig has been a member of the 2016 Missouri All State Orchestra, was Principal Second violin for the 2017 All State Orchestra, and was recently Concertmaster of the 2018 All State Orchestra this past January. In the summer of 2016, Solveig attended the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Tennessee, where she was Concertmaster of the Cumberland Orchestra. This past summer of 2017 Solveig attended the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where she was a member of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, and received a special Fine Arts Award in violin. This upcoming March, 2018, Solveig has been selected to be a member of the Honors Orchestra of America and will be going to Indianapolis to perform with other high school musicians from around the United States.
Siri Heglund Geenen, violin (Season 2-14, 16-20)
Siri Heglund Geenen received her Bachelor of Music in violin performance from Northwestern University and her Master of Music in violin performance and Suzuki pedagogy from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has been concertmaster of the Columbia Civic Orchestra since 2003 and also a violinist in the Missouri Symphony Orchestra since 2005. In 2019 Siri received the Missouri ASTA "Studio Teacher of the Year" award. Siri runs a Suzuki violin studio out of her home in Columbia, Missouri and enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities. Siri also helps direct a music program through the City of Refuge that pairs advanced high school string players with young refugee children who want to learn the violin. One of her biggest joys in life has been sharing her love of violin and music with her two daughters, Solveig and Linnea who are both pursuing music degrees in college. Currently Solveig (BM, Northwestern University) is in her first year of a Master's in Music, violin performance, at the University of Michigan and Linnea is in her sophomore year in violin performance also at the University of Michigan. As an empty nester, Siri enjoys spending time exploring her love of the outdoors with her husband Rich, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Linnea Geenen, violin (Season 18)
Linnea Geenen is a 17 year old violinist and a senior at Hickman High School. She began playing the violin at age two with her mother Siri Geenen, a Suzuki violin teacher and now currently studies with Amy Appold. Linnea has attended various summer music festivals, including Sewanee Summer Music Festival in 2018 and Interlochen Art Camp in 2019, where she was a member of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and Center Stage Strings in 2021. She has also served as an apprentice with the professional Missouri Symphony Orchestra. Linnea has participated in various competitions, including the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) state competition, where she received first place in the 2017 7th through 9th grade division. She has also taken part in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) state-level competition, where she received honorable mention in the 2018 7th through 9th grade division. Linnea was a member of the 2020 Missouri All state orchestra and also plays in a chamber ensemble through the Columbia Music School. When she is not playing the violin, Linnea enjoys dancing ballet with Perlman Stoy School of ballet where she has studied classical ballet for 14 years, knitting, creating art, and finding new ways to exercise and stay active. Linnea plans to pursue violin performance with a possible minor in nutrition and psychology in college.
Linnea Geenen is a 17 year old violinist and a senior at Hickman High School. She began playing the violin at age two with her mother Siri Geenen, a Suzuki violin teacher and now currently studies with Amy Appold. Linnea has attended various summer music festivals, including Sewanee Summer Music Festival in 2018 and Interlochen Art Camp in 2019, where she was a member of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and Center Stage Strings in 2021. She has also served as an apprentice with the professional Missouri Symphony Orchestra. Linnea has participated in various competitions, including the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) state competition, where she received first place in the 2017 7th through 9th grade division. She has also taken part in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) state-level competition, where she received honorable mention in the 2018 7th through 9th grade division. Linnea was a member of the 2020 Missouri All state orchestra and also plays in a chamber ensemble through the Columbia Music School. When she is not playing the violin, Linnea enjoys dancing ballet with Perlman Stoy School of ballet where she has studied classical ballet for 14 years, knitting, creating art, and finding new ways to exercise and stay active. Linnea plans to pursue violin performance with a possible minor in nutrition and psychology in college.
puckmaren glass, percussion (Season 13 Fellow, 14, 15)
puck glass completed puck's masters degree in percussion performance at the University of Missouri. puck recently graduated with degrees in music education and music therapy from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. puck then taught K-2 music in the Blackhawk School District. She has had many performance opportunities performing with Undercroft Opera, Edgewood Symphony, Columbia Civic Orchestra, and with many community and professional theater companies. puck was also the Student Member Representative on the Board of Advisors and is a Student Delegate for the Percussive Arts Society. After an exciting summer working with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series Summer Festival as the Percussion Teaching Assistant in 2016 and 2017, puck served as the Odyssey Chamber Music Series Performance Fellow (Season 13), and is a member of the Odyssey Board. Notable performances include playing an intonarumori residency at the Cleveland Museum of Art, numerous performances of Inuksuit throughout the country, and performing as the timpanist for Undercrofts’ Floyd’s Susannah, runner up of the American Prize. puck currently works as a music instructor at the Blue Ridge Elementary School. When not musically involved, puck can be found playing with her cats, hiking on a trail, or curled up with some coffee and a good book. puck studied under Megan Arns, RJ Heid, and PJ Gatch.
puck glass completed puck's masters degree in percussion performance at the University of Missouri. puck recently graduated with degrees in music education and music therapy from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. puck then taught K-2 music in the Blackhawk School District. She has had many performance opportunities performing with Undercroft Opera, Edgewood Symphony, Columbia Civic Orchestra, and with many community and professional theater companies. puck was also the Student Member Representative on the Board of Advisors and is a Student Delegate for the Percussive Arts Society. After an exciting summer working with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series Summer Festival as the Percussion Teaching Assistant in 2016 and 2017, puck served as the Odyssey Chamber Music Series Performance Fellow (Season 13), and is a member of the Odyssey Board. Notable performances include playing an intonarumori residency at the Cleveland Museum of Art, numerous performances of Inuksuit throughout the country, and performing as the timpanist for Undercrofts’ Floyd’s Susannah, runner up of the American Prize. puck currently works as a music instructor at the Blue Ridge Elementary School. When not musically involved, puck can be found playing with her cats, hiking on a trail, or curled up with some coffee and a good book. puck studied under Megan Arns, RJ Heid, and PJ Gatch.
Steve Geibel, flute (Season 8-11+)
Steven Geibel received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois, the Master of Music degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and has completed additional graduate study at Florida State University in Tallahassee. His principal teacher was Charles Delaney, and he has performed in masterclasses with Marcel Moyse, Michel Debost, and Robert Willoughby. Professor Geibel has held office in the National Flute Association and performed as soloist at the 15th and 22nd NFA conventions. He is a founding member of the Missouri Quintet, ensemble-in-residence at the University, which made its Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1989 and performs both in the U.S. and abroad. The quintet completed its third compact disc recording released in 2001. Professor Geibel performs on the Baroque flute as well as the modern flute.
Maya C. Gibson, narrator (Season 15, 16, 18, 19)
The beauty of Black music resides in its tones, but its power lies in the narrative. Thus, the narrative we choose when we tell the story of Black music is paramount to the public’s reception, appreciation, and dissemination of it. The inextricable nexus between literature, art, and music to the history of Black people in American culture cannot be easily overstated. Assistant Teaching Professor Maya C. Gibson currently teaches interdisciplinary courses in the humanities and music at the University of Missouri’s Honors College. Her interest in Black music enables her to teach across a wide spectrum of styles—folk, art, jazz, and popular musics—while highlighting the historical significance of Black American participation both within and outside of the larger American cultural narrative.
The beauty of Black music resides in its tones, but its power lies in the narrative. Thus, the narrative we choose when we tell the story of Black music is paramount to the public’s reception, appreciation, and dissemination of it. The inextricable nexus between literature, art, and music to the history of Black people in American culture cannot be easily overstated. Assistant Teaching Professor Maya C. Gibson currently teaches interdisciplinary courses in the humanities and music at the University of Missouri’s Honors College. Her interest in Black music enables her to teach across a wide spectrum of styles—folk, art, jazz, and popular musics—while highlighting the historical significance of Black American participation both within and outside of the larger American cultural narrative.
Anthony Gilbert, viola (Season 10)
Violist Anthony Gilbert is currently serving as Executive Director of the Eroica Ensemble. Born in Memphis, he grew up playing violin in the Memphis Civic Orchestra, and community orchestra conducted by his grandfather, Noel Gilbert. After graduating from White Station High he went to Oberlin College. Upon his graduation from Oberlin in 2001, Anthony moved to Chicago where he earned a Master of Music degree in viola performance from Roosevelt University and was a violist with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. He was the violin teacher at the Merit School of Music and served as a member of the faculty at Northeastern Illinois University. Now living in Memphis, he can be heard on I Can’t Stop and Everything is OK, two recent albums from legendary soul-singer Al Green as well as Roots and Crowns, the latest recording from the Chicago-based band, Califone.
Daniel Gilbert, violin (Season 10)
Daniel Gilbert is a free-lance violinist currently residing in Memphis. He performs regularly with the Memphis Symphony and the Arkansas Symphony. He is the concertmaster of the Corinth Symphony in Mississippi and a former member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from Roosevelt University in addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music/Liberal Arts from Indiana University. He holds a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from the University of Memphis. Mr. Gilbert has performed in music festivals in Colorado, Prague, Japan, and Corsica.
Anthony Glise, guitar | lute (Season 8, 9)
Anthony Glise earned his MM in Classical Guitar Performance at New England Conservatory (Boston) with additional study at Konservatorium der Stadt (Vienna) and diplomas in 19th-Century performance practice from ARCUM (Rome), Accademia degli Studi, “L’Ottocento” (Vigevano and Pieve di Teco, Italy). His primary teachers include Pepe Romero, Christopher Parkening and conductor, Benjamin Zander. Glise also holds language diplomas from the Université Catholique de Lille (France) and the Universität-Wien (Vienna, Austria). He is the only American-born guitarist to win first prize at the International Toscanini Competition (Italy) and the only guitarist ever awarded the “Individual Artist of the Year” by the Missouri Arts Council (2006) with citations from the Missouri State Senate and House of Representatives. Glise has also won awards for composition at Ville Sable-sur-Sarthe (France), ARCUM (Rome), and the Nemzetközi Gitárfesztivál (Hungary). He is author/editor of over 60 musical editions and books for “The Anthony Glise Editions” (Willis Music Company), “The Anthony Glise Urtext Editions” (Mel Bay Publications) and “The Original Compositions of Anthony Glise” (Ævia Publications-France). Glise has premiered his original compositions and performed in New York (including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center), Chicago (Dame Myra Hess Concert Series and other venues), Rome (Santa Maria degli Angeli), Vienna (Vienna International Center), Lille (Nouveau Siècle of the French National Orchestra), and Esztergom (Hungary). His articles have appeared in The Soundboard (US), Guitar International (England), and Gitarre und Laute (Germany), and Glise has acted as Artist-in-Residence and Touring Artist for numerous US state arts councils and similar European programs. To-date, Glise has released nine CDs and DVDs which have consistently received 5-star reviews in magazines including The Soundboard, Guitar Player Magazine, Gramophone, Audiophile (US), Les Cahiers de la Guitare, Le Diapiason (France), Luster (Holland), Gitarre Aktuelle, Gitarre und Laute (Germany), Tarkus (Norway), Classica (Italy), etc. These recordings feature traditional works and original compositions (solo, chamber, choral, orchestral and ballet). His first recording, Overview, was chosen as one of the year’s “Top-5 Classical Releases” by Vienna Life Magazine (Austria), along with recordings by Murray Perahia and Leonard Bernstein. Anthony’s non-classical activity includes work with the avant-garde ensemble, The Nova Project, featuring his original compositions with classical, rock and jazz artists including Ken Sugita (violin, French National Orchestra), Jan Akkerman (former lead guitarist for the Dutch group, Focus), et al. In 2006 Glise was elected to the board of an on-going project of the national French organization, Domaine Musique, to help develop better relations between French composers and feature film directors. He is the only non-French ever invited to that prestigious assembly. Glise directs both the St. Joseph International Guitar Festival (US) and the guitar festival, Six Strings and the Spirit held in Chartres, France. Official Website: www.AnthonyGlise.com
Sopranist Lucas Gonzaga is from São Paulo, Brazil, and is currently a graduate student and teaching assistant in the voice area at the University of Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and is pursuing a Master of Music in Vocal Performance under Professor Steven Tharp. Gonzaga began his studies in music in 2002, studying violin for 9 years and harp for 10. As a violinist, he was named concertmaster of the Municipal Youth Orchestra of São Paulo at the age of fifteen. As a harpist, he studied with the Italian harpist Paola Baron, played on Andrea Bocelli's Brazilian tour, and has been playing professionally in orchestras ever since. Gonzaga is a former harpist of the São Paulo State Youth Orchestra as well as a former soprano at the Academic Choir of the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (OSESP). He was one of the winners of the 2023 Emerging Artist Competition of University of Missouri and is a member of the Show-Me Opera, having sung the role of Oberon in Benjamin Britten's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in the Spring of 2023.
John Goodson, flute (Season 19)
John Goodson is a Junior at Mizzou studying Flute performance under Professor Alice K. Dade. Originally from Grenada MS, he was a member of the Mississippi Lion's All-State Band and graduated from Northwest Mississippi Community College in May of 2022. At Mizzou he has had many opportunities to perform in ensembles including the University Philharmonic, the University Wind Ensemble, and Flute Studio. In the spring of 2021, John was chosen as one of the winners of the National Flute Association's Collegiate Flute Choir Competition for both the 2021 and 2022 Conventions.
John Goodson is a Junior at Mizzou studying Flute performance under Professor Alice K. Dade. Originally from Grenada MS, he was a member of the Mississippi Lion's All-State Band and graduated from Northwest Mississippi Community College in May of 2022. At Mizzou he has had many opportunities to perform in ensembles including the University Philharmonic, the University Wind Ensemble, and Flute Studio. In the spring of 2021, John was chosen as one of the winners of the National Flute Association's Collegiate Flute Choir Competition for both the 2021 and 2022 Conventions.
Harry González, composer (Season 20)
Harry González is a Colombian composer of contemporary, chamber, and orchestra music, a violinist, and a pianist. His music reflects his interpretation and feelings on existential human issues, as well as personal experiences and adventures. His music has been commissioned by organizations like The Sheldon Arts Foundation, the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, the Medellin Philharmonic Orchestra, and the new music ensemble Periscopio of Universidad EAFIT, and it has been performed in musical events in Colombia, such as the XIV Cartagena Music Festival, Concurso Nacional Violinissimo in Medellin, and Colombia se Compone in Bogotá, and internationally, in Contemporáneos III in San Ramón, San José, Cartago and Turrialba, Costa Rica, in the Student Composers Recital and the Missouri Composers Project at the University of Missouri, and at the Del Mar International Composers Symposium. Professionally, González has gained important experience playing violin with the Colombian popular music singer Arelys Henao, editing music by Manuel Maria Párraga and Pedro Morales Pino for the project Historias del Piano Colombiano, playing as a accompany pianist for Mizzou students, and recently, won first place in the Humanities division of the Research and Creative Activities Forum at Mizzou with his research on how music can be used as a means to convey climate change. Currently, González is pursuing his Master of Music degree in Composition at the University of Missouri with the guidance of Stefan Freund and Utku Asuroglu and working as a teaching assistant for the Mizzou New Music Initiative.
Harry González is a Colombian composer of contemporary, chamber, and orchestra music, a violinist, and a pianist. His music reflects his interpretation and feelings on existential human issues, as well as personal experiences and adventures. His music has been commissioned by organizations like The Sheldon Arts Foundation, the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, the Medellin Philharmonic Orchestra, and the new music ensemble Periscopio of Universidad EAFIT, and it has been performed in musical events in Colombia, such as the XIV Cartagena Music Festival, Concurso Nacional Violinissimo in Medellin, and Colombia se Compone in Bogotá, and internationally, in Contemporáneos III in San Ramón, San José, Cartago and Turrialba, Costa Rica, in the Student Composers Recital and the Missouri Composers Project at the University of Missouri, and at the Del Mar International Composers Symposium. Professionally, González has gained important experience playing violin with the Colombian popular music singer Arelys Henao, editing music by Manuel Maria Párraga and Pedro Morales Pino for the project Historias del Piano Colombiano, playing as a accompany pianist for Mizzou students, and recently, won first place in the Humanities division of the Research and Creative Activities Forum at Mizzou with his research on how music can be used as a means to convey climate change. Currently, González is pursuing his Master of Music degree in Composition at the University of Missouri with the guidance of Stefan Freund and Utku Asuroglu and working as a teaching assistant for the Mizzou New Music Initiative.
Julia Gundacker, flute (Season 17)
Performer and private instructor in the Columbia, Missouri area, Julia Gundacker recently earned her Master's degree in flute performance at The University of Alabama under the instruction of Diane Boyd Schultz. At the university, she performed regularly with the Huxford Symphony Orchestra and the Huxford Wind Quintet. She completed her undergraduate degree in Flute Performance at the University of Arizona with Brian Luce. There, she performed with many of the university's large ensembles, including the Arizona Symphony Orchestra, The UA Philharmonic Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds, and the University of Arizona’s resident flute choir, Flutefinity. In 2016, she performed with Flutefinity at the National Flute Association convention in San Diego. She was a founding member of UA Musicians on Tour, a group that promotes University of Arizona student performers throughout Arizona. With this group, Julia has performed a collaborative recital with harpist Hannah Knight, a solo recital with pianist Dylan Dominguez, and appeared in concert with world renowned harp ensemble, Harpfusion. Julia has given numerous solo performances and recitals throughout Arizona and Alabama. Julia has participated in numerous festivals, masterclasses, and competitions both in Arizona and internationally. She received the First Prize in the Prescott Center for the Arts competition as well as the Second Price in the Prescott Symphony Guild solo competition. In her collegiate career, Julia has performed in masterclasses for renowned flutists such as Diane Boyd Schultz, Julieta Cedillo, Mary Karen Clardy, and Susan Milan. In 2015, Julia was the runner up the Fred Fox School of Music President’s Concerto Competition, where she performed Andre Jolive’s Flute Concerto. In the summer of 2015, Julia was an orchestral flutist, chamber musician, and soloist in the International Lyric Academy in Viterbo, Soriano nel Cimino, and Tarquinia, Italy. She recently was awarded 2nd place in the graduate division of the University of Alabama School of Music Concerto Competition for her performance of Nielsen's Flute Concerto.
Performer and private instructor in the Columbia, Missouri area, Julia Gundacker recently earned her Master's degree in flute performance at The University of Alabama under the instruction of Diane Boyd Schultz. At the university, she performed regularly with the Huxford Symphony Orchestra and the Huxford Wind Quintet. She completed her undergraduate degree in Flute Performance at the University of Arizona with Brian Luce. There, she performed with many of the university's large ensembles, including the Arizona Symphony Orchestra, The UA Philharmonic Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds, and the University of Arizona’s resident flute choir, Flutefinity. In 2016, she performed with Flutefinity at the National Flute Association convention in San Diego. She was a founding member of UA Musicians on Tour, a group that promotes University of Arizona student performers throughout Arizona. With this group, Julia has performed a collaborative recital with harpist Hannah Knight, a solo recital with pianist Dylan Dominguez, and appeared in concert with world renowned harp ensemble, Harpfusion. Julia has given numerous solo performances and recitals throughout Arizona and Alabama. Julia has participated in numerous festivals, masterclasses, and competitions both in Arizona and internationally. She received the First Prize in the Prescott Center for the Arts competition as well as the Second Price in the Prescott Symphony Guild solo competition. In her collegiate career, Julia has performed in masterclasses for renowned flutists such as Diane Boyd Schultz, Julieta Cedillo, Mary Karen Clardy, and Susan Milan. In 2015, Julia was the runner up the Fred Fox School of Music President’s Concerto Competition, where she performed Andre Jolive’s Flute Concerto. In the summer of 2015, Julia was an orchestral flutist, chamber musician, and soloist in the International Lyric Academy in Viterbo, Soriano nel Cimino, and Tarquinia, Italy. She recently was awarded 2nd place in the graduate division of the University of Alabama School of Music Concerto Competition for her performance of Nielsen's Flute Concerto.
Matt Hamilton, trumpet (Season 20)
Matt Hamilton, trumpet, is a sophomore music education major at Central Methodist University. He is a member of the CMU Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Marching Eagle Band. Recently, he was selected and performed with the Missouri All-Collegiate Jazz Ensemble in which he was a featured soloist. He also performed last year at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference with the CMU Concert Band. He has enhanced several church services as a trumpet soloist at Linn Memorial United Methodist, Moscow Mills United Methodist, and St. Stephen's United Methodist. Graduating from Troy Buchanan High School, he was selected and performed in the All-State Jazz Ensembles in 2021 and 2022. In his spare time, he plays and studies the saxophone. His lifelong goal is to be a jazz instructor at a prestigious university.
Matt Hamilton, trumpet, is a sophomore music education major at Central Methodist University. He is a member of the CMU Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Marching Eagle Band. Recently, he was selected and performed with the Missouri All-Collegiate Jazz Ensemble in which he was a featured soloist. He also performed last year at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference with the CMU Concert Band. He has enhanced several church services as a trumpet soloist at Linn Memorial United Methodist, Moscow Mills United Methodist, and St. Stephen's United Methodist. Graduating from Troy Buchanan High School, he was selected and performed in the All-State Jazz Ensembles in 2021 and 2022. In his spare time, he plays and studies the saxophone. His lifelong goal is to be a jazz instructor at a prestigious university.
Ed Hanson, narrator (Season 20)
Ed Hanson is a retired music educator and the founder of Talking Horse Productions, a local theatre company located in the North Village Arts District of downtown Columbia. He currently serves as the president of the board at Talking Horse, as well as the president of the Missouri Symphony League. An avid supporter of the arts, Ed was chosen as the first winner of the Missourian Progress Award for Progress in the Arts (2017). He currently serves as the director of music at Calvary Episcopal Church, his home parish since 1977, directing the adult choir and the handbell ensemble. Before he founded Talking Horse Productions in 2012, Ed worked professionally around the country for regional theatre companies as an actor. At Talking Horse, he has appeared in numerous plays and musicals, including SWEENEY TODD, NEXT TO NORMAL, THE DINING ROOM, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, THE SUDDEN GLIDE, OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS, THE GIN GAME, and many children's theatre productions. He has also served as director and/or music director of multiple productions there. Professional credits at the Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock include THE SOUND OF MUSIC, DAMN YANKEES, and 1776. Ed may be best known in Columbia as a vocalist, and he specializes in music from the Great American Songbook, singing arrangements made famous by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, and others. He very much appreciates this opportunity to work with the wonderful people at Odyssey!
Ed Hanson is a retired music educator and the founder of Talking Horse Productions, a local theatre company located in the North Village Arts District of downtown Columbia. He currently serves as the president of the board at Talking Horse, as well as the president of the Missouri Symphony League. An avid supporter of the arts, Ed was chosen as the first winner of the Missourian Progress Award for Progress in the Arts (2017). He currently serves as the director of music at Calvary Episcopal Church, his home parish since 1977, directing the adult choir and the handbell ensemble. Before he founded Talking Horse Productions in 2012, Ed worked professionally around the country for regional theatre companies as an actor. At Talking Horse, he has appeared in numerous plays and musicals, including SWEENEY TODD, NEXT TO NORMAL, THE DINING ROOM, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, THE SUDDEN GLIDE, OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS, THE GIN GAME, and many children's theatre productions. He has also served as director and/or music director of multiple productions there. Professional credits at the Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock include THE SOUND OF MUSIC, DAMN YANKEES, and 1776. Ed may be best known in Columbia as a vocalist, and he specializes in music from the Great American Songbook, singing arrangements made famous by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, and others. He very much appreciates this opportunity to work with the wonderful people at Odyssey!
Noah Hartsfield, director (Season 20)
Noah began ringing handbells in 2nd grade at First United Methodist Church in Kirksville, Missouri. This fall marks his 30th year of ringing handbells. He has played with multiple church choirs as well as with the Columbia Handbell Ensemble (CHE), a community handbell ensemble that performs high caliber, concert level music. Over his 13 years of ringing with CHE; he performed with the ensemble at multiple high profile concert engagements; including as the featured ensemble for the regional handbell conferences of Area 8 (Midwest States) in Topeka, Kansas, and Area 1 (New England) in Amherst, Massachusetts; as well as the 2011 National Director's Seminar for the Handbell Musicians of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Noah has also served as a faculty member for handbell festivals and conferences teaching classes on bass bell techniques as well as community ensemble management and organization. Noah has been attending First Baptist Church since mid-2000's. He began his tenure as Director of the Handbell Program in 2019 after having rung in the ensemble for over a decade. In addition to leading the Chancel Bells, he has undertaken initiatives to introduce new ringers to handbells, led a children’s handbell choir, and organized an ecumenical handbell concert featuring 57 ringers from seven area churches. Noah received his Bachelor of Ars in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Missouri where he concentrated in psychology, sociology, and music. Outside of music, he is a talent and human resources professional and currently works as an HR Recruiter for the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.
Noah began ringing handbells in 2nd grade at First United Methodist Church in Kirksville, Missouri. This fall marks his 30th year of ringing handbells. He has played with multiple church choirs as well as with the Columbia Handbell Ensemble (CHE), a community handbell ensemble that performs high caliber, concert level music. Over his 13 years of ringing with CHE; he performed with the ensemble at multiple high profile concert engagements; including as the featured ensemble for the regional handbell conferences of Area 8 (Midwest States) in Topeka, Kansas, and Area 1 (New England) in Amherst, Massachusetts; as well as the 2011 National Director's Seminar for the Handbell Musicians of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Noah has also served as a faculty member for handbell festivals and conferences teaching classes on bass bell techniques as well as community ensemble management and organization. Noah has been attending First Baptist Church since mid-2000's. He began his tenure as Director of the Handbell Program in 2019 after having rung in the ensemble for over a decade. In addition to leading the Chancel Bells, he has undertaken initiatives to introduce new ringers to handbells, led a children’s handbell choir, and organized an ecumenical handbell concert featuring 57 ringers from seven area churches. Noah received his Bachelor of Ars in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Missouri where he concentrated in psychology, sociology, and music. Outside of music, he is a talent and human resources professional and currently works as an HR Recruiter for the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.
Trevor Harris, narrator (Season 12)
Trevor Harris serves as KBIA’s weekday morning host for classical music. He has been involved with local radio since 1990, when he began volunteering as a music and news programmer at KOPN, Columbia's community radio station. Before joining KBIA, Trevor studied social work at Mizzou and earned a masters degree in geography at the University of Alabama. He has worked in community development and in urban and bicycle/pedestrian planning, and recently served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia with his wife, Lisa Groshong. An avid bicycle commuter and jazz fan, Trevor has cycled as far as Colorado and pawed through record bins in three continents.
Trevor Harris serves as KBIA’s weekday morning host for classical music. He has been involved with local radio since 1990, when he began volunteering as a music and news programmer at KOPN, Columbia's community radio station. Before joining KBIA, Trevor studied social work at Mizzou and earned a masters degree in geography at the University of Alabama. He has worked in community development and in urban and bicycle/pedestrian planning, and recently served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zambia with his wife, Lisa Groshong. An avid bicycle commuter and jazz fan, Trevor has cycled as far as Colorado and pawed through record bins in three continents.
Maura Higgins, double bass (Season 13-15)
Maura Higgins is a senior studying chemical engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She takes bass lessons under Professor Sue Stubbs and participates in the University Philharmonic Orchestra. After college, Maura hopes to continue playing the bass while pursuing her career as a chemical engineer.
Maura Higgins is a senior studying chemical engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She takes bass lessons under Professor Sue Stubbs and participates in the University Philharmonic Orchestra. After college, Maura hopes to continue playing the bass while pursuing her career as a chemical engineer.
Peter Henderson, piano (Season 11)
A versatile pianist, Peter Henderson is active as a performer in solo, chamber, and orchestral settings. Mr. Henderson is currently Associate Professor of Music and Artist-in-Residence at Maryville University in Saint Louis, where he has served on the faculty since fall 2005. He performs frequently as an ensemble keyboardist with the Saint Louis Symphony, and made his debut as a subscription-concert soloist with that orchestra in January 2008. Over the past several seasons, he has often given pre-concert lectures from the Saint Louis Symphony's Powell Hall stage. Peter Henderson has been an orchestral and chamber keyboardist with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony since its 2004 season, and has coached chamber music ensembles at the week-long SoCal Chamber Music Workshop most summers since 2001. In 2003, he was a winner of the Saint Louis-based Artist Presentation Society's auditions. Mr. Henderson holds the degree Doctor of Music from Indiana University-Bloomington (having studied piano there with Dr. Karen Shaw); before attending IU, Mr. Henderson studied piano at the University of Idaho-Moscow with Dr. Jay Mauchley. Peter Henderson’s ongoing musical partnerships include the Ilex Piano Trio, featuring Saint Louis Symphony musicians Kristin Ahlstrom, violinist (his lovely wife), and Anne Fagerburg Jacob, cellist. Mr. Henderson is an advocate of new music, having given several premieres of solo piano and chamber works. In recent years, Mr. Henderson has played solo recitals focused upon works of a single composer: during the 2011-12 season, he performed the 32 piano sonatas of Beethoven; in November and December 2012, he presented the complete piano works of Debussy; and in November 2013, he played Chopin’s 27 Études in a single concert. He and Kristin live in Saint Louis with their lively, sweet beagle/dachshund/terrier Zinni.
A versatile pianist, Peter Henderson is active as a performer in solo, chamber, and orchestral settings. Mr. Henderson is currently Associate Professor of Music and Artist-in-Residence at Maryville University in Saint Louis, where he has served on the faculty since fall 2005. He performs frequently as an ensemble keyboardist with the Saint Louis Symphony, and made his debut as a subscription-concert soloist with that orchestra in January 2008. Over the past several seasons, he has often given pre-concert lectures from the Saint Louis Symphony's Powell Hall stage. Peter Henderson has been an orchestral and chamber keyboardist with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony since its 2004 season, and has coached chamber music ensembles at the week-long SoCal Chamber Music Workshop most summers since 2001. In 2003, he was a winner of the Saint Louis-based Artist Presentation Society's auditions. Mr. Henderson holds the degree Doctor of Music from Indiana University-Bloomington (having studied piano there with Dr. Karen Shaw); before attending IU, Mr. Henderson studied piano at the University of Idaho-Moscow with Dr. Jay Mauchley. Peter Henderson’s ongoing musical partnerships include the Ilex Piano Trio, featuring Saint Louis Symphony musicians Kristin Ahlstrom, violinist (his lovely wife), and Anne Fagerburg Jacob, cellist. Mr. Henderson is an advocate of new music, having given several premieres of solo piano and chamber works. In recent years, Mr. Henderson has played solo recitals focused upon works of a single composer: during the 2011-12 season, he performed the 32 piano sonatas of Beethoven; in November and December 2012, he presented the complete piano works of Debussy; and in November 2013, he played Chopin’s 27 Études in a single concert. He and Kristin live in Saint Louis with their lively, sweet beagle/dachshund/terrier Zinni.
Joseph Hendricks, bassoon (Season 13)
Originally from East St. Louis, IL, Joseph Hendricks is currently a graduate student at the University of Missouri studying Library Science. He earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Missouri-St. Louis where he studied with Robert Mottl, retired St. Louis Symphony musician. Recent teachers include Kara LaMoure and Leigh Muñoz. While in St. Louis, Joseph performed with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra for three seasons under the baton of conductors such as Ward Stare, Steven Jarvi, and David Robertson. Joseph has recently subbed with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra in Quincy, Illinois. Locally, Joseph has performed with the Columbia Civic Orchestra and the Missouri Symphony.
Originally from East St. Louis, IL, Joseph Hendricks is currently a graduate student at the University of Missouri studying Library Science. He earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Missouri-St. Louis where he studied with Robert Mottl, retired St. Louis Symphony musician. Recent teachers include Kara LaMoure and Leigh Muñoz. While in St. Louis, Joseph performed with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra for three seasons under the baton of conductors such as Ward Stare, Steven Jarvi, and David Robertson. Joseph has recently subbed with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra in Quincy, Illinois. Locally, Joseph has performed with the Columbia Civic Orchestra and the Missouri Symphony.
Sydney Hendrickson, horn (Season 19-20)
Sydney Hendrickson is a junior at Mizzou currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in performance studying under Professor Amanda Collins. She has had the opportunity of playing in many ensembles including the University Philharmonic Orchestra, the University Wind Ensemble, The Missouri Symphony, the Southside Philharmonic, and the Horn Studio's 'Miz-Q' Horn Quartet.
Sydney Hendrickson is a junior at Mizzou currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in performance studying under Professor Amanda Collins. She has had the opportunity of playing in many ensembles including the University Philharmonic Orchestra, the University Wind Ensemble, The Missouri Symphony, the Southside Philharmonic, and the Horn Studio's 'Miz-Q' Horn Quartet.
Matthew Henry, percussion (Season 13)
Matthew Henry is in his fourteenth year as Director of Percussion Studies and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Specializing in Non-Western percussion such as the drumming of the Malinke ethnic group of West Africa (djembe orchestra) and Cuban styles (popular and folkloric), he has presented numerous clinics, master classes, and residencies focused on these topics. His baccalaureate studies were completed in Music Performance at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and he holds a Master’s Degree in Orchestral Performance from Webster University. He is a voting member of the International Percussive Arts Society World Percussion Committee and a member of the Musicians Association of St. Louis, Local 2-197. His clinic and master class schedule includes Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Indiana, Southeast Missouri State, Truman State University, the University of Oklahoma, Lindenwood University, Webster University, the annual Missouri Music Edicators Conference, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. In addition to educational engagements, Matthew performs regularly around the St. Louis area. Some of those credits included the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Webster University orchestra (principal, timpanist), Gateway Festival Orchestra (principal, timpanist), Union Avenue Opera (principal), Muny Orchestra (drum set), Musica SLESA (music director, drum set), the Nuclear Percussion Ensemble, Funky Butt Brass Band, and HaZMaT Percussion Trio. The most recent addition to his endeavors is SpecDrum; a non-profit organization providing community outreach and world culture education through music and drumming. Matthew Henry is Artist/Educational Clinician for REMO, Vic Firth and LP.
Matthew Henry is in his fourteenth year as Director of Percussion Studies and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Specializing in Non-Western percussion such as the drumming of the Malinke ethnic group of West Africa (djembe orchestra) and Cuban styles (popular and folkloric), he has presented numerous clinics, master classes, and residencies focused on these topics. His baccalaureate studies were completed in Music Performance at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and he holds a Master’s Degree in Orchestral Performance from Webster University. He is a voting member of the International Percussive Arts Society World Percussion Committee and a member of the Musicians Association of St. Louis, Local 2-197. His clinic and master class schedule includes Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Indiana, Southeast Missouri State, Truman State University, the University of Oklahoma, Lindenwood University, Webster University, the annual Missouri Music Edicators Conference, and the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. In addition to educational engagements, Matthew performs regularly around the St. Louis area. Some of those credits included the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Webster University orchestra (principal, timpanist), Gateway Festival Orchestra (principal, timpanist), Union Avenue Opera (principal), Muny Orchestra (drum set), Musica SLESA (music director, drum set), the Nuclear Percussion Ensemble, Funky Butt Brass Band, and HaZMaT Percussion Trio. The most recent addition to his endeavors is SpecDrum; a non-profit organization providing community outreach and world culture education through music and drumming. Matthew Henry is Artist/Educational Clinician for REMO, Vic Firth and LP.
Sofia Heredia, violin (Season 19 Concerto Competition Winner, 20)
Sofia Heredia has been playing violin since she was 6 years old. She is currently studying under Eva Szekely at the University of Missouri. Sofia has been the Concertmaster of the Missouri Symphony (MOSY), played with MOSY’s Hot Summer Nights summer festival, and plays with the University of Missouri’s Philharmonic. As a Hickman High School junior, she has been accepted to the Missouri All-State Orchestra all three years. Sofia has also received a gold state rating in MSHSAA and placed each year in MMTA. She also enjoys drawing, reading, playing piano, and traveling. Sofia is very excited to continue growing and spreading her love of music in her future.
Sofia Heredia has been playing violin since she was 6 years old. She is currently studying under Eva Szekely at the University of Missouri. Sofia has been the Concertmaster of the Missouri Symphony (MOSY), played with MOSY’s Hot Summer Nights summer festival, and plays with the University of Missouri’s Philharmonic. As a Hickman High School junior, she has been accepted to the Missouri All-State Orchestra all three years. Sofia has also received a gold state rating in MSHSAA and placed each year in MMTA. She also enjoys drawing, reading, playing piano, and traveling. Sofia is very excited to continue growing and spreading her love of music in her future.
Anthony Hernandez, piano (Season 18)
Anthony Hernandez is a collaborative pianist, organist, composer, and teacher who earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2009. He has worked as music director, rehearsal accompanist, assistant music director, and/or pit keyboardist for over 20 musical productions with numerous production companies. He has performed extensively as a collaborative and solo pianist throughout Missouri, the Midwest, Southern California, and Brasília, Brazil. As a composer, he premiered orchestral works with the Columbia Civic Orchestra and the 9th Street Philharmonic Orchestra and continues to compose. Hernandez was a regular on-staff collaborative pianist for Stephens College of the Performing Arts and Columbia College of Missouri. He was a ballet accompanist with Columbia Performing Arts Center, playing for their summer intensive programs from 2015 to 2018. He served as pianist and organist at First Church of Christ, Scientist of Columbia from 2012 to 2018, and at Missouri United Methodist Church for 11 years. Hernandez also has maintained a full piano studio, teaching students of all ages, all styles of music from pop and rock to classical, musical theatre, and jazz. In the summer of 2018, Hernandez moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he was a piano and beginning violin instructor at Sunset Learning Studio in Manhattan Beach. He provided service music for the Twentieth Church of Christ, Scientist in Venice on Sunday mornings and was a piano accompanist for the Culver City Middle School choirs, and was a regular ballet pianist at the Pasadena Dance Theatre. Due to the global pandemic, he returned to Missouri, in St Louis, where he taught lessons virtually and has also returned to his alma mater to pursue graduate studies in Collaborative Piano.
Anthony Hernandez is a collaborative pianist, organist, composer, and teacher who earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2009. He has worked as music director, rehearsal accompanist, assistant music director, and/or pit keyboardist for over 20 musical productions with numerous production companies. He has performed extensively as a collaborative and solo pianist throughout Missouri, the Midwest, Southern California, and Brasília, Brazil. As a composer, he premiered orchestral works with the Columbia Civic Orchestra and the 9th Street Philharmonic Orchestra and continues to compose. Hernandez was a regular on-staff collaborative pianist for Stephens College of the Performing Arts and Columbia College of Missouri. He was a ballet accompanist with Columbia Performing Arts Center, playing for their summer intensive programs from 2015 to 2018. He served as pianist and organist at First Church of Christ, Scientist of Columbia from 2012 to 2018, and at Missouri United Methodist Church for 11 years. Hernandez also has maintained a full piano studio, teaching students of all ages, all styles of music from pop and rock to classical, musical theatre, and jazz. In the summer of 2018, Hernandez moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he was a piano and beginning violin instructor at Sunset Learning Studio in Manhattan Beach. He provided service music for the Twentieth Church of Christ, Scientist in Venice on Sunday mornings and was a piano accompanist for the Culver City Middle School choirs, and was a regular ballet pianist at the Pasadena Dance Theatre. Due to the global pandemic, he returned to Missouri, in St Louis, where he taught lessons virtually and has also returned to his alma mater to pursue graduate studies in Collaborative Piano.
Hans Bridger Heruth, piano | violin (Season 15-17)
Hans Bridger Heruth [b. 1997] is an award-winning composer whose music has been praised as “lovely and delicate” and “impressively stylish” (The American Prize), and for having an “invigorating richness” (KC Metropolis). In addition, he is a conductor, pianist, singer, and violinist of distinction. As a composer, his works have been performed by many different ensembles, most notably the Midwest Chamber Ensemble, KC Vitas Chamber Choir, Vox Nova, Canticum Novum Mizzou, the Show-Me Opera Program, the Heartland Men’s Chorus, the Volker Brass Quintet, and Deviant Septet. In addition to these ensembles, his works have been performed by renowned solo and chamber musicians, including tenor Steven Tharp, pianist Paola Savvidou, pianist Peter Henderson, and violinist Eva Szekely. Heruth has received many accolades for his compositions, most recently as a winner of the 2019-2020 American Prize in Composition in both the opera and the vocal chamber music categories, and a finalist for the 2019-2020 American Prize in Composition in both the instrumental chamber and choral music categories. Recent projects include Wytchkraft for the St. Louis Symphony, as well as multiple upcoming productions of his award-winning chamber opera A Certain Madness. As a performer, Heruth has frequently performed as a violinist with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, the Southside Philharmonic, and the University Philharmonic at the University of Missouri. As an opera singer, he has performed various roles such as Leporello in Mozart's Don Giovanni, Basilio in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Ford in Verdi's Falstaff in scenes, and Bartolo in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro and Simon Stimson in Ned Rorem's Our Town in a full production, all with the University of Missouri's Show-Me Opera. Heruth resides in Columbia, Missouri where he maintains an active schedule as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach.
Hans Bridger Heruth [b. 1997] is an award-winning composer whose music has been praised as “lovely and delicate” and “impressively stylish” (The American Prize), and for having an “invigorating richness” (KC Metropolis). In addition, he is a conductor, pianist, singer, and violinist of distinction. As a composer, his works have been performed by many different ensembles, most notably the Midwest Chamber Ensemble, KC Vitas Chamber Choir, Vox Nova, Canticum Novum Mizzou, the Show-Me Opera Program, the Heartland Men’s Chorus, the Volker Brass Quintet, and Deviant Septet. In addition to these ensembles, his works have been performed by renowned solo and chamber musicians, including tenor Steven Tharp, pianist Paola Savvidou, pianist Peter Henderson, and violinist Eva Szekely. Heruth has received many accolades for his compositions, most recently as a winner of the 2019-2020 American Prize in Composition in both the opera and the vocal chamber music categories, and a finalist for the 2019-2020 American Prize in Composition in both the instrumental chamber and choral music categories. Recent projects include Wytchkraft for the St. Louis Symphony, as well as multiple upcoming productions of his award-winning chamber opera A Certain Madness. As a performer, Heruth has frequently performed as a violinist with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, the Southside Philharmonic, and the University Philharmonic at the University of Missouri. As an opera singer, he has performed various roles such as Leporello in Mozart's Don Giovanni, Basilio in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Ford in Verdi's Falstaff in scenes, and Bartolo in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro and Simon Stimson in Ned Rorem's Our Town in a full production, all with the University of Missouri's Show-Me Opera. Heruth resides in Columbia, Missouri where he maintains an active schedule as a collaborative pianist and vocal coach.
Emma Hoeft, violoncello (Season 13, 14, 18)
Emma Hoeft, the 5th child in a large musical family, started studying cello with her older brother Philip at the age of four. She has since studied with Dr. Joyce Geeting, Ben Hong of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Richard Aaron, Melissa Kraut and Richard Weiss in the Young Artist Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Tanya Ell of the Cleveland Orchestra. Emma graduated from Rice University in May 2013 with a Bachelor of Music under the tutelage of Desmond Hoebig. Emma has appeared on the international public radio show “From the Top” twice, where she performed with her sister Katrina Savitski in 2003 and with an oboe quartet in 2008. In 2010, Emma was the featured soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra in their education series, performing Haydn’s cello concerto in D Major. Most recently, Emma presented and performed in a double cello recital entitled “Cellists for Clean Water” with her sister Bethany Bobbs in support of World Vision. Emma is currently a substitute cellist for the Houston Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, and Kansas City Symphony. Emma resides in Kansas City where she runs a private music studio
Emma Hoeft, the 5th child in a large musical family, started studying cello with her older brother Philip at the age of four. She has since studied with Dr. Joyce Geeting, Ben Hong of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Richard Aaron, Melissa Kraut and Richard Weiss in the Young Artist Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Tanya Ell of the Cleveland Orchestra. Emma graduated from Rice University in May 2013 with a Bachelor of Music under the tutelage of Desmond Hoebig. Emma has appeared on the international public radio show “From the Top” twice, where she performed with her sister Katrina Savitski in 2003 and with an oboe quartet in 2008. In 2010, Emma was the featured soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra in their education series, performing Haydn’s cello concerto in D Major. Most recently, Emma presented and performed in a double cello recital entitled “Cellists for Clean Water” with her sister Bethany Bobbs in support of World Vision. Emma is currently a substitute cellist for the Houston Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, and Kansas City Symphony. Emma resides in Kansas City where she runs a private music studio
Michael Hill, horn (Season 7, 8, 14)
Michael Justus Hill received his Bachelor's degree in Horn Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2012 studying under the instruction of Dr. Marcia Spence and later becoming a student of Dale Clevenger and Jeff Nelsen while attending Indiana University. In 2016, Michael began performing and teaching horn in the Houston area and held the position of Adjunct-Professor of Horn at Lone Star College-Montgomery. Since then Michael has been a finalist in auditions for the President's Own Marine Band, United States Air Force Concert Band, and United States Coast Guard Band. He has also had the pleasure of performing in groups such as the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Southeast Texas Symphony Orchestra, Missouri Symphony, Columbia Civic Orchestra, Kansas City Civic Orchestra, and many more. In 2017, Michael moved back to Columbia to complete his Master’s degree in Horn Performance at the University of Missouri and is expected to graduate in May 2018. Michael also enjoys spending time with his wife, cooking, playing board games, and volunteering as the music team leader at Midtown Presbyterian Church.
Maddie Hogan, horn (Season 18-20)
Maddie Hogan knew she was going to play the French horn from the first moment she heard it. Over a decade later, Maddie is a performer, teacher, and student in the Columbia, MO area. She is currently pursuing a B.M. in French horn performance at the University of Missouri - Columbia under the musical mentorship of Professor Amanda Collins. Maddie currently performs with the University Philharmonic Orchestra and Mizzou Horn Choir. Previously, she has performed with the MU Wind Ensemble and Undergraduate Woodwind Quintet, Missouri Symphony, Odyssey Chamber Series, and Eastern Festival Orchestra. In 2022, she was selected for the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, NC and in 2021 was chosen as a member of the National Intercollegiate Band. In 2023, Maddie was a winner of the Emerging Artists Competition at the University of Missouri - Columbia and subsequently performed in the Emerging Artists Gala. As a private instructor, Madeleine focuses on helping her students meet their personal goals while instilling in them a love of music. She currently serves as the Editor and Music and Programming Chair of the Iota Lambda chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota and is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Maddie Hogan knew she was going to play the French horn from the first moment she heard it. Over a decade later, Maddie is a performer, teacher, and student in the Columbia, MO area. She is currently pursuing a B.M. in French horn performance at the University of Missouri - Columbia under the musical mentorship of Professor Amanda Collins. Maddie currently performs with the University Philharmonic Orchestra and Mizzou Horn Choir. Previously, she has performed with the MU Wind Ensemble and Undergraduate Woodwind Quintet, Missouri Symphony, Odyssey Chamber Series, and Eastern Festival Orchestra. In 2022, she was selected for the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, NC and in 2021 was chosen as a member of the National Intercollegiate Band. In 2023, Maddie was a winner of the Emerging Artists Competition at the University of Missouri - Columbia and subsequently performed in the Emerging Artists Gala. As a private instructor, Madeleine focuses on helping her students meet their personal goals while instilling in them a love of music. She currently serves as the Editor and Music and Programming Chair of the Iota Lambda chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota and is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Brandon Hu, violin (Season 20 Concerto Competition Winner)
Violinist Brandon Hu is in 8th grade at John Burroughs School in St. Louis, and has studied violin for 6 years with Joo Kim. Brandon has performed both solo and chamber music at Summer String Academy at the Indiana University. Last Fall, Brandon was the Alternate in the 2023 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Junior Strings. In addition to being the principal second violinist in the Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra Community Music School of Webster University, Brandon is currently a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Violinist Brandon Hu is in 8th grade at John Burroughs School in St. Louis, and has studied violin for 6 years with Joo Kim. Brandon has performed both solo and chamber music at Summer String Academy at the Indiana University. Last Fall, Brandon was the Alternate in the 2023 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Junior Strings. In addition to being the principal second violinist in the Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra Community Music School of Webster University, Brandon is currently a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Henry Huang, piano (Season 15, Concerto Competition Winner)
Henry Huang is a senior at Rock Bridge High School. He currently studies piano with Dr. Peter Miyamoto. He has won numerous competitions, including won Honorable Mention in the Carmel Klavier – International Piano Competition for Young Artists, First Prize in the 2019 North International Music Competition, 2nd place in the University of Florida International Festival’s Pre-College Piano Competition, 2nd prize in the 2017 Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition, 3rd place in the 2017 Kansas City Symphony Young Artist Competition, and Honorable Mention in the 2017 MTNA Senior Missouri State Piano Competition. He has performed in Carnegie Hall and the Kauffmann Center of Performing Arts. This past summer, Henry attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Piano Summer Program. Henry is also the pianist for the Thornbrook Piano Trio for the second year. Outside of music, Henry also enjoys playing a good game of chess or does some math team events. He also enjoys learning new things outside of the classroom.
Henry Huang is a senior at Rock Bridge High School. He currently studies piano with Dr. Peter Miyamoto. He has won numerous competitions, including won Honorable Mention in the Carmel Klavier – International Piano Competition for Young Artists, First Prize in the 2019 North International Music Competition, 2nd place in the University of Florida International Festival’s Pre-College Piano Competition, 2nd prize in the 2017 Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition, 3rd place in the 2017 Kansas City Symphony Young Artist Competition, and Honorable Mention in the 2017 MTNA Senior Missouri State Piano Competition. He has performed in Carnegie Hall and the Kauffmann Center of Performing Arts. This past summer, Henry attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Piano Summer Program. Henry is also the pianist for the Thornbrook Piano Trio for the second year. Outside of music, Henry also enjoys playing a good game of chess or does some math team events. He also enjoys learning new things outside of the classroom.
Lauren Hynes, oboe (Season 13, 20)
Lauren Hynes is the current undergraduate academic advisor for the University of Missouri School of Music. An alumna of the university and the School of Music herself, Lauren earned a Bachelor or Arts in both English and music, a Bachelor of Science in Education in secondary education (language arts), and most recently a Master of Arts in English. During her time at Mizzou, she studied under Professor Dan Willett, played principal oboe for the University Philharmonic Orchestra, and served as secretary for Sigma Alpha Iota. She has also regularly performed with Odyssey, the Missouri Symphony, and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. Prior to her advising role in the School of Music, Lauren taught language arts at Hickman High School and then advised for MU’s College of Health Sciences. She is thrilled to be back in the music sphere, playing and supporting students as they pursue degrees and careers in music.
Lauren Hynes is the current undergraduate academic advisor for the University of Missouri School of Music. An alumna of the university and the School of Music herself, Lauren earned a Bachelor or Arts in both English and music, a Bachelor of Science in Education in secondary education (language arts), and most recently a Master of Arts in English. During her time at Mizzou, she studied under Professor Dan Willett, played principal oboe for the University Philharmonic Orchestra, and served as secretary for Sigma Alpha Iota. She has also regularly performed with Odyssey, the Missouri Symphony, and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. Prior to her advising role in the School of Music, Lauren taught language arts at Hickman High School and then advised for MU’s College of Health Sciences. She is thrilled to be back in the music sphere, playing and supporting students as they pursue degrees and careers in music.
Wendy Hymes, flute (Season 20)
Dr. Wendy Hymes is known for her definitive interpretations of standard repertoire from the Baroque era to 20th-century composers as well as new music. A passionate advocate for intercultural music, her solo CD, African Art Music for Flute, features music for flute by composers from Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa. She also directs the Intercultural Music Initiative Chamber Players, a mixed ensemble dedicated to performing music by diverse composers and serves on the National Flute Association’s Pedagogy Committee. Abroad, she has enjoyed performing at the 50-years of independence celebration in Accra, Ghana in 2007, Africa Sings Festival in Lome, Togo, the Festival for African and African American Music, and the International Symposium Festival for new Intercultural Music at the University of London. In the US, Dr. Hymes has been featured performer at numerous National Flute Association Conventions, and performs with many ensembles including Chamber Project St. Louis, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Winter Opera, the Union Avenue Opera, the St. Louis Philharmonic and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Her additional recordings include Spiritual Fantasy on the Albany label with organist Lucius Weathersby and Rhapsodies and Dances for Wind Quintet by Fred Onovwerosuoke, released in 2017 after a debut performance at the National Flute Association. Dr. Hymes holds BA, MM and DMA degrees in flute performance, music theory and arts administration from Principia College, Indiana University and Louisiana State University, respectively. Her principal flute teachers are Marie Jureit-Beamish, Jacques Zoon and Katherine Kemler. Dr. Hymes loves teaching students and has served on the Music Faculties of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Jefferson College in Missouri, Louisiana State University and Arkansas State University where she served as Director of the Fowler Center. She teaches flute at Lindenwood University as well as at her private teaching studio. Her articles have been published in the National Flute Association’s Flutist Quarterly. For more information, please visit her websites, www.wendyhymes.com and www.imusici.net.
Dr. Wendy Hymes is known for her definitive interpretations of standard repertoire from the Baroque era to 20th-century composers as well as new music. A passionate advocate for intercultural music, her solo CD, African Art Music for Flute, features music for flute by composers from Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa. She also directs the Intercultural Music Initiative Chamber Players, a mixed ensemble dedicated to performing music by diverse composers and serves on the National Flute Association’s Pedagogy Committee. Abroad, she has enjoyed performing at the 50-years of independence celebration in Accra, Ghana in 2007, Africa Sings Festival in Lome, Togo, the Festival for African and African American Music, and the International Symposium Festival for new Intercultural Music at the University of London. In the US, Dr. Hymes has been featured performer at numerous National Flute Association Conventions, and performs with many ensembles including Chamber Project St. Louis, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Winter Opera, the Union Avenue Opera, the St. Louis Philharmonic and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Her additional recordings include Spiritual Fantasy on the Albany label with organist Lucius Weathersby and Rhapsodies and Dances for Wind Quintet by Fred Onovwerosuoke, released in 2017 after a debut performance at the National Flute Association. Dr. Hymes holds BA, MM and DMA degrees in flute performance, music theory and arts administration from Principia College, Indiana University and Louisiana State University, respectively. Her principal flute teachers are Marie Jureit-Beamish, Jacques Zoon and Katherine Kemler. Dr. Hymes loves teaching students and has served on the Music Faculties of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Jefferson College in Missouri, Louisiana State University and Arkansas State University where she served as Director of the Fowler Center. She teaches flute at Lindenwood University as well as at her private teaching studio. Her articles have been published in the National Flute Association’s Flutist Quarterly. For more information, please visit her websites, www.wendyhymes.com and www.imusici.net.
Jeremiah Ingram, percussion (Season 18)
Jeremiah Ingram grew up in Opelika, Alabama. He graduated from Auburn University in 2019 with degrees in percussion performance and music education. While at Auburn, he was under the instruction of Dr. Doug Rosener. As a member of the Auburn University Marching Band (2014-2019), his playing experiences include being a member of the front ensemble for two years and the battery for three years. Mr. Ingram was a tech for the Central High School Drumline (2016) and the Smiths Station High School Drumline (2019) for their summer band camps. Mr. Ingram was also the percussion clinician for the Middle School Symphonic Band Camp at Auburn University (2016) and the percussion instructor for the Auburn University Youth Orchestra (2016-2019).
Jeremiah Ingram grew up in Opelika, Alabama. He graduated from Auburn University in 2019 with degrees in percussion performance and music education. While at Auburn, he was under the instruction of Dr. Doug Rosener. As a member of the Auburn University Marching Band (2014-2019), his playing experiences include being a member of the front ensemble for two years and the battery for three years. Mr. Ingram was a tech for the Central High School Drumline (2016) and the Smiths Station High School Drumline (2019) for their summer band camps. Mr. Ingram was also the percussion clinician for the Middle School Symphonic Band Camp at Auburn University (2016) and the percussion instructor for the Auburn University Youth Orchestra (2016-2019).
I Quattri Venti (Season 10)
I Quattri Venti is comprised of four flutists who met while studying in the Graduate program at the University of Missouri. Though two have recently completed their studies at MU, the quartet continues to rehearse and perform for special events across the Columbia area. With an eclectic array of interests, tastes, and talents, I Quattri Venti delights in showcasing many musical styles.
Justin Cook began studying flute in 1996 with St. Louis Archdiocese Composer-in-Residence Richard Wappel. Since then, he has performed both in the United States and abroad, and has had the opportunity to study with such excellent flutists as Steve Geibel, Patricia George, Greg Pattillo, and Alice Dade. Cook is currently working toward a master’s degree in flute performance and a jazz studies certificate at the University of Missouri.
Elysia Crecelius recently completed her MM in Flute Performance at the University of Missouri where she studied with Steven Geibel and Alice K. Dade and served as the Flute Studio Teaching Assistant. She performed in various chamber groups including the Graduate Woodwind Quintet and was an instructor for the Community Music Program. She currently teaches flute lessons through her own private studio in Columbia.
Mary Jamerson is currently working to complete her master's degree at the University of Missouri Columbia. She is the flutist in the Mizzou New Music Ensemble and is a member of the University Philharmonic Orchestra. A native of Kansas City, Mary has enjoyed performing with many of the various ensembles of the region.
Katie Smyth currently teaches flute in Columbia, where she recently completed a Masters of Music Degree in Flute Performance at the University of Missouri studying with Alice K. Dade. Katie performs with the Missouri Symphony Society and New Music Festival in addition to coaching several junior high and high school camps and ensembles. Previously, she spent five years teaching instrumental music and running her own flute studio in the St. Louis metro area.
Justin Cook began studying flute in 1996 with St. Louis Archdiocese Composer-in-Residence Richard Wappel. Since then, he has performed both in the United States and abroad, and has had the opportunity to study with such excellent flutists as Steve Geibel, Patricia George, Greg Pattillo, and Alice Dade. Cook is currently working toward a master’s degree in flute performance and a jazz studies certificate at the University of Missouri.
Elysia Crecelius recently completed her MM in Flute Performance at the University of Missouri where she studied with Steven Geibel and Alice K. Dade and served as the Flute Studio Teaching Assistant. She performed in various chamber groups including the Graduate Woodwind Quintet and was an instructor for the Community Music Program. She currently teaches flute lessons through her own private studio in Columbia.
Mary Jamerson is currently working to complete her master's degree at the University of Missouri Columbia. She is the flutist in the Mizzou New Music Ensemble and is a member of the University Philharmonic Orchestra. A native of Kansas City, Mary has enjoyed performing with many of the various ensembles of the region.
Katie Smyth currently teaches flute in Columbia, where she recently completed a Masters of Music Degree in Flute Performance at the University of Missouri studying with Alice K. Dade. Katie performs with the Missouri Symphony Society and New Music Festival in addition to coaching several junior high and high school camps and ensembles. Previously, she spent five years teaching instrumental music and running her own flute studio in the St. Louis metro area.
Ema Iwasaki, piano (Season 19 Concerto Competition Winner; Season 20)
Ema Iwasaki is a Senior at Rock Bridge High School. She started playing the piano at age 4 in Japan. In Columbia, Ema studied with Judith Shaw, and now with Ayako Tsuruta. Ema has participated in Federation, MMTA, Odyssey Chamber Music Series, and the Blind Boone Concert Series, and has attended the Brevard Music Center Summer Festival and the Colburn Piano Seminar. She enjoys accompanying choirs and other musicians, while also playing as a church pianist. Outside of piano, Ema is involved in the National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, and the school newspaper, where she is currently the arts and entertainment editor. In her free time, Ema loves listening to jazz music, attending dance classes with her mom, and traveling.
Ema Iwasaki is a Senior at Rock Bridge High School. She started playing the piano at age 4 in Japan. In Columbia, Ema studied with Judith Shaw, and now with Ayako Tsuruta. Ema has participated in Federation, MMTA, Odyssey Chamber Music Series, and the Blind Boone Concert Series, and has attended the Brevard Music Center Summer Festival and the Colburn Piano Seminar. She enjoys accompanying choirs and other musicians, while also playing as a church pianist. Outside of piano, Ema is involved in the National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, and the school newspaper, where she is currently the arts and entertainment editor. In her free time, Ema loves listening to jazz music, attending dance classes with her mom, and traveling.
Jacques Thibaud Trio (Season 16)
Prize-winners in the prestigious 1999 Bonn Chamber Music Competition, the Jacques Thibaud String Trio was founded at the Berlin School of Art in 1994. Since then, the ensemble has performed throughout Europe, Japan and North America, receiving tremendous acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Calling their playing “spontaneous and commanding,” the New York Times said, “this could be the first string trio in some time to have a major career.” In December 2005, the trio gave five performances in San Francisco and other west coast cities of Mozart's rare, unfinished Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, Cello and Orchestra with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra. With their charm, youthful exuberance and astounding virtuosity, the Trio has delighted audiences of all ages in large and small venues. In the U.S., they have appeared at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, New York City’s Frick Collection (twice), Washington DC’s National Gallery, hundreds of other venues including Stanford University, the Caramoor Festival, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and cities including Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, San Diego, Milwaukee, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Memphis, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Tucson, Salt Lake City and Honolulu. As Ensemble-in-Residence at the 2001 Florida International Festival, they drew an audience of over two thousand to their final concert. They have also given successful residencies in a settings ranging from conservatories to music camps to an Indian reservation in Arizona. Internationally, the Trio has appeared at London’s Wigmore Hall, throughout Germany, in major Japanese cities on several tours, and at some of Europe’s most prestigious festivals including Belgium’s Musica Mundi, Gidon Kremer’s Echternach Festival in Luxembourg, and Denmark’s Roskilde Schubert Festival. In 2009 they played a gala –concert for the German embassy in Paris at Palais Beauharnais in Paris. Recent performances included concerts in Germany (Berlin) , Belgium and Netherlands (Amsterdam.) The trio consists of Burkhard Maiss, Hannah Strijbos and Bogdan Jianu.
Prize-winners in the prestigious 1999 Bonn Chamber Music Competition, the Jacques Thibaud String Trio was founded at the Berlin School of Art in 1994. Since then, the ensemble has performed throughout Europe, Japan and North America, receiving tremendous acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Calling their playing “spontaneous and commanding,” the New York Times said, “this could be the first string trio in some time to have a major career.” In December 2005, the trio gave five performances in San Francisco and other west coast cities of Mozart's rare, unfinished Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, Cello and Orchestra with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra. With their charm, youthful exuberance and astounding virtuosity, the Trio has delighted audiences of all ages in large and small venues. In the U.S., they have appeared at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, New York City’s Frick Collection (twice), Washington DC’s National Gallery, hundreds of other venues including Stanford University, the Caramoor Festival, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and cities including Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, San Diego, Milwaukee, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Memphis, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Tucson, Salt Lake City and Honolulu. As Ensemble-in-Residence at the 2001 Florida International Festival, they drew an audience of over two thousand to their final concert. They have also given successful residencies in a settings ranging from conservatories to music camps to an Indian reservation in Arizona. Internationally, the Trio has appeared at London’s Wigmore Hall, throughout Germany, in major Japanese cities on several tours, and at some of Europe’s most prestigious festivals including Belgium’s Musica Mundi, Gidon Kremer’s Echternach Festival in Luxembourg, and Denmark’s Roskilde Schubert Festival. In 2009 they played a gala –concert for the German embassy in Paris at Palais Beauharnais in Paris. Recent performances included concerts in Germany (Berlin) , Belgium and Netherlands (Amsterdam.) The trio consists of Burkhard Maiss, Hannah Strijbos and Bogdan Jianu.
Christine Jarquio, alto (Season 20+)
A force in the local music community for almost two decades, Christine Jarquio (she/her) is a sought after collaborative artist from choral to musical theatre, and pianist to conductor. She is the Director of Vocal Arts at Columbia Independent School and also serves as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. These platforms, especially in tandem, allow for the uplifting and spreading awareness of lived experiences in order to nurture more compassion in this world. Christine is a strong proponent of being an active musician both in and outside of the classroom. Singing in Prometheus since its second season is always a highlight of her year. She also co-founded and is the Artistic Director of Vox Nova (www.voxnovacomo.org), another professional choir whose mission is to provide free performances of high quality choral music with thoughtful and informative programming to the local community. Outside of music and teaching, Christine loves to travel with her husband, Jay; run on the beautiful Columbia trails; and cook and eat any and all varieties of delicious food.
A force in the local music community for almost two decades, Christine Jarquio (she/her) is a sought after collaborative artist from choral to musical theatre, and pianist to conductor. She is the Director of Vocal Arts at Columbia Independent School and also serves as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. These platforms, especially in tandem, allow for the uplifting and spreading awareness of lived experiences in order to nurture more compassion in this world. Christine is a strong proponent of being an active musician both in and outside of the classroom. Singing in Prometheus since its second season is always a highlight of her year. She also co-founded and is the Artistic Director of Vox Nova (www.voxnovacomo.org), another professional choir whose mission is to provide free performances of high quality choral music with thoughtful and informative programming to the local community. Outside of music and teaching, Christine loves to travel with her husband, Jay; run on the beautiful Columbia trails; and cook and eat any and all varieties of delicious food.
Jasper String Quartet (Season 5, 12)
Winners of the prestigious CMA Cleveland Quartet Award, Philadelphia's Jasper String Quartet is at the forefront of a golden age in American chamber music. The Jaspers have been hailed as “sonically delightful and expressively compelling” (The Strad) and "powerful" (New York Times). "The Jaspers... match their sounds perfectly, as if each swelling chord were coming out of a single, impossibly well-tuned organ, instead of four distinct instruments." (New Haven Advocate)
The Jasper String Quartet is the Professional Quartet-in-Residence at Temple University's Center for Gifted Young Musicians. They record exclusively for Sono Luminus and have released three highly acclaimed albums - Beethoven Op. 131, The Kernis Project: Schubert, and The Kernis Project: Beethoven.
Current Projects: The Quartet commissioned Aaron Jay Kernis’ 3rd String Quartet "River" for the 2015-17 seasons with a remarkable consortium of presenters. Throughout the next two seasons, they will perform the work in recital for each consortium member - Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Chamber Music Northwest, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, Classic Chamber Concerts, and Chamber Music America. In addition to their concert schedule next season, they will continue their work in the Philadelphia Public Schools through Astral Artists' Colors of Classical Music, a project funded through a monumental grant from the William Penn Foundation. Our History: In 2008, the Jaspers swept through the competition circuit, winning the Grand Prize and the Audience Prize in the Plowman Chamber Music Competition, the Grand Prize at the Coleman Competition, First Prize at Chamber Music Yellow Springs, and the Silver Medal at the 2008 and 2009 Fischoff Chamber Music Competitions. They were also the first ensemble honored with Yale School of Music’s Horatio Parker Memorial Prize, an award established in 1945 and selected by the faculty for “best fulfilling… lofty musical ideals." In 2010, they joined the roster of Astral Artists after winning their national auditions. / The Quartet was the 2010-12 Ensemble-in-Residence at Oberlin Conservatory and, in conjunction with Astral Artists, was awarded a 2012 Chamber Music America grant through its Residency Partnership Program for work in Philadelphia schools. From 2009-2011, the Jaspers were the Ernst C. Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence at the Caramoor Center for Music and Arts (Katonah, NY). They were the first ensemble to be invited for a second year as such.
Winners of the prestigious CMA Cleveland Quartet Award, Philadelphia's Jasper String Quartet is at the forefront of a golden age in American chamber music. The Jaspers have been hailed as “sonically delightful and expressively compelling” (The Strad) and "powerful" (New York Times). "The Jaspers... match their sounds perfectly, as if each swelling chord were coming out of a single, impossibly well-tuned organ, instead of four distinct instruments." (New Haven Advocate)
The Jasper String Quartet is the Professional Quartet-in-Residence at Temple University's Center for Gifted Young Musicians. They record exclusively for Sono Luminus and have released three highly acclaimed albums - Beethoven Op. 131, The Kernis Project: Schubert, and The Kernis Project: Beethoven.
Current Projects: The Quartet commissioned Aaron Jay Kernis’ 3rd String Quartet "River" for the 2015-17 seasons with a remarkable consortium of presenters. Throughout the next two seasons, they will perform the work in recital for each consortium member - Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Chamber Music Northwest, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, Classic Chamber Concerts, and Chamber Music America. In addition to their concert schedule next season, they will continue their work in the Philadelphia Public Schools through Astral Artists' Colors of Classical Music, a project funded through a monumental grant from the William Penn Foundation. Our History: In 2008, the Jaspers swept through the competition circuit, winning the Grand Prize and the Audience Prize in the Plowman Chamber Music Competition, the Grand Prize at the Coleman Competition, First Prize at Chamber Music Yellow Springs, and the Silver Medal at the 2008 and 2009 Fischoff Chamber Music Competitions. They were also the first ensemble honored with Yale School of Music’s Horatio Parker Memorial Prize, an award established in 1945 and selected by the faculty for “best fulfilling… lofty musical ideals." In 2010, they joined the roster of Astral Artists after winning their national auditions. / The Quartet was the 2010-12 Ensemble-in-Residence at Oberlin Conservatory and, in conjunction with Astral Artists, was awarded a 2012 Chamber Music America grant through its Residency Partnership Program for work in Philadelphia schools. From 2009-2011, the Jaspers were the Ernst C. Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence at the Caramoor Center for Music and Arts (Katonah, NY). They were the first ensemble to be invited for a second year as such.
Susan Jensen, violin (Season 2~10)
Susan Jensen has concertised throughout the United States, Europe and Asia as a respected performer and proponent of new music. As an active chamber musician and recording artist (Orfeo and RCM labels) in the Los Angeles area for over a decade, Ms. Jensen held key posts with the critically-acclaimed contemporary music group XTET, the Southwest Chamber Music Society and was a tenured member of the Los Angeles Opera, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and associate concertmaster of the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, Ms. Jensen garnered extensive motion picture and television credits, as well as performances on record projects for Jeff Lynne, Brian Wilson, Laurence Juber, Aerosmith, Bill Medley, and many others. Thereafter, Ms. Jensen joined the Colorado-based Da Vinci String Quartet; a position including an active touring schedule, a statewide subscription concert series, a faculty appointment at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music and an artist residency at Colorado College. In 2006, Ms. Jensen relocated to Boston, Massachusetts where she has performed with the Boston Ballet, the Boston Landmarks Orchestra and various chamber music ensembles. Ms. Jensen is a graduate of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she studied with Dorothy DeLay and the LaSalle and Tokyo string quartets. A student of Eudice Shapiro, Ms. Jensen received a M.M. at the University of Southern California where she was an Alpert Merit Scholar, as well as the recipient of the George Kast Award. Ms. Jensen plays a 1697 G.B. Rogeri violin.
Steven Jepson, baritone (Season 16, 18)
Baritone Steven B. Jepson has been described by critics as a “cavalier talent,” “a top-notch musician” and “a diamond mine.” A respected international artist with expansive credits in the Americas , Europe and Japan , he displays a wide range of emotion, vocal agility and acting style. His operatic repertoire includes leading roles inDon Pasquale, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, The Merry Widow, Ariadne auf Naxos , Roméo et Juliette, La Bohème, Die Zauberflöte and Faust. He made his European debut as Carmen’s Escamillo, his signature role, and has reprised the role with many companies in the United States. In musical theater, he has played such diverse roles as Cervantes/Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Billy Bigelow in Carousel, Emile de Becque in South Pacific, Juan Peron in Evita, Ko-Ko in The Mikado, The Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance and Sweeney in Sweeney Todd. His concert experience is rich and varied, from Broadway pops and cabaret to sacred works and symphonies. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in Schubert’s Mass in G,and has entertained thousands as principal male singer through Jean Ann Ryan Productions aboard Norwegian Cruise Line. He also created the role of Admiral Slater in the award-winning independent Start Trek film Prelude to Axanar. Dr. Jepson has been on the faculty at many fine colleges and universities, and is now a member of the voice faculty at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Steven B. Jepson received his B.Mus. degree from the University of Iowa, his M.Mus. degree from Louisiana State University, a DMA in Vocal Performance/Pedagogy and Opera Directing from the University of Iowa, and has been trained as a Vocologist through the National Center for Voice and Speech.
Baritone Steven B. Jepson has been described by critics as a “cavalier talent,” “a top-notch musician” and “a diamond mine.” A respected international artist with expansive credits in the Americas , Europe and Japan , he displays a wide range of emotion, vocal agility and acting style. His operatic repertoire includes leading roles inDon Pasquale, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, The Merry Widow, Ariadne auf Naxos , Roméo et Juliette, La Bohème, Die Zauberflöte and Faust. He made his European debut as Carmen’s Escamillo, his signature role, and has reprised the role with many companies in the United States. In musical theater, he has played such diverse roles as Cervantes/Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Billy Bigelow in Carousel, Emile de Becque in South Pacific, Juan Peron in Evita, Ko-Ko in The Mikado, The Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance and Sweeney in Sweeney Todd. His concert experience is rich and varied, from Broadway pops and cabaret to sacred works and symphonies. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in Schubert’s Mass in G,and has entertained thousands as principal male singer through Jean Ann Ryan Productions aboard Norwegian Cruise Line. He also created the role of Admiral Slater in the award-winning independent Start Trek film Prelude to Axanar. Dr. Jepson has been on the faculty at many fine colleges and universities, and is now a member of the voice faculty at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Steven B. Jepson received his B.Mus. degree from the University of Iowa, his M.Mus. degree from Louisiana State University, a DMA in Vocal Performance/Pedagogy and Opera Directing from the University of Iowa, and has been trained as a Vocologist through the National Center for Voice and Speech.
Darrell J. Jordan, baritone (Season 10+, 12, 13, 20)
Seattle-based lyric baritone Darrell J. Jordan has been praised for his “shining, beautiful voice” (Broadway World), his "expressive baritone and facial expressions" (The SunBreak), and has been called “the star of the show” (Columbia Heart Beat). In demand as a recitalist and concert soloist, his solo concert engagements have been with Amherst Early Music Festival, the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, Rolla Choral Arts Society, Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri, the Missouri Symphony, the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra, the Toledo Symphony, Thalia Symphony, Olympia Chamber Orchestra, Tacoma City Ballet, Seattle Choral Company, and the Seattle Art Song Society. Dr. Jordan has performed almost 40 full roles, with some favorites being: Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Dandini in La Cenerentola, Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus, Ignacio in Lucrezia, Count Gil in Il segreto di Susanna, Bunthorne in Patience, Morales in Carmen, and Belcore in L’elisir d’amore. An advocate for music by American composers, Dr. Jordan is a two time recipient of the Ernst Bacon Award for American Music. Additionally, he has premiered a number of new operas with Seattle Opera (August in Everything After and Beau in Chop Chop) and Opera America (Mark in you do not recognize the bodies in the water). In 2025, he will sing the demanding role of Joseph De Rocher in Dead Man Walking with Tacoma Opera by American composer, Jake Heggie. Opera credits include Opera West, Tacoma Opera, Wilmington Concert Opera, Music On Site, Inc., STL Opera Collective, Haymarket Opera, Gateway Opera, the Institute for 17th Century Music, Lawrence Opera Theatre, Puget Sound Concert Opera, Northwest Opera In Schools Touring Company, Operamuse, Seattle Modern Opera Company, Pacific Northwest Opera, Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Seattle, Low Brow Opera, Opera on Tap, Opera Bend, Landlocked Opera, Vashon Opera, and Seattle Opera. He is a founding member of the nationally recognized, award-winning professional vocal chamber ensemble, Vox Nova. He is managed by Vocal Artist Management Services. For more information, please visit: https://www.darrelljjordan.com/
Seattle-based lyric baritone Darrell J. Jordan has been praised for his “shining, beautiful voice” (Broadway World), his "expressive baritone and facial expressions" (The SunBreak), and has been called “the star of the show” (Columbia Heart Beat). In demand as a recitalist and concert soloist, his solo concert engagements have been with Amherst Early Music Festival, the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, Rolla Choral Arts Society, Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri, the Missouri Symphony, the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra, the Toledo Symphony, Thalia Symphony, Olympia Chamber Orchestra, Tacoma City Ballet, Seattle Choral Company, and the Seattle Art Song Society. Dr. Jordan has performed almost 40 full roles, with some favorites being: Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Dandini in La Cenerentola, Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus, Ignacio in Lucrezia, Count Gil in Il segreto di Susanna, Bunthorne in Patience, Morales in Carmen, and Belcore in L’elisir d’amore. An advocate for music by American composers, Dr. Jordan is a two time recipient of the Ernst Bacon Award for American Music. Additionally, he has premiered a number of new operas with Seattle Opera (August in Everything After and Beau in Chop Chop) and Opera America (Mark in you do not recognize the bodies in the water). In 2025, he will sing the demanding role of Joseph De Rocher in Dead Man Walking with Tacoma Opera by American composer, Jake Heggie. Opera credits include Opera West, Tacoma Opera, Wilmington Concert Opera, Music On Site, Inc., STL Opera Collective, Haymarket Opera, Gateway Opera, the Institute for 17th Century Music, Lawrence Opera Theatre, Puget Sound Concert Opera, Northwest Opera In Schools Touring Company, Operamuse, Seattle Modern Opera Company, Pacific Northwest Opera, Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Seattle, Low Brow Opera, Opera on Tap, Opera Bend, Landlocked Opera, Vashon Opera, and Seattle Opera. He is a founding member of the nationally recognized, award-winning professional vocal chamber ensemble, Vox Nova. He is managed by Vocal Artist Management Services. For more information, please visit: https://www.darrelljjordan.com/
Sejoon Jun, violin (Season 15)
Sejoon Jun is currently a senior at Rock Bridge High School, where he is pursuing to enter the medical field, while also hoping to participate in musical opportunities in college. In his high school, he is the current concertmaster of the chamber orchestra, and is heavily involved in chamber music activities. Some of his recent musical accomplishments include receiving the highest rating in the regional MMTA competition, and being nominated for the High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House. Additionally, he has been a second violinist at the Missouri All-State Orchestra in 2016, and served as the concertmaster of the orchestra during the 2017 season.
Sejoon Jun is currently a senior at Rock Bridge High School, where he is pursuing to enter the medical field, while also hoping to participate in musical opportunities in college. In his high school, he is the current concertmaster of the chamber orchestra, and is heavily involved in chamber music activities. Some of his recent musical accomplishments include receiving the highest rating in the regional MMTA competition, and being nominated for the High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House. Additionally, he has been a second violinist at the Missouri All-State Orchestra in 2016, and served as the concertmaster of the orchestra during the 2017 season.
Bill Kalinkos, clarinet (Season 11-13)
Bill Kalinkos, clarinetist, has been called "a powerhouse" (San Francisco Chronicle), "a superb performer" (San Jose Mercury News), and his playing has been lauded as "ethereal, yet grounded" (Oakland Tribune). His performance of Aaron Copland's Concerto was praised in the Oakland Tribune: "Kalinkos played casually, with the mysterious ease one hears in an accomplished musician." Bill enjoys a diverse musical career as a member of critically acclaimed groups such as Alarm Will Sound, Ensemble Signal, Deviant Septet, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, Eco Ensemble, and Splinter Reeds. Recognized by the Washington Post as a "notable contemporary music specialist," he has been fortunate enough to work with and premiere pieces by many renowned composers. As an orchestral player, Bill is the principal clarinetist of the Oakland Symphony, a member of both IRIS Orchestra and the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra, and he has performed with The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, and the Kansas City Symphony. He attended the Eastman School of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music prior to earning his doctorate degree at Stony Brook University. Bill has served on the faculties of the University of Missouri and the University of California at Santa Cruz and Berkeley. As a recording artist, he can be heard on the Cantaloupe, Nonesuch, Euroarts, Naxos, Mode, Orange Mountain, Albany Records, Deutsche Gramophon, and Harmonia Mundi labels.
Bill Kalinkos, clarinetist, has been called "a powerhouse" (San Francisco Chronicle), "a superb performer" (San Jose Mercury News), and his playing has been lauded as "ethereal, yet grounded" (Oakland Tribune). His performance of Aaron Copland's Concerto was praised in the Oakland Tribune: "Kalinkos played casually, with the mysterious ease one hears in an accomplished musician." Bill enjoys a diverse musical career as a member of critically acclaimed groups such as Alarm Will Sound, Ensemble Signal, Deviant Septet, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, Eco Ensemble, and Splinter Reeds. Recognized by the Washington Post as a "notable contemporary music specialist," he has been fortunate enough to work with and premiere pieces by many renowned composers. As an orchestral player, Bill is the principal clarinetist of the Oakland Symphony, a member of both IRIS Orchestra and the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra, and he has performed with The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, and the Kansas City Symphony. He attended the Eastman School of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music prior to earning his doctorate degree at Stony Brook University. Bill has served on the faculties of the University of Missouri and the University of California at Santa Cruz and Berkeley. As a recording artist, he can be heard on the Cantaloupe, Nonesuch, Euroarts, Naxos, Mode, Orange Mountain, Albany Records, Deutsche Gramophon, and Harmonia Mundi labels.
Daniel Keeler, cello (Season 13, 14)
Born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota, cellist and composer Daniel Keeler has always been a passionate musician and educator. As an ensemble and solo musician, he has performed in many countries across North America, South America, and Western Europe. Daniel performed in the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, as co-principal of the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra, as principal of the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, and as principal of the Columbia Civic Orchestra. He graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth having studied Music Education and Economics and is currently continuing his education as a first-year Master’s student with a M.M. in cello performance at the University of Missouri-Columbia. His primary teachers include Dr. Betsy Husby, and Dr. Eli Lara.
Born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota, cellist and composer Daniel Keeler has always been a passionate musician and educator. As an ensemble and solo musician, he has performed in many countries across North America, South America, and Western Europe. Daniel performed in the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, as co-principal of the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra, as principal of the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, and as principal of the Columbia Civic Orchestra. He graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth having studied Music Education and Economics and is currently continuing his education as a first-year Master’s student with a M.M. in cello performance at the University of Missouri-Columbia. His primary teachers include Dr. Betsy Husby, and Dr. Eli Lara.
Hazel Keithahn, violin (Season 14 and 19, two-time Concerto Competition Winner, 20)
Hazel Keithahn is a senior at Rock Bridge High School and co-concertmaster of the Rock Bridge High School Orchestra. She was selected for the Missouri All-State Orchestra in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Hazel won the Odyssey Chamber Music Series Pre-Collegiate Concerto Competition as a soloist in 2018 and with Kristen Yu in 2023. She served as co-concertmaster of the 2019 Suzuki International Convention of the Americas Orchestra in Mexicoand was chosen for the Suzuki Youth Orchestra of the Americas in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Hazel was the winner of the 2015 and 2017 Missouri Music Teachers Association Strings State Competitions. Hazel began playing in the Keithahn Family Quartet at age four and has since enjoyed playing with the Cloud 9 Ensemble, most recently coached by Scott Yoo. She has also been an enthusiastic member of the Dancearts Competition team from 2021-24. Hazel wishes to thank all the teachers in her life especially Siri Geenen with whom she has studied since the age of 3 as well as Nicolette Solomon from the Suzuki Music Institute of Dallas and, more recently, maestro Scott Yoo. Hazel is especially excited to be able to perform this Mozart Duo with her good friend, Kristen Yu.
Hazel Keithahn is a senior at Rock Bridge High School and co-concertmaster of the Rock Bridge High School Orchestra. She was selected for the Missouri All-State Orchestra in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Hazel won the Odyssey Chamber Music Series Pre-Collegiate Concerto Competition as a soloist in 2018 and with Kristen Yu in 2023. She served as co-concertmaster of the 2019 Suzuki International Convention of the Americas Orchestra in Mexicoand was chosen for the Suzuki Youth Orchestra of the Americas in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Hazel was the winner of the 2015 and 2017 Missouri Music Teachers Association Strings State Competitions. Hazel began playing in the Keithahn Family Quartet at age four and has since enjoyed playing with the Cloud 9 Ensemble, most recently coached by Scott Yoo. She has also been an enthusiastic member of the Dancearts Competition team from 2021-24. Hazel wishes to thank all the teachers in her life especially Siri Geenen with whom she has studied since the age of 3 as well as Nicolette Solomon from the Suzuki Music Institute of Dallas and, more recently, maestro Scott Yoo. Hazel is especially excited to be able to perform this Mozart Duo with her good friend, Kristen Yu.
Zahra Kelariz Keshavarz, flute (Season 13)
Kelariz Keshavarz is currently a master student at University of Missouri in Flute Performance, studying with Alice Dade. Before Mizzou, she has played as principal flutist with different orchestras such as Nilper orchestra, Parsian orchestra, Tehran symphonic orchestra, Tehran National orchestra, Camerata orchestra, Tehran philharmonic orchestra, and performed concerts in Iran, Lebanon, and Austria along with several flute recitals in Iran. Kelariz comes from Tehran in an artistic family. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Tehran Flute Choir and Iran Flute Society. Her recent performances include playing as the soloist with Tehran Flute Choir and flutist with Mizzou New Music Ensemble. She is an award winner of 23rd Fajr International Music Festival for her recital and orchestra's contemporary concerto solo, and also the winner in Tehran Youth Festival in 2013. This past fall, she won the 2016 MMTA Collegiate Woodwind Division.
Kelariz Keshavarz is currently a master student at University of Missouri in Flute Performance, studying with Alice Dade. Before Mizzou, she has played as principal flutist with different orchestras such as Nilper orchestra, Parsian orchestra, Tehran symphonic orchestra, Tehran National orchestra, Camerata orchestra, Tehran philharmonic orchestra, and performed concerts in Iran, Lebanon, and Austria along with several flute recitals in Iran. Kelariz comes from Tehran in an artistic family. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Tehran Flute Choir and Iran Flute Society. Her recent performances include playing as the soloist with Tehran Flute Choir and flutist with Mizzou New Music Ensemble. She is an award winner of 23rd Fajr International Music Festival for her recital and orchestra's contemporary concerto solo, and also the winner in Tehran Youth Festival in 2013. This past fall, she won the 2016 MMTA Collegiate Woodwind Division.
Bomi Kim, piano (Season 17-19)
Pianist Bomi Kim has performed internationally as a recitalist, chamber musician, and soloist with orchestras in Germany, Poland, Italy, South Korea, Seattle, North Carolina and New York. Ms. Kim has won many competitions, including the International Competition “Don Vincenzo Vitti” in Italy and Vomblattspielen (Sight Reading) Competition in Germany. Ms. Kim has also appeared frequently as collaborative pianist to vocal, opera and instrumental artists. She has especially dedicated her time and efforts to the Elpis Trio, Pilgrim Mission Choir and Gimhae Municipal Choir. Ms. Kim holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Music Education degree from Kyungpook National University in Daegu, South Korea, and a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Music Franz Liszt in Weimar, Germany. Her teachers include Peter Waas, Karl P. Kammerlander, Larrisa Kondratjeva, Eunsook Lee and Hyojin Jung. After her studies in Germany, Ms. Kim taught at the College of Music - Kyoungpook National University and Pohang Arts High School. Since she moved to Columbia, Missouri, Ms. Kim, has served as Collaborative Pianist of the School of Music at the University of Missouri since 2020.
Pianist Bomi Kim has performed internationally as a recitalist, chamber musician, and soloist with orchestras in Germany, Poland, Italy, South Korea, Seattle, North Carolina and New York. Ms. Kim has won many competitions, including the International Competition “Don Vincenzo Vitti” in Italy and Vomblattspielen (Sight Reading) Competition in Germany. Ms. Kim has also appeared frequently as collaborative pianist to vocal, opera and instrumental artists. She has especially dedicated her time and efforts to the Elpis Trio, Pilgrim Mission Choir and Gimhae Municipal Choir. Ms. Kim holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Music Education degree from Kyungpook National University in Daegu, South Korea, and a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Music Franz Liszt in Weimar, Germany. Her teachers include Peter Waas, Karl P. Kammerlander, Larrisa Kondratjeva, Eunsook Lee and Hyojin Jung. After her studies in Germany, Ms. Kim taught at the College of Music - Kyoungpook National University and Pohang Arts High School. Since she moved to Columbia, Missouri, Ms. Kim, has served as Collaborative Pianist of the School of Music at the University of Missouri since 2020.
Brandon Kim, composer | violin (Seasons 16-18)
Brandon Kim started composing music when he was 10, and his first composition was “Knights of the Round Table” for piano, violin, and trumpet. Since then, he’s loved to use interesting techniques and instrumentation in his compositions. He is currently a junior at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Missouri and his current composition mentor is Niko Schroeder. Brandon has won awards six times in the middle and high school fine art music division of the Creating Original Music Project (COMP) competition and was the 1st and 2nd place winner in 2019 and 2020 of the National Federation Junior Composers Contest respectively. Most notably, he was the 2nd place winner of the 2020 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) National Composition Competition in the senior division. Brandon has always thought that composing is the way he can express his personal feelings and carries that sentiment when he plays his piano and violin. As a violinist, he performed his improvised solo at the 2020 Missouri All-State Orchestra, and he was selected for the 2020 NAfME All National Symphony Orchestra. Brandon is also the founding member of the BNB Trio, coached by Ayako Tsuruta, and this piano trio has performed in the Odyssey Chamber Music Series since 2019.
Brandon Kim started composing music when he was 10, and his first composition was “Knights of the Round Table” for piano, violin, and trumpet. Since then, he’s loved to use interesting techniques and instrumentation in his compositions. He is currently a junior at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Missouri and his current composition mentor is Niko Schroeder. Brandon has won awards six times in the middle and high school fine art music division of the Creating Original Music Project (COMP) competition and was the 1st and 2nd place winner in 2019 and 2020 of the National Federation Junior Composers Contest respectively. Most notably, he was the 2nd place winner of the 2020 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) National Composition Competition in the senior division. Brandon has always thought that composing is the way he can express his personal feelings and carries that sentiment when he plays his piano and violin. As a violinist, he performed his improvised solo at the 2020 Missouri All-State Orchestra, and he was selected for the 2020 NAfME All National Symphony Orchestra. Brandon is also the founding member of the BNB Trio, coached by Ayako Tsuruta, and this piano trio has performed in the Odyssey Chamber Music Series since 2019.
Joseph Kim, violin (Season 12)
Joseph Kim was eight years-old when he began studying violin with Mr. Donald S. Langellier in Quincy, Illinois. He has since studied with Mrs. Meeju Jeon and Mrs. Heenam Eem in South Korea. He currently studies with Mrs. Amy Appold in Columbia. As a junior at Hickman High School, Joseph is a concertmaster of the Hickman Chamber Orchestra, a co-concertmaster of the Chamber Players of Missouri Symphony Conservatory, and assistant concertmaster of violin I section at the Missouri Symphony Conservatory Young Artists Philharmonic Orchestra. He was also a member of the Missouri All-state Orchestra in 2014 and 2015. He was a winner of the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) 2014 Senior String Competition and Runner-up for the 2013 MMTA Junior Competition. He also received “I” rating from Missouri State Music Festivals in 2013 and 2014. He was a 2015 finalist for the Fifth Annual Rising Star Concerto Competition at Southeast Missouri State University. He also won an audition to perform in a violin master class by Paul Biss at the 2015 Plowman Chamber Music Competition & Festival. In the summers, Jospeh has attended the 2014 Esterhazy String Quartet Seminar at the MU School of Music and the 2015 Indiana University Summer String Academy, where he received Artistic Merit Award. He loves to play violin, and believes that the happiest moment in his life is to practice violin as well as to listen music. His concern in playing violin these days is how he can express the musical inspiration and sense truthfully to what the composer wrote.
Joseph Kim was eight years-old when he began studying violin with Mr. Donald S. Langellier in Quincy, Illinois. He has since studied with Mrs. Meeju Jeon and Mrs. Heenam Eem in South Korea. He currently studies with Mrs. Amy Appold in Columbia. As a junior at Hickman High School, Joseph is a concertmaster of the Hickman Chamber Orchestra, a co-concertmaster of the Chamber Players of Missouri Symphony Conservatory, and assistant concertmaster of violin I section at the Missouri Symphony Conservatory Young Artists Philharmonic Orchestra. He was also a member of the Missouri All-state Orchestra in 2014 and 2015. He was a winner of the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) 2014 Senior String Competition and Runner-up for the 2013 MMTA Junior Competition. He also received “I” rating from Missouri State Music Festivals in 2013 and 2014. He was a 2015 finalist for the Fifth Annual Rising Star Concerto Competition at Southeast Missouri State University. He also won an audition to perform in a violin master class by Paul Biss at the 2015 Plowman Chamber Music Competition & Festival. In the summers, Jospeh has attended the 2014 Esterhazy String Quartet Seminar at the MU School of Music and the 2015 Indiana University Summer String Academy, where he received Artistic Merit Award. He loves to play violin, and believes that the happiest moment in his life is to practice violin as well as to listen music. His concern in playing violin these days is how he can express the musical inspiration and sense truthfully to what the composer wrote.
Brett Klaus, piano (Season 14)
Brett Klaus, New York City based pianist and St. Louis area native, is active as solo and collaborative recitalist as well as teacher and vocal coach. Mr. Klaus currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Piano and vocal coach/collaborative piano faculty at McKendree University. He also serves as choral and artist in residence accompanist/recitalist for Winter Opera St. Louis. Mr. Klaus has previously spent several seasons as faculty, musical director, and accompanist of the Young Artist Program at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute (Lenox, MA), as well as music director of the Artist in Residence program at Opera Theater St. Louis and Assistant Musical Director/Conductor at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville. Recent performances in New York City include Greenfield Hall, Miller Recital Hall, and Ades Performance Space as well as a featured performer in live webcasts of both the 8th Annual MSM International Student Concert and a Masterclass Seminar with Thomas Hampson at the Manhattan School of Music; in addition to Mr. Hampson, he has performed in masterclasses with artists that include Martina Arroyo, Bryn Terfel, Lang Lang, Peter Schickele, Abbey Simon, Idil Biret, Dawn Upshaw, and Renee Fleming. He has appeared in solo and orchestral halls throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe and appeared as soloist with the Columbia Chamber Orchestra and Sinfonia Perusina (Italy), among others. Music festival performances include Brevard Music Festival, Le Centre d’Arts Orford (Montreal), The Las Vegas Music Festival, Sound Encounters at the New England Conservatory, Brandeis Chamber Music Festival, and Music Fest Perugia (Italy), among others. Previously, he has given live performances on WSQR National Public Radio and was a two-time consecutive winner of both the Boston Conservatory Piano Honors Competition and the Boston Conservatory Chamber Music Honors Competition. Piano studies (solo piano) with Thomas Muraco, Max Levinson, Peter Miyamoto, Ayako Tsuruta, and Elinor Freer as well as additional private study with Jerome Lowenthal at the Juilliard School; collaborative piano (vocal) studies with Michael Strauss, Kenneth Merrill, Dr. Alan Smith at the University of Southern California, and Thomas Muraco at the Manhattan School of Music. Frequent interpreter of contemporary music -- premieres of works by composers Kenji Bunch, Andy Vores, Mohammed Fairouz, and Lowell Liebermann; additional new music performances with the Ludivico Ensemble, Juventas, Pierrot Lunaire Ensemble, and Columbia Chamber Soloists. Founder, Die Hexen Piano Duo (Boston, MA). Former Staff Accompanist at the Manhattan School of Music, The Boston Conservatory and Boston University; former Piano Faculty, New School of Music (Cambridge, MA) and Brookline Music School. (Professional Studies Certificate, Opera/Vocal Accompanying - Manhattan School of Music; M.M. Piano Performance – The Boston Conservatory; B.M. Piano Performance – University of Missouri)
Brett Klaus, New York City based pianist and St. Louis area native, is active as solo and collaborative recitalist as well as teacher and vocal coach. Mr. Klaus currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Piano and vocal coach/collaborative piano faculty at McKendree University. He also serves as choral and artist in residence accompanist/recitalist for Winter Opera St. Louis. Mr. Klaus has previously spent several seasons as faculty, musical director, and accompanist of the Young Artist Program at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute (Lenox, MA), as well as music director of the Artist in Residence program at Opera Theater St. Louis and Assistant Musical Director/Conductor at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville. Recent performances in New York City include Greenfield Hall, Miller Recital Hall, and Ades Performance Space as well as a featured performer in live webcasts of both the 8th Annual MSM International Student Concert and a Masterclass Seminar with Thomas Hampson at the Manhattan School of Music; in addition to Mr. Hampson, he has performed in masterclasses with artists that include Martina Arroyo, Bryn Terfel, Lang Lang, Peter Schickele, Abbey Simon, Idil Biret, Dawn Upshaw, and Renee Fleming. He has appeared in solo and orchestral halls throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe and appeared as soloist with the Columbia Chamber Orchestra and Sinfonia Perusina (Italy), among others. Music festival performances include Brevard Music Festival, Le Centre d’Arts Orford (Montreal), The Las Vegas Music Festival, Sound Encounters at the New England Conservatory, Brandeis Chamber Music Festival, and Music Fest Perugia (Italy), among others. Previously, he has given live performances on WSQR National Public Radio and was a two-time consecutive winner of both the Boston Conservatory Piano Honors Competition and the Boston Conservatory Chamber Music Honors Competition. Piano studies (solo piano) with Thomas Muraco, Max Levinson, Peter Miyamoto, Ayako Tsuruta, and Elinor Freer as well as additional private study with Jerome Lowenthal at the Juilliard School; collaborative piano (vocal) studies with Michael Strauss, Kenneth Merrill, Dr. Alan Smith at the University of Southern California, and Thomas Muraco at the Manhattan School of Music. Frequent interpreter of contemporary music -- premieres of works by composers Kenji Bunch, Andy Vores, Mohammed Fairouz, and Lowell Liebermann; additional new music performances with the Ludivico Ensemble, Juventas, Pierrot Lunaire Ensemble, and Columbia Chamber Soloists. Founder, Die Hexen Piano Duo (Boston, MA). Former Staff Accompanist at the Manhattan School of Music, The Boston Conservatory and Boston University; former Piano Faculty, New School of Music (Cambridge, MA) and Brookline Music School. (Professional Studies Certificate, Opera/Vocal Accompanying - Manhattan School of Music; M.M. Piano Performance – The Boston Conservatory; B.M. Piano Performance – University of Missouri)
Wendy Kleintank, violin (Season 18-20)
Wendy Kleintank, Soprano and Violinist, is a senior at the University of Missouri and was raised in North Manchester, Indiana. Wendy is triple-majoring, pursuing a BM in Voice and Violin Performance and Health Science to go into physical therapy for musician-related injuries. Wendy is a member of Show-Me Opera led by Christine Seitz and the University Philharmonic Orchestra led by Dr. John McKeever. She currently studies voice under Christine Seitz and violin under Eva Szekely. Wendy has received an honorable mention from the MMTA State Competition on voice, an honorable mention from the Odyssey Aria and Concerto Competition, and a first-place award, twice, from the MMTA State Competition on violin. In the summer of 2021, Wendy auditioned and was accepted into the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America and had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. She was also asked to perform A Family Portrait with the Manchester Choir at Carnegie Hall in the Spring of 2022. She has performed as solo soprano in the Farnham and Byas’ Playhouse production of Handel’s Messiah, as well as performed arias in the Show-Me Opera Scenes including performances as Linda from Donizetti’s Linda di Chamounix, Olympia from Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann, Giulietta from Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi , and she also had the opportunity to perform the role of Tytania in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the University of Missouri Show-Me Opera in the Spring of 2023. Recently, Wendy was asked to play alongside the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York City at Carnegie Hall and was asked to play for a masterclass at Carnegie Hall, led by musicians from the Berlin Philharmoniker Orchestra. Even more recently, Wendy performed as Concertmaster for Elgar’s Enigma Variations and was both a cover and Concertmaster for Handel’s opera Ariodante, where she covered the role of Dalinda.
Wendy Kleintank, Soprano and Violinist, is a senior at the University of Missouri and was raised in North Manchester, Indiana. Wendy is triple-majoring, pursuing a BM in Voice and Violin Performance and Health Science to go into physical therapy for musician-related injuries. Wendy is a member of Show-Me Opera led by Christine Seitz and the University Philharmonic Orchestra led by Dr. John McKeever. She currently studies voice under Christine Seitz and violin under Eva Szekely. Wendy has received an honorable mention from the MMTA State Competition on voice, an honorable mention from the Odyssey Aria and Concerto Competition, and a first-place award, twice, from the MMTA State Competition on violin. In the summer of 2021, Wendy auditioned and was accepted into the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America and had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. She was also asked to perform A Family Portrait with the Manchester Choir at Carnegie Hall in the Spring of 2022. She has performed as solo soprano in the Farnham and Byas’ Playhouse production of Handel’s Messiah, as well as performed arias in the Show-Me Opera Scenes including performances as Linda from Donizetti’s Linda di Chamounix, Olympia from Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann, Giulietta from Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi , and she also had the opportunity to perform the role of Tytania in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the University of Missouri Show-Me Opera in the Spring of 2023. Recently, Wendy was asked to play alongside the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York City at Carnegie Hall and was asked to play for a masterclass at Carnegie Hall, led by musicians from the Berlin Philharmoniker Orchestra. Even more recently, Wendy performed as Concertmaster for Elgar’s Enigma Variations and was both a cover and Concertmaster for Handel’s opera Ariodante, where she covered the role of Dalinda.
Ryan Koesterer, flute | Odyssey Performance Fellow (Season 13)
Ryan is a recent graduate from the United States Army School of Music in the top 10% of his class. He also competed in the Music Teachers National Association competition winning at the state level and received an honorable mention at the divisional level. As a junior, Ryan is currently principle of the University Philharmonic Orchestra and is assistant principle of the Columbia Civic Orchestra. He also performs in the contemporary chamber ensemble Exit 128 and is a bandsman of the 312th Army Band and Woodwind Quintet. He also serves as president of the Missouri Flute Society, and is an active member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Ryan is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music performance at the University of Missouri where he studies with Professor Alice K Dade and will graduate in 2018.
Ryan is a recent graduate from the United States Army School of Music in the top 10% of his class. He also competed in the Music Teachers National Association competition winning at the state level and received an honorable mention at the divisional level. As a junior, Ryan is currently principle of the University Philharmonic Orchestra and is assistant principle of the Columbia Civic Orchestra. He also performs in the contemporary chamber ensemble Exit 128 and is a bandsman of the 312th Army Band and Woodwind Quintet. He also serves as president of the Missouri Flute Society, and is an active member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Ryan is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music performance at the University of Missouri where he studies with Professor Alice K Dade and will graduate in 2018.
William J. Lackey, composer (Season 9)
William J. Lackey is Assistant Teaching Professor of Composition and Managing Director of the Mizzou New Music Initiative (MNMI) at the University of Missouri. Serving as Managing Director of MNMI, funded by the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation, he oversees an array of programs intended to position the School of Music as a leading center for the creation and performance of new music. Recently, Lackey was selected as a McKnight Visiting Composer with the American Composers Forum. His music was featured at the Beijing Modern Music Festival, University of Central Missouri New Music Festival, and the Etchings Festival for Contemporary Music (Auvillar, France). The California E.A.R. Unit, New York Art Ensemble, newEar contemporary chamber ensemble, Quixotic Performance Fusion, saxophonist Keith Michael Bohm, percussionist Joby Burgess, clarinetist Alan Hacker, mezzo-soprano Linda Hirst, soprano Rebecca Sherburn, and percussionist Bill Solomon have performed Lackey’s music. In 1998, Lackey won the New York Art Ensemble’s Young Composers Competition (now the Tribeca New Music Young Composer Competition). Lackey received numerous scholarships and fellowships to participate in Troika Ranch’s 2008 Live – I Workshop held at the 3LD Art and Technology Center (New York, NY), Bowdoin International Summer Music Festival, Dartington International Summer School’s 2002 Advanced Composition Seminar (Devon, England), 2001 Chamber Music Conference and Composers’ Forum of the East (Bennington, VT). Lackey holds the M.M. and D.M.A. in music composition from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri - Kansas City. While at UMKC, he studied composition with James Mobberley, Paul Rudy, Chen Yi, and Zhou Long. Lackey received the B.M. in theory/composition from Christopher Newport University (Newport News, VA) where he studied composition with Jennifer Margaret Barker. For further information on his music, visit www.williamjlackey.com.
Kara LaMoure, bassoon (Season 11, 12)
Kara LaMoure joins the School of Music faculty in August 2014 as Assistant Professor of Bassoon. Kara received a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, where she studied bassoon with Christopher Millard and Lewis Kirk. While there, she also served as general manager for the chamber music program. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree and Arts Leadership Certificate at the Eastman School of Music, where her primary teacher was John Hunt. In the spring and fall of 2013, Kara was Acting Associate Principal Bassoon for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She is currently an associate of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In 2013 Kara joined YOA Orchestra of the Americas for their Central American tour, which offered her the opportunity to work with students and professionals from Panama to Belize. As an educator, she has enjoyed coaching youth orchestras and student bassoonists in the United States, Central America, and New Zealand. Her bassoon quartet, The Breaking Winds, has completed their first CD and it includes tunes by Lady Gaga and The Beatles – definitely worth checking out!
Kara LaMoure joins the School of Music faculty in August 2014 as Assistant Professor of Bassoon. Kara received a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, where she studied bassoon with Christopher Millard and Lewis Kirk. While there, she also served as general manager for the chamber music program. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree and Arts Leadership Certificate at the Eastman School of Music, where her primary teacher was John Hunt. In the spring and fall of 2013, Kara was Acting Associate Principal Bassoon for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She is currently an associate of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In 2013 Kara joined YOA Orchestra of the Americas for their Central American tour, which offered her the opportunity to work with students and professionals from Panama to Belize. As an educator, she has enjoyed coaching youth orchestras and student bassoonists in the United States, Central America, and New Zealand. Her bassoon quartet, The Breaking Winds, has completed their first CD and it includes tunes by Lady Gaga and The Beatles – definitely worth checking out!
John Lane-Watson, double bass (Season 16)
John Lane-Watson is a senior music major (BA) with a minor in Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri. From Chicago Illinois, John took an interest to music at a young age, starting on trumpet and playing throughout elementary and middle school. In high school is where he began to fall in love with playing electric bass, eventually learning double bass while developing genuine love for music and performing. John is the bassist for Mizzou’s Concert Jazz band and the University Philharmonic Orchestra. He has studied Trumpet under Dr. Iskander Akhmadullin and Bass under Professor. Sue Stubbs, hoping to use the knowledge and experience gained to create music that unites people. John will be studying abroad in Seoul South Korea at Seoul National University during the spring 2020 semester. This experience will broaden his perception of life and how music impacts human progression, and hopes to work with music on an international scale pedagogical or performance based, deepening the interconnection in global art.
John Lane-Watson is a senior music major (BA) with a minor in Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri. From Chicago Illinois, John took an interest to music at a young age, starting on trumpet and playing throughout elementary and middle school. In high school is where he began to fall in love with playing electric bass, eventually learning double bass while developing genuine love for music and performing. John is the bassist for Mizzou’s Concert Jazz band and the University Philharmonic Orchestra. He has studied Trumpet under Dr. Iskander Akhmadullin and Bass under Professor. Sue Stubbs, hoping to use the knowledge and experience gained to create music that unites people. John will be studying abroad in Seoul South Korea at Seoul National University during the spring 2020 semester. This experience will broaden his perception of life and how music impacts human progression, and hopes to work with music on an international scale pedagogical or performance based, deepening the interconnection in global art.
Stephen Landy, percussion (Season 18)
Stephen Landy is a percussionist, educator, and member of the University of Missouri’s New Music Ensemble. Stephen has a B.M. in Music Performance from the University of North Florida where he studied under Dr. Andrea Venet and Kevin Garry. He has performed with notable artists/groups such as, Valerie Naranjo, The Big Trouble, Patience Munjeri, and Andrea Venet as well as premiered pieces by Aaron Perrine, Niko Schroeder, Daniel Fitzpatrick, Luis Bezerra, Daniel Vega, and Andrea Venet. He has also worked as a music educator for many years teaching at various high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. In 2017, he was a semi-finalist in the Great Plains Marimba Competition and in 2018, he performed with UNF in the Percussive Arts Society International Convention and finished top 5 in the Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition. He is originally from Melbourne, Florida, but currently resides in Columbia, Missouri in pursuit of a M.M. degree in Music Performance at MU under the direction of Dr. Megan Arns.
Stephen Landy is a percussionist, educator, and member of the University of Missouri’s New Music Ensemble. Stephen has a B.M. in Music Performance from the University of North Florida where he studied under Dr. Andrea Venet and Kevin Garry. He has performed with notable artists/groups such as, Valerie Naranjo, The Big Trouble, Patience Munjeri, and Andrea Venet as well as premiered pieces by Aaron Perrine, Niko Schroeder, Daniel Fitzpatrick, Luis Bezerra, Daniel Vega, and Andrea Venet. He has also worked as a music educator for many years teaching at various high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. In 2017, he was a semi-finalist in the Great Plains Marimba Competition and in 2018, he performed with UNF in the Percussive Arts Society International Convention and finished top 5 in the Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition. He is originally from Melbourne, Florida, but currently resides in Columbia, Missouri in pursuit of a M.M. degree in Music Performance at MU under the direction of Dr. Megan Arns.
Lindsey Lang, soprano (Season 18, 20)
Soprano Lindsey Lang is noted for her bold interpretations of early music with a “tone [of] pure, radiant sunshine.” She has appeared as a soloist with modern and period orchestras nation-wide and has sung in main-stage events for early music festivals in Berkley, Bloomington, New Brunswick, New York, and Quito, Ecuador. She frequently performs locally as a guest artist with the Bach Aria Soloists and the Kansas City Baroque Consortium. Lindsey is also an avid choral singer, and in addition to singing with Prometheus, she currently sings with the Kansas City Chorale under the direction of Charles Bruffy, with whom she has recorded several commercial albums, won two Best Choral Album Grammys, and is a featured soloist on the Grammy-winning CD “Life and Breath.” Lindsey graduated with a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri in 2008 and then studied for two years at the Early Music Institute at Indiana University. She currently resides in Kansas City with her singer husband and fellow Promethean Frank and is the Music Director at Asbury United Methodist Church and maintains an active performing career.
Soprano Lindsey Lang is noted for her bold interpretations of early music with a “tone [of] pure, radiant sunshine.” She has appeared as a soloist with modern and period orchestras nation-wide and has sung in main-stage events for early music festivals in Berkley, Bloomington, New Brunswick, New York, and Quito, Ecuador. She frequently performs locally as a guest artist with the Bach Aria Soloists and the Kansas City Baroque Consortium. Lindsey is also an avid choral singer, and in addition to singing with Prometheus, she currently sings with the Kansas City Chorale under the direction of Charles Bruffy, with whom she has recorded several commercial albums, won two Best Choral Album Grammys, and is a featured soloist on the Grammy-winning CD “Life and Breath.” Lindsey graduated with a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri in 2008 and then studied for two years at the Early Music Institute at Indiana University. She currently resides in Kansas City with her singer husband and fellow Promethean Frank and is the Music Director at Asbury United Methodist Church and maintains an active performing career.
James Langen, clarinet (Season 20)
James Langen has been a serious and enthusiastic musician from the age of five, initially on piano but soon learning whatever caught his eye. Sixteen years later, he is finishing his degree in Music History at the University of Missouri. Still a dedicated instrumentalist, he is a member of the clarinet and piano studios and is the student of Dr. Wes Warnhoff (clarinetist) and Dr. Peter Miyamoto (pianist). While at the university, James has performed with many different campus ensembles, including the University Philharmonic Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, and the Undergraduate Woodwind Quintet. He also has taken advantage of several interdisciplinary opportunities, being admitted to the Global Spanish Language and Culture program, the Kinder Scholars D.C. Summer Program, and the phi beta kappa honor society. James expects to graduate in May of 2024, and will then pursue a graduate degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He hopes to retain music as a part of his daily life even after he finishes his formal studies
James Langen has been a serious and enthusiastic musician from the age of five, initially on piano but soon learning whatever caught his eye. Sixteen years later, he is finishing his degree in Music History at the University of Missouri. Still a dedicated instrumentalist, he is a member of the clarinet and piano studios and is the student of Dr. Wes Warnhoff (clarinetist) and Dr. Peter Miyamoto (pianist). While at the university, James has performed with many different campus ensembles, including the University Philharmonic Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, and the Undergraduate Woodwind Quintet. He also has taken advantage of several interdisciplinary opportunities, being admitted to the Global Spanish Language and Culture program, the Kinder Scholars D.C. Summer Program, and the phi beta kappa honor society. James expects to graduate in May of 2024, and will then pursue a graduate degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He hopes to retain music as a part of his daily life even after he finishes his formal studies
Tim Langen, professor of Russian literary and cultural studies (Season 12)
Tim Langen is Associate Professor of Russian and Chair of the Department of German and Russian Studies at the University of Missouri. He has played the violin since the age of five and continues to do so, playing mostly Irish traditional music but occasionally some classical music as well. He grew up in Minnesota and moved to Columbia in 1999 from Chicago, where he did his graduate work at Northwestern University in Slavic Languages and Literature.
Tim Langen is Associate Professor of Russian and Chair of the Department of German and Russian Studies at the University of Missouri. He has played the violin since the age of five and continues to do so, playing mostly Irish traditional music but occasionally some classical music as well. He grew up in Minnesota and moved to Columbia in 1999 from Chicago, where he did his graduate work at Northwestern University in Slavic Languages and Literature.
Eli Lara, violoncello | Esterhazy Quartet (Season 13-17, 19, 20)
Regarded for thoughtful interpretations, compelling execution, and depth of understanding, cellist Eli Lara has been praised for creating “a sense of complete awe.” Lara has appeared on NPR, at concerts and festivals in Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, England, France, South Korea and across the United States. As cellist of the Esterhazy Quartet, she has had residencies and performances at Berklee College of Music, the Federal University of Pará, and international festivals in Manaus and Belem, Brazil. Lara is a founding member of Trio Séléné, which released its debut album of works by Fauré, Zemlinsky and Fernando Buide in 2018 on the Summit label. The trio’s second album “Historical Instruments–Beethoven & Beyond” explores the timbres and styles of performing on historical instruments (classical-period clarinets, cello, fortepiano); the album, scheduled for release by Blue Griffin in 2020, features Beethoven’s Op. 11 Trio, a commissioned work by Yevgeniy Sharlat inspired by the Op. 11 trio, and Anton Eberl’s Grand Trio. In Nashville, Lara worked frequently as a studio musician; highlights include recording with Willie Nelson as well as video games for Insomniac, Oculus Rift, and Electronic Arts. In Missouri, she has worked with Chamber Project St. Louis, Kansas City Lyric Opera, and is a frequent performer with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. Dedicated to promoting contemporary music, Lara has performed/premiered new works in numerous concerts and festivals including at National Sawdust, Mizzou International Composers Festival, PASIC, and Summergarden at the New York MoMA. She is a member of Khemia Ensemble, a contemporary mixed chamber group specializing in multimedia performances. Lara is Assistant Professor of Cello at the University of Missouri, and she previously taught at Austin Peay State University. She holds degrees from Yale University and The Juilliard School.
Regarded for thoughtful interpretations, compelling execution, and depth of understanding, cellist Eli Lara has been praised for creating “a sense of complete awe.” Lara has appeared on NPR, at concerts and festivals in Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, England, France, South Korea and across the United States. As cellist of the Esterhazy Quartet, she has had residencies and performances at Berklee College of Music, the Federal University of Pará, and international festivals in Manaus and Belem, Brazil. Lara is a founding member of Trio Séléné, which released its debut album of works by Fauré, Zemlinsky and Fernando Buide in 2018 on the Summit label. The trio’s second album “Historical Instruments–Beethoven & Beyond” explores the timbres and styles of performing on historical instruments (classical-period clarinets, cello, fortepiano); the album, scheduled for release by Blue Griffin in 2020, features Beethoven’s Op. 11 Trio, a commissioned work by Yevgeniy Sharlat inspired by the Op. 11 trio, and Anton Eberl’s Grand Trio. In Nashville, Lara worked frequently as a studio musician; highlights include recording with Willie Nelson as well as video games for Insomniac, Oculus Rift, and Electronic Arts. In Missouri, she has worked with Chamber Project St. Louis, Kansas City Lyric Opera, and is a frequent performer with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. Dedicated to promoting contemporary music, Lara has performed/premiered new works in numerous concerts and festivals including at National Sawdust, Mizzou International Composers Festival, PASIC, and Summergarden at the New York MoMA. She is a member of Khemia Ensemble, a contemporary mixed chamber group specializing in multimedia performances. Lara is Assistant Professor of Cello at the University of Missouri, and she previously taught at Austin Peay State University. She holds degrees from Yale University and The Juilliard School.
Naomi Sugino Lear, artist (Plowman 2015, 2017 & 2019)
*Naomi Sugino Lear was commissioned Plowman 2019 painting. She is the artist of Plowman 2017 and 2015 paintings as well.
Born in Ishioka, Japan, Naomi Sugino Lear came to the United States when she was a teenager. She attended Eastern Illinois University, graduating with dual degrees in art and music, and went on to complete a master of fine art degree from Wichita State University, with emphases in painting and drawing. Lear joined the faculty of Columbia College in 2002 and currently serves as an Associate Professor of Art. In addition to teaching drawing and painting courses, Lear serves as the Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program. She is an active painter from her studio in Columbia and routinely exhibits her work in regional and national shows with several awards received.
*Naomi Sugino Lear was commissioned Plowman 2019 painting. She is the artist of Plowman 2017 and 2015 paintings as well.
Born in Ishioka, Japan, Naomi Sugino Lear came to the United States when she was a teenager. She attended Eastern Illinois University, graduating with dual degrees in art and music, and went on to complete a master of fine art degree from Wichita State University, with emphases in painting and drawing. Lear joined the faculty of Columbia College in 2002 and currently serves as an Associate Professor of Art. In addition to teaching drawing and painting courses, Lear serves as the Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program. She is an active painter from her studio in Columbia and routinely exhibits her work in regional and national shows with several awards received.
Jiae Lee, violoncello (Season 19)
Jiae Lee is a graduate student at the University of Missouri School of Music, majoring in Cello Performance with Master of Music. She has studied the cello under Tae-Woo Kim, Michael Murray, Daniel Ketter, and Eli Lara. She graduated from Missouri State University with Bachelor of Music in May 2022. She is a cellist at University Philharmonic Orchestra and New Music Ensemble. Jiae Lee has won the Runner-up at collegiate strings state-level competition, Missouri Music Teachers Association in 2021 and the Honorable Mention in 2020. She was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society in 2021.
Jiae Lee is a graduate student at the University of Missouri School of Music, majoring in Cello Performance with Master of Music. She has studied the cello under Tae-Woo Kim, Michael Murray, Daniel Ketter, and Eli Lara. She graduated from Missouri State University with Bachelor of Music in May 2022. She is a cellist at University Philharmonic Orchestra and New Music Ensemble. Jiae Lee has won the Runner-up at collegiate strings state-level competition, Missouri Music Teachers Association in 2021 and the Honorable Mention in 2020. She was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society in 2021.
Jaron Lester, horn (Season 11)
Jaron Lester, French Horn performance, currently studies Performance with Dr. Marcia Spence at the University of Missouri where he is pursuing a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting and a Master of Music in French Horn Performance. For the past fourteen years, Mr. Lester has been honing his skills on the French Horn, studying with Dr. Spence at the University of Missouri and taking master classes with world-renowned horn players such as St. Louis Symphony’s Thomas Jöstlein and University of North Texas Professor William Scharnberg. In 2012, he received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Missouri and subsequently became a band director in southwest Missouri. As a band director, Mr. Lester always stressed the importance of musicianship in all aspects of his students’ playing and he modeled these ideas as the principal hornist for the Ozark Festival Orchestra and Taneycomo Festival Orchestra. As a performer, Mr. Lester can be heard playing any number of works throughout the year with ensembles such as the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra in Branson, MO, the Ozark Festival Orchestra in Monett, MO, and the University Philharmonic Orchestra right here in Columbia. Solo and chamber performances can also be heard during recitals or at competitions such as MMTA and MTNA. His ability to convey musical ideas has lead to great success as a conductor, as well. In addition to his role as a band director, Mr. Lester has been asked to guest conduct a number of ensembles ranging from the Mizzou Horn Choir to Faculty Brass Ensembles. In his current role as the University Philharmonic Teaching Assistant where he studies with Edward Dolbashian, Mr. Lester can be seen conducting the orchestra every week during rehearsals as well as several concerts.
Jaron Lester, French Horn performance, currently studies Performance with Dr. Marcia Spence at the University of Missouri where he is pursuing a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting and a Master of Music in French Horn Performance. For the past fourteen years, Mr. Lester has been honing his skills on the French Horn, studying with Dr. Spence at the University of Missouri and taking master classes with world-renowned horn players such as St. Louis Symphony’s Thomas Jöstlein and University of North Texas Professor William Scharnberg. In 2012, he received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Missouri and subsequently became a band director in southwest Missouri. As a band director, Mr. Lester always stressed the importance of musicianship in all aspects of his students’ playing and he modeled these ideas as the principal hornist for the Ozark Festival Orchestra and Taneycomo Festival Orchestra. As a performer, Mr. Lester can be heard playing any number of works throughout the year with ensembles such as the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra in Branson, MO, the Ozark Festival Orchestra in Monett, MO, and the University Philharmonic Orchestra right here in Columbia. Solo and chamber performances can also be heard during recitals or at competitions such as MMTA and MTNA. His ability to convey musical ideas has lead to great success as a conductor, as well. In addition to his role as a band director, Mr. Lester has been asked to guest conduct a number of ensembles ranging from the Mizzou Horn Choir to Faculty Brass Ensembles. In his current role as the University Philharmonic Teaching Assistant where he studies with Edward Dolbashian, Mr. Lester can be seen conducting the orchestra every week during rehearsals as well as several concerts.
Andrew Lewis, violoncello (Season 17)
Playing cello from the age of nine, Andrew Lewis was inspired by his passionate orchestra teacher to study music at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Before graduating from BGSU with a Bachelor of Music in music education, he partook in many performing and teaching opportunities, gaining valuable insights, experiences, and accolades from his cello teacher, Brian Snow, and other faculty members. Currently, Andrew is pursuing his Master of Music at the University of Missouri-Columbia, studying with Dr. Eli Lara.
Playing cello from the age of nine, Andrew Lewis was inspired by his passionate orchestra teacher to study music at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Before graduating from BGSU with a Bachelor of Music in music education, he partook in many performing and teaching opportunities, gaining valuable insights, experiences, and accolades from his cello teacher, Brian Snow, and other faculty members. Currently, Andrew is pursuing his Master of Music at the University of Missouri-Columbia, studying with Dr. Eli Lara.
Tenson Liang, piano | Odyssey Performance Fellow (Season 20)
Tenson Liang's musical journey commenced in Taipei, Taiwan, at the tender age of five, marking the inception of an extraordinary odyssey. Despite achieving a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, his unwavering passion for the piano beckoned him to the illustrious Peabody Conservatory in 2016. Presently, he refines his artistry under the tutelage of Dr. Peter Miyamoto at the University of Missouri in Columbia, building upon the profound insights imparted by luminaries such as Gwyneth Chen, Brian Ganz, and Alon Goldstein. Tenson's resplendent talent has earned him an array of prestigious accolades, including the coveted First Prize at the National Taiwan Mandarin Daily News Piano Competition and a Gold Medal at the Taiwan National Young-Artist Piano Competition, alongside recognition as a Finalist in both the Wideman International Piano Competition and the West Virginia International Piano Competition. Notably, he has recently clinched victories in the MMTA Collegiate Piano Graduate Division, Emergency Artist Competition, and Concerto Competition at the University of Missouri, coupled with an honorable mention from the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra Piano Concerto Competition. An indelible highlight of his career was his enchanting rendition of Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1 alongside the Mizzou University Philharmonic Orchestra. Tenson's virtuosity extends beyond the stage as he is frequently invited as a guest musician by diverse organizations such as the Emerald Coast Music Alliance, Kansas City Music Club, and Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office. Tenson has also graced several prestigious music festivals, including the 9th Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival. In a visionary initiative, Tenson founded Classical Music Express in Kansas City, MO, in 2020, with the noble aim of democratizing classical music by taking it beyond the confines of traditional concert halls. In just three short years, this pioneering association has orchestrated over 50 concerts, enriching diverse neighborhoods with the timeless allure of classical music.
Tenson Liang's musical journey commenced in Taipei, Taiwan, at the tender age of five, marking the inception of an extraordinary odyssey. Despite achieving a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, his unwavering passion for the piano beckoned him to the illustrious Peabody Conservatory in 2016. Presently, he refines his artistry under the tutelage of Dr. Peter Miyamoto at the University of Missouri in Columbia, building upon the profound insights imparted by luminaries such as Gwyneth Chen, Brian Ganz, and Alon Goldstein. Tenson's resplendent talent has earned him an array of prestigious accolades, including the coveted First Prize at the National Taiwan Mandarin Daily News Piano Competition and a Gold Medal at the Taiwan National Young-Artist Piano Competition, alongside recognition as a Finalist in both the Wideman International Piano Competition and the West Virginia International Piano Competition. Notably, he has recently clinched victories in the MMTA Collegiate Piano Graduate Division, Emergency Artist Competition, and Concerto Competition at the University of Missouri, coupled with an honorable mention from the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra Piano Concerto Competition. An indelible highlight of his career was his enchanting rendition of Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1 alongside the Mizzou University Philharmonic Orchestra. Tenson's virtuosity extends beyond the stage as he is frequently invited as a guest musician by diverse organizations such as the Emerald Coast Music Alliance, Kansas City Music Club, and Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office. Tenson has also graced several prestigious music festivals, including the 9th Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival. In a visionary initiative, Tenson founded Classical Music Express in Kansas City, MO, in 2020, with the noble aim of democratizing classical music by taking it beyond the confines of traditional concert halls. In just three short years, this pioneering association has orchestrated over 50 concerts, enriching diverse neighborhoods with the timeless allure of classical music.
Tao Lin, piano (Season 16)
Described by critics as possessing “Keen musical intelligence and excellent facility” (Miami Herald), “Joyful virtuosity and stylish musicianship (Gramophone Magazine), as well as “opulent and romantic tone” (Fanfare), Chinese-American concert pianist and Steinway artist Tao Lin has performed in Asia, North America, and Europe. A versatile musician, he is equally at home as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. Born into a musical family in Shanghai, he began piano lessons at the age of four, first with his mother and later his father, both on faculty at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. The following year saw his first public performance and at the age of eight, he gained entrance to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. As a teenager, he performed in the Chinese premiere of Bartok’s Sonata for two Pianos and Percussion, a major musical event at the time. After moving to the United States, Mr. Lin continued his active concert activities. As a soloist, he has performed with Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony, Miami Chamber Orchestra, Atlantic Classical Orchestra, Knoxville Civic Orchestra amongst others. As a recitalist, he has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, National Gallery of Art, 92nd Street Y, Rockefeller University, Chautauqua Institute, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Minnesota Orchestra Hall, Izumi Hall (Osaka, Japan), and Edvard Grieg Museum in Norway. A devoted chamber musician, Mr. Lin has concertized throughout the United States as a member of the Berlin Piano Quartet (with Jacques Thibaud String Trio) and the St. Petersburg Piano Quartet. He has also appeared in concerts with Ying, Shanghai, Miami, Bergonzi, Alcon, Rosalyra, St. Petersburg String Quartets, and Aspen String Trio as well as distinguished musicians such as Elmar Oliveira, Carol Wincenc, Roberto Diaz, Frank Huang, Paul Huang, Paul Katz, Chee-Yun, Ayano Ninomiya, David Requiro, William De Rosa, Charles Castleman, Eugenia Zukerman, Claudio Bohorquez and members of New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Philadelphia, St. Louis, National, Minnesota, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Berlin Staatskapelle Orchestras. A regular guest artist at numerous music festivals, Mr. Lin has performed at the Music Festival of the Hamptons, Mainly Mozart Festival (Miami), Music Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Arts Rolla Festival, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, and Festival Miami. Very much in demand as a pedagogue as well, Mr. Lin has given master classes and lectures at universities and conservatories in the United States, Norway, and China. Recently, he received the award for “Outstanding International Pedagogue” from Shanghai Normal University School of Music. Mr. Lin’s competition accomplishments have included National Society of Arts and Letters, Music Teachers’ National Association, Palm Beach International Invitational, 1st International Piano-e-Competition, William Kapell International Piano Competition and 1st Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. He is currently an artist faculty member at the Bowdoin International Music Festival and is a visiting professor at Shanghai Normal University School of Music, as well as co-artistic director of Beaux Arts Chamber Music Series in Naples. A prolific recording artist, Mr. Lin can be heard on Naxos, Artek, Centaur, Romeo, Poinciana, and Piano Lovers labels, his recording of the complete music for Violin and Piano by Franz Schubert (with Violinist Tomas Cotik) was awarded Recording of the Year by MusicWeb International. He is represented by Lisa Sapinkopf Artist Management.
Described by critics as possessing “Keen musical intelligence and excellent facility” (Miami Herald), “Joyful virtuosity and stylish musicianship (Gramophone Magazine), as well as “opulent and romantic tone” (Fanfare), Chinese-American concert pianist and Steinway artist Tao Lin has performed in Asia, North America, and Europe. A versatile musician, he is equally at home as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. Born into a musical family in Shanghai, he began piano lessons at the age of four, first with his mother and later his father, both on faculty at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. The following year saw his first public performance and at the age of eight, he gained entrance to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. As a teenager, he performed in the Chinese premiere of Bartok’s Sonata for two Pianos and Percussion, a major musical event at the time. After moving to the United States, Mr. Lin continued his active concert activities. As a soloist, he has performed with Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony, Miami Chamber Orchestra, Atlantic Classical Orchestra, Knoxville Civic Orchestra amongst others. As a recitalist, he has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, National Gallery of Art, 92nd Street Y, Rockefeller University, Chautauqua Institute, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Minnesota Orchestra Hall, Izumi Hall (Osaka, Japan), and Edvard Grieg Museum in Norway. A devoted chamber musician, Mr. Lin has concertized throughout the United States as a member of the Berlin Piano Quartet (with Jacques Thibaud String Trio) and the St. Petersburg Piano Quartet. He has also appeared in concerts with Ying, Shanghai, Miami, Bergonzi, Alcon, Rosalyra, St. Petersburg String Quartets, and Aspen String Trio as well as distinguished musicians such as Elmar Oliveira, Carol Wincenc, Roberto Diaz, Frank Huang, Paul Huang, Paul Katz, Chee-Yun, Ayano Ninomiya, David Requiro, William De Rosa, Charles Castleman, Eugenia Zukerman, Claudio Bohorquez and members of New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Philadelphia, St. Louis, National, Minnesota, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Berlin Staatskapelle Orchestras. A regular guest artist at numerous music festivals, Mr. Lin has performed at the Music Festival of the Hamptons, Mainly Mozart Festival (Miami), Music Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Arts Rolla Festival, Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, and Festival Miami. Very much in demand as a pedagogue as well, Mr. Lin has given master classes and lectures at universities and conservatories in the United States, Norway, and China. Recently, he received the award for “Outstanding International Pedagogue” from Shanghai Normal University School of Music. Mr. Lin’s competition accomplishments have included National Society of Arts and Letters, Music Teachers’ National Association, Palm Beach International Invitational, 1st International Piano-e-Competition, William Kapell International Piano Competition and 1st Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. He is currently an artist faculty member at the Bowdoin International Music Festival and is a visiting professor at Shanghai Normal University School of Music, as well as co-artistic director of Beaux Arts Chamber Music Series in Naples. A prolific recording artist, Mr. Lin can be heard on Naxos, Artek, Centaur, Romeo, Poinciana, and Piano Lovers labels, his recording of the complete music for Violin and Piano by Franz Schubert (with Violinist Tomas Cotik) was awarded Recording of the Year by MusicWeb International. He is represented by Lisa Sapinkopf Artist Management.
Andrew Linn, composer | sound designer (Season 14)
Andrew Linn is a composer, performer, and producer in the New York City area. Andrew’s compositions and arrangements have been performed across the United States and Europe, most notably: The Montreux Jazz Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Andrew's compositions and arrangements have been recorded or performed by artists such as Ron Miles, Robin Eubanks, Angela Parrish, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Geoffrey Keezer, Dan Gailey, Steve Leisring, Roxy Coss, JC Sanford, Bryan Lynch, Alwyn Robinson, Addison Frei, The People's Liberation Big Band, and The Dave Dickey Big Band. Andrew balances a busy composing schedule with a variety of projects including: marching band shows, film scores, big band compositions, and commercial song production. Andrew recently broke into the field of film when he was hired to compose the music for an extended commercial for New Balance Team and is currently in the midst of a full length documentary film score. Pursuing postgraduate studies through the Berklee College of Music, Linn completed his certification in Producing Music for Film and Video Games in December 2017. Andrew holds a M.M in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado, and a B.M in Trumpet Performance from the University of Kansas. He is a member of The Society of Composers and Lyricists, The MIDI Association, and The Game Audio Network. More information at andrewlinnmusic.com
Andrew Linn is a composer, performer, and producer in the New York City area. Andrew’s compositions and arrangements have been performed across the United States and Europe, most notably: The Montreux Jazz Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Andrew's compositions and arrangements have been recorded or performed by artists such as Ron Miles, Robin Eubanks, Angela Parrish, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Geoffrey Keezer, Dan Gailey, Steve Leisring, Roxy Coss, JC Sanford, Bryan Lynch, Alwyn Robinson, Addison Frei, The People's Liberation Big Band, and The Dave Dickey Big Band. Andrew balances a busy composing schedule with a variety of projects including: marching band shows, film scores, big band compositions, and commercial song production. Andrew recently broke into the field of film when he was hired to compose the music for an extended commercial for New Balance Team and is currently in the midst of a full length documentary film score. Pursuing postgraduate studies through the Berklee College of Music, Linn completed his certification in Producing Music for Film and Video Games in December 2017. Andrew holds a M.M in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado, and a B.M in Trumpet Performance from the University of Kansas. He is a member of The Society of Composers and Lyricists, The MIDI Association, and The Game Audio Network. More information at andrewlinnmusic.com
Jennifer Lochhead, violoncello (Season 20)
Jennifer Lochhead is an aspiring young cellist. Native to St. Joseph, Missouri, she previously studied under Sascha Groschang before attending college and studied under Ezgi Karakus at Missouri Western State University for two years. She has been studying under Eli Lara at the University of Missouri since the Fall of 2021. While in Columbia, she has performed in the University Philharmonic Orchestra at Mizzou, the Missouri Symphony, and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. She is also a passionate music educator and has taught for the Missouri Symphony Conservatory, Missouri Academy of Music, and teaches a growing private studio. Jennifer graduated with her bachelor’s degree in cello performance in 2023. In the near future, she hopes to continue studying cello in a master’s program.
Jennifer Lochhead is an aspiring young cellist. Native to St. Joseph, Missouri, she previously studied under Sascha Groschang before attending college and studied under Ezgi Karakus at Missouri Western State University for two years. She has been studying under Eli Lara at the University of Missouri since the Fall of 2021. While in Columbia, she has performed in the University Philharmonic Orchestra at Mizzou, the Missouri Symphony, and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. She is also a passionate music educator and has taught for the Missouri Symphony Conservatory, Missouri Academy of Music, and teaches a growing private studio. Jennifer graduated with her bachelor’s degree in cello performance in 2023. In the near future, she hopes to continue studying cello in a master’s program.
Fred Lowrance, clarinet (Season 15)
Fred Lowrance is a native Missourian having grown up in Southwest Missouri. He studied with Earl Bates (St. Louis Symphony) and Robert McGinnis (New York Philharmonic). Fred enjoyed employment with the following orchestras: Aspen Festival Orchestra, Halifax Symphony Orchestra, American Ballet, Les Grande Ballet Canadiens, S. Hurok -Royal Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Leningrad-Kirov Ballet, Florida Symphony, and the New Jersey Symphony. Fred currently enjoys playing with the Columbia Civic Orchestra and the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra.
Fred Lowrance is a native Missourian having grown up in Southwest Missouri. He studied with Earl Bates (St. Louis Symphony) and Robert McGinnis (New York Philharmonic). Fred enjoyed employment with the following orchestras: Aspen Festival Orchestra, Halifax Symphony Orchestra, American Ballet, Les Grande Ballet Canadiens, S. Hurok -Royal Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Leningrad-Kirov Ballet, Florida Symphony, and the New Jersey Symphony. Fred currently enjoys playing with the Columbia Civic Orchestra and the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra.
Sarah Lucas, oboe (Season 8)
Sarah Lucas is a second-year master’s student at the University of Missouri pursuing an M.A. in Music History. Ms. Lucas is a native of Clinton, Missouri, where she taught oboe lessons and directed the Clinton Community Band. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. While at Central Methodist, she participated in numerous instrumental and vocal chamber ensembles, as well as Chorale, Conservatory Singers, the Marching Eagle Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band. Ms. Lucas served as drum major and student music festival coordinator, and toured with both the Chorale and Concert Band as a featured soloist. In 2010 she was awarded the Alpha Chi National Honor Society Sledge Fellowship for her research and lecture recital on Telemann’s Methodical Sonata in E minor. At the University of Missouri, Ms. Lucas is the graduate teaching assistant for music history and has played oboe and English horn in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the University Philharmonic. She has also participated in chamber groups and the Columbia Civic Orchestra. She has studied oboe with Meribeth Risebig and Dan Willett.
David Ludwig, composer (Season 4, 10)
David Ludwig’s music has been called “entrancing,” and that it “promises to speak for the sorrows of this generation,” (Philadelphia Inquirer). It has further been described as “arresting and dramatically hued” (The New York Times) and has been noted for “music supercharged with electrical energy and raw emotion” (Fanfare). The Chicago Tribune says that he “deserves his growing reputation as one of the up-and-comers of his generation.” NPR Music picked him as one of the Top 100 Composers Under Forty in the world in 2011. In 2013, Ludwig's choral work, “The New Colossus,” was selected to open the private prayer service for the 57th Presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. Ludwig has written for many prominent artists, including soloists Jonathan Biss and Jaime Laredo, ensembles like eighth blackbird and ECCO, and orchestras including the Philadelphia, Minnesota, and National Symphonies. Residencies with arts institutions at home and abroad include Marlboro, the Gardner Museum, the Ravinia Steans Institute, the MacDowell and Yaddo colonies, and the Seoul University and Shanghai International Festival. Ludwig directs summer composition programs at the Lake Champlain Festival and the Atlantic Music Festival, and he is the artistic director of the Curtis Institute Young Artist Summer Program. He has won numerous awards and honors from nationally recognized arts organizations, including the Theodore Presser Foundation, the Independence Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Born in Bucks County, P.A., Ludwig comes from a family lineage of musicians that includes his grandfather Rudolf Serkin, and great-grandfather Adolf Busch. He holds degrees from Oberlin, The Manhattan School, Curtis, and Juilliard, as well as a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. Ludwig is on the composition faculty of Curtis where he serves as the Dean of Artistic Programs and as the director of the 20/21 Ensemble. www.davidludwigmusic.com
Grace Lyden, piano (Season 8, 9)
A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Grace Lyden began piano studies at age five, and went on to study piano with Beverly Hoff, Jerri Niver, Karen Johnson and James Johnson. Ms. Lyden currently studies piano with Dr. Peter Miyamoto at the University of Missouri, where she is double majoring in Journalism and Piano Performance. Over the summer, she studied with Eugene Pridonoff at the Brevard Music Center. She performed in the MU Emerging Artist Showcase of 2011 and plays for the MU Concert Jazz Band, as well as university classical and jazz chamber ensembles. Ms. Lyden won Honorable Mention at the SAI Scholarship Competition in February 2011 and attended the International Society of Improvised Music conference in Michigan later that semester with the MU Creative Improvisation Ensemble. She has also been the accompanist for the Missouri Symphony Children's Choir since coming to MU. After being named the 2003 KVNO Classical Kid, Ms. Lyden went on to win second prize in the 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008 Omaha Music Teachers Association (OMTA) Young Artist’s Piano Competitions, first alternate in the 2005, 2006 and 2009 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Junior and Senior Performance Competitions, and first prize in the 2008 MTNA Senior Performance Competition. She was also a finalist in the 2008 Orchestra Omaha Concerto Competition and won 3rd prize in the 2010 Nebraska Federation of Music Honors Scholarship Competition. In 2008, her piano trio, the Trio DePaz, won 2nd prize in the Lincoln Friends of Chamber Music competition. She participated in Nebraska All State Music ensembles for three years in a row as a saxophonist and jazz pianist, and she served as drum major for her high school marching band for two years.
Mary Manulik, cello (Season 3-16)
Mary Manulik is a Suzuki cello instructor. She teaches from her home studio in Columbia. Mary has a B.A. in cello and piano from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, where she studied with David Littrell and Stephen Swedish. Her M.A. is from the University of Iowa. Her teachers there were Charles Wendt and John Simms. While in Iowa, Mary played with the Cedar Rapids Symphony and taught at the Preucil School of Music and Cornell College. After moving to Columbia, Mary worked as a piano accompanist and cello instructor at Central Methodist University. She plays with the Columbia Civic Orchestra, the Thilman Duo for flute and cello, and the Prairie Strings Quartet. In addition, Mary is the owner of a home-based gluten-free baking business called Senza . She and her husband, Joe, have three adult children.
Neil Minturn, organ (Season 3, 12)
Dr. Neil B. Minturn teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Music Theory. Before joining the MU music faculty in August 1997, he taught music theory at the Eastman School of Music for eight years. Prior to that he taught briefly at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and for several years at Columbia-Greene Community College in New York State. He has specialized in the study and analysis of 20th-century music. His book entitled The Music of Sergei Prokofiev was published by Yale University Press in 1997. Minturn holds a bachelor of arts degree in music from Reed College and the master of philosophy and doctor of philosophy degrees from Yale University
Dr. Neil B. Minturn teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Music Theory. Before joining the MU music faculty in August 1997, he taught music theory at the Eastman School of Music for eight years. Prior to that he taught briefly at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and for several years at Columbia-Greene Community College in New York State. He has specialized in the study and analysis of 20th-century music. His book entitled The Music of Sergei Prokofiev was published by Yale University Press in 1997. Minturn holds a bachelor of arts degree in music from Reed College and the master of philosophy and doctor of philosophy degrees from Yale University
Andrew Mahonen, clarinet (Season 14 Fellow; 15)
Clarinetist Andrew Mahonen is an avid performer, researcher, and educator. Currently, he pursuing his Masters of Music degree in clarinet performance at the University of Missouri and has worked with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series as a Performance Fellow (Season 14). Being an advocate for music education, Andrew has taught students of all ages privately. Additionally, he held the position of music mentor at Duluth Denfeld High School where he taught lessons and masterclasses, helped students prepare for music contest, and presented lectures on various various topics. Andrew was awarded a research grant to survey the general music knowledge of high school and college students and used the findings from this to develop a method of teaching that views music as a diverse art. Andrew has appeared as a soloist numerous times around Northern Minnesota, and has performed in several orchestras including the Duluth/Superior Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of the North, the Minnesota Ballet Orchestra, and the Missouri Symphony. Having a passion for chamber music, he was the clarinetist with the Aurora Winds Quintet, he performed on a recital at the International Clarinet Association's annual ClarinetFest in Oostende, Belgium with the Missouri Clarinet Quartet, and he was featured at the Minnesota Music Educator's Asociation's midwinter clinic with te University of Minnesota, Deluth Chamber Winds. Andrew holds his Bachelors of Music in clarinet performance from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and his primary teachers have been Dr. Wesley Warnhoff and Dr. Theodore Schoen.
Clarinetist Andrew Mahonen is an avid performer, researcher, and educator. Currently, he pursuing his Masters of Music degree in clarinet performance at the University of Missouri and has worked with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series as a Performance Fellow (Season 14). Being an advocate for music education, Andrew has taught students of all ages privately. Additionally, he held the position of music mentor at Duluth Denfeld High School where he taught lessons and masterclasses, helped students prepare for music contest, and presented lectures on various various topics. Andrew was awarded a research grant to survey the general music knowledge of high school and college students and used the findings from this to develop a method of teaching that views music as a diverse art. Andrew has appeared as a soloist numerous times around Northern Minnesota, and has performed in several orchestras including the Duluth/Superior Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of the North, the Minnesota Ballet Orchestra, and the Missouri Symphony. Having a passion for chamber music, he was the clarinetist with the Aurora Winds Quintet, he performed on a recital at the International Clarinet Association's annual ClarinetFest in Oostende, Belgium with the Missouri Clarinet Quartet, and he was featured at the Minnesota Music Educator's Asociation's midwinter clinic with te University of Minnesota, Deluth Chamber Winds. Andrew holds his Bachelors of Music in clarinet performance from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and his primary teachers have been Dr. Wesley Warnhoff and Dr. Theodore Schoen.
Patrizia Maggio, violin (Season 10)
Permanent violin teacher at Conservatorio di Musica “D.Cimarosa” of Avellino, she took part to numerous training courses all over Italy: in Riva Del Garda with Maestro Ruggero Ricci; in Roma with Maestro Mila Costisella for violin and with Maestro Tamponi e Maestro Lanzillotta for chamber music; with Maestro Gatti and in Genova with Maestro Donella Terenzio for ancient music. She collaborated with New York University giving contemporary music courses and playing in chamber orchestra for many first performances.. At New York University she also collaborated with one of the major contemporary composer, Pavel Blatny. She recorded for Radio Vaticana, French Television, Radio Luxemburg and Radio Madrid as well as taking part to several recording session among which the one with Alma Mahler Simphonietta for NAXOS has particular importance. She played concerts in Italy and abroad in orchestra and in chamber orchestra collaborating, for exemple, with theatre foundations (San Carlo, Verdi...).Besides, With 'Trio i Nuovi Cameristi' she played first performances of italian and foreign composers. She currently plays in quartet.
Permanent violin teacher at Conservatorio di Musica “D.Cimarosa” of Avellino, she took part to numerous training courses all over Italy: in Riva Del Garda with Maestro Ruggero Ricci; in Roma with Maestro Mila Costisella for violin and with Maestro Tamponi e Maestro Lanzillotta for chamber music; with Maestro Gatti and in Genova with Maestro Donella Terenzio for ancient music. She collaborated with New York University giving contemporary music courses and playing in chamber orchestra for many first performances.. At New York University she also collaborated with one of the major contemporary composer, Pavel Blatny. She recorded for Radio Vaticana, French Television, Radio Luxemburg and Radio Madrid as well as taking part to several recording session among which the one with Alma Mahler Simphonietta for NAXOS has particular importance. She played concerts in Italy and abroad in orchestra and in chamber orchestra collaborating, for exemple, with theatre foundations (San Carlo, Verdi...).Besides, With 'Trio i Nuovi Cameristi' she played first performances of italian and foreign composers. She currently plays in quartet.
Judith Mabary, musicologist (Season 12)
Judith Mabary received a master's and doctoral degree in musicology from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri as well as a master's in vocal performance from the University of Missouri, Columbia. In 1992 she completed her master's thesis on the topic of The Strangler: A Rite of Passage - a Creative Synthesis of Modern Dance, Literature and Music: Erick Hawkins, Robert Fitzgerald and Bohuslav Martinů and in 1999 her dissertation on Redefining Melodrama: The Czech Response to Music and Word, with the help of a grant from the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX). Dr. Mabary teaches courses in music history, world music, and music appreciation (online) at the University of Missouri. Dr. Mabary's research interests include Czech music of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, focusing particularly on the life and works of Antonín Dvořák, Zdeňek Fibich, and Bohuslav Martinů, melodrama as a genre, and Native American music and culture as it impacts the Western musical tradition. The results of her research have appeared in publications of Cambridge University Press, Pendragon Press, Lexington Books, the Dvořák Society, the International Martinů Society, as well as in the proceedings of various professional conferences where she has presented papers. She has contributed to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and presented lectures in numerous venues including the Guildhall School for Music and Drama (London), Stanford University, University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Bard Music Festival. Dr. Mabary has also served on several professional societies, including as president and secretary of the Czech and Slovak Music Society, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Bohuslav Martinů Society, and on the Advisory Committee to the Kaprálová Society. She is currently working on a book on the topic of Musical Melodrama in the Czech Lands: Its Origins and History.
Judith Mabary received a master's and doctoral degree in musicology from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri as well as a master's in vocal performance from the University of Missouri, Columbia. In 1992 she completed her master's thesis on the topic of The Strangler: A Rite of Passage - a Creative Synthesis of Modern Dance, Literature and Music: Erick Hawkins, Robert Fitzgerald and Bohuslav Martinů and in 1999 her dissertation on Redefining Melodrama: The Czech Response to Music and Word, with the help of a grant from the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX). Dr. Mabary teaches courses in music history, world music, and music appreciation (online) at the University of Missouri. Dr. Mabary's research interests include Czech music of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, focusing particularly on the life and works of Antonín Dvořák, Zdeňek Fibich, and Bohuslav Martinů, melodrama as a genre, and Native American music and culture as it impacts the Western musical tradition. The results of her research have appeared in publications of Cambridge University Press, Pendragon Press, Lexington Books, the Dvořák Society, the International Martinů Society, as well as in the proceedings of various professional conferences where she has presented papers. She has contributed to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and presented lectures in numerous venues including the Guildhall School for Music and Drama (London), Stanford University, University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Bard Music Festival. Dr. Mabary has also served on several professional societies, including as president and secretary of the Czech and Slovak Music Society, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Bohuslav Martinů Society, and on the Advisory Committee to the Kaprálová Society. She is currently working on a book on the topic of Musical Melodrama in the Czech Lands: Its Origins and History.
Roberto Maggio, flute (Season 7, 10)
Roberto Maggio began his studies with Francesco Urciuolo at the Conservatory of Music in Avellino. He participated in seminars held by Robert Dick, Rien de Reede and Geoffrey Gilbert to study flute technique; he also studied contemporary flute repertoire with Brian Ferneyhough and Isang Yun. As a Roberto Fabbriciani’ s assistant, he has taught and performed throughout Italy, Europe and Asia. He has studied Composition with Aladino Di Martino and he was assistant to Pavel Blatny at the composition laboratory of the Abella Festival in collaboration with the New York University. Maestro Maggio began his flute studies at a young age, and collaborated in music and dance performances with Carla Fracci as well as in music and theatre performances with Nando Gazzolo, Virginio Gazzolo, Arnoldo Foà and Ugo Gregoretti. He has also been active in the study of the transverse flute in Baroque music. He recently co-founded the baroque ensemble Armonico Tributo, and studied this specialization in courses with Maestro Enrico Gatti in Solopaca. Demonstrating Maestro Maggio’s depth and versatility, he found the trio I Nuovi Cameristi, which specializes in the performance of contemporary chamber repertoire of Italian and international composers. He has also performed jazz repertoire for flute with the Classic Jazz Ensemble in cooperation with the saxophonist Federico Mondelci. Active also as a composer, his works La musica Greco-romana and Orgelflöte (Published by MUSIKHAUS KERSCHBAUM of Vienna) are frequently performed. Maestro Maggio is currently Professor of Flute at the Conservatory of Music in Avellino. In the last year 2007 he was visiting professor in USA at the University of Missouri-Columbia and at the Truman State University, where he gave performances and taught master classes. In July 2008 he taught at the Summer Arts Camp at the Silla University of Pusan (South Korea).
Erica Manzo, clarinet (Season 1-3, 6-8, 12)
Erica Manzo joined the faculty at the University of Missouri in 2004 as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music. Her duties include/have included teaching applied clarinet, clarinet methods, courses in music theory and ear training, and serving as Coordinator of the Community Music Program.A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Dr. Manzo holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory from Baylor University, a Master of Music degree in Music Theory from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. Her principal clarinet instructors were Richard Shanley, Bil Jackson, and Richard MacDowell. She has also performed in masterclasses with Andrew Crisante, F. Gerard Errante, Loren Kitt, and Robert Spring. Dr. Manzo has appeared as a solo recitalist at three International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest conferences (Kansas City in 2008; Porto, Portugal in 2009; and the University of Texas at Austin in 2010). She also presented a solo recital at the prestigious University of Oklahoma’s Clarinet Symposium in 2008. At the ClarinetFest in Porto, she premiered a piece written for her by Barton Cummings, entitled Diversions for Clarinet and Band. She has also performed with the Acadian Wind Symphony, the Missouri Quintet, the Missouri Symphony Orchestra since 2004, and in 2006 was a guest lecturer at the College Music Society's Great Plains Chapter Annual Conference. Her transcription of Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet, Op. 44, for clarinet quartet and piano is published by Alea Publishing. Dr. Manzo maintains a large, private clarinet studio in Columbia, MO. She also actively serves as a clinician, adjudicator, instructor in the Columbia Public Schools, and a recitalist throughout Missouri. In addition, she serves as Executive Secretary of the Missouri Music Teachers Association. Dr. Manzo is a member of the College Music Society, International Clarinet Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.
Saeka Matsuyama, violin (Season 11)
Winner of numerous prestigious competitions and awards, including the First Prize and Audience Prize at the 2004 Sendai International Music Competition and the Second Prize Winner at the 2003 Hannover International Violin Competition. May 29, 2005: Saeka Matsuyama has won the Fourth Prize in the prestigious Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition performed at the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium. Violinist Saeka Matsuyama is in demand as a soloist for orchestral engagements, recitals, chamber musician, and festival appearances both in the United States and abroad. Ms. Matsuyama’s concert schedule includes performances as a soloist with the Tokyo Philharmonic for the Northern Japan tour, the Osaka Century Philharmonic, and the Rheinische-Philharmonie as well as recitals, chamber music appearances and competitions in Argentina, Belgium, France, Finland, Germany and Japan. In 1999, Bridge Records released Ms.Matsuyama’s first recording, a live performance of the Carl Nielsen Violin Concerto at the Carl Nielsen Violin Competition in New York City. Ms. Matsuyama also has been heard on WQXR-FM in New York City, and she was featured in Strad Magazine in 2004, as well as Ongaku no Tomo and Strad Japan in 2005. Ms. Matsuyama has participated in internationally renowned summer festivals, including Norfolk Chamber Music Festival and Master Music in Kazusa, Chiba (2005), Marlboro Music Festival (2003-2004), the Schleswig-Holstein Music Academy (2003, Concertmaster), Tanglewood Music Festival (2000, Concertmaster for Mahler Symphony No.5, Accademia Musicale di Sienna (1998), Encore School for Strings (1995-1996), and the Aspen Music Festival (1990-1992). Her accumulation of awards, prizes, and other distinctions is impressive. In addition to winning prizes in the Sendai International Music Competition and the Hannover International Competition, Ms. Matsuyama won Grand Prize in the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Competition (2000), Second Prize in the Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition (1999), Second Prize in the National Competition in Texas (1998), Second Prize and the Tchaikovsky Prize in the 2nd Tchaikovsky International Competition for Young Musicians (1995) and First Prize in the Juilliard Pre-College Competitions in 1998, 1995, and 1992. The Juilliard School also awarded Ms. Matsuyama several scholarships throughout the years she attended the school, an achievement award, and the Irene Diamond Graduate Fellowship. Born in 1980 in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo, Japan, Saeka Matsuyma had studied violin with Ishikawa Seiko and Oguri Machie before she came to the United States with her family at the age of nine. Soon after her arrival in New York, she continued violin studies at the Juilliard Pre-College program with renowned teacher Dorothy DeLay (1990–1999), and later with Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Robert Chen (1994–1996). While achieving her Bachelors of Music, which she received form The Juilliard School in 2003, she studied with the Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, Glenn Dicterow (1999–2003). Ms. Matsuyama also studied with Ronald Copes and Michael Gilbert.
"The exuberant Saeka Matsuyama epitomized the best of in modern Juilliard School while playing open-hearted and healthy. A performer of palpable individuality in demeanor as well as musical presentation ... her Beethoven Sonata was blessed by an incandescent sense for musical line and the Adagio of Brahms' Concerto reached out with a soulful intensity."
... The Strad
"The program succeeded in highlighting a new talent, presenting a Juilliard student named Saeka Matsuyama as a lyrical soloist while performing the last movement of Mozart's Fifth Violin Concerto."... The New York Times
"The exuberant Saeka Matsuyama epitomized the best of in modern Juilliard School while playing open-hearted and healthy. A performer of palpable individuality in demeanor as well as musical presentation ... her Beethoven Sonata was blessed by an incandescent sense for musical line and the Adagio of Brahms' Concerto reached out with a soulful intensity."
... The Strad
"The program succeeded in highlighting a new talent, presenting a Juilliard student named Saeka Matsuyama as a lyrical soloist while performing the last movement of Mozart's Fifth Violin Concerto."... The New York Times
Elaina Maurer, viola (Season 20)
Elaina Maurer, a native to St. Louis Missouri,began her musical journey in middle school when she switched from violin to viola in 7th grade. Under the tutelage of Joanna Mendoza, Elaina developed a passion for the viola, especially with orchestral and chamber music. In high school, she joined the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, where she sat as co-principal viola for 2 years. Additionally, Elaina performed in the CMS preparatory program at Webster University, as well as the Missouri All-State Orchestra. After winning a local concerto competition, Elaina made her debut as a soloist, performing the Hoffmeister Viola Concerto her senior year of high school. Elaina has spent many summers participating in masterclasses, coachings, and lessons by many sought-after musicians, including Molly Carr, Matthew Lipman, and Ivo-Jan van der werff. So far, Elaina has participated and performed at the Arianna Chamber Music Festival, the Madeline Island Chamber Music Festival, and the Meadowmount school. Although Elaina loves performing, she also has a heart for teaching. She is now in the process of getting her bachelor’s degree in music education at Mizzou, where she studies viola under Leslie Perna. Elaina enjoys teaching in the Missouri String Project, working with the Mid Missouri Community Orchestra, performing in the MU Philharmonic Orchestra, and playing chamber music. In her spare time, Elaina enjoys playing at weddings, hanging out with people, running on trails, and eating way too much ice cream.
Elaina Maurer, a native to St. Louis Missouri,began her musical journey in middle school when she switched from violin to viola in 7th grade. Under the tutelage of Joanna Mendoza, Elaina developed a passion for the viola, especially with orchestral and chamber music. In high school, she joined the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, where she sat as co-principal viola for 2 years. Additionally, Elaina performed in the CMS preparatory program at Webster University, as well as the Missouri All-State Orchestra. After winning a local concerto competition, Elaina made her debut as a soloist, performing the Hoffmeister Viola Concerto her senior year of high school. Elaina has spent many summers participating in masterclasses, coachings, and lessons by many sought-after musicians, including Molly Carr, Matthew Lipman, and Ivo-Jan van der werff. So far, Elaina has participated and performed at the Arianna Chamber Music Festival, the Madeline Island Chamber Music Festival, and the Meadowmount school. Although Elaina loves performing, she also has a heart for teaching. She is now in the process of getting her bachelor’s degree in music education at Mizzou, where she studies viola under Leslie Perna. Elaina enjoys teaching in the Missouri String Project, working with the Mid Missouri Community Orchestra, performing in the MU Philharmonic Orchestra, and playing chamber music. In her spare time, Elaina enjoys playing at weddings, hanging out with people, running on trails, and eating way too much ice cream.
Ian McClaflin, percussion (Season 9)
Ian McClaflin is a first year percussion performance major at the University of Missouri where he studies with Julia Gaines. He has a Bachelor's degree in music performance from the University of Central Missouri where he studied with Micheal Sekelsky. Ian teaches private lessons and works with many local area high schools. Along with working with local percussion sections Ian also writes for their marching band shows. During the drumline competition season, Ian judges local competitions. Ian has been the winner of the Mid Missouri Percussive Arts Trophy and the PASIC multi percussion competition. He helped create and is a member of the "Grease Monkeys", percussion group that plays at Kansas City's Worlds of Fun. Along with being an active member of the MU percussion studio, Ian is also a member of the Kansas City Chiefs drumline.
W. Thomas McKenney, composer (Season 6, 12)
W. Thomas McKenney is professor of composition and theory at the University of Missouri and Director of the electronic music studios. He received his Ph.D in composition from the Eastman School of Music, and his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati. In 1970, the Music Teachers National Association named him the Distinguished Composer of the Year. His compositions have been performed in Europe, South America, China, and throughout the United States. He is the recipient of numerous grants and commissions. In 1987, he was invited by the Ministry of Culture of the Peoples Republic of China to present a series of lectures on his use of lasers and electronic music. In addition to his work at the electronic music studio at the University of Missouri, he has worked at Robert Moog's studio, the Stiftelson Elektronikmusikstudion, in Stockholm, Sweden, the Center for Experimental Music and Intermedia, at the University of North Texas, and the Center for Electroacoustic Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. McKenney is the recipient the Purple Chalk Award for Excellence in Teaching, given by the Arts and Science Student Government, and the Orpheus Award, given by the Zeta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia for significant contributions to the cause of music in America. Dr. McKenney is the Co-Artistic Director of the Mizzou New Music Festival held each summer in Columbia, Missouri.
W. Thomas McKenney is professor of composition and theory at the University of Missouri and Director of the electronic music studios. He received his Ph.D in composition from the Eastman School of Music, and his Bachelors and Masters degrees from the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati. In 1970, the Music Teachers National Association named him the Distinguished Composer of the Year. His compositions have been performed in Europe, South America, China, and throughout the United States. He is the recipient of numerous grants and commissions. In 1987, he was invited by the Ministry of Culture of the Peoples Republic of China to present a series of lectures on his use of lasers and electronic music. In addition to his work at the electronic music studio at the University of Missouri, he has worked at Robert Moog's studio, the Stiftelson Elektronikmusikstudion, in Stockholm, Sweden, the Center for Experimental Music and Intermedia, at the University of North Texas, and the Center for Electroacoustic Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. McKenney is the recipient the Purple Chalk Award for Excellence in Teaching, given by the Arts and Science Student Government, and the Orpheus Award, given by the Zeta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia for significant contributions to the cause of music in America. Dr. McKenney is the Co-Artistic Director of the Mizzou New Music Festival held each summer in Columbia, Missouri.
Shannon Merciel, violoncello (Season 12)
Shannon Merciel is a senior at the University of Missouri-Columbia pursuing a Bachelor's degree in cello performance. She has previously won competitions in her division through the National Federation of Music Clubs and MMTA, performed with the Honor Performance Series at Carnegie Hall, and participated in masterclasses with Peter Wiley and the Philharmonia Quartett Berlin. She recently won MU’s concerto competition and will perform Dmitri Shostakovich’s first cello concerto with the University Philharmonic in April. As an active orchestral player, she performs with the Missouri Symphony and the University Philharmonic, and currently serves as principal cellist of the Maryville Symphony in St. Louis. During past summers, she has attended the Meadowmount School of Music, the Montecito International Music Festival, and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. At MU, she studies with Darry Dolezal.
Shannon Merciel is a senior at the University of Missouri-Columbia pursuing a Bachelor's degree in cello performance. She has previously won competitions in her division through the National Federation of Music Clubs and MMTA, performed with the Honor Performance Series at Carnegie Hall, and participated in masterclasses with Peter Wiley and the Philharmonia Quartett Berlin. She recently won MU’s concerto competition and will perform Dmitri Shostakovich’s first cello concerto with the University Philharmonic in April. As an active orchestral player, she performs with the Missouri Symphony and the University Philharmonic, and currently serves as principal cellist of the Maryville Symphony in St. Louis. During past summers, she has attended the Meadowmount School of Music, the Montecito International Music Festival, and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. At MU, she studies with Darry Dolezal.
Carolina Neves Merritt, violin (Season 2-14)
Carolina Neves Merritt recently completed her masters in Music degree from University of Missouri, where she studied with Eva Szekely. Born into a musical family, Carolina began playing the violin at age six with Evgeni Ratchev and attended the Carlos Gomes Conservatory in her native city of Belém, Brazil, continuing her studies with Nicolai Khit. Prior to her arrival at MU, she was a member of the Carlos Gomes Youth Orchestra (1996-99) and Teatro da Paz Symphony Orchestra (1999-2000). At MU, she was also a member of the University Philharmonic and Chamber Soloists. Carolina was part of the first violin section in the All-State high School Orchestra (2002) and Collegiate Orchestra (2005), was a member of the International Music Festival in her home town, and in the Missouri Symphony Society Chamber Orchestra. Currently Ms. Neves Merritt performs with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Carolina has won several competitions that include first place in the MMTA Collegiate Auditions in 2004, the Enos and Ruby McClure String Award in the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs, runner-up (2nd place) for the 2005 MTNA Young Artist Competition and Honorable Mention for MTNA Chamber Competition with Astraios String Trio, winner of the Emerging Artist Showcase, winner of the 2008 MTNA Young Artist State Competition, and winner of the 2010 MTNA Chamber State Competition with Astraios String Quartet.
Emily Miclon, percussion (Season 18)
Emily Miclon is an active and passionate percussion performer and educator based in Columbia, Missouri. Growing up in Enfield, Connecticut, Emily attended Eastern Connecticut State University for her undergraduate degree in Music Performance, where she was an active participant in music ensembles and a selected performer for the New England Intercollegiate Band Festival in 2018 and 2019. Emily has taken a large interest in pedagogy and musicology research, presenting at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in 2018 and 2019. Her musicology research focused on Debussy and nature received awards such as the ECSU Exceptional Thesis Award and the J. Eugene Smith Library Research Award. Emily has taught at high school programs in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and continues her teaching in Columbia, Missouri where she is currently pursuing her Master of Music in Percussion Performance at the University of Missouri. At Mizzou, Emily serves as the Graduate Teaching Assistant in Percussion and is a member of University ensembles such as the Wind Ensemble, University Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, and Steel Band. Emily’s primary teachers include Dr. Megan Arns and Dr. Jeff Calissi.
Emily Miclon is an active and passionate percussion performer and educator based in Columbia, Missouri. Growing up in Enfield, Connecticut, Emily attended Eastern Connecticut State University for her undergraduate degree in Music Performance, where she was an active participant in music ensembles and a selected performer for the New England Intercollegiate Band Festival in 2018 and 2019. Emily has taken a large interest in pedagogy and musicology research, presenting at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in 2018 and 2019. Her musicology research focused on Debussy and nature received awards such as the ECSU Exceptional Thesis Award and the J. Eugene Smith Library Research Award. Emily has taught at high school programs in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and continues her teaching in Columbia, Missouri where she is currently pursuing her Master of Music in Percussion Performance at the University of Missouri. At Mizzou, Emily serves as the Graduate Teaching Assistant in Percussion and is a member of University ensembles such as the Wind Ensemble, University Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, and Steel Band. Emily’s primary teachers include Dr. Megan Arns and Dr. Jeff Calissi.
McKenzie Miller, soprano (Season 11)
McKenzie Miller, soprano, comes from Kansas City. She is pursuing Bachelor of Music at the University of Missouri with emphasis in vocal performance and music history. McKenzie frequently performs in Columbia with University Singers and the Show-Me Opera. She won her division at the National Association of Singers competition for the past three years consecutively and was a featured soloist with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in 2012. Recent staged roles include Alidora in La Cenerentola, Grisette in The Merry Widow, and scenes as Marietta in Die Tote Stadt, Elettra in Idomaneo, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, and Frasquita in Carmen. McKenzie is an intern at Broadway Christian Church in Columbia under the direction of Nollie Moore. She adores Russian and American art song, Radiohead, and Nina Simone. Healthy technique, strong foundation in musicianship, and freedom of expression are her top priorities in working with students.
McKenzie Miller, soprano, comes from Kansas City. She is pursuing Bachelor of Music at the University of Missouri with emphasis in vocal performance and music history. McKenzie frequently performs in Columbia with University Singers and the Show-Me Opera. She won her division at the National Association of Singers competition for the past three years consecutively and was a featured soloist with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in 2012. Recent staged roles include Alidora in La Cenerentola, Grisette in The Merry Widow, and scenes as Marietta in Die Tote Stadt, Elettra in Idomaneo, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, and Frasquita in Carmen. McKenzie is an intern at Broadway Christian Church in Columbia under the direction of Nollie Moore. She adores Russian and American art song, Radiohead, and Nina Simone. Healthy technique, strong foundation in musicianship, and freedom of expression are her top priorities in working with students.
Annelise Miner, horn (Season 16, 18, 19)
Annelise Miner is a senior music major at the University of Missouri. She is currently the principal horn of the University of Missouri’s wind ensemble, and she has been a member of the University Philharmonic, Symphonic Band, Horn Choir, Marching Mizzou, and Mini Mizzou. Annelise is an active member of the Iota Lambda chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota and currently serves as the chapter’s Vice President of Ritual and Service Committee Chair. Her mentors include Professor Amanda Collins, Michael O’Neill, and Dr. Michael Straw.
Annelise Miner is a senior music major at the University of Missouri. She is currently the principal horn of the University of Missouri’s wind ensemble, and she has been a member of the University Philharmonic, Symphonic Band, Horn Choir, Marching Mizzou, and Mini Mizzou. Annelise is an active member of the Iota Lambda chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota and currently serves as the chapter’s Vice President of Ritual and Service Committee Chair. Her mentors include Professor Amanda Collins, Michael O’Neill, and Dr. Michael Straw.
Nicholas Photography
Mizzou Percussion Studio (Season 16, 19)
Mizzou Saxophone Ensemble | Leo Saguiguit, director Mizzou Saxophone Studio (Season 16, 19)
The Mizzou Saxophone Ensemble is comprised of saxophone students of Professor Leo Saguiguit, as well as additional members from the University community. Performers from various disciplines across campus are represented and include aspiring music professionals as well as avocational players who wish to continue their musical development. The ensemble performs a wide variety of musical styles and has premiered works at the Biennial Conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance at the University of Illinois and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
2023:
Soprano: Kendall Flaherty, Logan King, Andrea Lee
Alto: Jon Gowan, Clayton Greenlee, Jackson Huenefeldt, Kimberly Moeller, Jay Schroeder, Hayden Wiseman
Tenor: Asher Ferguson, Warren Lane, Ian Prinster, Hannah Wehrman, Craig Young
Baritone: Nathan Leslie, Emma Spalding, George Szabo
Bass: Nate Beattie
The Mizzou Saxophone Ensemble is comprised of saxophone students of Professor Leo Saguiguit, as well as additional members from the University community. Performers from various disciplines across campus are represented and include aspiring music professionals as well as avocational players who wish to continue their musical development. The ensemble performs a wide variety of musical styles and has premiered works at the Biennial Conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance at the University of Illinois and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
2023:
Soprano: Kendall Flaherty, Logan King, Andrea Lee
Alto: Jon Gowan, Clayton Greenlee, Jackson Huenefeldt, Kimberly Moeller, Jay Schroeder, Hayden Wiseman
Tenor: Asher Ferguson, Warren Lane, Ian Prinster, Hannah Wehrman, Craig Young
Baritone: Nathan Leslie, Emma Spalding, George Szabo
Bass: Nate Beattie
Kayla Modlin, horn (Season 18)
Kayla Modlin is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Music degree in horn performance at the University of Missouri. A native of Virginia, she earned her Bachelor of Music at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2019. In her undergraduate years Kayla had the opportunity to represent VCU Music internationally with the horn choir in Stockholm, Sweden, and with a student led brass quintet in Cartagena and Santa Marta, Colombia. Kayla has served principal roles in both the VCU Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble (often at the same time) and enjoyed filling in positions in the Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra when needed. Her school and professional work have allowed her to study with William Zsembery, Dr. Patrick Smith, Dr. Terry Austin, Professor Daniel Myssyk, and currently Professor Amanda Collins at Mizzou. Outside of playing the horn, Kayla finds influence across a wide array of musical genres. She enjoys musicology, going to punk shows, and roller skating. Photo by Amanda Collins.
Kayla Modlin is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Music degree in horn performance at the University of Missouri. A native of Virginia, she earned her Bachelor of Music at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2019. In her undergraduate years Kayla had the opportunity to represent VCU Music internationally with the horn choir in Stockholm, Sweden, and with a student led brass quintet in Cartagena and Santa Marta, Colombia. Kayla has served principal roles in both the VCU Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble (often at the same time) and enjoyed filling in positions in the Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra when needed. Her school and professional work have allowed her to study with William Zsembery, Dr. Patrick Smith, Dr. Terry Austin, Professor Daniel Myssyk, and currently Professor Amanda Collins at Mizzou. Outside of playing the horn, Kayla finds influence across a wide array of musical genres. She enjoys musicology, going to punk shows, and roller skating. Photo by Amanda Collins.
Nollie G. Moore, tenor (Season 3, 8, 11, 16)
Nollie Moore is the Director of the Music Program and an Instructor of Voice at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri where he directs the highly selective campus chamber choir the Jane Froman Singers. He is the faculty advisor to the college A Capella Society and the campus drama club, The Elysium Players. His singers can be heard on two professional compact disc recordings. "Simply American" is a compilation of performances from the groups many international tours and "Peace", a full length disc containing several of the works performed by the group annually at the home campus Holiday Lighting Festival. Concert tours have taken members to New York City’s Carnegie Hall, the great Cathedrals of Scotland, England, Austria, Italy, and Ireland and the state of the art concert halls of The Republic of China. He is active as a professional tenor singing regularly with the Missouri Chamber Orchestra. He most recently sang the tenor solos for Handel's "Messiah" in Dublin and London to critical acclaim. He will make his solo debut at Carnegie Hall in NYC next May in a festival performance of Tim Sharp's High Lonesome Mass. Professional regional musical theater work includes The Music Man, Forever Plaid and Fiddler on the Roof. Moore has served or is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Columbia College Alumni Association, Theater Reaching Young People in Schools, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, and the Missouri Symphony Society. Moore serves as Director of Traditional Music for Broadway Christian Church. He also maintains a full teaching studio of local high school students who can consistently be seen in national honor choirs and on stages around the nation.
Missouri Contemporary Ballet (Season 10, 14)
Missouri Contemporary Ballet (MCB) is a professional dance company that is committed to creating dance entertainment through the art of contemporary ballet. MCB creates exciting, edgy, hip entertainment to make the experience of live dance an artful and joyful event for all ages. New and emerging choreographers are given the opportunity to set new works on the MCB company dancers in a professional atmosphere. We provide educational and outreach performances to schools, retirement homes, and organizations throughout Missouri. MCB maintains a full season of performances at diverse venues within Columbia, as well as a commitment to touring throughout Missouri and nationally. MCB welcomes all observers during rehearsals Monday-Friday. Enjoy a cup of coffee at 110 Orr Street in the North District, and experience first hand the athleticism and energy of the MCB dancers! missouricontemporaryballet.com
Leigh Muñoz, bassoon (Season 15, 17)
Leigh Muñoz Leigh Muñoz is adept as an orchestral musician, entrepreneur and educator and brings a variety of experiences to her career. Leigh is the Assistant Professor of Bassoon and Academic Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. She is also on the faculty for the Bassoon Institute at Interlochen Arts Camp. Prior to her appointment at MTSU, she has held bassoon teaching positions at University of Missouri, Washburn University and Missouri State University. She is second bassoon of Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA). She has held contrabassoon positions in both the Springfield and Cedar Rapids Symphonies and was a regular substitute bassoonist and contrabassoonist with the Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera, and Kansas City Ballet. Leigh has performed as concerto soloist with the University of Missouri Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, University of Kansas Wind Ensemble, University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra, Ottawa University Symphony Orchestra and Ohio University Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Leigh is the founder and owner of GoBassoon Reeds, which provides professionals, amateurs and students from around the world with bassoon and contrabassoon reeds. In demand as a clinician she has spread her knowledge of reed making throughout the country. Also an active member of the double reed community, Leigh has both performed and given clinics at multiple international and regional conferences including International Double Reed Society, Meg Quigley Vivaldi Symposium, Midwest Double Reed Society, and International Women in the Arts. She is currently the online contrabassoon fingerings editor for IDRS and vendor coordinator for Meg Quigley. She has served Treasure and Web Editor for Midwest Double Reed Society. This past spring Leigh completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Kansas with her research "Bassoon Pairings: A Theoretical and Performance Guide to the Duets with Bassoon of John Steinmetz." She also holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory, Ohio University and a Performance Diploma from New England Conservatory. Her principal teachers include George Sakakeeny, Eric Stomberg, and Richard Svoboda.
Leigh Muñoz Leigh Muñoz is adept as an orchestral musician, entrepreneur and educator and brings a variety of experiences to her career. Leigh is the Assistant Professor of Bassoon and Academic Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. She is also on the faculty for the Bassoon Institute at Interlochen Arts Camp. Prior to her appointment at MTSU, she has held bassoon teaching positions at University of Missouri, Washburn University and Missouri State University. She is second bassoon of Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA). She has held contrabassoon positions in both the Springfield and Cedar Rapids Symphonies and was a regular substitute bassoonist and contrabassoonist with the Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera, and Kansas City Ballet. Leigh has performed as concerto soloist with the University of Missouri Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, University of Kansas Wind Ensemble, University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra, Ottawa University Symphony Orchestra and Ohio University Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Leigh is the founder and owner of GoBassoon Reeds, which provides professionals, amateurs and students from around the world with bassoon and contrabassoon reeds. In demand as a clinician she has spread her knowledge of reed making throughout the country. Also an active member of the double reed community, Leigh has both performed and given clinics at multiple international and regional conferences including International Double Reed Society, Meg Quigley Vivaldi Symposium, Midwest Double Reed Society, and International Women in the Arts. She is currently the online contrabassoon fingerings editor for IDRS and vendor coordinator for Meg Quigley. She has served Treasure and Web Editor for Midwest Double Reed Society. This past spring Leigh completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Kansas with her research "Bassoon Pairings: A Theoretical and Performance Guide to the Duets with Bassoon of John Steinmetz." She also holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory, Ohio University and a Performance Diploma from New England Conservatory. Her principal teachers include George Sakakeeny, Eric Stomberg, and Richard Svoboda.
Meaghan Neel, choral conducting (Season 14 Fellow, 15)
Meaghan Neel is back for another event with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series could not be more excited! Last year, Meaghan was a performance fellow for Odyssey and helped organize and conduct a “Showcase” concert titled Cinémagic. This performance featured singer/song writer, Angela Parish and composer Andrew Linn. Ms. Neel received her M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and has conducted many choirs throughout Columbia including, Ars Nova and the MU Women’s Choir. She also acted as the interim and assistant director for the Missouri United Methodist Church Choirs. A talented singer and presenter, Meaghan has performed all over the world including Estonia, Sweden, and Italy covering modern to medieval choral works. As an organizer, Meaghan has also been instrumental in festivals such as the New York Summer Music Festival and the Odyssey Chamber Music Festival. Meaghan is entering her fourth year of teaching and loves living and working in Denver as the choral director at the Academy, and the Brio director for Young Voices of Colorado.
Meaghan Neel is back for another event with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series could not be more excited! Last year, Meaghan was a performance fellow for Odyssey and helped organize and conduct a “Showcase” concert titled Cinémagic. This performance featured singer/song writer, Angela Parish and composer Andrew Linn. Ms. Neel received her M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and has conducted many choirs throughout Columbia including, Ars Nova and the MU Women’s Choir. She also acted as the interim and assistant director for the Missouri United Methodist Church Choirs. A talented singer and presenter, Meaghan has performed all over the world including Estonia, Sweden, and Italy covering modern to medieval choral works. As an organizer, Meaghan has also been instrumental in festivals such as the New York Summer Music Festival and the Odyssey Chamber Music Festival. Meaghan is entering her fourth year of teaching and loves living and working in Denver as the choral director at the Academy, and the Brio director for Young Voices of Colorado.
Meyer Neel, double bass (Season 13-15)
Meyer Neel is happy and excited to be playing the Odyssey Chamber Music Series once again! He is string bassist from Denver, CO who frequently performs with professional and community orchestras as well as with local high schools and middle schools. Performance with groups like Odyssey has taken Meyer across the country from Denver to New York and even as far as China. Meyer is the founder of the Denver Double Bass Crew, a group dedicated to promoting and teaching string bass in public schools. He is currently a master’s student at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music, and a former graduate of the University of Missouri.
Meyer Neel is happy and excited to be playing the Odyssey Chamber Music Series once again! He is string bassist from Denver, CO who frequently performs with professional and community orchestras as well as with local high schools and middle schools. Performance with groups like Odyssey has taken Meyer across the country from Denver to New York and even as far as China. Meyer is the founder of the Denver Double Bass Crew, a group dedicated to promoting and teaching string bass in public schools. He is currently a master’s student at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music, and a former graduate of the University of Missouri.
Nancy Nehring, viola (Season 6, 9)
Nancy Nehring started out as a piano major at the University of Kansas, but ended up with a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance (with Distinction), and a Master of Music in Viola from the University of Michigan. At Michigan, she was principal of the Contemporary Directions Ensemble and University Orchestra, as well as a member of the Graduate Quartet and the Ann Arbor Chamber Orchestra. Her teachers have included Michael Kimber, Frank Bundra, Nathan Gordon, and Wayne Crouse. A member of the Oklahoma Symphony for six years and Chamber Orchestra of Oklahoma City for five, she has also been assistant principal and principal of the Modesto Symphony and California Symphony, and a substitute with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. She played with the Sacramento Symphony, the Santa Cruz Symphony, the Women's Philharmonic, and the Saskatoon Symphony. Nancy also participated in many summer festivals and orchestras, including the Grand Teton Festival, Aspen, the Colorado Philharmonic (now the National Repertory Orchestra), the Peter Britt Festival, and the Orquesta de la Minería (in Mexico City). From 1999-2006, she was Principal Viola of the Brandon Chamber Players (in Manitoba) and performed with the Jarvis Quintet in Brandon & Toronto. She also sang with das Femmes (a womens’ chamber choir) and worked as Administrative Officer of the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition for 4 years. Since 2001 she has been co-dean and administrator of the Quartet Program, a chamber music summer school now based at State Univ. of NY at Fredonia. Nancy was the instructor of viola at Brandon University (BU) for five years and accompanied many BU students, including those of her husband, cellist Mark Rudoff. They moved to Columbus, Ohio in 2008, where Nancy now plays principal for the Central Ohio Symphony, freelances, and accompanies many students.
Shoko Nelson, piano (Season 13)
Shoko Nelson is an active solo and collaborative performer. In Summer 2013 she was selected and performed in the University of Idaho Summer Piano Academy in France and Holland, and also performed a collaborate concert in Japan. In Summer 2011 she studied and performed at the International Music Academy Pilsen in the Czech-Republic, and the Vianden International Music Festival held in Luxembourg. In 2012, she worked as a collaborative pianist at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. In past, she has won the 2013 University of Idaho Concerto/Aria Competition, several gold medals at Musicfest Northwest and the Northern Idaho Piano Festival. Also, teaching was always the center of her interest and she enjoys sharing great musical moments with various ages and levels. She was born and grew up in Japan. Throughout her childhood, she had various musical performance experience with the recorder, cello, voice, and piano and embraced her life. She secondly studied Music Therapy at Sapporo Otani University in Japan. She holds a Masters of Music in both Piano Performance and Pedagogy, and Collaborative Piano at the University of Idaho.
Shoko Nelson is an active solo and collaborative performer. In Summer 2013 she was selected and performed in the University of Idaho Summer Piano Academy in France and Holland, and also performed a collaborate concert in Japan. In Summer 2011 she studied and performed at the International Music Academy Pilsen in the Czech-Republic, and the Vianden International Music Festival held in Luxembourg. In 2012, she worked as a collaborative pianist at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. In past, she has won the 2013 University of Idaho Concerto/Aria Competition, several gold medals at Musicfest Northwest and the Northern Idaho Piano Festival. Also, teaching was always the center of her interest and she enjoys sharing great musical moments with various ages and levels. She was born and grew up in Japan. Throughout her childhood, she had various musical performance experience with the recorder, cello, voice, and piano and embraced her life. She secondly studied Music Therapy at Sapporo Otani University in Japan. She holds a Masters of Music in both Piano Performance and Pedagogy, and Collaborative Piano at the University of Idaho.
Shawn Nemati-Baghestani, oboe (Season 10+, 18)
Shawn Nemati-Baghestani graduated from the University of Missouri summa cum laude in 2013 with a Bachelor of Music in oboe performance. At Mizzou, he held principal chairs in both the Wind Ensemble and University Philharmonic. Shawn studied oboe with Dan Willett and Edward Dolbashian and performed in master classes with Daniel Stolper, Phil Ross and Andrew Parker. He also spent time with Eugene Izotov, Frank Rosenwein, and Alex Klein. As a member of Trio Nouveau, Shawn was a semi-finalist in the 2010 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and was featured on the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. In addition, he was the winner of the 2007 Mid-West Double Reed Society’s Young Artist Competition for oboe, was selected into a Missouri All-State ensemble for oboe every year and was selected as a member of the Missouri All-State Choir for two years as well. Along with these honors, he received several superior ratings in state competitions and graduated valedictorian of his senior class from Grandview High School. [Photo by Gene Royer]
Shawn Nemati-Baghestani graduated from the University of Missouri summa cum laude in 2013 with a Bachelor of Music in oboe performance. At Mizzou, he held principal chairs in both the Wind Ensemble and University Philharmonic. Shawn studied oboe with Dan Willett and Edward Dolbashian and performed in master classes with Daniel Stolper, Phil Ross and Andrew Parker. He also spent time with Eugene Izotov, Frank Rosenwein, and Alex Klein. As a member of Trio Nouveau, Shawn was a semi-finalist in the 2010 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and was featured on the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. In addition, he was the winner of the 2007 Mid-West Double Reed Society’s Young Artist Competition for oboe, was selected into a Missouri All-State ensemble for oboe every year and was selected as a member of the Missouri All-State Choir for two years as well. Along with these honors, he received several superior ratings in state competitions and graduated valedictorian of his senior class from Grandview High School. [Photo by Gene Royer]
The New Muse Piano Duo (Season 10-12)
The New Muse Piano Duo (Paola Savvidou and Jonathan Kuuskoski) is an ensemble-in-residence at the University of Missouri School of Music specializing in music of the 20th and 21st centuries. They actively commission and perform newly composed works for four-hands and two pianos, incorporating visual and interactive components, often within unexpected concert formats. In 2015-16, the Duo premieres new works by Gabriel Prokofiev and Jeffrey Hoover (for piano four-hands and percussion). In 2014-2015 the Duo commissioned and performed works by Amy Williams, Robert Honstein, Jeffrey Hoover, and Haley Myers. Their tours have included guest artist residencies at universities in the Mid-West and East Coast, the Ionian University in Corfu, (Greece), lecture-recitals at conferences such the European Piano Teachers Association Conference in Oslo, and guest artist recitals at the European Association for Music in Schools Conference, Biennial Euro-Mediterranean Musicological Conference at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus, the Missouri Music Teachers Association State Conference. They have received grants for commissioning and recording new music from the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation (supported by the Mizzou New Music Initiative), the Richard Wallace Faculty Incentive Grant Award, the MU Research Arts Council, and the MU School of Music. Their first CD recording will be produced on the Blue Griffin label in 2016.
Jordan Nielsen, percussion (Season 16, 18, 19)
Percussionist, educator, and performer Jordan Nielsen is originally from Utah and relocated to Columbia, MO, in 2019. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a Master of Music in Performance and an Arts Entrepreneurship Certificate. At MU, he was a percussionist for the school’s New Music Ensemble -- the repertory ensemble of the Mizzou New Music Initiative. He received a BM in Percussion Performance from Southern Utah University and was recognized by the college faculty as the “Outstanding Graduate in Music.” Since graduating from MU, Jordan has been appointed as the Director of Education and Outreach for the Missouri Symphony. Jordan maintains an active teaching presence with the Hickman High School Marching Band’s front ensemble, achieving high ratings under his leadership, including recognition as “Best Percussion Section” in 2019. His private students have been awarded first-place prizes at the Mid-Missouri Day of Percussion and state and district festivals. From 2020-22, he was the percussion coach for the Missouri Symphony Conservatory. He is a regular performer with the Heartland Marimba Ensemble, the Missouri Symphony, the Odyssey Chamber Series, and other groups in the Midwest. Recent projects include runs of the opera Die Fledermaus and the musicals Little Shop of Horrors, Fun Home, and 42nd Street. In 2019 he premiered and arranged the percussion ensemble arrangement of Robert Oetomo’s concerto for marimba, Soar. In competition, he has been awarded 1st place in the Chamber Music category (2015 Utah Day of Percussion), 1st place in the College Timpani Solo category (2017 UDP), 2nd place in the College Keyboard Solo Category (2019 UDP), and achieved a “Superior” rating in the Collegiate Marimba Category at the 2020 Mid-Missouri Percussive Arts Trophy and recognized as an “Emerging Artist” at MU in 2022. You can learn more about him and his upcoming projects at jnpercussion.com.
Percussionist, educator, and performer Jordan Nielsen is originally from Utah and relocated to Columbia, MO, in 2019. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a Master of Music in Performance and an Arts Entrepreneurship Certificate. At MU, he was a percussionist for the school’s New Music Ensemble -- the repertory ensemble of the Mizzou New Music Initiative. He received a BM in Percussion Performance from Southern Utah University and was recognized by the college faculty as the “Outstanding Graduate in Music.” Since graduating from MU, Jordan has been appointed as the Director of Education and Outreach for the Missouri Symphony. Jordan maintains an active teaching presence with the Hickman High School Marching Band’s front ensemble, achieving high ratings under his leadership, including recognition as “Best Percussion Section” in 2019. His private students have been awarded first-place prizes at the Mid-Missouri Day of Percussion and state and district festivals. From 2020-22, he was the percussion coach for the Missouri Symphony Conservatory. He is a regular performer with the Heartland Marimba Ensemble, the Missouri Symphony, the Odyssey Chamber Series, and other groups in the Midwest. Recent projects include runs of the opera Die Fledermaus and the musicals Little Shop of Horrors, Fun Home, and 42nd Street. In 2019 he premiered and arranged the percussion ensemble arrangement of Robert Oetomo’s concerto for marimba, Soar. In competition, he has been awarded 1st place in the Chamber Music category (2015 Utah Day of Percussion), 1st place in the College Timpani Solo category (2017 UDP), 2nd place in the College Keyboard Solo Category (2019 UDP), and achieved a “Superior” rating in the Collegiate Marimba Category at the 2020 Mid-Missouri Percussive Arts Trophy and recognized as an “Emerging Artist” at MU in 2022. You can learn more about him and his upcoming projects at jnpercussion.com.
Erica Ohmann, horn (Season 19, 20)
Erica Ohmann is a horn player from Williamsburg, Virginia. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Music Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2022. Erica has held positions in various regional orchestras, including two seasons as second horn in the Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. Her performing experience ranges from orchestras and wind ensembles to extensive work in brass quintets. Erica focuses on honing her teaching and performing abilities as the graduate teaching assistant for the horn studio at the University of Missouri, where she teaches Brass Methods and several private students while continuing her education. She strives to become a collegiate horn professor in the future.
Erica Ohmann is a horn player from Williamsburg, Virginia. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Music Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2022. Erica has held positions in various regional orchestras, including two seasons as second horn in the Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. Her performing experience ranges from orchestras and wind ensembles to extensive work in brass quintets. Erica focuses on honing her teaching and performing abilities as the graduate teaching assistant for the horn studio at the University of Missouri, where she teaches Brass Methods and several private students while continuing her education. She strives to become a collegiate horn professor in the future.
Patrick Ordway, cello (Season 16, 18, 19)
Cellist Patrick Ordway obtained his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. There he studied cello with Darry Dolezal and Dr. Eli Lara and participated in chamber ensembles coached by Dr. Peter Miyamoto, Leslie Perna, and Alice Dade. During his undergraduate career, Patrick taught elementary-age students in the Missouri String Project before student teaching at Marquette High School with James Nacy. Patrick has performed with the MU University Philharmonic, the Exit 128 Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, the Missouri Symphony, the Quincy Symphony, the MU Chamber Soloists, and in 2017 was selected to be a member of the Missouri All-Collegiate Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Larry Livingston. He currently performs in the Columbia Civic Orchestra and sits on the board of directors for the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. Patrick is now teaching middle school orchestra in the Columbia Public School District and maintains a private cello studio.
Cellist Patrick Ordway obtained his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. There he studied cello with Darry Dolezal and Dr. Eli Lara and participated in chamber ensembles coached by Dr. Peter Miyamoto, Leslie Perna, and Alice Dade. During his undergraduate career, Patrick taught elementary-age students in the Missouri String Project before student teaching at Marquette High School with James Nacy. Patrick has performed with the MU University Philharmonic, the Exit 128 Contemporary Chamber Orchestra, the Missouri Symphony, the Quincy Symphony, the MU Chamber Soloists, and in 2017 was selected to be a member of the Missouri All-Collegiate Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Larry Livingston. He currently performs in the Columbia Civic Orchestra and sits on the board of directors for the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. Patrick is now teaching middle school orchestra in the Columbia Public School District and maintains a private cello studio.
Kassandra Ormsby, bassoon (Season 14, Fellow 16, 17)
Bassoonist Kassandra Ormsby is passionate about community outreach, entrepreneurship, and is an active performer and teacher. As the graduate assistant of the Private Lessons Program at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro, Kassandra is continuing to advocate and create opportunities for music to be accessible to the community. She is currently the bassoonist for the UNCG graduate woodwind quintet. Additionally, she has had experience performing with various internationally touring chamber ensembles and solo performances in Mexico, Italy, Canada, and Brazil. She teaches private lessons to students of all ages. Her mentors include Dr. Michael Burns, Dr. Leigh Muñoz, Dr. Stephanie Patterson, Dr. Ronald Wirt, and Raymond Patricio III. Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Bassoon Performance at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro, Kassandra Ormsby is a graduate from the University of Missouri with a Master’s in bassoon Performance, and the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education.
Bassoonist Kassandra Ormsby is passionate about community outreach, entrepreneurship, and is an active performer and teacher. As the graduate assistant of the Private Lessons Program at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro, Kassandra is continuing to advocate and create opportunities for music to be accessible to the community. She is currently the bassoonist for the UNCG graduate woodwind quintet. Additionally, she has had experience performing with various internationally touring chamber ensembles and solo performances in Mexico, Italy, Canada, and Brazil. She teaches private lessons to students of all ages. Her mentors include Dr. Michael Burns, Dr. Leigh Muñoz, Dr. Stephanie Patterson, Dr. Ronald Wirt, and Raymond Patricio III. Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Bassoon Performance at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro, Kassandra Ormsby is a graduate from the University of Missouri with a Master’s in bassoon Performance, and the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education.
Morgan Owen, viola (Season 14, 15)
Morgan Owen has been playing viola ever since she was introduced to the instrument as a teenager. After completing studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied with Steve Reich Trio member Scott Rawls, she began to establish a career as a chamber and symphonic musician in Nashville, TN. While living in Nashville, she was a member of the Paducah (KY) Symphony, Jackson (TN) Symphony, Trevecca Nazarene University Orchestra, Nashville Praise Symphony, and played with the Nashville String Machine, where she performed with Kenny Loggins and Michael W. Smith in addition to others. She has also enjoyed performing as a member of the Salisbury (NC) Symphony, where she also served as violist in the principal quartet and trio. In 2008, she moved to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, where she established a school of music that continues to thrive today. Currently, Mrs. Owen serves on the faculty at Central Methodist University, as personnel manager for the Columbia Civic Orchestra, is in her fifth year as a member of the Missouri Symphony, and serves as Principal violist in the Southside Philharmonic in Jefferson City. She is completing her Masters in Viola Performance with Leslie Perna at Mizzou, where she is also pursuing a Masters in Voice Performance with Christine Seitz. She plays a 2011 viola made by Hiroshi Iizuka with a Hill bow. She is excited to be sharing a stand tonight with her former student, Preston Roberts.
Morgan Owen has been playing viola ever since she was introduced to the instrument as a teenager. After completing studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied with Steve Reich Trio member Scott Rawls, she began to establish a career as a chamber and symphonic musician in Nashville, TN. While living in Nashville, she was a member of the Paducah (KY) Symphony, Jackson (TN) Symphony, Trevecca Nazarene University Orchestra, Nashville Praise Symphony, and played with the Nashville String Machine, where she performed with Kenny Loggins and Michael W. Smith in addition to others. She has also enjoyed performing as a member of the Salisbury (NC) Symphony, where she also served as violist in the principal quartet and trio. In 2008, she moved to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, where she established a school of music that continues to thrive today. Currently, Mrs. Owen serves on the faculty at Central Methodist University, as personnel manager for the Columbia Civic Orchestra, is in her fifth year as a member of the Missouri Symphony, and serves as Principal violist in the Southside Philharmonic in Jefferson City. She is completing her Masters in Viola Performance with Leslie Perna at Mizzou, where she is also pursuing a Masters in Voice Performance with Christine Seitz. She plays a 2011 viola made by Hiroshi Iizuka with a Hill bow. She is excited to be sharing a stand tonight with her former student, Preston Roberts.
Tim O'Sullivan, tuba (Season 12)
Tim O'Sullivan is from Imperial, Missouri. He is currently a Music Education major in his junior year at the University of Missouri. He has been playing tuba for 9 years. He is very excited to have the opportunity to play in Odyssey this season.
Tim O'Sullivan is from Imperial, Missouri. He is currently a Music Education major in his junior year at the University of Missouri. He has been playing tuba for 9 years. He is very excited to have the opportunity to play in Odyssey this season.
Monica Senecal Palmer, actor (Season 20)
Monica Senecal Palmer is a local theatre educator recognized for her background in radio and performances in community and regional theater. Monica’s passion for entertainment began at an early age, leading her to a career as a radio broadcaster. She relocated to Columbia in 2005 to become a Morning personality on 101.5 KPLA. After leaving the airwaves in 2013, Monica transitioned to the nonprofit sector, where she served as Communications Director for Feeding Missouri and later as Development Director for the Missouri Symphony. In her role as Development Director for the Missouri Symphony, Monica conceptualized and scripted the web series "Mister MOSY's Neighborhood." This program, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, was designed to teach children how to use music as a tool for processing emotions. This project was instrumental in Monica discovering her calling for arts education. She now channels her passion into teaching Speech and Theatre at John Warner Middle School in Columbia, where she is dedicated to nurturing young talent and making the arts accessible to all. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Monica continues to pursue her craft as a performer. Her recent roles include Mrs. Peachum in Greenhouse Theatre Project’s “Threepenny Opera” in October 2023 and Mrs. Edwin Metcalf in “State Fair” at The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre in July 2023. Monica resides in Columbia, MO, with her husband Russ Palmer, Manager of Columbia Appliance, and their two children, Gabriel and Anastasia.
Monica Senecal Palmer is a local theatre educator recognized for her background in radio and performances in community and regional theater. Monica’s passion for entertainment began at an early age, leading her to a career as a radio broadcaster. She relocated to Columbia in 2005 to become a Morning personality on 101.5 KPLA. After leaving the airwaves in 2013, Monica transitioned to the nonprofit sector, where she served as Communications Director for Feeding Missouri and later as Development Director for the Missouri Symphony. In her role as Development Director for the Missouri Symphony, Monica conceptualized and scripted the web series "Mister MOSY's Neighborhood." This program, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, was designed to teach children how to use music as a tool for processing emotions. This project was instrumental in Monica discovering her calling for arts education. She now channels her passion into teaching Speech and Theatre at John Warner Middle School in Columbia, where she is dedicated to nurturing young talent and making the arts accessible to all. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Monica continues to pursue her craft as a performer. Her recent roles include Mrs. Peachum in Greenhouse Theatre Project’s “Threepenny Opera” in October 2023 and Mrs. Edwin Metcalf in “State Fair” at The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre in July 2023. Monica resides in Columbia, MO, with her husband Russ Palmer, Manager of Columbia Appliance, and their two children, Gabriel and Anastasia.
Angela Parrish, singer | song writer (Season 14)
Subtle jazz flourishes, echoes of country swing and overtones of Laurel Canyon: Angela Parrish weaves radiant threads of American music into a style she describes as “new music for old souls.” A breezy verve and a whimsical vibe, offset by poignant lyricism, illustrate her artistry in her newest collection of songs, Vehicle. Titled in homage to her personal history of living in her car in her early months in Los Angeles (a Honda Fit named Tessa), and the transitions of life, she notes that words and melodies are also a vehicle to transport her stories to the world. There is a much wider world now. Millions of cinema devotees have heard her buoyant vocals on “Another Day of Sun,” the song that opens the Academy Award-winning film musical La La Land. Attending studio screenings and performing at the posh ASCAP Screen Awards is a far cry from dining on dollar meals from Taco Bell, as she did when she first arrived on the West Coast. Angela is originally from Newton, Kansas, an industrious railroad town. “I grew up falling asleep to the lullaby of train whistles every night,” she remembers. Music came into her life with piano and viola lessons, children’s chorus and high school choir. Playing piano with the jazz ensemble in high school foreshadowed her future. After graduating from Wichita State University with degrees in special music education and jazz piano performance, she was awarded a master’s degree in jazz piano from the University of Northern Colorado. Awarded by the Songwriters Hall of Fame and ASCAP with the 2017 Abe Olman Scholarship for Excellence in Songwriting, Angela was named a New Folk Competition Finalist in the 2017 Kerrville Folk Festival, following the legacy of Americana legends and former Finalists Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Williams and Shawn Colvin. Previously, Angela’s debut CD, Faithful and Tall, with guest vocals from Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek, was nominated for a pair of Independent Music Awards. Her song “Borrowed Time” was selected as a Grand Prize Winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest; she sang backup with Ben Folds at the Hollywood Bowl, and headlined listening rooms on a national tour. (Excerpt from her web site, www.angelaparrish.com) -Profiled by Dan Kimpel
Subtle jazz flourishes, echoes of country swing and overtones of Laurel Canyon: Angela Parrish weaves radiant threads of American music into a style she describes as “new music for old souls.” A breezy verve and a whimsical vibe, offset by poignant lyricism, illustrate her artistry in her newest collection of songs, Vehicle. Titled in homage to her personal history of living in her car in her early months in Los Angeles (a Honda Fit named Tessa), and the transitions of life, she notes that words and melodies are also a vehicle to transport her stories to the world. There is a much wider world now. Millions of cinema devotees have heard her buoyant vocals on “Another Day of Sun,” the song that opens the Academy Award-winning film musical La La Land. Attending studio screenings and performing at the posh ASCAP Screen Awards is a far cry from dining on dollar meals from Taco Bell, as she did when she first arrived on the West Coast. Angela is originally from Newton, Kansas, an industrious railroad town. “I grew up falling asleep to the lullaby of train whistles every night,” she remembers. Music came into her life with piano and viola lessons, children’s chorus and high school choir. Playing piano with the jazz ensemble in high school foreshadowed her future. After graduating from Wichita State University with degrees in special music education and jazz piano performance, she was awarded a master’s degree in jazz piano from the University of Northern Colorado. Awarded by the Songwriters Hall of Fame and ASCAP with the 2017 Abe Olman Scholarship for Excellence in Songwriting, Angela was named a New Folk Competition Finalist in the 2017 Kerrville Folk Festival, following the legacy of Americana legends and former Finalists Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Williams and Shawn Colvin. Previously, Angela’s debut CD, Faithful and Tall, with guest vocals from Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek, was nominated for a pair of Independent Music Awards. Her song “Borrowed Time” was selected as a Grand Prize Winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest; she sang backup with Ben Folds at the Hollywood Bowl, and headlined listening rooms on a national tour. (Excerpt from her web site, www.angelaparrish.com) -Profiled by Dan Kimpel
Taylor Pancoast, soprano (Season 10)
Taylor H. Pancoast, soprano, is from Columbia, Missouri. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and Music Minor from the University of Missouri. She is currently working towards a Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Missouri. During her undergraduate career, Ms. Pancoast helped to begin and accompany the a capella group, Grand Pause Tonic. She also performed in University Singers under the direction of Dr. R. Paul Crabb. She is the artistic director and founder of The Stethotones, a music interest group at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. The Stethotones have performed at Lenoir Nursing Home, Women and Children’s Hospital, St. Baldrick’s Fundraising Event, Gift of Body Commemoration Ceremony, and other various fundraising events sponsored by the School of Medicine.
Taylor H. Pancoast, soprano, is from Columbia, Missouri. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and Music Minor from the University of Missouri. She is currently working towards a Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of Missouri. During her undergraduate career, Ms. Pancoast helped to begin and accompany the a capella group, Grand Pause Tonic. She also performed in University Singers under the direction of Dr. R. Paul Crabb. She is the artistic director and founder of The Stethotones, a music interest group at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. The Stethotones have performed at Lenoir Nursing Home, Women and Children’s Hospital, St. Baldrick’s Fundraising Event, Gift of Body Commemoration Ceremony, and other various fundraising events sponsored by the School of Medicine.
Nicole Parker, violoncello | BNB Trio (Season 16, 17 & Concerto Competition Winner, 18)
Nicole Parker is a junior at Hickman High School. She began studying the cello with Mary Manulik at the age of 7, and currently studies with Dr. Eli Lara. Nicole participated in both the 2019 and 2020 Missouri All-State Orchestras. She received an honorable mention for the 2019 Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) State Senior Strings competition. She received an honorable mention for the 2020 Odyssey Chamber Music Series Concerto Competition. She is a member of the Young Artists Philharmonic and Chamber Players. She is also a member of the Cloud 9 Quartet at MOSY Conservatory, as well as the BNB Trio, which won the 2020 MMTA State Chamber Music Competition (Senior Level) with the highest praises. Nicole is very passionate about music and plans to pursue a career in music. In her spare times she enjoys reading, hiking, camping, canoeing and spending time with her family.
Nicole Parker is a junior at Hickman High School. She began studying the cello with Mary Manulik at the age of 7, and currently studies with Dr. Eli Lara. Nicole participated in both the 2019 and 2020 Missouri All-State Orchestras. She received an honorable mention for the 2019 Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) State Senior Strings competition. She received an honorable mention for the 2020 Odyssey Chamber Music Series Concerto Competition. She is a member of the Young Artists Philharmonic and Chamber Players. She is also a member of the Cloud 9 Quartet at MOSY Conservatory, as well as the BNB Trio, which won the 2020 MMTA State Chamber Music Competition (Senior Level) with the highest praises. Nicole is very passionate about music and plans to pursue a career in music. In her spare times she enjoys reading, hiking, camping, canoeing and spending time with her family.
Chad R. Payton, countertenor (Season 3, 4, 9, 10 [Memphis], 11+)
Dr. Chad R. Payton, countertenor, is an Assistant Professor of Music at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. He teaches private voice instruction, Lyric Diction, Vocal Pedagogy, Song Literature, and is the originator and host of the Opera Lecture Series. Dr. Payton is on the voice faculty and Artistic Administrator of Seagle Music Colony in New York, which is the nation’s oldest young artist training program in opera and music theatre. In 2014 he was one of twelve voice teachers selected into the national NATS Intern Program. His university and private students have frequently won both the regional and state NATS competitions, been national finalists in the Hal Leonard Competition, and have received vocal scholarships and graduate teaching assistantships at institutions such as Westminster Choir College. He has soloed internationally throughout Austria, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Italy. He is a national finalist in The American Prize Competition for art song and semi-finalist for chamber music. Dr. Payton has presented masterclasses in Brazil, and at Westminster Choir College, Kansas State University, Mississippi State University, University of Alabama Birmingham, University of Kansas, and University of Missouri. Upcoming performances include the tenor soloist in Carmina Burana with Columbia Chorale, the Prodigal Son in Charpentier’s Filius Prodigus with Henderson State University, and a faculty recital of Japanese art songs.
John D. Perkins, trumpet (Season 4, 5, 7, 9-11, 15, 20)
Dr. John D. Perkins teaches applied trumpet and horn, brass pedagogy, music history, and coaches brass ensembles at Central Methodist University. Perkins' students have won the State Competitions of the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Brass and the Missouri Music Teachers Association Upper and Lower Brass Division competitions. Under his direction, the CMU Trumpet Ensemble was selected and performed at the 2014 International Trumpet Guild Conference at King of Prussia, PA. Adjudicating frequently at MSHSAA solo and ensemble contests, Perkins enjoys working with younger brass players. He organizes and directs the high school trumpet clinics for the biennial CMU Brass Invitational, and offers trumpet lessons and high brass clinics to middle and high school students. Perkins has performed with a multitude of orchestras in mid-Missouri, including the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Odyssey Chamber Music Series Orchestra, Columbia Civic Orchestra, 9th Street Philharmonic, and Missouri Contemporary Ballet Orchestra. He has held trumpet positions including the Abilene Philharmonic, Johnstown Symphony, York Symphony, Victoria Bach Festival Orchestra, Mid-Texas Symphony, Austin Handel/Haydn Society Orchestra, Kerrville Symphony, St. Cloud Symphony, and the Heartland Symphony. He held the principal trumpet positions with the Shippensburg Festival Symphony Orchestra for fifteen years, as well as two seasons with the San Angelo Symphony. He has performed several works as world or U.S. premieres with various ensembles. Perkins has played lead trumpet in over forty musical productions, including the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, CMU’s Little Theatre, MU’s Summer Rep Theatre, Stephens College, William Woods University, and Video Games Live. Chamber ensembles include the Big Bang Brass, Southside Philharmonic Champion Brass, Odyssey Chamber Music Series, Missouri Consortium Brass, Cumberland Valley Chamber Players, Icehouse Brass, Summit Brass, and several brass quintets and ensembles. He has performed at the International Trumpet Guild Conference and has over 20 recording reviews articles published in the ITG Journal. Perkins has made several solo appearances with the CMU Concert Band, Karl King Band, Marshall Philharmonic, Hagerstown Municipal Band, Grand Sousa Festival Band, Angelo State University Wind Ensemble, Shippensburg University Concert Band, and the St. Cloud State University Concert/Chamber Band. He has played the National Anthem at minor league baseball games. He frequently enhances church services through his playing. His primary teachers include Raymond Crisara, John Aley, Albert Moore, and he studied briefly with Frank Kaderabek and Don Jacoby.
Dennis Pearson, bassoon (Season 18)
Dennis Pearson is an ardent bassoonist and educator. He currently holds the graduate fellowship for bassoon in the Plaza Winds, the premier woodwind quintet for the Conservatory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In addition to multiple recitals every year, the ensemble is active in the community, presenting at schools all around the Kansas City area. An active educator, Dennis teaches at the Frontier School of Excellence in Kansas City in addition to guest appearances at elementary schools in Northern Minnesota. Outside the classroom, he has worked as a counselor at numerous music camps including the Interlochen Arts Camp and the North Shore Summer Music Experience at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Dennis has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and Master of Music from the Lynn Conservatory where he had many successes. As winner of the concerto competition, he performed Weber's Bassoon Concerto. Additionally, Dennis had the opportunity to work with artists such as Christopher Theofanidis and Ellen Taaffe Zwillich, performing on the world premiere of her Cello Concerto. Dennis currently is pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the UMKC Conservatory and annually attends the Glickman-Popkin Bassoon Camp, a ten-day "Bassoon-O-Rama" filled with reed making, recitals, and masterclasses with the most prevalent bassoonists of today. Dennis's teachers include Jefferson Campbell, Leigh Muñoz, and Eric Van der Veer Varner.
Dennis Pearson is an ardent bassoonist and educator. He currently holds the graduate fellowship for bassoon in the Plaza Winds, the premier woodwind quintet for the Conservatory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. In addition to multiple recitals every year, the ensemble is active in the community, presenting at schools all around the Kansas City area. An active educator, Dennis teaches at the Frontier School of Excellence in Kansas City in addition to guest appearances at elementary schools in Northern Minnesota. Outside the classroom, he has worked as a counselor at numerous music camps including the Interlochen Arts Camp and the North Shore Summer Music Experience at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Dennis has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and Master of Music from the Lynn Conservatory where he had many successes. As winner of the concerto competition, he performed Weber's Bassoon Concerto. Additionally, Dennis had the opportunity to work with artists such as Christopher Theofanidis and Ellen Taaffe Zwillich, performing on the world premiere of her Cello Concerto. Dennis currently is pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the UMKC Conservatory and annually attends the Glickman-Popkin Bassoon Camp, a ten-day "Bassoon-O-Rama" filled with reed making, recitals, and masterclasses with the most prevalent bassoonists of today. Dennis's teachers include Jefferson Campbell, Leigh Muñoz, and Eric Van der Veer Varner.
Amit Peled, violoncello (Plowman 2023)
Praised by The Strad magazine and The New York Times, internationally renowned cellist Amit Peled is acclaimed as one of the most exciting and virtuosic instrumentalists on the concert stage today. Having performed in many of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center in New York, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., Salle Gaveau in Paris, Wigmore Hall in London, and the Konzerthaus Berlin, Peled has released over a dozen recordings on the Naxos, Centaur, Delos, and CTM Classics labels. He is on the faculty of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and has performed in and presented master classes around the world including at the Marlboro and Newport Music Festivals and the Heifetz International Music Summer Institute in the US, the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival in Germany, International Musicians Seminar Prussia Cove in England, and Keshet Eilon in Israel. Embracing the new era of the pandemic, Peled has established the Amit Peled Online Cello Academy reaching out to cellists all over the world. Moreover, his home studio in Baltimore has turned into a virtual art gallery promoting and supporting local artists while teaching and livestreaming to a worldwide audience. Raised on a kibbutz in Israel, Amit Peled began playing the cello at age 10. He performs on a cello made by the Italian master Giovanni Grancino (c. 1695), on generous loan from the Roux Family Foundation. Amit Peled is represented worldwide by CTM Classics. For more information, visit www.amitpeled.com.
Praised by The Strad magazine and The New York Times, internationally renowned cellist Amit Peled is acclaimed as one of the most exciting and virtuosic instrumentalists on the concert stage today. Having performed in many of the world’s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center in New York, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., Salle Gaveau in Paris, Wigmore Hall in London, and the Konzerthaus Berlin, Peled has released over a dozen recordings on the Naxos, Centaur, Delos, and CTM Classics labels. He is on the faculty of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and has performed in and presented master classes around the world including at the Marlboro and Newport Music Festivals and the Heifetz International Music Summer Institute in the US, the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival in Germany, International Musicians Seminar Prussia Cove in England, and Keshet Eilon in Israel. Embracing the new era of the pandemic, Peled has established the Amit Peled Online Cello Academy reaching out to cellists all over the world. Moreover, his home studio in Baltimore has turned into a virtual art gallery promoting and supporting local artists while teaching and livestreaming to a worldwide audience. Raised on a kibbutz in Israel, Amit Peled began playing the cello at age 10. He performs on a cello made by the Italian master Giovanni Grancino (c. 1695), on generous loan from the Roux Family Foundation. Amit Peled is represented worldwide by CTM Classics. For more information, visit www.amitpeled.com.
Holly Piccoli, violin (Season 17, 18)
Holly Piccoli is an Australian violinist, a member of the Omaha Symphony and the Melbourne Piano Trio. Her career spans an extensive range of styles performing with ensembles such as the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Trinity Baroque Orchestra, and the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra. Holly has also worked in the pop scene having performed with Olivia Newton-John, Hugh Jackman, as well as frequently performing on live-to-air Dancing with the Stars Australia. Career highlights for Holly include performing in Manhattan with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra as Concertmaster and soloist for Bach's 'St Matthew Passion'; the Sanguine Estate Music Festival (Australia) performing masterworks with champion violinists Anthony Marwood and Andrew Haveron; the Valley of the Moon Festival (Sonoma) performing Schubert's 'Death and the Maiden' string quartet on period instruments; and touring China as concertmaster of the Australian International Opera Company Orchestra. Holly received her training in modern violin at the Australian National Academy of Music and Yale University, and began her baroque violin career during her fellowship in the Yale Baroque Ensemble.
Holly Piccoli is an Australian violinist, a member of the Omaha Symphony and the Melbourne Piano Trio. Her career spans an extensive range of styles performing with ensembles such as the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Trinity Baroque Orchestra, and the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra. Holly has also worked in the pop scene having performed with Olivia Newton-John, Hugh Jackman, as well as frequently performing on live-to-air Dancing with the Stars Australia. Career highlights for Holly include performing in Manhattan with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra as Concertmaster and soloist for Bach's 'St Matthew Passion'; the Sanguine Estate Music Festival (Australia) performing masterworks with champion violinists Anthony Marwood and Andrew Haveron; the Valley of the Moon Festival (Sonoma) performing Schubert's 'Death and the Maiden' string quartet on period instruments; and touring China as concertmaster of the Australian International Opera Company Orchestra. Holly received her training in modern violin at the Australian National Academy of Music and Yale University, and began her baroque violin career during her fellowship in the Yale Baroque Ensemble.
PEP: Piano & Erhu Project with Nicole Ge Li, erhu and Corey Hamm, piano (Season 12)
An exciting cross-cultural project in which Corey and Nicole are commissioning over twenty Canadian and Chinese composers to write new works for erhu and piano.
Pianist Corey Hamm has commissioned, premiered and recorded over 200 solo, chamber and concerto works from composers from all over the world. His CD of Frederic Rzewski’s hour-long solo piano epic The People United Will Never Be Defeated! (Redshift Records) won the Best Classical Recording at the 2014 Western Canadian Music Awards, and Rzewski himself said it was “Excellent! Maybe the best recording!”. He also has a new CD, Beyond Shadows (Redshift Records), with his ensemble The Nu:BC Collective, plus a soon-to-be-released CD of solo works written for him by Hamel, Morlock, Nobles, Chang, and Godin, and a CD of the music of Jocelyn Morlock on Naxos. Corey is also part of an exciting duo with erhu virtuoso Nicole Li, PEP (Piano and Erhu Project), they have three CD volumes of over forty new works for piano and erhu written for them coming out in 2014/15 (Redshift Records). PEP will be touring China in 2015. Corey was soloist in the World Premiere of Jordan Nobles’ Piano Concerto with Bramwell Tovey and the VSO, and recently performed Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, Faure’s Fantasie, and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Hamm is in demand as an adjudicator and teacher in Asia, and North America. He is Associate Professor of Piano and Chamber Music at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, where he received the Killam Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching. There, he also Co-Directs the Contemporary Players. He is on the Piano Faculty of the Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. His beloved teachers include Lydia Artymiw, Marek Jablonski, Stéphane Lemelin, Ernesto Lejano, and Thelma Johannes O’Neill.
Erhu soloist Nicole Ge Li is currently Concert Master of the B.C. Chinese Orchestra and gaohu soloist with the BC Chinese Music Ensemble. Li began learning the erhu at the early age of six and started training professionally at the age of 11 at the Wu Conservatory of Music Affiliated Secondary School, where she received a full scholarship for four consecutive years. Li was later admitted to the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree in erhu performance in 2008. An active erhu performer, both as a solo artist and as a member of an ensemble, since 2000, Li is a much sought after performing artist in Vancouver. In 2011, she organized and performed in her own erhu recital in Vancouver, which was also the first full-scale erhu performance event of its kind held in Canada. In 2013, she was invited to perform for Prime Minister Stephen Harper as the only Chinese instrumental soloist at the Chinese New Year Gala in Vancouver. Later that year, Li performed the celebrated erhu concerto “Butterfly Lovers” with the BC Chinese Orchestra. During this 2013/14 season, Li is collaborating with virtuoso pianist Corey Hamm in bringing the first of many world premieres of new works for erhu and piano by Chinese and Canadian composers. These performances are being supported by a Canadian Art Council grant as part of a cross-cultural music exchange project. As a performing artist, Li is known for her interpretive expressiveness, stylistic versatility and ability to transverse a wide range of musical genres from the East to the West, from the traditional to the avant garde. As a teacher, Li is known for her ability to inspire students to excel, as evidenced by all her students’ successful exam results. Li works out of her JW Musical Studio in Richmond, BC where she teaches, rehearses and records her growing erhu repertoire.
Description: Composers James Harley, Brian Cherney, Hope Lee, David Eagle, Douglas Finch, Daniel Marshall, Elizabeth Raum, Dai Fujikura, Alexis Renault, Michael Park, John Oliver, Scott Godin, Stephen Chatman, Keith Hamel, Bob Pritchard, Jordan Nobles, Jocelyn Morlock, Gabriel Dharmoo, Paul Steenhuisen, Marc Mellits, Remy Siu, Dorothy Chang, Edward Top, Chris Gainey, Dubravko Pajalic, Jared Miller, Martin Ritter, Alyssa Aska, Alfredo, Santa Ana, Francois Houle, Owen Underhill, Vivian Fung, Hope Lee, Jian Qiang Xu, Yuan Qing Li, Joshua Chan, Si Ang Chen, I Yu Wang, Laura Pettigrew, Laurie Radford, Chan Kan Nin, Alice Ho, Emily Doolittle, among others, will each write a new erhu/piano work. Their new works were performed by Nicole and Corey in a series of concerts through 2014, when the works were recorded, and then toured in Canada and China. Their CDs are available for purchase at Redshift Records [CLICK HERE]. (List of Composers are updated as project proceeds on PEP Facebook page.)
“新動派－鋼琴二胡现代重奏作品計劃”（Piano and Erhu Project,簡稱PEP），自2012年啟動以來，引起北美音樂家的興趣，兩年期間吸引了40多名卓越的中外作曲家参與創作。這些陸續完成的現代作品將會由活動發起人科瑞·漢姆和李歌在溫哥華的舞台首演，2014年錄製專輯，2015-2016年在北美和中國巡迴演奏。
“新動派”（PEP）希望通過此活動向世界的觀眾奉献俱有加拿大本地色彩和中國音樂特色的新創精品。這些新作將避開傳統以鋼琴為二胡伴奏的習俗，着重在這两件極具民族代表性的樂器本身---鋼琴（西樂）、二胡（中樂），使它們能在曲目中淋漓盡致地表现出自己的特色，迸發中西樂器交融的魅力。同時也通過與多位作曲家講演交流，展现和推廣二胡這件中國傳统民族樂器的藝術魅力。
Here is a link to Nicole Li's workshop on writing for erhu, if you are an interested composer (!):
如果你是作曲家，也有興趣參與到這項活動，請觀看李歌的“二胡寫作交流視頻”：
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxU6YKYY9iuaXuEwn0fMmCNovHuMcvnW0
An exciting cross-cultural project in which Corey and Nicole are commissioning over twenty Canadian and Chinese composers to write new works for erhu and piano.
Pianist Corey Hamm has commissioned, premiered and recorded over 200 solo, chamber and concerto works from composers from all over the world. His CD of Frederic Rzewski’s hour-long solo piano epic The People United Will Never Be Defeated! (Redshift Records) won the Best Classical Recording at the 2014 Western Canadian Music Awards, and Rzewski himself said it was “Excellent! Maybe the best recording!”. He also has a new CD, Beyond Shadows (Redshift Records), with his ensemble The Nu:BC Collective, plus a soon-to-be-released CD of solo works written for him by Hamel, Morlock, Nobles, Chang, and Godin, and a CD of the music of Jocelyn Morlock on Naxos. Corey is also part of an exciting duo with erhu virtuoso Nicole Li, PEP (Piano and Erhu Project), they have three CD volumes of over forty new works for piano and erhu written for them coming out in 2014/15 (Redshift Records). PEP will be touring China in 2015. Corey was soloist in the World Premiere of Jordan Nobles’ Piano Concerto with Bramwell Tovey and the VSO, and recently performed Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, Faure’s Fantasie, and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Hamm is in demand as an adjudicator and teacher in Asia, and North America. He is Associate Professor of Piano and Chamber Music at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, where he received the Killam Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching. There, he also Co-Directs the Contemporary Players. He is on the Piano Faculty of the Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. His beloved teachers include Lydia Artymiw, Marek Jablonski, Stéphane Lemelin, Ernesto Lejano, and Thelma Johannes O’Neill.
Erhu soloist Nicole Ge Li is currently Concert Master of the B.C. Chinese Orchestra and gaohu soloist with the BC Chinese Music Ensemble. Li began learning the erhu at the early age of six and started training professionally at the age of 11 at the Wu Conservatory of Music Affiliated Secondary School, where she received a full scholarship for four consecutive years. Li was later admitted to the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree in erhu performance in 2008. An active erhu performer, both as a solo artist and as a member of an ensemble, since 2000, Li is a much sought after performing artist in Vancouver. In 2011, she organized and performed in her own erhu recital in Vancouver, which was also the first full-scale erhu performance event of its kind held in Canada. In 2013, she was invited to perform for Prime Minister Stephen Harper as the only Chinese instrumental soloist at the Chinese New Year Gala in Vancouver. Later that year, Li performed the celebrated erhu concerto “Butterfly Lovers” with the BC Chinese Orchestra. During this 2013/14 season, Li is collaborating with virtuoso pianist Corey Hamm in bringing the first of many world premieres of new works for erhu and piano by Chinese and Canadian composers. These performances are being supported by a Canadian Art Council grant as part of a cross-cultural music exchange project. As a performing artist, Li is known for her interpretive expressiveness, stylistic versatility and ability to transverse a wide range of musical genres from the East to the West, from the traditional to the avant garde. As a teacher, Li is known for her ability to inspire students to excel, as evidenced by all her students’ successful exam results. Li works out of her JW Musical Studio in Richmond, BC where she teaches, rehearses and records her growing erhu repertoire.
Description: Composers James Harley, Brian Cherney, Hope Lee, David Eagle, Douglas Finch, Daniel Marshall, Elizabeth Raum, Dai Fujikura, Alexis Renault, Michael Park, John Oliver, Scott Godin, Stephen Chatman, Keith Hamel, Bob Pritchard, Jordan Nobles, Jocelyn Morlock, Gabriel Dharmoo, Paul Steenhuisen, Marc Mellits, Remy Siu, Dorothy Chang, Edward Top, Chris Gainey, Dubravko Pajalic, Jared Miller, Martin Ritter, Alyssa Aska, Alfredo, Santa Ana, Francois Houle, Owen Underhill, Vivian Fung, Hope Lee, Jian Qiang Xu, Yuan Qing Li, Joshua Chan, Si Ang Chen, I Yu Wang, Laura Pettigrew, Laurie Radford, Chan Kan Nin, Alice Ho, Emily Doolittle, among others, will each write a new erhu/piano work. Their new works were performed by Nicole and Corey in a series of concerts through 2014, when the works were recorded, and then toured in Canada and China. Their CDs are available for purchase at Redshift Records [CLICK HERE]. (List of Composers are updated as project proceeds on PEP Facebook page.)
“新動派－鋼琴二胡现代重奏作品計劃”（Piano and Erhu Project,簡稱PEP），自2012年啟動以來，引起北美音樂家的興趣，兩年期間吸引了40多名卓越的中外作曲家参與創作。這些陸續完成的現代作品將會由活動發起人科瑞·漢姆和李歌在溫哥華的舞台首演，2014年錄製專輯，2015-2016年在北美和中國巡迴演奏。
“新動派”（PEP）希望通過此活動向世界的觀眾奉献俱有加拿大本地色彩和中國音樂特色的新創精品。這些新作將避開傳統以鋼琴為二胡伴奏的習俗，着重在這两件極具民族代表性的樂器本身---鋼琴（西樂）、二胡（中樂），使它們能在曲目中淋漓盡致地表现出自己的特色，迸發中西樂器交融的魅力。同時也通過與多位作曲家講演交流，展现和推廣二胡這件中國傳统民族樂器的藝術魅力。
Here is a link to Nicole Li's workshop on writing for erhu, if you are an interested composer (!):
如果你是作曲家，也有興趣參與到這項活動，請觀看李歌的“二胡寫作交流視頻”：
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxU6YKYY9iuaXuEwn0fMmCNovHuMcvnW0
Alice Wiley Picket, playwright and director (Season 20)
Alice Wiley Pickett (Writer and Director) has written and directed dozens of programs for children’s, pops, and family symphony concerts, and also assists with writing marketing and outreach materials for both the Springfield (MO) Symphony and Topeka Symphony in Kansas. Prior to moving to Missouri from the West Coast, Alice ran the after-school theatre program for the Redding California K-8 School District, was director of the children’s musical theatre program for Chico Performances, directed at Portland’s Forte Music School’s summer theatre camp, worked in marketing at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and acted at the Carmel Shakespeare Festival, Pacific Repertory Theatre, the EXIT Theatre in San Francisco, Perseverance Theatre (AK), and the Ashland New Plays Festival. She has a European history degree from Wesleyan University, a performance certificate in acting from the American Conservatory Theatre, and grew up studying violin and piano. She and her husband live in Springfield, MO, with their two sons.
Alice Wiley Pickett (Writer and Director) has written and directed dozens of programs for children’s, pops, and family symphony concerts, and also assists with writing marketing and outreach materials for both the Springfield (MO) Symphony and Topeka Symphony in Kansas. Prior to moving to Missouri from the West Coast, Alice ran the after-school theatre program for the Redding California K-8 School District, was director of the children’s musical theatre program for Chico Performances, directed at Portland’s Forte Music School’s summer theatre camp, worked in marketing at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and acted at the Carmel Shakespeare Festival, Pacific Repertory Theatre, the EXIT Theatre in San Francisco, Perseverance Theatre (AK), and the Ashland New Plays Festival. She has a European history degree from Wesleyan University, a performance certificate in acting from the American Conservatory Theatre, and grew up studying violin and piano. She and her husband live in Springfield, MO, with their two sons.
Jessica Platt, violin (Season 20)
Dr. Platt holds undergraduate, masters, and doctorate degrees in Violin Performance from Boston University and Ball State University. Currently, she is the concertmaster of the Saint Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, the Gateway Festival Orchestra and the Edwardsville Symphony. In the past, she has served as concertmaster of the University City Symphony, the Clayton Orchestra, the Saint Louis Civic Orchestra, the Fabulous Fox Theater Orchestra, and the Salem-Chamber Orchestra. In addition, she has performed with the Kingsbury Ensemble, St. Louis Municipal Opera Theater, the Union Avenue Opera, the St. Louis Bach Society, the Winter Opera, and many traveling shows. Dr. Platt conducts the Lindenwood University Orchestra and teaches applied violin, viola, chamber music, history and string pedagogy. She also teaches strings in the Parkway School District and the Webster Community Music School. Outside of music, she loves CrossFit, spending time with her friends and constantly learning and growing.
Dr. Platt holds undergraduate, masters, and doctorate degrees in Violin Performance from Boston University and Ball State University. Currently, she is the concertmaster of the Saint Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, the Gateway Festival Orchestra and the Edwardsville Symphony. In the past, she has served as concertmaster of the University City Symphony, the Clayton Orchestra, the Saint Louis Civic Orchestra, the Fabulous Fox Theater Orchestra, and the Salem-Chamber Orchestra. In addition, she has performed with the Kingsbury Ensemble, St. Louis Municipal Opera Theater, the Union Avenue Opera, the St. Louis Bach Society, the Winter Opera, and many traveling shows. Dr. Platt conducts the Lindenwood University Orchestra and teaches applied violin, viola, chamber music, history and string pedagogy. She also teaches strings in the Parkway School District and the Webster Community Music School. Outside of music, she loves CrossFit, spending time with her friends and constantly learning and growing.
Matthew J. Pierce, cello (Season 5-11, 13)
Matthew J. Pierce first performed in Columbia with the Missouri Symphony in 1998. After a decade spent freelancing for a living in New England, he returned to Columbia as a member of Mizzou's newly formed graduate New Music Ensemble in 2009. While in New England, Matthew played a combined twelve seasons as principal cellist of the Plymouth Philharmonic and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestras and was a founding member of the Plymouth String Quartet, while also contributing regularly to numerous other ensembles across the region. Since returning to Columbia, Matthew has been active in both regional and local musical scenes, playing "abroad" everywhere from the South Dakota Symphony to the Springfield Symphony, and locally at the Roots N Blues festival and with the Missouri Symphony. A cellist, woodworker, and independent scholar, Matthew currently runs a private studio, makes and sells fine wooden conductor's batons, adjusts and repairs stringed instruments, and writes about the structure of emotion from his background in music and cognitive science.
Christy Pond, horn (Season 15)
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Prairie View Concert Chorale (Season 16)
Under Dr. Taylor’s direction, the Prairie View A&M University Concert Chorale and PV Chamber Singers have performed to critical acclaim throughout the United States and abroad, including performances at the Texas Music Educators Association convention, the International Festival Wratislavia Cantans in Poland, and in Colombia, South America. In 2018, the Chorale performed in Berlin, Germany, and returned to Poland for performances of American music with the Toruń Symphony Orchestra’s International “Music and Architecture” Summer Festival, and the Orkiestra Kameralna Capella Bydgostiensis, under the baton Mariusz Smolij. The Prairie View A&M University choirs have performed with the Houston Symphony, Houston Civic Symphony, the Acadian Symphony, and have collaborated with several professional and community choruses in the Greater Houston area.
Under Dr. Taylor’s direction, the Prairie View A&M University Concert Chorale and PV Chamber Singers have performed to critical acclaim throughout the United States and abroad, including performances at the Texas Music Educators Association convention, the International Festival Wratislavia Cantans in Poland, and in Colombia, South America. In 2018, the Chorale performed in Berlin, Germany, and returned to Poland for performances of American music with the Toruń Symphony Orchestra’s International “Music and Architecture” Summer Festival, and the Orkiestra Kameralna Capella Bydgostiensis, under the baton Mariusz Smolij. The Prairie View A&M University choirs have performed with the Houston Symphony, Houston Civic Symphony, the Acadian Symphony, and have collaborated with several professional and community choruses in the Greater Houston area.
Quatuor Diotima (Season 16)
Yun-Peng Zhao, Constance Ronzatti, Franck Chevalier, Pierre Morlet
The Quatuor Diotima is one of the most in-demand chamber ensembles in the world today. It was formed in 1996 by graduates of the Paris National Conservatory.
The quartet’s name evokes a double musical significance: Diotima is at once an allegory of German romanticism – Friederich Hölderlin gives the name to the love of his life in his novel Hyperion- and a rallying cry for the music of our time, brandished by Luigi Nono in his composition Fragmente-Stille, an Diotima.
The Quatuor Diotima has worked in close collaboration with several of the greatest composers of the late twentieth century, notably Pierre Boulez (who revised his Livre pour Quatuor for them) and Helmut Lachenmann. The quartet regularly commissions new works from the most brilliant composers of our time, including Toshio Hosokawa, Miroslav Srnka, Alberto Posadas, Mauro Lanza, Gérard Pesson, Rebecca Saunders and Tristan Murail.
Reflected in the mirror of today’s music, the quartet projects a new light onto the masterpieces of the 19th and 20th centuries, especially Beethoven, Schubert, the Second Viennese School (Schoenberg, Berg and Webern), as well as Janáček, Debussy, Ravel and Bartók.
In the quartet’s rich discography one finds, notably, their interpretations of the Bartok’s quartets, the Second Viennese School and the definitive version of the Livre pour Quatuor by Pierre Boulez (on Megadisc). Their recordings are regularly praised and awarded by the international musical press: French magazine Diapason’s Diapason d’Or (five awards including two Best of the Year), Classica (Best of the Year), Télérama, Grammophone (Editor’s Choice), The Strad, and many others.
The Quatuor Diotima has recorded exclusively for the Naïve label for ten years; in 2016 they launched their Diotima Collection for that label, devoted to the works of major composers of our time. The first releases in the collection, devoted to Miroslav Srnka and Alberto Posadas, are to be followed with musical portraits of Gérard Pesson, Enno Poppe and Stefano Gervasoni. In 2019, Quatuor Diotima will record works by Rune Glerup, Tristan Murail and Rebecca Saunders.
Since 2008 The Quatuor Diotima has had a privileged relationship with the Région Centre-Val de Loire, which hosts the quartet in residence. This relationship is also an important laboratory for artistic and pedagogical projects. The Quatuor Diotima has developed a series of quartet concerts in Orléans that brings together a new generation of quartets with established ensembles. At the l’Abbaye de Noirlac, the quartet hosts and teaches master-classes that bring together young composers and quartets from around the world.
The Quatuor Diotima appears regularly in the world’s finest halls and concert series. They will perform this season in renowned chamber music series (e.g. Konserthuset Stockholm, Concertgebouw Brugge, Muziekgebouw Amsterdam) as well as those devoted to premiers and contemporary music (e.g. GNEM Marseille, Gong Festival Copenhagen, Wien Modern or Transit Leuven). Their debut at Philharmonie Berlin will be followed by many engagements in Germany, such as Nürnberg, Stuttgart, Kassel, Hamburg, Schwetzingen, Munich, Diusburg and Hannover.
New works to be premiered this season include those by Eric Tanguy (octet), Enno Poppe (quintet for two celli) and Oscar Bianchi.
The Quatuor Diotima is also regularly invited by the University of York for a series of concerts, chamber music master classes, and to work with student composers.
Autumn of 2018 marks the beginning for the quartet of a three-year residence as invited artists at Radio France in Paris. During the residence period they will perform their habitual repertoire, but will also work with guest musicians in chamber music and rare works for quartet and orchestra, as well as several commissioned works in partnership with other concert series and European radio services. In 2019-2020, the Quatuor Diotima will perform the late string quartets by Ludwig van Beethoven in a series of three concerts.
More recently, the Quatuor Diotima has been appointed as the University of Chicago Ensemble-in-Residence in 2020-2021.
The Diotima Quartet is supported by the DRAC and the Région Centre-Val de Loire, and regularly receives assistance from the Institut Français, Spedidam, Musique Nouvelle en Liberté, Fonds pour la Création musicale and from Adami, as well as from private sponsors.
2018 Diotima Quartet has been awarded the European Cultural Heritage Award by the French Ministry of Culture.
Yun-Peng Zhao, Constance Ronzatti, Franck Chevalier, Pierre Morlet
The Quatuor Diotima is one of the most in-demand chamber ensembles in the world today. It was formed in 1996 by graduates of the Paris National Conservatory.
The quartet’s name evokes a double musical significance: Diotima is at once an allegory of German romanticism – Friederich Hölderlin gives the name to the love of his life in his novel Hyperion- and a rallying cry for the music of our time, brandished by Luigi Nono in his composition Fragmente-Stille, an Diotima.
The Quatuor Diotima has worked in close collaboration with several of the greatest composers of the late twentieth century, notably Pierre Boulez (who revised his Livre pour Quatuor for them) and Helmut Lachenmann. The quartet regularly commissions new works from the most brilliant composers of our time, including Toshio Hosokawa, Miroslav Srnka, Alberto Posadas, Mauro Lanza, Gérard Pesson, Rebecca Saunders and Tristan Murail.
Reflected in the mirror of today’s music, the quartet projects a new light onto the masterpieces of the 19th and 20th centuries, especially Beethoven, Schubert, the Second Viennese School (Schoenberg, Berg and Webern), as well as Janáček, Debussy, Ravel and Bartók.
In the quartet’s rich discography one finds, notably, their interpretations of the Bartok’s quartets, the Second Viennese School and the definitive version of the Livre pour Quatuor by Pierre Boulez (on Megadisc). Their recordings are regularly praised and awarded by the international musical press: French magazine Diapason’s Diapason d’Or (five awards including two Best of the Year), Classica (Best of the Year), Télérama, Grammophone (Editor’s Choice), The Strad, and many others.
The Quatuor Diotima has recorded exclusively for the Naïve label for ten years; in 2016 they launched their Diotima Collection for that label, devoted to the works of major composers of our time. The first releases in the collection, devoted to Miroslav Srnka and Alberto Posadas, are to be followed with musical portraits of Gérard Pesson, Enno Poppe and Stefano Gervasoni. In 2019, Quatuor Diotima will record works by Rune Glerup, Tristan Murail and Rebecca Saunders.
Since 2008 The Quatuor Diotima has had a privileged relationship with the Région Centre-Val de Loire, which hosts the quartet in residence. This relationship is also an important laboratory for artistic and pedagogical projects. The Quatuor Diotima has developed a series of quartet concerts in Orléans that brings together a new generation of quartets with established ensembles. At the l’Abbaye de Noirlac, the quartet hosts and teaches master-classes that bring together young composers and quartets from around the world.
The Quatuor Diotima appears regularly in the world’s finest halls and concert series. They will perform this season in renowned chamber music series (e.g. Konserthuset Stockholm, Concertgebouw Brugge, Muziekgebouw Amsterdam) as well as those devoted to premiers and contemporary music (e.g. GNEM Marseille, Gong Festival Copenhagen, Wien Modern or Transit Leuven). Their debut at Philharmonie Berlin will be followed by many engagements in Germany, such as Nürnberg, Stuttgart, Kassel, Hamburg, Schwetzingen, Munich, Diusburg and Hannover.
New works to be premiered this season include those by Eric Tanguy (octet), Enno Poppe (quintet for two celli) and Oscar Bianchi.
The Quatuor Diotima is also regularly invited by the University of York for a series of concerts, chamber music master classes, and to work with student composers.
Autumn of 2018 marks the beginning for the quartet of a three-year residence as invited artists at Radio France in Paris. During the residence period they will perform their habitual repertoire, but will also work with guest musicians in chamber music and rare works for quartet and orchestra, as well as several commissioned works in partnership with other concert series and European radio services. In 2019-2020, the Quatuor Diotima will perform the late string quartets by Ludwig van Beethoven in a series of three concerts.
More recently, the Quatuor Diotima has been appointed as the University of Chicago Ensemble-in-Residence in 2020-2021.
The Diotima Quartet is supported by the DRAC and the Région Centre-Val de Loire, and regularly receives assistance from the Institut Français, Spedidam, Musique Nouvelle en Liberté, Fonds pour la Création musicale and from Adami, as well as from private sponsors.
2018 Diotima Quartet has been awarded the European Cultural Heritage Award by the French Ministry of Culture.
Stephen Radcliffe, conductor (Season 18)
Since his Lincoln Center conducting debut in 1986, Stephen Rogers Radcliffe has been recognized for his electrifying, musically acute performances, his passionate dedication to the nurturing of young talent and his innovative approach to audience development and artistic enrichment in the musical institutions with which he has served. For over a decade Maestro Radcliffe was Director of the Seattle Conservatory of Music and Music Director of both the Marrowstone Music Festival and the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra; America’s largest youth orchestra training program. An artist, educator and scholar, Maestro Radcliffe was the Harry and Mildred Bemis Endowed Fellow in Musicology at Brandeis University, Director of Orchestra and Opera Programs at the University of Massachusetts, and Staff Conductor of the Boston Lyric Opera, Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet. From 1987 to 1997 Mr. Radcliffe was the Music Director of the New York Chamber Ensemble, which appeared regularly at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, as well as on recordings, radio broadcasts and international tours. As Principal Guest Conductor of the Hungarian Virtuosi, Maestro Radcliffe performed at the Franz Liszt Academy and Pest Vigado in Budapest, as well as on international tours, radio and television broadcasts and recordings. Stephen Rogers Radcliffe is equally at home in the repertoire of symphony, ballet, opera and musical theater. For nearly a decade he conducted the Pacific Northwest Ballet, leading the company in its educational concerts and its NEXT STEP Choreographers Showcase performances. His work with the Seattle Opera includes three world premiere performances as part of the company's "Our Earth" commissioning project and, in 2017, he returned to the Seattle Opera for performances of Aaron Copland's "The Tender Land." He has conducted the major operatic works of Puccini and Verdi and has led "Opera in the Park" performances for thousands of music lovers in New York City. His Albany Records CD of operatic works by Gian Carlo Menotti, Douglas Moore and Paul Hindemith has been acclaimed in Gramophone and the American Record Guide. The roster of internationally acclaimed artists appearing in concert with Maestro Radcliffe is both distinguished and varied. Recent collaborations include performances with pianists Van Cliburn and Andre Watts; Metropolitan Opera stars Frederica von Stade, Dawn Upshaw, Susan Graham and Veronika Kinces, and pops artists the Moody Blues, Blood Sweat and Tears and P.D.Q Bach. Guest conducting has taken Stephen Rogers Radcliffe to leading orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latin America, Africa and China. He has also been widely heard in annual broadcasts over National Public Radio. An enthusiastic advocate of the composers of our own time, Stephen Rogers Radcliffe has commissioned and premiered numerous works, including major compositions by the distinguished American masters John Corigliano, John Harbison, George Rochberg, Ned Rorem, Aaron J. Kernis and Joan Tower. His critically acclaimed recordings of 20th Century scores include "The Music of George Rochberg" on the New World label, and "American Portraits," featuring chamber orchestra works by Copland, Griffes, Piston and Rorem, on Albany Records. A prize winner of the 1988 Arturo Toscanini International Conductor's Competition, Stephen Rogers Radcliffe was a student of Leonard Bernstein, Franco Ferrara and Gustav Meier. He has conducted at the Tanglewood and Aspen Music Festivals as well as at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy.
Since his Lincoln Center conducting debut in 1986, Stephen Rogers Radcliffe has been recognized for his electrifying, musically acute performances, his passionate dedication to the nurturing of young talent and his innovative approach to audience development and artistic enrichment in the musical institutions with which he has served. For over a decade Maestro Radcliffe was Director of the Seattle Conservatory of Music and Music Director of both the Marrowstone Music Festival and the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra; America’s largest youth orchestra training program. An artist, educator and scholar, Maestro Radcliffe was the Harry and Mildred Bemis Endowed Fellow in Musicology at Brandeis University, Director of Orchestra and Opera Programs at the University of Massachusetts, and Staff Conductor of the Boston Lyric Opera, Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet. From 1987 to 1997 Mr. Radcliffe was the Music Director of the New York Chamber Ensemble, which appeared regularly at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, as well as on recordings, radio broadcasts and international tours. As Principal Guest Conductor of the Hungarian Virtuosi, Maestro Radcliffe performed at the Franz Liszt Academy and Pest Vigado in Budapest, as well as on international tours, radio and television broadcasts and recordings. Stephen Rogers Radcliffe is equally at home in the repertoire of symphony, ballet, opera and musical theater. For nearly a decade he conducted the Pacific Northwest Ballet, leading the company in its educational concerts and its NEXT STEP Choreographers Showcase performances. His work with the Seattle Opera includes three world premiere performances as part of the company's "Our Earth" commissioning project and, in 2017, he returned to the Seattle Opera for performances of Aaron Copland's "The Tender Land." He has conducted the major operatic works of Puccini and Verdi and has led "Opera in the Park" performances for thousands of music lovers in New York City. His Albany Records CD of operatic works by Gian Carlo Menotti, Douglas Moore and Paul Hindemith has been acclaimed in Gramophone and the American Record Guide. The roster of internationally acclaimed artists appearing in concert with Maestro Radcliffe is both distinguished and varied. Recent collaborations include performances with pianists Van Cliburn and Andre Watts; Metropolitan Opera stars Frederica von Stade, Dawn Upshaw, Susan Graham and Veronika Kinces, and pops artists the Moody Blues, Blood Sweat and Tears and P.D.Q Bach. Guest conducting has taken Stephen Rogers Radcliffe to leading orchestras throughout the United States, Canada, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latin America, Africa and China. He has also been widely heard in annual broadcasts over National Public Radio. An enthusiastic advocate of the composers of our own time, Stephen Rogers Radcliffe has commissioned and premiered numerous works, including major compositions by the distinguished American masters John Corigliano, John Harbison, George Rochberg, Ned Rorem, Aaron J. Kernis and Joan Tower. His critically acclaimed recordings of 20th Century scores include "The Music of George Rochberg" on the New World label, and "American Portraits," featuring chamber orchestra works by Copland, Griffes, Piston and Rorem, on Albany Records. A prize winner of the 1988 Arturo Toscanini International Conductor's Competition, Stephen Rogers Radcliffe was a student of Leonard Bernstein, Franco Ferrara and Gustav Meier. He has conducted at the Tanglewood and Aspen Music Festivals as well as at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy.
Emily Rahn, trumpet (Season 19, 20)
Emily Rahn is a second year master’s student studying trumpet performance at Mizzou. She holds a position as the trumpet studio’s research assistant and performs regularly as a member of Mizzou Brass. Rahn received her Bachelor of Music degrees in both instrumental music education and trumpet performance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she also received the Chancellor’s Leadership Award and the Melvin R. Laird Exceptional Artist Award in 2021. Within the last few years, Rahn has performed regularly with groups such as the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and Wisconsin Symphonic Winds. During her time in Missouri, she has performed in a masterclass for Jens Lindemann and in the student recital at the 2022 Midwest Trumpet Festival, and as Principal Trumpet of the University of Missouri’s Wind Ensemble during the 2023 MMEA conference. Rahn’s other notable performances include participating in a masterclass with Marc Geujon, principal trumpet of the Opéra National de Paris orchestra, in 2018 and performing as assistant principal trumpet of the CBDNA North Central Division Intercollegiate Honors Band in 2020. In addition to her career as a performer, Rahn has worked as a private trumpet instructor since 2017.
Emily Rahn is a second year master’s student studying trumpet performance at Mizzou. She holds a position as the trumpet studio’s research assistant and performs regularly as a member of Mizzou Brass. Rahn received her Bachelor of Music degrees in both instrumental music education and trumpet performance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she also received the Chancellor’s Leadership Award and the Melvin R. Laird Exceptional Artist Award in 2021. Within the last few years, Rahn has performed regularly with groups such as the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and Wisconsin Symphonic Winds. During her time in Missouri, she has performed in a masterclass for Jens Lindemann and in the student recital at the 2022 Midwest Trumpet Festival, and as Principal Trumpet of the University of Missouri’s Wind Ensemble during the 2023 MMEA conference. Rahn’s other notable performances include participating in a masterclass with Marc Geujon, principal trumpet of the Opéra National de Paris orchestra, in 2018 and performing as assistant principal trumpet of the CBDNA North Central Division Intercollegiate Honors Band in 2020. In addition to her career as a performer, Rahn has worked as a private trumpet instructor since 2017.
D. Lydia Redding, violin (Season 15-17, 20)
D. Lydia Redding was a violinist of the former Colorado String Quartet. The quartet was recognized on four continents as one of the finest string quartets on the international scene. Winners of both the Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, their performances were noted for their musical integrity, impassioned playing and lyrical finesse. Highlights of past years include tours of more than twenty countries and performances in major cities across the globe. New York appearances include the Mostly Mozart Festival, where they performed twenty Haydn Quartets over a two-year period, and concerts in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center. The Quartet regularly performed the complete Beethoven Quartets, most recently in Berlin, making them the first female quartet to have performed the Beethoven cycle in both North America and in Europe. The Colorado Quartet commemorated the 50th anniversary of Béla Bartók’s death in 1995 with the first complete performance of the Bartók String Quartets to take place in Philadelphia. The Colorado Quartet is Quartet-in-Residence at Bard College in New York State, where Quartet members taught private lessons, coach chamber ensembles and present courses on the Literature of the String Quartet. The ensemble was Quartet-in-Residence for 1998-99 at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and has also held artist residencies at The New School in Philadelphia, Swarthmore and Skidmore Colleges and Amherst College. They gave master classes across the continent, including at The Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, The Banff Centre, Indiana University, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and the University of Toronto, and are Artistic Directors of the Soundfest Chamber Music Festival and Quartet in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The Colorado Quartet’s inspiring style combines a deep scholarly knowledge of the quartet literature with energy, passion, and a focus on fine details. Members of the Colorado Quartet served on the juries for several international competitions, including the Coleman Chamber Music Competition, Banff Quartet Competition and Concert Artists Guild Competition. Their critically acclaimed recordings of Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Brahms and contemporary composers can be found on Parnassus, Mode and Albany Records. The Colorado Quartet commemorated its 20th anniversary in 2003 with a release of the first in a complete set of Beethoven Quartet recordings
D. Lydia Redding was a violinist of the former Colorado String Quartet. The quartet was recognized on four continents as one of the finest string quartets on the international scene. Winners of both the Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, their performances were noted for their musical integrity, impassioned playing and lyrical finesse. Highlights of past years include tours of more than twenty countries and performances in major cities across the globe. New York appearances include the Mostly Mozart Festival, where they performed twenty Haydn Quartets over a two-year period, and concerts in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center. The Quartet regularly performed the complete Beethoven Quartets, most recently in Berlin, making them the first female quartet to have performed the Beethoven cycle in both North America and in Europe. The Colorado Quartet commemorated the 50th anniversary of Béla Bartók’s death in 1995 with the first complete performance of the Bartók String Quartets to take place in Philadelphia. The Colorado Quartet is Quartet-in-Residence at Bard College in New York State, where Quartet members taught private lessons, coach chamber ensembles and present courses on the Literature of the String Quartet. The ensemble was Quartet-in-Residence for 1998-99 at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and has also held artist residencies at The New School in Philadelphia, Swarthmore and Skidmore Colleges and Amherst College. They gave master classes across the continent, including at The Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, The Banff Centre, Indiana University, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and the University of Toronto, and are Artistic Directors of the Soundfest Chamber Music Festival and Quartet in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The Colorado Quartet’s inspiring style combines a deep scholarly knowledge of the quartet literature with energy, passion, and a focus on fine details. Members of the Colorado Quartet served on the juries for several international competitions, including the Coleman Chamber Music Competition, Banff Quartet Competition and Concert Artists Guild Competition. Their critically acclaimed recordings of Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Brahms and contemporary composers can be found on Parnassus, Mode and Albany Records. The Colorado Quartet commemorated its 20th anniversary in 2003 with a release of the first in a complete set of Beethoven Quartet recordings
Gyumi Rha, piano (Season 13)
Gyumi Rha began her piano studies at the age of five. As a youth, she won several competitions. She completed her undergraduate studies with Professor Moriarty at Michigan State University. During this period, Ms. Rha collaborated with many instrumentalists including cellists, percussionists and saxophonists as well as vocalists. She has performed as concerto soloist with the Sungshin Philharmonic Orchestra and the State Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan. She also participated in the Beijing International Music Festival and Academy in China, as well as a study abroad program in Italy. She currently a member of MU New Music Ensemble and is pursuing a master’s degree in piano performance with Dr. Miyamoto at the University of Missouri. She was 2016 Runner-Up and won the 2015 graduate division of the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Collegiate Honors Auditions.
Gyumi Rha began her piano studies at the age of five. As a youth, she won several competitions. She completed her undergraduate studies with Professor Moriarty at Michigan State University. During this period, Ms. Rha collaborated with many instrumentalists including cellists, percussionists and saxophonists as well as vocalists. She has performed as concerto soloist with the Sungshin Philharmonic Orchestra and the State Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan. She also participated in the Beijing International Music Festival and Academy in China, as well as a study abroad program in Italy. She currently a member of MU New Music Ensemble and is pursuing a master’s degree in piano performance with Dr. Miyamoto at the University of Missouri. She was 2016 Runner-Up and won the 2015 graduate division of the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Collegiate Honors Auditions.
Jonathan Ray, director (Season 20)
Jonathan Ray has served as the music director for traditional worship at First Baptist since September of 2022 and has loved every minute of it. In his role at FBC, Jonathan conducts the chancel choir and leads congregational hymns. An active performer, Jonathan has recently appeared with the Overland Park Orchestra, Music On Site, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, and Lawrence Opera Theatre. Jonathan is Assistant Professor Music at Central Methodist University where he teaches various levels of Applied Voice, conducts and music directs the musical theater productions, and leads Opera Workshop. Last spring, the CMU Opera Workshop performed Die Fledermaus. They are currently preparing their spring 2024 production of Le nozze di Figaro. In his free time, Jonathan loves spending time with his beautiful wife Christina and their amazing daughter Lucy. Together, Jonathan and Christina run Landlocked Opera, a small nonprofit opera company newly based in CoMo
Jonathan Ray has served as the music director for traditional worship at First Baptist since September of 2022 and has loved every minute of it. In his role at FBC, Jonathan conducts the chancel choir and leads congregational hymns. An active performer, Jonathan has recently appeared with the Overland Park Orchestra, Music On Site, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, and Lawrence Opera Theatre. Jonathan is Assistant Professor Music at Central Methodist University where he teaches various levels of Applied Voice, conducts and music directs the musical theater productions, and leads Opera Workshop. Last spring, the CMU Opera Workshop performed Die Fledermaus. They are currently preparing their spring 2024 production of Le nozze di Figaro. In his free time, Jonathan loves spending time with his beautiful wife Christina and their amazing daughter Lucy. Together, Jonathan and Christina run Landlocked Opera, a small nonprofit opera company newly based in CoMo
Emily Riekhof, oboe (Season 9)
Emily Riekhof is a sophomore at the University of Missouri-Columbia studying Music Performance and Spanish. Before studying privately with Dan Willett, she studied under H. Wakefield Foster. She has performed with various groups including the Missouri Youth Orchestra, Columbia Civic Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and the University Philharmonic. She played principle oboist in the Missouri All-State Band in 2010. Ms. Riekhof teaches privately. One of her most enlightening teaching experiences was subbing as band director for New Franklin R-1 School. Besides teaching, Ms. Riekhof spends an exorbitant amount of time in the University Double Reed Room fulfilling various duties, including, but not limited to, cleaning. In 2013, Ms. Riekhof will be studying music performance at Universidad Nacional in Heredia, Costa Rica through the IFSA Butler study abroad program.
Jason Riley, guitar (Season 9)
Guitarist Jason Riley has some of the most diverse experience in the music business. His formal degree in classical guitar and commercial music including study with Christopher Parkening, The L.A. Guitar Quartet, etc. Contrary to most classical guitarists, Jason’s professional experience has spanned nearly every style and includes composing, teaching, recording and performing. Jason has won competitions and reader’s polls in both the rock and country genres and has opened for such national acts as The Doobie Brothers, REO Speedwagon and The Little River Band. He has also made numerous radio and television appearances. Jason’s CDs include What Is and Shake, Rattle, Shatter with the rock group, Under the Influence, both of which were produced by platinum award-winner, Ken Paulakovich (Offspring, Gloria Estefan). He also released two solo CDs, Notes to Self (a compilation of original compositions) and Outtakes (original arrangements of traditional works). Jason has also been featured on the third CD (Hambone) from Nashville recording artists Pig Farmer. This varied experience has driven Jason to a tremendous recognition in improvisation. His work on-stage not only reflects his understanding of classical form and balance, but shows a highly original combination of this classical/rock/jazz background that very few guitarists can successfully execute in live performance. For more information about Jason Riley see: http://www.JasonRiley.com
Jeremiah Rittel, clarinet (Season 10-12)
Jeremiah Rittel is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance and Graduate Certificate in Jazz from the University of Missouri. He strives for musical experiences in a variety of Western and World practices, which have so far resulted in a diverse array of performances and collaborations. As a classical clarinetist, Jeremiah has performed with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra of the Rockies, studied abroad in Vienna, Austria, and attended the International Clarinet Association Clarinetfest® 2010 in Austin, Texas. As a pit orchestra musician, Jeremiah plays E-flat clarinet, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, and alto and tenor saxophones. He has collaborated in over a dozen musicals with the Missoula Community Theatre, Childrens Theatre, and the University of Montana’s School of Theatre and Dance. Notable performances include the on-stage klezmer clarinet solo in Fiddler on the Roof, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, book by Joseph Steinand; and Chicago, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Jeremiah also has interests in World Music, New Music, and Jazz. He has spent time exploring West African, East Indian, Balinese, and Jazz music through a variety of ensembles, independent studies, master classes, clinics, and community workshops. Jeremiah is currently a member of the New Music Ensemble at the University of Missouri and is enjoying working with student and professional composers from around the region, country, and world.
Jeremiah Rittel is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance and Graduate Certificate in Jazz from the University of Missouri. He strives for musical experiences in a variety of Western and World practices, which have so far resulted in a diverse array of performances and collaborations. As a classical clarinetist, Jeremiah has performed with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra of the Rockies, studied abroad in Vienna, Austria, and attended the International Clarinet Association Clarinetfest® 2010 in Austin, Texas. As a pit orchestra musician, Jeremiah plays E-flat clarinet, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, and alto and tenor saxophones. He has collaborated in over a dozen musicals with the Missoula Community Theatre, Childrens Theatre, and the University of Montana’s School of Theatre and Dance. Notable performances include the on-stage klezmer clarinet solo in Fiddler on the Roof, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, book by Joseph Steinand; and Chicago, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Jeremiah also has interests in World Music, New Music, and Jazz. He has spent time exploring West African, East Indian, Balinese, and Jazz music through a variety of ensembles, independent studies, master classes, clinics, and community workshops. Jeremiah is currently a member of the New Music Ensemble at the University of Missouri and is enjoying working with student and professional composers from around the region, country, and world.
Elizabeth Roberts, bassoon (Season 10)
Elizabeth Roberts is the Visiting Assistant Professor of Bassoon at the University of Missouri for the 2013-2014 academic year. Since 2001 she has been Principal Bassoon and Director of Youth Education for the Charlottesville Symphony, and she joined the faculty at the University of Virginia the same year. She freelances on bassoon and contrabassoon with the National Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Washington National Opera, Baltimore Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and Virginia Symphony. She was a 2008 Virginia Governor’s Award for the Arts nominee. Ms. Roberts earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Illinois, a Professional Studies Diploma and a Bachelor of Music from the Harid Conservatory, and a Master of Music from the University of Southern California, where she was elected to Pi Kappa Lambda and USC Presidential Fellows. Her principal teachers were Arthur Weisberg, Stephen Maxym and Frank Morelli.
Preston Roberts (Season 15-18)
Preston Roberts took up the viola at the age of 12, and has received instruction from Morgan Owen, and Leslie Perna. He was a member of the Missouri Symphony Conservatory, under the Direction of Kirk Trevor. Today, Roberts is a Junior at the University of Missouri, studying Viola Performance, and represents the University Philharmonic as the principal violist. With UPO, he has performed the World Premier of Mass: A Celebration of Love and Joy composed by André Thomas at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City, and has also performed theater works ranging from musicals like Terrance McNally’s Ragtime, to operas like Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. During his time at Mizzou, he achieved First Place in the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Upper Class Strings Competition in 2021. He also became principal violist in the Missouri All State Collegiate Orchestra in 2022. He has contributed his expertise to groups such as 7th Column, University of Missouri Chamber Soloists, and MU Camerata. Roberts currently teaches with the Missouri String Project, the Missouri Academy of Music, and the Missouri Symphony Conservatory, where he aims to inspire the next generation of musicians around the City of Columbia. Roberts has traveled to perform across the midwest with groups such as the Southside Philharmonic, the Quincy Symphony, and the award winning Leme Ensemble. He also contributes to groups close to home, as he has performed with the Odyssey Chamber Series, and served as principal violist for the Missouri Symphony, the Columbia Civic Orchestra. After his time at the University of Missouri, he plans to attend graduate school to continue his performance career.
Preston Roberts took up the viola at the age of 12, and has received instruction from Morgan Owen, and Leslie Perna. He was a member of the Missouri Symphony Conservatory, under the Direction of Kirk Trevor. Today, Roberts is a Junior at the University of Missouri, studying Viola Performance, and represents the University Philharmonic as the principal violist. With UPO, he has performed the World Premier of Mass: A Celebration of Love and Joy composed by André Thomas at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City, and has also performed theater works ranging from musicals like Terrance McNally’s Ragtime, to operas like Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. During his time at Mizzou, he achieved First Place in the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) Upper Class Strings Competition in 2021. He also became principal violist in the Missouri All State Collegiate Orchestra in 2022. He has contributed his expertise to groups such as 7th Column, University of Missouri Chamber Soloists, and MU Camerata. Roberts currently teaches with the Missouri String Project, the Missouri Academy of Music, and the Missouri Symphony Conservatory, where he aims to inspire the next generation of musicians around the City of Columbia. Roberts has traveled to perform across the midwest with groups such as the Southside Philharmonic, the Quincy Symphony, and the award winning Leme Ensemble. He also contributes to groups close to home, as he has performed with the Odyssey Chamber Series, and served as principal violist for the Missouri Symphony, the Columbia Civic Orchestra. After his time at the University of Missouri, he plans to attend graduate school to continue his performance career.
Jolie Rocke, soprano (Season 15, 16, 18, 19)
Jolie Rocke, soprano and native New Yorker is renowned for sharing the gift of song across the world. She has performed as a featured soloist in opera and concert tours of the USA, Europe and Far North Queensland Australia. Hartford Courant writer and critic Owen McNally marveled, "…a gifted, versatile vocalist who's as much at home soaring on opera arias and celestial hymns as she is getting down with funky blues and earthy jazz, just might, at long last, have the whole world in her hands thanks to her soulful album, Rock of Ages: Hymns for the Soul." Her other recording projects include, Jolie Rocke Brown in Concert and E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come, which are all available through iTunes.com and other media outlets.
Acclaimed as a singer and music educator, Rocke is spreading her wings with new projects. In October 2021, the 2020-2024 Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster Artist produced a fully staged reading of her original play, Triumphant Over Triple Negative, sharing how faith, music, and community were integral to her breast cancer journey. The play was funded in part by a 2020-2021 Support for Artists and Creative Individuals Grant from the Houston Mayor's Office for Cultural Arts through the Houston Arts Alliance. The Amistad Center for Art & Culture housed at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, honored her with the 2014 Spirit of Juneteenth Award. She is also a Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame 2012 Honoree.
While her singing career continues to soar, her dedication to training and providing performing opportunities for young artists is unwavering. For more than thirty years Dr. Rocke has served as a music teacher, program director, and consultant in Connecticut and Texas. She draws from her total life experience when she takes the stage or works with aspiring young artists. Her passion for music and the desire to pass it on to her students, leads her to produce concerts, direct community arts programs and train aspiring singers as a private voice teacher, coach, and mentor.
Rocke received a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Connecticut, a Masters of Early Childhood Education from Loyola College in Baltimore, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School. She has taught at Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University (TX), Manchester Community College (CT), and the University of Connecticut. In addition to actively performing, presenting master classes and lectures nationally, Rocke serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Voice at San Jacinto College, Artist in Residence at St. Peter United Church of Christ, Vocal Coach for V. Michael McKay’s Houston Gospel Legends Choir, and Owner of Rocke Vocal Studio in Houston, TX. In February 2020, Rocke and her business partner, Maryland Grier Union founded Equity Arts Enterprises LLC, an arts entertainment business based in Houston, TX.
Jolie Rocke, soprano and native New Yorker is renowned for sharing the gift of song across the world. She has performed as a featured soloist in opera and concert tours of the USA, Europe and Far North Queensland Australia. Hartford Courant writer and critic Owen McNally marveled, "…a gifted, versatile vocalist who's as much at home soaring on opera arias and celestial hymns as she is getting down with funky blues and earthy jazz, just might, at long last, have the whole world in her hands thanks to her soulful album, Rock of Ages: Hymns for the Soul." Her other recording projects include, Jolie Rocke Brown in Concert and E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come, which are all available through iTunes.com and other media outlets.
Acclaimed as a singer and music educator, Rocke is spreading her wings with new projects. In October 2021, the 2020-2024 Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster Artist produced a fully staged reading of her original play, Triumphant Over Triple Negative, sharing how faith, music, and community were integral to her breast cancer journey. The play was funded in part by a 2020-2021 Support for Artists and Creative Individuals Grant from the Houston Mayor's Office for Cultural Arts through the Houston Arts Alliance. The Amistad Center for Art & Culture housed at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, honored her with the 2014 Spirit of Juneteenth Award. She is also a Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame 2012 Honoree.
While her singing career continues to soar, her dedication to training and providing performing opportunities for young artists is unwavering. For more than thirty years Dr. Rocke has served as a music teacher, program director, and consultant in Connecticut and Texas. She draws from her total life experience when she takes the stage or works with aspiring young artists. Her passion for music and the desire to pass it on to her students, leads her to produce concerts, direct community arts programs and train aspiring singers as a private voice teacher, coach, and mentor.
Rocke received a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Connecticut, a Masters of Early Childhood Education from Loyola College in Baltimore, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School. She has taught at Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University (TX), Manchester Community College (CT), and the University of Connecticut. In addition to actively performing, presenting master classes and lectures nationally, Rocke serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Voice at San Jacinto College, Artist in Residence at St. Peter United Church of Christ, Vocal Coach for V. Michael McKay’s Houston Gospel Legends Choir, and Owner of Rocke Vocal Studio in Houston, TX. In February 2020, Rocke and her business partner, Maryland Grier Union founded Equity Arts Enterprises LLC, an arts entertainment business based in Houston, TX.
Ed Rollins, Founder of Odyssey, and Founder | Director, Columbia Handbell Ensemble (Season 1-15, 20)
Ed Rollins, Columbia Handbell Ensemble Director
Handbells have been a huge part of Ed Rollins’s life. He started playing in high school, played for four years at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, and then, from there, he became a member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR, now Handbell Musicians of America). While he loves ringing and directing, he found a deep desire to help Handbell Musicians of America grow and remain vital in the handbell world. His leadership in this organization includes Missouri State Treasurer, Missouri Chair, Area 8 Chair (representing Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska on two occasions), Area 7/8 Representative to the National Board, and from 2011-2017 as the HMA President-Elect and President for the National Board of Directors. In 2020 (at the start of the pandemic) he was asked to act as Interim Executive Director for Handbell Musicians of America (HMA), which he did for almost two years. When a new Executive Director was hired, Ed became the Business Manager for HMA, a position that he now holds. As clinician and conductor, Ed was AGEHR’s second ever coordinator for the Young Ringers Festival in Ames, Iowa in the early 1990’s, he has conducted multiple young ringer events around the country, and he has conducted for festival conferences in Area 1, Area 5, Area 6, Area 8, the advanced ringers track for National Seminar, and he was the HMA conductor for the International Symposium in Vancouver(2016). He has taught classes in over 25 states. In addition to his work for HMA, he co-founded the nationally recognized Columbia Handbell Ensemble back in 1989. This organization has run continuously since that time except for a Covid break.
For 31 years, Ed served as Associate Pastor for Music and Administration at First Baptist Church of Columbia, MO. At the church, Ed directed the choirs, handbell program, and an instrumental ensemble. During his tenure at First Baptist, Ed organized numerous collaborative ventures including: Columbia Men’s Church Ensemble that sang for the Columbia July 4 celebration, collaborations with the musicians of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and First Presbyterian Church, a 9/11 first year anniversary concert at the Missouri Theater featuring 150 singers from 30 local churches and an orchestra made up of primarily University of Missouri faculty and students, a Tenth Anniversary 9/11 Concert, handbell festivals and even a church band collaborative concert. Ed is also the co-founder of the Odyssey Chamber Music Series and remains grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Ayako Tsuruta in this amazing adventure. Administratively, Ed had oversight of budgets, personnel, facilities and the church’s endowment. Aside from that, he preached, performed weddings, and often led funerals. In his final ten years, he worked with another staff member to create liturgical art for worship.
Ed is married to Jess Wolfe, a teacher for the Columbia Public Schools program for gifted students (EEE). He has four stepchildren, Liam, Ophelia, Anya and Odin, and three years ago, Jess and Ed welcomed Iris Mae Wolfe Rollins into the clan. Along with the kids, there is one fluffy dog, George, three cats, a hamster and a bearded dragon. Never a dull moment.
Ed Rollins, Columbia Handbell Ensemble Director
Handbells have been a huge part of Ed Rollins’s life. He started playing in high school, played for four years at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, and then, from there, he became a member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR, now Handbell Musicians of America). While he loves ringing and directing, he found a deep desire to help Handbell Musicians of America grow and remain vital in the handbell world. His leadership in this organization includes Missouri State Treasurer, Missouri Chair, Area 8 Chair (representing Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska on two occasions), Area 7/8 Representative to the National Board, and from 2011-2017 as the HMA President-Elect and President for the National Board of Directors. In 2020 (at the start of the pandemic) he was asked to act as Interim Executive Director for Handbell Musicians of America (HMA), which he did for almost two years. When a new Executive Director was hired, Ed became the Business Manager for HMA, a position that he now holds. As clinician and conductor, Ed was AGEHR’s second ever coordinator for the Young Ringers Festival in Ames, Iowa in the early 1990’s, he has conducted multiple young ringer events around the country, and he has conducted for festival conferences in Area 1, Area 5, Area 6, Area 8, the advanced ringers track for National Seminar, and he was the HMA conductor for the International Symposium in Vancouver(2016). He has taught classes in over 25 states. In addition to his work for HMA, he co-founded the nationally recognized Columbia Handbell Ensemble back in 1989. This organization has run continuously since that time except for a Covid break.
For 31 years, Ed served as Associate Pastor for Music and Administration at First Baptist Church of Columbia, MO. At the church, Ed directed the choirs, handbell program, and an instrumental ensemble. During his tenure at First Baptist, Ed organized numerous collaborative ventures including: Columbia Men’s Church Ensemble that sang for the Columbia July 4 celebration, collaborations with the musicians of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and First Presbyterian Church, a 9/11 first year anniversary concert at the Missouri Theater featuring 150 singers from 30 local churches and an orchestra made up of primarily University of Missouri faculty and students, a Tenth Anniversary 9/11 Concert, handbell festivals and even a church band collaborative concert. Ed is also the co-founder of the Odyssey Chamber Music Series and remains grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Ayako Tsuruta in this amazing adventure. Administratively, Ed had oversight of budgets, personnel, facilities and the church’s endowment. Aside from that, he preached, performed weddings, and often led funerals. In his final ten years, he worked with another staff member to create liturgical art for worship.
Ed is married to Jess Wolfe, a teacher for the Columbia Public Schools program for gifted students (EEE). He has four stepchildren, Liam, Ophelia, Anya and Odin, and three years ago, Jess and Ed welcomed Iris Mae Wolfe Rollins into the clan. Along with the kids, there is one fluffy dog, George, three cats, a hamster and a bearded dragon. Never a dull moment.
Andrew Ruben, violoncello (Season 20)
Andrew Ruben, cello, received undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance from the University of Michigan where he was a student of Jeffrey Solow and Erling Blondal Bengtsson. He then spent one year in intense study with the Cleveland String Quartet and Paul Katz at the Eastman School of Music as winner of the Cleveland Quartet Competition. In 1990, he was the inaugural fellowship cellist for the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, and also spent two summers in the Aspen Center for Advanced Quartet Studies and one summer in residence at the Tanglewood Music Festival. During this time he was privileged to study with many of the world’s leading chamber music ensembles, including the Julliard, Emerson, Tokyo, American and Vermeer String Quartets. Subsequently, Mr. Ruben performed more than 300 concerts across the United States and Europe as a founding member of the Rackham String Quartet, which won the Coleman, Carmel, MTNA, and Yellow Springs chamber music competitions in the United States and was a participant in the Evian, London and Melbourne International Chamber Music Competitions. In 2000, Andrew received a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis and has spent more than 20 years in private practice, including 5 years as General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Real Estate with the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. Andrew is currently an equity Partner at Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard, PC, where he has been recognized from 2021-2023 as one of the ‘Best Lawyers in America’ in the areas of construction law and real estate law. Andrew maintains an active professional music career and regularly performs solo, chamber music and orchestral concerts throughout the St. Louis region, and is also the long-term cellist and President of the Board of the American Kantorei. Andrew performs on a very fine modern French cello by Nicholas Gilles.
Andrew Ruben, cello, received undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance from the University of Michigan where he was a student of Jeffrey Solow and Erling Blondal Bengtsson. He then spent one year in intense study with the Cleveland String Quartet and Paul Katz at the Eastman School of Music as winner of the Cleveland Quartet Competition. In 1990, he was the inaugural fellowship cellist for the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, and also spent two summers in the Aspen Center for Advanced Quartet Studies and one summer in residence at the Tanglewood Music Festival. During this time he was privileged to study with many of the world’s leading chamber music ensembles, including the Julliard, Emerson, Tokyo, American and Vermeer String Quartets. Subsequently, Mr. Ruben performed more than 300 concerts across the United States and Europe as a founding member of the Rackham String Quartet, which won the Coleman, Carmel, MTNA, and Yellow Springs chamber music competitions in the United States and was a participant in the Evian, London and Melbourne International Chamber Music Competitions. In 2000, Andrew received a law degree from Washington University in St. Louis and has spent more than 20 years in private practice, including 5 years as General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Real Estate with the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. Andrew is currently an equity Partner at Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard, PC, where he has been recognized from 2021-2023 as one of the ‘Best Lawyers in America’ in the areas of construction law and real estate law. Andrew maintains an active professional music career and regularly performs solo, chamber music and orchestral concerts throughout the St. Louis region, and is also the long-term cellist and President of the Board of the American Kantorei. Andrew performs on a very fine modern French cello by Nicholas Gilles.
Mark Rudoff, cello (Season 6, 9)
Cellist Mark Rudoff has demonstrated extraordinary versatility as a performer and teacher. Students in the OSU cello studio share participate in an eclectic pedagogy, with influences ranging from legal discourse to sports, liberally spiced with passion and humor. Cello at OSU is about preparing the complete artist with musical, technical, intellectual and personal skills to bring their music to the world.
Applauded by critics as "an exceptionally gifted cellist" and “a charismatic performer,” Mark has performed in solo recitals and with orchestras in Canada and the United States, and his solo and chamber performances have been recorded for broadcast on CBC. A respected chamber musician, he performs with the Galileo Trio, Jarvis Quintet, Chiarina Piano Quartet, and Marble Cliff Chamber Players, and has performed as a guest with groups including the Music Project, Allegri Quartet, Mount Royal Woodwind Quintet, and Thomas and Isobel Rolston and Friends. Equally accomplished in the orchestra sphere, Mark has served as principal cello of the Calgary Philharmonic and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestras, and in the sections of orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Brooklyn Philharmonic and New York City Ballet, performing under such conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Lukas Foss and Aaron Copland. Mark has appeared as guest artist with the Canadian Chamber Choir and at the Winnipeg Symphony's Centara New Music Festival, New Music North, and the Grand Teton Music Festival.
Prior to joining the Ohio State faculty, Mark Rudoff was professor of cello, chamber music and orchestra at Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada. He teaches at and serves as Dean of The Castleman Quartet Program in residence at SUNY Fredonia; was artist-in-residence and chamber music instructor at the Mountain View Festival of Song in Sundre, Alberta; and from 2002-05 directed the Winnipeg Youth Symphony. He has delivered presentations on performance and pedagogy at the American String Teachers Association and College Music Society National Conferences, and students throughout Canada and the northern U.S. have enjoyed Mark’s work as an adjudicator and workshop clinician.
Mark earned Bachelor's and Master's of Music degrees from The Juilliard School, graduating with the Edward Steuermann Prize. He studied there with Harvey Shapiro, Lynn Harrell, Lorne Munroe and Joel Krosnick, and was appointed teaching assistant to the Juilliard Quartet. He later held a residency at The Banff Centre for the Arts, pursuing advanced studies with artists including Paul Tortelier, Anner Bylsma, Wieland Kuijken, Siegfried Palm, and Witold Lutoslawski. Mark also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan, where he was appointed to the editorial board of the Saskatchewan Law Review and graduated with distinction in 1990. He enjoys the odd distinction of having published an article about music in the Alberta Law Review, and one with a legal slant in American String Teacher. Among activities in community, Mark has coached youth baseball and bowling, worked as a patient peer counselor for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada, and served on the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee of the Canadian Association of University Teachers.
Major teachers: Harvey Shapiro, Lynn Harrell, Joel Krosnick, Lorne Munroe.
Read more about Mark here: http://music.osu.edu/people/rudoff
Applauded by critics as "an exceptionally gifted cellist" and “a charismatic performer,” Mark has performed in solo recitals and with orchestras in Canada and the United States, and his solo and chamber performances have been recorded for broadcast on CBC. A respected chamber musician, he performs with the Galileo Trio, Jarvis Quintet, Chiarina Piano Quartet, and Marble Cliff Chamber Players, and has performed as a guest with groups including the Music Project, Allegri Quartet, Mount Royal Woodwind Quintet, and Thomas and Isobel Rolston and Friends. Equally accomplished in the orchestra sphere, Mark has served as principal cello of the Calgary Philharmonic and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestras, and in the sections of orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Brooklyn Philharmonic and New York City Ballet, performing under such conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Lukas Foss and Aaron Copland. Mark has appeared as guest artist with the Canadian Chamber Choir and at the Winnipeg Symphony's Centara New Music Festival, New Music North, and the Grand Teton Music Festival.
Prior to joining the Ohio State faculty, Mark Rudoff was professor of cello, chamber music and orchestra at Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada. He teaches at and serves as Dean of The Castleman Quartet Program in residence at SUNY Fredonia; was artist-in-residence and chamber music instructor at the Mountain View Festival of Song in Sundre, Alberta; and from 2002-05 directed the Winnipeg Youth Symphony. He has delivered presentations on performance and pedagogy at the American String Teachers Association and College Music Society National Conferences, and students throughout Canada and the northern U.S. have enjoyed Mark’s work as an adjudicator and workshop clinician.
Mark earned Bachelor's and Master's of Music degrees from The Juilliard School, graduating with the Edward Steuermann Prize. He studied there with Harvey Shapiro, Lynn Harrell, Lorne Munroe and Joel Krosnick, and was appointed teaching assistant to the Juilliard Quartet. He later held a residency at The Banff Centre for the Arts, pursuing advanced studies with artists including Paul Tortelier, Anner Bylsma, Wieland Kuijken, Siegfried Palm, and Witold Lutoslawski. Mark also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan, where he was appointed to the editorial board of the Saskatchewan Law Review and graduated with distinction in 1990. He enjoys the odd distinction of having published an article about music in the Alberta Law Review, and one with a legal slant in American String Teacher. Among activities in community, Mark has coached youth baseball and bowling, worked as a patient peer counselor for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada, and served on the Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee of the Canadian Association of University Teachers.
Major teachers: Harvey Shapiro, Lynn Harrell, Joel Krosnick, Lorne Munroe.
Read more about Mark here: http://music.osu.edu/people/rudoff
Marques Jerrell Ruff, bass-baritone (Season 15, 16, 18-20)
Marques Jerrell Ruff is an international musician, hailing from New England. The Hartford Courant marveled, “Ruff has a voice that has power, clarity and brilliant shades of color.” While GoldenPlec Magazine wrote, “Marques Jerrell Ruff has a voice that is powerful, acrobatic, and full of soul.” Marques has been a featured soloist with the National Chorus of Korea & Symphony, Tallahassee Symphony, Hartford Symphony, Rogue Valley Symphony, and the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. As an ensemble musician, he has appeared with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Conspirare, Exigence, Chanticleer, and Seraphic Fire. In addition to being a bass-baritone, Marques is also a conductor who has conducted across the country, including with the Cantabile Youth Singers of Silicon Valley, St. Louis District Honor Choir, Leon County Tenor/Bass Ensemble, and the Missouri Choral Artists. Marques is a passionate educator who is committed to the proliferation and preservation of the Negro Spiritual and Black music across the globe. His efforts have resulted in numerous presentations, both nationally and regionally, centering on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging within the Choral Arts. Marques is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University, where he was also the recipient of the University Singers Scholarship under the direction of Dr. Pamela J. Perry. He holds dual Master of Music degrees in Choral Conducting and Voice Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and also a Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from Florida State University. Marques is a proud member of the American Choral Directors Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He can be found on all social media: @marquesjruff
Marques Jerrell Ruff is an international musician, hailing from New England. The Hartford Courant marveled, “Ruff has a voice that has power, clarity and brilliant shades of color.” While GoldenPlec Magazine wrote, “Marques Jerrell Ruff has a voice that is powerful, acrobatic, and full of soul.” Marques has been a featured soloist with the National Chorus of Korea & Symphony, Tallahassee Symphony, Hartford Symphony, Rogue Valley Symphony, and the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. As an ensemble musician, he has appeared with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Conspirare, Exigence, Chanticleer, and Seraphic Fire. In addition to being a bass-baritone, Marques is also a conductor who has conducted across the country, including with the Cantabile Youth Singers of Silicon Valley, St. Louis District Honor Choir, Leon County Tenor/Bass Ensemble, and the Missouri Choral Artists. Marques is a passionate educator who is committed to the proliferation and preservation of the Negro Spiritual and Black music across the globe. His efforts have resulted in numerous presentations, both nationally and regionally, centering on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging within the Choral Arts. Marques is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University, where he was also the recipient of the University Singers Scholarship under the direction of Dr. Pamela J. Perry. He holds dual Master of Music degrees in Choral Conducting and Voice Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and also a Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from Florida State University. Marques is a proud member of the American Choral Directors Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He can be found on all social media: @marquesjruff
Joseph Rulli, saxophone | Performance Fellow (Season 12)
Equally adept at classical and jazz styles, saxophonist Joseph Rulli loves the challenges and possibilities of performing in various musical settings. Rulli has been selected to perform recitals at international conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance and U.S. Navy Band Saxophone Symposium. He has also performed with the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra and the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. In the summer of 2015 Rulli was selected to study and perform as part of the American Saxophone Academy at the Eastman School of Music. In 2014 he was awarded the Howard and Ruth Melcher Allen Woodwind Scholarship, given to the top woodwind student at the University of Missouri, and won the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist Competition. He has performed in masterclasses for Eugene Rousseau, Otis Murphy, the Capitol Quartet, John Sampen, John Nichol, Jim Snidero, and Joe Eckert. Rulli has served as lead alto saxophonist of the University of Missouri Concert Jazz Band since 2013, performing and recording with Christian McBride, Jimmy Greene, Byron Stripling, John Clayton, Mike Mainieri, and Sean Jones. He released the album, Open Window, with the ensemble last fall. Rulli currently serves as graduate saxophone teaching assistant at the University of Missouri, where he is pursuing Master of Music degrees in saxophone performance and jazz performance and pedagogy. In 2013 Rulli graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Music degree in saxophone performance. His primary teachers are Leo Saguiguit, Dr. Arthur White, Stanley Morris, and Dr. Richard Salonen.
Equally adept at classical and jazz styles, saxophonist Joseph Rulli loves the challenges and possibilities of performing in various musical settings. Rulli has been selected to perform recitals at international conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance and U.S. Navy Band Saxophone Symposium. He has also performed with the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra and the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. In the summer of 2015 Rulli was selected to study and perform as part of the American Saxophone Academy at the Eastman School of Music. In 2014 he was awarded the Howard and Ruth Melcher Allen Woodwind Scholarship, given to the top woodwind student at the University of Missouri, and won the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist Competition. He has performed in masterclasses for Eugene Rousseau, Otis Murphy, the Capitol Quartet, John Sampen, John Nichol, Jim Snidero, and Joe Eckert. Rulli has served as lead alto saxophonist of the University of Missouri Concert Jazz Band since 2013, performing and recording with Christian McBride, Jimmy Greene, Byron Stripling, John Clayton, Mike Mainieri, and Sean Jones. He released the album, Open Window, with the ensemble last fall. Rulli currently serves as graduate saxophone teaching assistant at the University of Missouri, where he is pursuing Master of Music degrees in saxophone performance and jazz performance and pedagogy. In 2013 Rulli graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Music degree in saxophone performance. His primary teachers are Leo Saguiguit, Dr. Arthur White, Stanley Morris, and Dr. Richard Salonen.
Valentina Arango Sanchez, flute (Season 18)
A native of Medellin, Colombia, Ms. Arango Sánchez received her undergraduate degree at the University of Antioquia as well as Conservatoire Royal de Mons, Belgium. Her primary professors include Hugo Espinosa, Elizabeth Osorio, and Marc Grauwels. Valentina has performed as an extra musician with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Medellin and has participated in festivals such as Medellin festicámara, Cartagena music festival, and Medellin entre la flauta. She has also played in masterclasses with recognized flutists like Josephine Olech, Vincent Lucas, Toon Fret, Denis Pierre Gustin, Julie Thornton, and Juliette Hurel. Presently, Valentina is pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Missouri with Professor Alice Dade. She performs with the University Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the MU New Music Ensemble.
A native of Medellin, Colombia, Ms. Arango Sánchez received her undergraduate degree at the University of Antioquia as well as Conservatoire Royal de Mons, Belgium. Her primary professors include Hugo Espinosa, Elizabeth Osorio, and Marc Grauwels. Valentina has performed as an extra musician with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Medellin and has participated in festivals such as Medellin festicámara, Cartagena music festival, and Medellin entre la flauta. She has also played in masterclasses with recognized flutists like Josephine Olech, Vincent Lucas, Toon Fret, Denis Pierre Gustin, Julie Thornton, and Juliette Hurel. Presently, Valentina is pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Missouri with Professor Alice Dade. She performs with the University Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the MU New Music Ensemble.
Ronaldo Sarmanho, violin (Season 8, 9)
Ronaldo Sarmanho began his violin studies with Prof. Paulo Keuffer in Belém, Brazil at the age of 11 soon developing intense musical activities as violinist of the UFPa String Orchestra, Theatro da Paz Symphony Orchestra and then joining both the Early Music Ensemble and the Jazz Group of the State of Pará Federal University. He had participated in the most distinguished music festivals in Brazil e. g. Pará International Festival, Londrina Music Festival, Juiz de Fora, and FEMUSC having masterclasses with great violinists such as Miriam Fried, Charles Stegeman, Sonja Van Beck, José Castillo, Leon Spierer among others. In 2008, He was invited to join the YOA (Youth Orchestra of the Americas) in an international tour having the opportunity to share the stage with the conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto, pianist Nelson Freire, cellist Antonio Meneses. At the same year he was invited by Alex Klein to participate in the Oferenda Musical Chamber Music Festival in São Paulo. Ronaldo develops the repertoire of violin and piano with the pianist Renata Tavernard in a duo called Duo Deno. He earned his bachelor degree in music in Prof Rucker Bezerra’s class in 2010. This spring, he earned his masters degree in violin performance with Prof. Eva Szekely.
Katrina Bobbs Savitski, violin (Season 13)
Katrina Bobbs Savitski grew up in a musical family where she began studying piano and violin at age four. She received her Master of Music from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music under the tutelage of Kathleen Winkler, and now performs regularly as a recitalist and as a substitute violinist for the Houston Symphony. As a performer, Katrina has won top awards in international competitions across the country, and has soloed with over thirty orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, New West Symphony, and Calgary Symphony. A native of Los Angeles, Katrina began studying piano with her mother Catherine Bobbs and violin with Gail Mellert. At age 15, she and her family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, so she could attend the Young Artist Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) as a student of Paul Kantor. She received her Young Artist and Bachelor degrees with Academic Honors from CIM. In addition to her busy performance schedule, Katrina is also a passionate teacher and has been running a private studio for the past twelve years. She also coaches for the Houston Youth Symphony and is the Founder and Director of the Music Ensemble Program, a chamber music program for pre-college students. Katrina currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and pianist Sergei Savitski.
Katrina Bobbs Savitski grew up in a musical family where she began studying piano and violin at age four. She received her Master of Music from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music under the tutelage of Kathleen Winkler, and now performs regularly as a recitalist and as a substitute violinist for the Houston Symphony. As a performer, Katrina has won top awards in international competitions across the country, and has soloed with over thirty orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, New West Symphony, and Calgary Symphony. A native of Los Angeles, Katrina began studying piano with her mother Catherine Bobbs and violin with Gail Mellert. At age 15, she and her family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, so she could attend the Young Artist Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) as a student of Paul Kantor. She received her Young Artist and Bachelor degrees with Academic Honors from CIM. In addition to her busy performance schedule, Katrina is also a passionate teacher and has been running a private studio for the past twelve years. She also coaches for the Houston Youth Symphony and is the Founder and Director of the Music Ensemble Program, a chamber music program for pre-college students. Katrina currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and pianist Sergei Savitski.
Brady Schach, trumpet (Season 9)
Brady Schach is the Graduate Trumpet Assistant at University of Missouri. He is a member of the faculty quintet and principal trumpet of the University Philharmonic Orchestra. He received his Bachelor's in Trumpet Performance from Western Illinois University where he was a winner of the University Concerto Competition in 2012.
Jeff Scott, horn (Plowman 2023)
A native of Queens, NY, Jeff started the French horn at age 14, receiving an anonymous gift scholarship to begin his private study and formal introduction to music theory with the Brooklyn College Preparatory Division. An even greater gift came from his first private teacher Carolyn Clark, who taught the young Mr. Scott for free during his high school years, giving him the opportunity to study music when resources were not available. Since receiving degrees from Manhattan School of Music, ’90 and SUNY at Stony Brook, ’92, Mr. Scott has enjoyed a performance career as a studio, chamber and orchestral musician, performing in Broadway shows, Ballet companies, touring with various commercial artists as well as recording for film, classical music, pop music and jazz music. Mr. Scott's composing credits include original works for symphonic and chamber orchestra, chorus, chamber ensembles and solo works for winds, brass, strings and voice. In 2021 Mr. Scott, a founding member of the internationally acclaimed wind quintet “Imani Winds”, retired after 24 years groundbreaking years of touring and recording and pedagogy. The quintet was honored with a permanent installation at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History in 2017. Mr. Scott was recently appointed Associate Professor of Horn at Oberlin College and Conservatory.
A native of Queens, NY, Jeff started the French horn at age 14, receiving an anonymous gift scholarship to begin his private study and formal introduction to music theory with the Brooklyn College Preparatory Division. An even greater gift came from his first private teacher Carolyn Clark, who taught the young Mr. Scott for free during his high school years, giving him the opportunity to study music when resources were not available. Since receiving degrees from Manhattan School of Music, ’90 and SUNY at Stony Brook, ’92, Mr. Scott has enjoyed a performance career as a studio, chamber and orchestral musician, performing in Broadway shows, Ballet companies, touring with various commercial artists as well as recording for film, classical music, pop music and jazz music. Mr. Scott's composing credits include original works for symphonic and chamber orchestra, chorus, chamber ensembles and solo works for winds, brass, strings and voice. In 2021 Mr. Scott, a founding member of the internationally acclaimed wind quintet “Imani Winds”, retired after 24 years groundbreaking years of touring and recording and pedagogy. The quintet was honored with a permanent installation at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History in 2017. Mr. Scott was recently appointed Associate Professor of Horn at Oberlin College and Conservatory.
Sophie Shao, violoncello (Season 20)
Cellist Sophie Shao, winner of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and top prizes at the Rostropovich and Tchaikovsky competitions. Shao has appeared as soloist throughout the United States and concerto performances include world premiere performances of Howard Shore's "Mythic Gardens" with Lockhart and the BBC Concert Orchestra and Richard Wilson’s “The Cello Has Many Secrets” with Botstein and the American Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Shao has given recitals in Suntory Hall in Tokyo, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and the Phillips Collection among many others. Her dedication to chamber music has conceived her popular “Sophie Shao and Friends” and she was a member of Lincoln Center's Chamber Music Society Two and a frequent guest at many festivals. Ms. Shao’s recordings include the Complete Bach Suites and Andre Previn’s Reflections for Cello and English Horn and Orchestra on EMI Classics. Her performance of Howard Shore’s “Mythic Gardens” was released in 2017 on Sony Classical along with Lang Lang’s performance of “Ruins and Memory”. A native of Houston, Texas, Ms. Shao was a student of Shirley Trepel, former principal cellist of the Houston Symphony, David Soyer at the Curtis Institute of Music, and Aldo Parisot at Yale College, where she received a B.A. in Religious Studies and an M.M. from the Yale School of Music, as a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellow. She is on the faculty of University of Connecticut and plays on a cello made by Honore Derazey in 1855.
Cellist Sophie Shao, winner of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and top prizes at the Rostropovich and Tchaikovsky competitions. Shao has appeared as soloist throughout the United States and concerto performances include world premiere performances of Howard Shore's "Mythic Gardens" with Lockhart and the BBC Concert Orchestra and Richard Wilson’s “The Cello Has Many Secrets” with Botstein and the American Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Shao has given recitals in Suntory Hall in Tokyo, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and the Phillips Collection among many others. Her dedication to chamber music has conceived her popular “Sophie Shao and Friends” and she was a member of Lincoln Center's Chamber Music Society Two and a frequent guest at many festivals. Ms. Shao’s recordings include the Complete Bach Suites and Andre Previn’s Reflections for Cello and English Horn and Orchestra on EMI Classics. Her performance of Howard Shore’s “Mythic Gardens” was released in 2017 on Sony Classical along with Lang Lang’s performance of “Ruins and Memory”. A native of Houston, Texas, Ms. Shao was a student of Shirley Trepel, former principal cellist of the Houston Symphony, David Soyer at the Curtis Institute of Music, and Aldo Parisot at Yale College, where she received a B.A. in Religious Studies and an M.M. from the Yale School of Music, as a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellow. She is on the faculty of University of Connecticut and plays on a cello made by Honore Derazey in 1855.
Mitchell Sidden, clarinet (Season 18)
Coming from a very musical family, Mitchell Sidden’s great grandfather played guitar in a band that performed in a theater owned and operated by his grandfather and grandmother for over forty years. This country music background pushed Mitchell to pick up the violin in middle school, but would find his own passion in band music shortly after starting the violin. He would be tutored by Mrs. Cindy Svehla starting in the seventh grade and would continue studying with her until junior year of high school. While studying with her and attending Liberty North Highschool he would go on to earn All State band accolades in his later three years of high school and would perform solos as well as with Liberty North’s clarinet quartet at State solo ensemble festival all four years. In 2018 he won the Northland Symphony Young Artist Competition performing B.H. Crusell’s Concerto in f minor. He is currently in his Junior year working towards a Bachelors Degree in Clarinet Performance and studies with Dr. Wes Warnhoff at the University of Missouri and performs with the Mizzou Wind Ensemble, University Philharmonic, and the Mizzou Clarinet Quartet, as well as performing with the Cameron Municipal Band during the Summer season. Ultimately he hopes to continue working towards entrance into a professional ensemble, either military band or symphony.
Coming from a very musical family, Mitchell Sidden’s great grandfather played guitar in a band that performed in a theater owned and operated by his grandfather and grandmother for over forty years. This country music background pushed Mitchell to pick up the violin in middle school, but would find his own passion in band music shortly after starting the violin. He would be tutored by Mrs. Cindy Svehla starting in the seventh grade and would continue studying with her until junior year of high school. While studying with her and attending Liberty North Highschool he would go on to earn All State band accolades in his later three years of high school and would perform solos as well as with Liberty North’s clarinet quartet at State solo ensemble festival all four years. In 2018 he won the Northland Symphony Young Artist Competition performing B.H. Crusell’s Concerto in f minor. He is currently in his Junior year working towards a Bachelors Degree in Clarinet Performance and studies with Dr. Wes Warnhoff at the University of Missouri and performs with the Mizzou Wind Ensemble, University Philharmonic, and the Mizzou Clarinet Quartet, as well as performing with the Cameron Municipal Band during the Summer season. Ultimately he hopes to continue working towards entrance into a professional ensemble, either military band or symphony.
Olivia Sletteland, percussion (Season 19, 20)
Olivia Sletteland is a percussionist, arts administrator, and music educator currently based in Columbia, Missouri. Olivia received her Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and is currently pursuing a Masters of Music in Percussion Performance at the University of Missouri-Columbia. At Missouri-Columbia, she earned a Research Assistant position as a percussionist with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble. In pursuing her passion for new music, Olivia has performed at the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention on the New Music/Research Committee Concert Series and premiered works by David Crowell, José Halac, and Maria Disandro. She is also a founding member of the percussion duo Gaze alongside Mary Emmons which has a mission to promote, commission, and perform new works especially that of underrepresented composers. Olivia has performed with many ensembles in the midwest, including the Missouri Symphony, La Crosse Symphony, Chippewa Valley Symphony, and Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra. In addition to performing, Olivia works as the librarian for the Columbia Civic Orchestra. As an educator, Olivia maintains a private percussion studio and is the percussion coach and percussion ensemble director with the Missouri Symphony’s Youth Conservatory.
Olivia Sletteland is a percussionist, arts administrator, and music educator currently based in Columbia, Missouri. Olivia received her Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and is currently pursuing a Masters of Music in Percussion Performance at the University of Missouri-Columbia. At Missouri-Columbia, she earned a Research Assistant position as a percussionist with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble. In pursuing her passion for new music, Olivia has performed at the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention on the New Music/Research Committee Concert Series and premiered works by David Crowell, José Halac, and Maria Disandro. She is also a founding member of the percussion duo Gaze alongside Mary Emmons which has a mission to promote, commission, and perform new works especially that of underrepresented composers. Olivia has performed with many ensembles in the midwest, including the Missouri Symphony, La Crosse Symphony, Chippewa Valley Symphony, and Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra. In addition to performing, Olivia works as the librarian for the Columbia Civic Orchestra. As an educator, Olivia maintains a private percussion studio and is the percussion coach and percussion ensemble director with the Missouri Symphony’s Youth Conservatory.
Benjamin Smith, solo violoncello (Season 17 Concerto Competition Winner)
Born in Canada in 2006, Benjamin Smith grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and began studying cello at 5 years of age (with some trumpet on the side) at the Omaha Conservatory of Music, studying primarily with Tim Strang. In 2018, he moved to Columbia, where he now studies with Kirk Trevor, and performs in the Missouri Symphony Conservatory orchestras and chamber programs. He performs in master classes with Jun Seo, David Kim and Alan Richardson. Homeschooled from an early age, Benjamin is now a freshman at Rock Bridge High School. He was 2020 Finalist for the Missouri MTNA junior strings competition.
Born in Canada in 2006, Benjamin Smith grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and began studying cello at 5 years of age (with some trumpet on the side) at the Omaha Conservatory of Music, studying primarily with Tim Strang. In 2018, he moved to Columbia, where he now studies with Kirk Trevor, and performs in the Missouri Symphony Conservatory orchestras and chamber programs. He performs in master classes with Jun Seo, David Kim and Alan Richardson. Homeschooled from an early age, Benjamin is now a freshman at Rock Bridge High School. He was 2020 Finalist for the Missouri MTNA junior strings competition.
Jared Smith, bass trombone (Season 18, 19)
Jared Smith is a Columbia, MO native in his 11th year teaching, currently K-5 general music at Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary, Columbia Public Schools. Jared has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Music Education from the University of Missouri and is the Bass Trombonist for the Columbia Jazz Orchestra and the Missouri Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Jared is an original member and tenor for Vox Nova and section leader at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He can also be seen performing bass guitar around Columbia for productions at the Lyceum Theater in Arrow Rock, MO, the University of Missouri Musical Theater Department, Talking Horse Productions, and as a member of Saint Gnome and Wayward Souls, as well as other local ensembles throughout the Mid-Missouri area.
Jared Smith is a Columbia, MO native in his 11th year teaching, currently K-5 general music at Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary, Columbia Public Schools. Jared has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Music Education from the University of Missouri and is the Bass Trombonist for the Columbia Jazz Orchestra and the Missouri Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Jared is an original member and tenor for Vox Nova and section leader at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He can also be seen performing bass guitar around Columbia for productions at the Lyceum Theater in Arrow Rock, MO, the University of Missouri Musical Theater Department, Talking Horse Productions, and as a member of Saint Gnome and Wayward Souls, as well as other local ensembles throughout the Mid-Missouri area.
Soma Quartet (Season 17)
Soma is a saxophone quartet formed at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under the guidance of Otis Murphy. The members of the quartet include David Bayard (soprano), Paul Lorenz (alto), Sean Bradley (tenor), and Arthur Liang (baritone). Soma was recently awarded the Grand Prize at the 9th Plowman Chamber Music Competition in 2019. Other awards include First Runner-Up in the Classics Alive Young Artist Competition in 2018, and First Prize in the 2017 Chicago Woodwind Ensemble Competition. They were also finalists in the 2018 North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet Competition.
Based out of Bloomington, Indiana, Soma has been active since the fall of 2016 and has performed a wide variety of concerts including recitals at the International Navy Band Symposium, The inaugural American Single Reed Summit and the North American Saxophone Alliance region five conference. Soma is committed to performing new works to expand the quartet repertoire and has collaborated with several composers from Indiana University. Additionally, Soma has a passion for traditional repertoire and transcriptions, and has performed numerous outreach concerts in venues ranging from retirement centers to coffee shops as well as the Bloomington Transit Center. These outreach concerts serve to further Soma's goal of bringing the saxophone to a broader audience.
Soma is a saxophone quartet formed at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under the guidance of Otis Murphy. The members of the quartet include David Bayard (soprano), Paul Lorenz (alto), Sean Bradley (tenor), and Arthur Liang (baritone). Soma was recently awarded the Grand Prize at the 9th Plowman Chamber Music Competition in 2019. Other awards include First Runner-Up in the Classics Alive Young Artist Competition in 2018, and First Prize in the 2017 Chicago Woodwind Ensemble Competition. They were also finalists in the 2018 North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet Competition.
Based out of Bloomington, Indiana, Soma has been active since the fall of 2016 and has performed a wide variety of concerts including recitals at the International Navy Band Symposium, The inaugural American Single Reed Summit and the North American Saxophone Alliance region five conference. Soma is committed to performing new works to expand the quartet repertoire and has collaborated with several composers from Indiana University. Additionally, Soma has a passion for traditional repertoire and transcriptions, and has performed numerous outreach concerts in venues ranging from retirement centers to coffee shops as well as the Bloomington Transit Center. These outreach concerts serve to further Soma's goal of bringing the saxophone to a broader audience.
Erich Spaeth, percussion (Season 9)
Erich Spaeth earned a Bachelor’s of Music Education and a Bachelor’s of Music Performance in percussion from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and is currently finishing a Master’s of Music Performance in percussion from the University of Missouri in Columbia. While at SWOSU, he performed with the SWOSU Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble “A.” While at Missouri, he performed with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and Steel Band. Erich was a member of the 2009 Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps as well as a member of the 2012 Missouri Symphony Orchestra “Hot Summer Nights!” At the University of Missouri, he currently serves as a University Band Graduate Assistant conducting the 2012 Mini Mizzou Volleyball band as well as being the composer and instructor for the Marching Mizzou Drumline. Erich is currently a band director at Gentry Middle School in Columbia, teaching percussion classes.
Marcia Spence, horn (Season 3, 4, 6-8, 10-14, 16+)
Marcia Spence is in her twentieth year as Professor of Horn at the University of Missouri where she performs with the University of Missouri Faculty Brass Quintet, with whom she toured Russia and the Missouri Quintet, with whom she toured China and also made two CD recordings. She holds two horn performance degrees from the University of Colorado, a master of business administration degree from The American University, and a doctor of musical arts degree from the University of North Texas. She spent fourteen years as a member of military bands, culminating with the position of Commander/Conductor of the 531st Air Force Band in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Spence has performed professionally with the Colorado Mahlerfest Orchestra, Waco Symphony, Oklahoma City Symphony, Denton Bach Society Orchestra, Wichita Falls Symphony, Dallas Wind Symphony, Breckenridge Chamber Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Missouri Symphony, Missouri Brass Consortium, and the St. Louis Holiday Brass. She has appeared frequently as a guest artist at the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-South regional horn workshops. In 2008, 2009, and 2012 she performed as a soloist at international symposiums hosted by the International Horn Society.
Kyle Stegall, tenor (Season 17, 18)
Kyle Stegall’s performances around the world have been met with accolade for his “blemish-free production” (Sydney Morning Herald), “lovely tone and ardent expression” (NY Times), as well as his “lively and empathetic delivery” (San Francisco Classical Voice). An artist who communicates equally well on concert, opera, and recital stages, his performances are characterized by an unfailing attention to style and detail, and a penetrating directness of communication. Mr. Stegall’s successful solo debuts in Japan, Australia, Vienna, Italy, Singapore, and Canada as well as on major stages across America have been in collaboration with many of the world’s most celebrated artistic directors including Manfred Honeck, Joseph Flummerfelt, William Christie, Stephen Stubbs, and Nicholas McGegan, among others. Heard frequently as evangelist and tenor soloist in the passions and cantatas of J.S. Bach, Mr. Stegall made his Lincoln Center debut as the evangelist in the St. John Passion under the direction of The Bach Collegium Japan’s artistic director, Masaaki Suzuki. In demand as a symphonic soloist, Mr. Stegall’s seasons often include the oratorios of Handel and Haydn, the great masses of Mozart and Beethoven, and works from the Bel Canto and 20th century concert canon. Holding a special relationship with the music of Benjamin Britten, Mr. Stegall was twice invited to participate as a fellow at the Aldeburgh Music Festival, in the composer’s hometown of Suffolk, England. There, he performed in recital and studied Britten song and Schubert lieder under the guidance of Ian Bostridge and Malcolm Martineau. Kyle has been heard in recital singing all of the composer’s cycles for tenor, including Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings. A dedicated proponent of the song recital, Mr. Stegall personally curates recitals each season which reveal the vast colors and emotional range the collected repertoire has to offer. Recent recitals have included the complete sacred works for tenor and piano by Britten (presented by the Yale Center for British Art), English and French song in the 20th century, and Schumann and his contemporaries with fortepianist Eric Zivian at the Valley of the Moon Music Festival. Praised for possessing an “ability to absorb viewers into the action, something which is rarely achieved in opera,” (SF Classical Voice), Mr. Stegall's stage skills have made him a popular choice for the leading lyric tenor roles in the works of Mozart as well as in operas of the Bel Canto era. Mr. Stegall is a proud alumnus of the universities of Missouri, Michigan, and Yale.
Kyle Stegall’s performances around the world have been met with accolade for his “blemish-free production” (Sydney Morning Herald), “lovely tone and ardent expression” (NY Times), as well as his “lively and empathetic delivery” (San Francisco Classical Voice). An artist who communicates equally well on concert, opera, and recital stages, his performances are characterized by an unfailing attention to style and detail, and a penetrating directness of communication. Mr. Stegall’s successful solo debuts in Japan, Australia, Vienna, Italy, Singapore, and Canada as well as on major stages across America have been in collaboration with many of the world’s most celebrated artistic directors including Manfred Honeck, Joseph Flummerfelt, William Christie, Stephen Stubbs, and Nicholas McGegan, among others. Heard frequently as evangelist and tenor soloist in the passions and cantatas of J.S. Bach, Mr. Stegall made his Lincoln Center debut as the evangelist in the St. John Passion under the direction of The Bach Collegium Japan’s artistic director, Masaaki Suzuki. In demand as a symphonic soloist, Mr. Stegall’s seasons often include the oratorios of Handel and Haydn, the great masses of Mozart and Beethoven, and works from the Bel Canto and 20th century concert canon. Holding a special relationship with the music of Benjamin Britten, Mr. Stegall was twice invited to participate as a fellow at the Aldeburgh Music Festival, in the composer’s hometown of Suffolk, England. There, he performed in recital and studied Britten song and Schubert lieder under the guidance of Ian Bostridge and Malcolm Martineau. Kyle has been heard in recital singing all of the composer’s cycles for tenor, including Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings. A dedicated proponent of the song recital, Mr. Stegall personally curates recitals each season which reveal the vast colors and emotional range the collected repertoire has to offer. Recent recitals have included the complete sacred works for tenor and piano by Britten (presented by the Yale Center for British Art), English and French song in the 20th century, and Schumann and his contemporaries with fortepianist Eric Zivian at the Valley of the Moon Music Festival. Praised for possessing an “ability to absorb viewers into the action, something which is rarely achieved in opera,” (SF Classical Voice), Mr. Stegall's stage skills have made him a popular choice for the leading lyric tenor roles in the works of Mozart as well as in operas of the Bel Canto era. Mr. Stegall is a proud alumnus of the universities of Missouri, Michigan, and Yale.
Andrew Stump, viola (Season 20)
Andrew Stump is a violinist, violist, and hornist, and has loved playing music his entire life. He is so grateful to have been born into a very musical and very loving and caring family. Andrew began studying the violin at the age of 5 and the viola at the age of 10, and after much exploration of different instruments began studying the french horn when he was 14. He went on to study horn performance with Jennifer Montone and Jeffery Lang at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2022. Andrew then spent one year pursuing a Master of Music degree in violin performance at Temple University, where he studied violin with Davyd Booth, as well as viola with Kerri Ryan. To expand his creative output, Andrew enjoys putting together his own recording projects on his YouTube channel, as well as arranging and composing amateurly. Andrew also has a great deal of interest in studying psychology and personality typology, which he does in his free time. Andrew is very passionate about his Christian faith and loves being involved in his church community and studying the Bible.
Andrew Stump is a violinist, violist, and hornist, and has loved playing music his entire life. He is so grateful to have been born into a very musical and very loving and caring family. Andrew began studying the violin at the age of 5 and the viola at the age of 10, and after much exploration of different instruments began studying the french horn when he was 14. He went on to study horn performance with Jennifer Montone and Jeffery Lang at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2022. Andrew then spent one year pursuing a Master of Music degree in violin performance at Temple University, where he studied violin with Davyd Booth, as well as viola with Kerri Ryan. To expand his creative output, Andrew enjoys putting together his own recording projects on his YouTube channel, as well as arranging and composing amateurly. Andrew also has a great deal of interest in studying psychology and personality typology, which he does in his free time. Andrew is very passionate about his Christian faith and loves being involved in his church community and studying the Bible.
Mark Sparks, flute (Season 11)
Mark Sparks is Solo Flutist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Recognized for his colorful tone, spirited phrasing, and charismatic style (described by the Denver Post as "mesmerizing"), he is a dynamic orchestral artist, soloist, chamber musician, and teacher, and has performed in many of the world's most prestigious venues. He has made guest appearances with numerous top ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and was a member of the Baltimore Symphony before his appointment in St. Louis in 2000. Sparks can be heard as recording artist on the Summit and AAM labels, with various orchestras on the Sony, Telarc, Nonesuch, and Decca labels, and has recently released his third solo recording, "French Album," a collaboration with St. Louis pianist Peter Henderson on the Pesen label. Recent activities included recitals and master classes for the Ohio Flute Association, Texas Flute Society, the Illinois Flute Society, the Eastman School of Music, the Curtis Institute of Music, Oberlin College, Northwestern University, and Yale, among others, a residency at Baylor University's Flute Festival 2014, and a recital at the NFA Convention in Chicago. Appearances also included performances of Christopher Rouse's Flute Concerto with the St. Louis Symphony under Music Director David Robertson both on the Orchestra's California tour and in St. Louis. Plans are underway for performances of the concerto in China and Korea. Upcoming activities include a recital for the New York Flute Club, performance of the Bach b minor Suite with the SLSO for their 2014 Gala, residency at San Diego's Mainly Mozart Festival, a class and recital at Ithaca college, and various recitals in the St. Louis area. A dedicated teacher, Mr. Sparks is a former full-time faculty member of Baltimore's Peabody Institute, and presents an annual Flute Seminar in St. Louis. Sparks frequently coaches for top orchestral training programs, including the New World Symphony, NOI, and the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan. This summer he joined the coaching faculty of the Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestra. Mr. Sparks is an artist-faculty member of the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he teaches an annual studio of the nation's top talent, and is Principal flutist of the Aspen Chamber Symphony. An avid writer on flute-related subjects , he is a regular contributor to Flute Talk Magazine, and is included in the book "Flute Stories: 101 Inspirational Stories of the World's Best Flute Players." As arranger, Sparks has recently completed and performed arrangements of Bruch's Romanza and Faure's Elegie for flute and piano, published by Theodore Presser. Born in the U.S. in 1960, Mr. Sparks graduated with honors from the Oberlin Conservatory as a student of Robert Willoughby. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda Society, and the National Flute Association. As a student, he also trained at the Tanglewood Music Festival, Aspen, and the National Repertory Orchestra.
Mark Sparks is Solo Flutist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Recognized for his colorful tone, spirited phrasing, and charismatic style (described by the Denver Post as "mesmerizing"), he is a dynamic orchestral artist, soloist, chamber musician, and teacher, and has performed in many of the world's most prestigious venues. He has made guest appearances with numerous top ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and was a member of the Baltimore Symphony before his appointment in St. Louis in 2000. Sparks can be heard as recording artist on the Summit and AAM labels, with various orchestras on the Sony, Telarc, Nonesuch, and Decca labels, and has recently released his third solo recording, "French Album," a collaboration with St. Louis pianist Peter Henderson on the Pesen label. Recent activities included recitals and master classes for the Ohio Flute Association, Texas Flute Society, the Illinois Flute Society, the Eastman School of Music, the Curtis Institute of Music, Oberlin College, Northwestern University, and Yale, among others, a residency at Baylor University's Flute Festival 2014, and a recital at the NFA Convention in Chicago. Appearances also included performances of Christopher Rouse's Flute Concerto with the St. Louis Symphony under Music Director David Robertson both on the Orchestra's California tour and in St. Louis. Plans are underway for performances of the concerto in China and Korea. Upcoming activities include a recital for the New York Flute Club, performance of the Bach b minor Suite with the SLSO for their 2014 Gala, residency at San Diego's Mainly Mozart Festival, a class and recital at Ithaca college, and various recitals in the St. Louis area. A dedicated teacher, Mr. Sparks is a former full-time faculty member of Baltimore's Peabody Institute, and presents an annual Flute Seminar in St. Louis. Sparks frequently coaches for top orchestral training programs, including the New World Symphony, NOI, and the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan. This summer he joined the coaching faculty of the Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestra. Mr. Sparks is an artist-faculty member of the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he teaches an annual studio of the nation's top talent, and is Principal flutist of the Aspen Chamber Symphony. An avid writer on flute-related subjects , he is a regular contributor to Flute Talk Magazine, and is included in the book "Flute Stories: 101 Inspirational Stories of the World's Best Flute Players." As arranger, Sparks has recently completed and performed arrangements of Bruch's Romanza and Faure's Elegie for flute and piano, published by Theodore Presser. Born in the U.S. in 1960, Mr. Sparks graduated with honors from the Oberlin Conservatory as a student of Robert Willoughby. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda Society, and the National Flute Association. As a student, he also trained at the Tanglewood Music Festival, Aspen, and the National Repertory Orchestra.
Sue Stubbs, double bass (Season 5, 8, 12, 14)
Professor Sue Stubbs has been a member of the Aspen Festival Orchestra, the New Jersey Symphony, and the Kansas City Philharmonic. She is Principal Bass of the Gateway Festival Orchestra in St. Louis, and the Springfield (Missouri) Symphony. She has performed throughout the Midwest, including concerto appearances with various orchestras and recital performances in St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield, and Kansas City. She is in demand a a teacher; many of her students have won awards at state and national competitions and have gone on to graduate study at such institutions as Indiana University and The Julliard School of Music. Professor Stubbs holds a bachelor of music degree from The Juilliard School and a master of music degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her principal teachers were Stuart Sankey, Gary Karr, and Eugene Levinson. Professor Stubbs is also on the faculty of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and the St. Louis Symphony Community Music School.
Professor Sue Stubbs has been a member of the Aspen Festival Orchestra, the New Jersey Symphony, and the Kansas City Philharmonic. She is Principal Bass of the Gateway Festival Orchestra in St. Louis, and the Springfield (Missouri) Symphony. She has performed throughout the Midwest, including concerto appearances with various orchestras and recital performances in St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield, and Kansas City. She is in demand a a teacher; many of her students have won awards at state and national competitions and have gone on to graduate study at such institutions as Indiana University and The Julliard School of Music. Professor Stubbs holds a bachelor of music degree from The Juilliard School and a master of music degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her principal teachers were Stuart Sankey, Gary Karr, and Eugene Levinson. Professor Stubbs is also on the faculty of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis University, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and the St. Louis Symphony Community Music School.
Eva Szekely, violin | Esterhazy Quartet (Season 1-4, 7, 8, 12-16, 20)
As soloist and chamber musician, violinist Eva Szekely has concertized extensively throughout North America, Europe and South America. She has appeared in such cities as Boston, Los Angeles, New York, , Chicago, Prague, Paris, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro as well as on concert series throughout France, Austria and the Netherlands. In Brazil, she has been guest artist at the highly acclaimed International Music Festival of Para, the Londrina Music Festival, the SESC International Music Festival in Pelotas and has presented concerts and master classes in all of that country’s major musical centers. She was the first recipient of the Governor’s Medal of Honor in the Arts in the state of Pará in Brazil in 1999 and is a winner of MU’s distinguished International Engagement Award. Ms. Szekely has premiered works written and dedicated to her by important contemporary composers including among others James Willey, Chester Biscardi, Erich Leitner, Andrew List and Roberto Escobar. She has been heard on national and international radio and television broadcasts and has recorded for CRI, New World and Albany Records. Ms. Szekely’s students have been winners of numerous competitions and have distinguished themselves both as performers and teachers at home and abroad. Ms. Szekely holds degrees in violin performance from the Juilliard School, where she was a student of Ivan Galamian. She studied chamber music with Franco Gulli, Zoltan Szekely, Felix Galimir as well as members of the Juilliard and Hungarian String Quartets. A visiting guest artist at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Eva Szekely was honored with the University of Missouri’s Middlebush Chair in Fine Arts and was named Artist Teacher of the Year by the Missouri American String Teachers Association. She is Professor of Violin, 1st violinist of the Esterhazy Quartet, and head of the string area at the University of Missouri School of Music.
As soloist and chamber musician, violinist Eva Szekely has concertized extensively throughout North America, Europe and South America. She has appeared in such cities as Boston, Los Angeles, New York, , Chicago, Prague, Paris, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro as well as on concert series throughout France, Austria and the Netherlands. In Brazil, she has been guest artist at the highly acclaimed International Music Festival of Para, the Londrina Music Festival, the SESC International Music Festival in Pelotas and has presented concerts and master classes in all of that country’s major musical centers. She was the first recipient of the Governor’s Medal of Honor in the Arts in the state of Pará in Brazil in 1999 and is a winner of MU’s distinguished International Engagement Award. Ms. Szekely has premiered works written and dedicated to her by important contemporary composers including among others James Willey, Chester Biscardi, Erich Leitner, Andrew List and Roberto Escobar. She has been heard on national and international radio and television broadcasts and has recorded for CRI, New World and Albany Records. Ms. Szekely’s students have been winners of numerous competitions and have distinguished themselves both as performers and teachers at home and abroad. Ms. Szekely holds degrees in violin performance from the Juilliard School, where she was a student of Ivan Galamian. She studied chamber music with Franco Gulli, Zoltan Szekely, Felix Galimir as well as members of the Juilliard and Hungarian String Quartets. A visiting guest artist at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Eva Szekely was honored with the University of Missouri’s Middlebush Chair in Fine Arts and was named Artist Teacher of the Year by the Missouri American String Teachers Association. She is Professor of Violin, 1st violinist of the Esterhazy Quartet, and head of the string area at the University of Missouri School of Music.
Brian Tate, percussion (Season 1~11, 13, 14)
Brian Tate was appointed Adjunct Professor of Percussion for the Swinney Conservatory of Music at Central Methodist University in 2015, teaching applied percussion lessons and percussion ensemble, and assisting with the CMU Eagle Band. Additionally, he has been the principal timpanist for the Missouri Symphony orchestra since 2003. He has also been a member of the faculty of the School of Music at the University of Missouri – Columbia as an adjunct instructor since 2007, where his duties have ranged from teaching music history for non-majors as well as music theory and music technology courses for music majors to serving on the percussion faculty teaching lessons and assisting with percussion ensembles. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at Moberly Area Community College where he teaches courses in music history. Outside of his classroom duties, he maintains a private percussion studio in Columbia. He served as percussion instructor for Rock Bridge High School for ten years. He received both a B.S. Ed. and M.M. from the University of Missouri. Prior to his graduate work, he served as Assistant Director of Bands at Oakville High School, District Percussion Specialist for the Mehlville School District, and Assistant Director of Bands for the Poplar Bluff School District. As a percussionist, Mr. Tate has performed on recitals and at conferences throughout North America, including the 12th Festival Internacional de Percusión in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the 2007 National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy in Greensboro, North Carolina. He has appeared as a regular fixture on the Odyssey Chamber Series. He has also been a member of the St. Louis Wind Symphony, the Mighty Mississippi Concert Band, the St. Louis Chamber Winds, and the Sky Ryders Drum and Bugle Corps front ensemble. Additionally, he has played on shows for such noteworthy artists as Anne Murray, Johnny Mathis, and the Boston Brass. He is a contributing composer and editor for Sequential Studies for Four-Mallet Marimba, a beginning four-mallet marimba method series that has recently been featured on VicFirth.com and adopted as audition material for the Missouri MBA All-District and All-State Bands. He has been an active composer, arranger, and adjudicator for band and percussion throughout the country. Professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, MENC/NAfME, MMEA, MBA, Kappa Delta Pi, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
A. Jan Taylor, conductor (Season 16)
A. . Jan Taylor, educator, pianist, singer and choral conductor, is Director of Choral Music Activities at Prairie View A&M University. A native of Houston, Texas, and a graduate of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, she received the Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Houston, the Master of Arts degree from Prairie View A&M University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Houston. Prior to her appointment at Prairie View, Taylor taught general music, piano, and trained choirs in elementary, middle, and high schools in the Houston Independent School District. She has served as adjudicator and choral clinician for numerous choral competitions, festivals, and regional choirs throughout the United States. As an authority on the African-American spiritual, Taylor frequently lectures on the performance practices and preservation of the genre. Dr. Taylor has traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia as a singer with such premier professional choral ensembles as the Houston Chamber Choir and the Houston Chorale. As Assistant Conductor of the Houston Symphony Chorus from 2003 until 2006, she assisted in preparing the chorus for world-class conductors in performances of such choral-orchestral works as Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, the Verdi Requiem, and Leonard Bernstein’s Kaddish Symphony. She has prepared choruses and collaborated with such renowned conductors and composers as Barbara Baker, Roland Carter, Nathan Carter, Moses Hogan, Jeffrey Ames, and Adolphus Hailstork. For the Houston Ebony Opera Guild, she has coached and accompanied singers, and has conducted the Guild’s Chorus in performances of spirituals, African-American concert music, and operatic works. Dr. Taylor has conducted the “105 Voices of History” HBCU National Choir in performances at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN, the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.. In 2018, Dr. Taylor conducted the “105” Choir in Memphis for the performance on the nationally televised MLK50 Commemoration event held by the National Civil Rights Museum. Under Dr. Taylor’s direction, the Prairie View A&M University Concert Chorale and PV Chamber Singers have performed to critical acclaim throughout the United States and abroad, including performances at the Texas Music Educators Association convention, the International Festival Wratislavia Cantans in Poland, and in Colombia, South America. In 2018, the Chorale performed in Berlin, Germany, and returned to Poland for performances of American music with the Toruń Symphony Orchestra’s International “Music and Architecture” Summer Festival, and the Orkiestra Kameralna Capella Bydgostiensis, under the baton Mariusz Smolij The Prairie View A&M University choirs have performed with the Houston Symphony, Houston Civic Symphony, the Acadian Symphony, and have collaborated with several professional and community choruses in the Greater Houston area. Taylor holds memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association, American Choral Directors Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota, a music fraternity for women.
A. . Jan Taylor, educator, pianist, singer and choral conductor, is Director of Choral Music Activities at Prairie View A&M University. A native of Houston, Texas, and a graduate of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, she received the Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Houston, the Master of Arts degree from Prairie View A&M University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting from the University of Houston. Prior to her appointment at Prairie View, Taylor taught general music, piano, and trained choirs in elementary, middle, and high schools in the Houston Independent School District. She has served as adjudicator and choral clinician for numerous choral competitions, festivals, and regional choirs throughout the United States. As an authority on the African-American spiritual, Taylor frequently lectures on the performance practices and preservation of the genre. Dr. Taylor has traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia as a singer with such premier professional choral ensembles as the Houston Chamber Choir and the Houston Chorale. As Assistant Conductor of the Houston Symphony Chorus from 2003 until 2006, she assisted in preparing the chorus for world-class conductors in performances of such choral-orchestral works as Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, the Verdi Requiem, and Leonard Bernstein’s Kaddish Symphony. She has prepared choruses and collaborated with such renowned conductors and composers as Barbara Baker, Roland Carter, Nathan Carter, Moses Hogan, Jeffrey Ames, and Adolphus Hailstork. For the Houston Ebony Opera Guild, she has coached and accompanied singers, and has conducted the Guild’s Chorus in performances of spirituals, African-American concert music, and operatic works. Dr. Taylor has conducted the “105 Voices of History” HBCU National Choir in performances at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN, the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.. In 2018, Dr. Taylor conducted the “105” Choir in Memphis for the performance on the nationally televised MLK50 Commemoration event held by the National Civil Rights Museum. Under Dr. Taylor’s direction, the Prairie View A&M University Concert Chorale and PV Chamber Singers have performed to critical acclaim throughout the United States and abroad, including performances at the Texas Music Educators Association convention, the International Festival Wratislavia Cantans in Poland, and in Colombia, South America. In 2018, the Chorale performed in Berlin, Germany, and returned to Poland for performances of American music with the Toruń Symphony Orchestra’s International “Music and Architecture” Summer Festival, and the Orkiestra Kameralna Capella Bydgostiensis, under the baton Mariusz Smolij The Prairie View A&M University choirs have performed with the Houston Symphony, Houston Civic Symphony, the Acadian Symphony, and have collaborated with several professional and community choruses in the Greater Houston area. Taylor holds memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association, American Choral Directors Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota, a music fraternity for women.
Shawn Teague, actor (Season 20)
Shawn is excited to be able to revisit the role of Robert Schumann for the third time. He originated the role in Springfield, MO. Later, he was able to perform in Topeka KS. Shawn has been active in the Springfield, MO theatre community for nearly 30 years. Some of his favorite roles include, Ed Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein, Owen in Voices in the Dark, Homer in Morning’s at Seven, and Abraham Van Helsing in Dracula. Shawn is a special education teacher at Marion C. Early high school in Morrisville, MO. He is proud to be the husband of Dr. Gretchen Teague, and dad to Zachary and Charlie.
Shawn is excited to be able to revisit the role of Robert Schumann for the third time. He originated the role in Springfield, MO. Later, he was able to perform in Topeka KS. Shawn has been active in the Springfield, MO theatre community for nearly 30 years. Some of his favorite roles include, Ed Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Victor Frankenstein in Frankenstein, Owen in Voices in the Dark, Homer in Morning’s at Seven, and Abraham Van Helsing in Dracula. Shawn is a special education teacher at Marion C. Early high school in Morrisville, MO. He is proud to be the husband of Dr. Gretchen Teague, and dad to Zachary and Charlie.
Lindsey Tevebaugh, horn (Season 15)
An Arkansas native, Lindsey Tevebaugh graduated magna cum laude with her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Central Arkansas, and went on to earn her Masters degree in Music Education from the University of Missouri. Performing opportunities over the past 16 years have taken her across the United States and abroad, most notably to Spain and Austria. Tevebaugh is an active performer in Columbia and Jefferson City, an original member of the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra, and enjoys playing for community musical theater productions. She serves as the business manager of the Columbia Public Schools 5th Grade Honors Choir and is currently in her 9th year teaching elementary music.
An Arkansas native, Lindsey Tevebaugh graduated magna cum laude with her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Central Arkansas, and went on to earn her Masters degree in Music Education from the University of Missouri. Performing opportunities over the past 16 years have taken her across the United States and abroad, most notably to Spain and Austria. Tevebaugh is an active performer in Columbia and Jefferson City, an original member of the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra, and enjoys playing for community musical theater productions. She serves as the business manager of the Columbia Public Schools 5th Grade Honors Choir and is currently in her 9th year teaching elementary music.
Steven Tharp, tenor (Season 12, 15, 17, 19, 20)
Missouri-born tenor Steven Tharp’s operatic credits include performances with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Netherlands Opera, Badisches Staatsoper, Teatro Massimo, Netherlands Reisopera, Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Pacific, Minnesota Opera and the companies of Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Memphis, Omaha, Salt Lake City and Miami. Handel and Mozart are well represented in Mr. Tharp’s repertoire of more than 60 operatic parts, and his keen interest in 18th and early 19th Century opera has led to roles in Gluck’s Les Pèlerins de la Mecque, Haydn’s L’Isola Disabitata and L’Infedeltà Delusa, Scarlatti’s Gli Equivoci nel Sembiante, Conti’s Don Quixote in Sierra Morena, Gassmann’sL’Opera Seria, Grétry’s Zémire et Azor and Schubert’s Alfonso und Estrella. In concert, Mr. Tharp has appeared with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Houston Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional (Mexico), St. Louis Symphony, Chicago Music of the Baroque and American Bach Soloists, under conductors including Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, Kurt Masur, Charles Dutoit, Valery Gergiev, Christoph von Dohnanyi, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, James Conlon, Marin Alsop, JoAnn Falletta, Alan Gilbert and Jane Glover. His concert repertoire includes the masterpieces of the 18th and 19th century — the Bach passions, the masses of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, the oratorios of Handel, Haydn and Mendelssohn — and extends to Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius, Schönberg’s Gurre-Lieder, the Verdi Requiem and Britten’s War Requiem. A dedicated song recitalist, Mr. Tharp has appeared at the New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, where he collaborated with Will Crutchfield in two series, The World of Schubert’s Songs and The World of Heinrich Heine. He has also appeared in recital at the 92nd Street Y, Carnegie’s Weill Hall, the Bard Festival, Caramoor, Newport Chamber Music Festival, Carmel Bach Festival, the New York Festival of Song and venues in Europe, Japan and South America. His interest in musical theater and cabaret led to his appearance in 3 Tenors in Search of an Act, which won the Back Stage Bistro Award for Outstanding Musical Comedy after a sold-out run at Don’t Tell Mama in New York. Mr. Tharp has recorded for Decca, Delos, Newport, Albany and Naxos. His world-premiere recording of the complete songs of Edward MacDowell, accompanied by the late James Barbagallo, earned a Grammy Award nomination, and his recording of Frank Martin’s Le Vin Herbé was an “Editor’s Choice” in Opera News. Other recordings include Vaughan-Williams’ On Wenlock Edge with the Ciompi Quartet, Handel’s Messiah with the American Bach Soloists. Schubert’s Schwanengesang with Jan-Paul Grijpink, a CD of Fauré songs with Rachelle Jonck, and Schubert's Winterreise with Janice Wenger playing a Paul McNulty fortepiano. Mr. Tharp has also served as stage director for the Manhattan School of Music’s Handel Project (Alcina, Ariodante) and for Caramoor (Così fan Tutte, H.M.S. Pinafore, Pauline Viardot’sCindrillon and Donizetti’s Linda di Chamounix).
Missouri-born tenor Steven Tharp’s operatic credits include performances with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Netherlands Opera, Badisches Staatsoper, Teatro Massimo, Netherlands Reisopera, Glimmerglass Opera, Opera Pacific, Minnesota Opera and the companies of Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Memphis, Omaha, Salt Lake City and Miami. Handel and Mozart are well represented in Mr. Tharp’s repertoire of more than 60 operatic parts, and his keen interest in 18th and early 19th Century opera has led to roles in Gluck’s Les Pèlerins de la Mecque, Haydn’s L’Isola Disabitata and L’Infedeltà Delusa, Scarlatti’s Gli Equivoci nel Sembiante, Conti’s Don Quixote in Sierra Morena, Gassmann’sL’Opera Seria, Grétry’s Zémire et Azor and Schubert’s Alfonso und Estrella. In concert, Mr. Tharp has appeared with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Houston Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional (Mexico), St. Louis Symphony, Chicago Music of the Baroque and American Bach Soloists, under conductors including Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, Kurt Masur, Charles Dutoit, Valery Gergiev, Christoph von Dohnanyi, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, James Conlon, Marin Alsop, JoAnn Falletta, Alan Gilbert and Jane Glover. His concert repertoire includes the masterpieces of the 18th and 19th century — the Bach passions, the masses of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, the oratorios of Handel, Haydn and Mendelssohn — and extends to Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius, Schönberg’s Gurre-Lieder, the Verdi Requiem and Britten’s War Requiem. A dedicated song recitalist, Mr. Tharp has appeared at the New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, where he collaborated with Will Crutchfield in two series, The World of Schubert’s Songs and The World of Heinrich Heine. He has also appeared in recital at the 92nd Street Y, Carnegie’s Weill Hall, the Bard Festival, Caramoor, Newport Chamber Music Festival, Carmel Bach Festival, the New York Festival of Song and venues in Europe, Japan and South America. His interest in musical theater and cabaret led to his appearance in 3 Tenors in Search of an Act, which won the Back Stage Bistro Award for Outstanding Musical Comedy after a sold-out run at Don’t Tell Mama in New York. Mr. Tharp has recorded for Decca, Delos, Newport, Albany and Naxos. His world-premiere recording of the complete songs of Edward MacDowell, accompanied by the late James Barbagallo, earned a Grammy Award nomination, and his recording of Frank Martin’s Le Vin Herbé was an “Editor’s Choice” in Opera News. Other recordings include Vaughan-Williams’ On Wenlock Edge with the Ciompi Quartet, Handel’s Messiah with the American Bach Soloists. Schubert’s Schwanengesang with Jan-Paul Grijpink, a CD of Fauré songs with Rachelle Jonck, and Schubert's Winterreise with Janice Wenger playing a Paul McNulty fortepiano. Mr. Tharp has also served as stage director for the Manhattan School of Music’s Handel Project (Alcina, Ariodante) and for Caramoor (Così fan Tutte, H.M.S. Pinafore, Pauline Viardot’sCindrillon and Donizetti’s Linda di Chamounix).
Thornbrook Piano Trio (Season 14 & 15)
Ryan Choe is currently a junior at Rock Bridge High School. He has played cello for 12 years under Carli Bates, Mary Manulik, Darry Dolezal. and is currently taking from Dr. Eli Lara. Most recently, Ryan won the runner-up award in the 2018 MMTA state competition, while also earning runner-up awards in 2015 and 2016. He has also been a member of the 2017 and 2018 Missouri All-State Orchestras, as well as the 2018 High School Honors Performance Series String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, where he led the worldwide-auditioned ensemble as principal cellist. This year, Ryan was accepted into the 2019 HSHPS String Orchestra for the second time and will attend the program in New York City in February 2019. Additionally, Ryan is the current principal cellist for the Rock Bridge High School Chamber Orchestra. He has very much enjoyed the past two years with the Thornbrook Trio under the guidance of Ayako Tsuruta and Julie Rosenfeld. Ryan is also a member of the Rock Bridge High School Boys' Golf team and hopes to pursue his interests of golf, cello, psychology and journalism in the future.
Henry Huang is a senior at Rock Bridge High School. He has won numerous competitions, including won Honorable Mention in the Carmel Klavier – International Piano Competition for Young Artists, 2nd place in the University of Florida International Festival’s Pre-College Piano Competition, 2nd prize in the 2017 Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition, 3rd place in the 2017 Kansas City Symphony Young Artist Competition, and Honorable Mention in the 2017 MTNA Senior Missouri State Piano Competition. He has performed in Carnegie Hall and the Kauffmann Center of Performing Arts. This past summer, Henry attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Piano Summer Program. Outside of music, Henry also enjoys playing a good game of chess or does some math team events. He also enjoys learning new things outside of the classroom.
Sejoon Jun is currently a senior at Rock Bridge High School, where he is taking classes to pursue the medical field, while also hoping to participate in musical opportunities in college. In his high school, he is the current concertmaster of the chamber orchestra, and is heavily involved in chamber music activities. Some of his recent musical accomplishments include winning the state MMTA competition, and being nominated for the High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House. Additionally, he has been a second violinist at the Missouri All-State Orchestra in 2016, a first violinist in 2018, and served as the concertmaster of the orchestra during the 2017 season. Sejoon enjoys playing violin, studying biology, and meeting new people. Sejoon is thankful for the Thornbrook piano trio for being a part of his musical life during high school.
Ryan Choe is currently a junior at Rock Bridge High School. He has played cello for 12 years under Carli Bates, Mary Manulik, Darry Dolezal. and is currently taking from Dr. Eli Lara. Most recently, Ryan won the runner-up award in the 2018 MMTA state competition, while also earning runner-up awards in 2015 and 2016. He has also been a member of the 2017 and 2018 Missouri All-State Orchestras, as well as the 2018 High School Honors Performance Series String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, where he led the worldwide-auditioned ensemble as principal cellist. This year, Ryan was accepted into the 2019 HSHPS String Orchestra for the second time and will attend the program in New York City in February 2019. Additionally, Ryan is the current principal cellist for the Rock Bridge High School Chamber Orchestra. He has very much enjoyed the past two years with the Thornbrook Trio under the guidance of Ayako Tsuruta and Julie Rosenfeld. Ryan is also a member of the Rock Bridge High School Boys' Golf team and hopes to pursue his interests of golf, cello, psychology and journalism in the future.
Henry Huang is a senior at Rock Bridge High School. He has won numerous competitions, including won Honorable Mention in the Carmel Klavier – International Piano Competition for Young Artists, 2nd place in the University of Florida International Festival’s Pre-College Piano Competition, 2nd prize in the 2017 Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition, 3rd place in the 2017 Kansas City Symphony Young Artist Competition, and Honorable Mention in the 2017 MTNA Senior Missouri State Piano Competition. He has performed in Carnegie Hall and the Kauffmann Center of Performing Arts. This past summer, Henry attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Piano Summer Program. Outside of music, Henry also enjoys playing a good game of chess or does some math team events. He also enjoys learning new things outside of the classroom.
Sejoon Jun is currently a senior at Rock Bridge High School, where he is taking classes to pursue the medical field, while also hoping to participate in musical opportunities in college. In his high school, he is the current concertmaster of the chamber orchestra, and is heavily involved in chamber music activities. Some of his recent musical accomplishments include winning the state MMTA competition, and being nominated for the High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House. Additionally, he has been a second violinist at the Missouri All-State Orchestra in 2016, a first violinist in 2018, and served as the concertmaster of the orchestra during the 2017 season. Sejoon enjoys playing violin, studying biology, and meeting new people. Sejoon is thankful for the Thornbrook piano trio for being a part of his musical life during high school.
Brianna Trainor (Season 15 & 16)
Brianna Trainor is a passionate percussionist based in Columbia, Missouri. A diverse performer, she stays active in a variety of classical, contemporary, and world music scenes. She currently performs with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble (a graduate ensemble-in-residence at the University of Missouri), the Missouri Symphony, the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, and Wontanara West African dance classes. She was previously a member of Ayodele Drum and Dance, a Chicago-based all-women's West African dance troupe. Her most influential teachers have been Megan Arns, Sean Connors, Ryan Korb, Andrew Elbert, and her instructors at Dagbe Cultural Institute and Dagara Music Center in Ghana, West Africa.
Brianna Trainor is a passionate percussionist based in Columbia, Missouri. A diverse performer, she stays active in a variety of classical, contemporary, and world music scenes. She currently performs with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble (a graduate ensemble-in-residence at the University of Missouri), the Missouri Symphony, the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, and Wontanara West African dance classes. She was previously a member of Ayodele Drum and Dance, a Chicago-based all-women's West African dance troupe. Her most influential teachers have been Megan Arns, Sean Connors, Ryan Korb, Andrew Elbert, and her instructors at Dagbe Cultural Institute and Dagara Music Center in Ghana, West Africa.
Internationally known conductor, recording artist and teacher Kirk Trevor is a regular guest conductor in the world’s concert halls. Maestro Trevor became Music Director of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in 2000. He has led the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in the summer music festival since 2001 and in 2005 transformed the Festival into Hot Summer Nights, expanding the music to include classical, pops, family and chamber series, as well as the performance of silent movies with live orchestra. In 2011, he created and conducted the first Symphony of Toys Holiday Concert, a program now held annually.
Born and educated in England, he graduated cum laude in cello performance and conducting. He furthered his conducting studies with the late Sir Adrian Boult and cello studies with Paul Tortelier. He came to the United States in 1975 on a Fulbright grant and subsequently became Resident Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He then served as Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for eighteen years until 2003, when he became Conductor Laureate.
His lifelong philosophy has been one of how to make classical music relevant within current culture. To that end he has tried to make programs that are engaging and entertaining for audiences as well as identify, train and mentor new generations of young musicians through the various educational programs he has established, and his own worldwide experience as a leading teacher and mentor to conducting and orchestral students.
In 2007, Maestro Trevor founded the Missouri Symphony Conservatory, a new initiative to train, educate and inspire young musicians in a variety of activities and the three orchestras – Junior Strings, Young Artists Philharmonic and Chamber Players which he directs. He strives to create a program that nurtures the joy and creativity within young musicians, while inspiring them to achieve extra-musical and communicative goals rather than just performance ones.
It has been through Maestro Trevor’s devotion to music education and his involvement in the training and development of new generations of listeners, players and conductors that he has developed an international following. Winner of the 1990 Leonard Bernstein Conducting Competition, he is widely recognized as one of the leading conducting teachers in the world. His International Workshop for Conductors held in Europe is in its 30th year and draws more than 50 young conductors annually to study with him. He also teaches at the National Music Festival of Brazil in Brasilia. He is a regular teacher in Brazil, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Norway and the Czech Republic. In the spring of 2019, he held a semester position at the famed Eastman School of Music as Director of Orchestras and Conducting.
Maestro Trevor is one of the world’s most recorded conductors of the past fifty years with more than 120 albums to his name. He has recorded for Naxos, EMI, Decca, MMC, Albany, with some of the globe’s foremost soloists and composers. He also records symphonic music for movies, documentaries (Ezekial, Terezin in Israel), TV, (Mozart in the Jungle) and video games (Diablo, Warcraft).
As a guest conductor, Maestro Trevor has conducted more than 40 orchestras in 15 countries. He made his London Symphony Orchestra debut in 2002 and his Carnegie Hall debut in 2007. From 1995 to 2000 he was Music Director of the Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra in the Czech Republic and from 2002 until 2005 was Principal Guest Conductor of the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. He and his wife Maria and their three children make their home in Columbia and Bratislava and his daughter Chloe is a renowned violin soloist and appears worldwide, sometime with her father on the podium with her. He is thrilled to be invited back to appear with the Odyssey Chamber Ensemble.
Born and educated in England, he graduated cum laude in cello performance and conducting. He furthered his conducting studies with the late Sir Adrian Boult and cello studies with Paul Tortelier. He came to the United States in 1975 on a Fulbright grant and subsequently became Resident Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He then served as Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for eighteen years until 2003, when he became Conductor Laureate.
His lifelong philosophy has been one of how to make classical music relevant within current culture. To that end he has tried to make programs that are engaging and entertaining for audiences as well as identify, train and mentor new generations of young musicians through the various educational programs he has established, and his own worldwide experience as a leading teacher and mentor to conducting and orchestral students.
In 2007, Maestro Trevor founded the Missouri Symphony Conservatory, a new initiative to train, educate and inspire young musicians in a variety of activities and the three orchestras – Junior Strings, Young Artists Philharmonic and Chamber Players which he directs. He strives to create a program that nurtures the joy and creativity within young musicians, while inspiring them to achieve extra-musical and communicative goals rather than just performance ones.
It has been through Maestro Trevor’s devotion to music education and his involvement in the training and development of new generations of listeners, players and conductors that he has developed an international following. Winner of the 1990 Leonard Bernstein Conducting Competition, he is widely recognized as one of the leading conducting teachers in the world. His International Workshop for Conductors held in Europe is in its 30th year and draws more than 50 young conductors annually to study with him. He also teaches at the National Music Festival of Brazil in Brasilia. He is a regular teacher in Brazil, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Norway and the Czech Republic. In the spring of 2019, he held a semester position at the famed Eastman School of Music as Director of Orchestras and Conducting.
Maestro Trevor is one of the world’s most recorded conductors of the past fifty years with more than 120 albums to his name. He has recorded for Naxos, EMI, Decca, MMC, Albany, with some of the globe’s foremost soloists and composers. He also records symphonic music for movies, documentaries (Ezekial, Terezin in Israel), TV, (Mozart in the Jungle) and video games (Diablo, Warcraft).
As a guest conductor, Maestro Trevor has conducted more than 40 orchestras in 15 countries. He made his London Symphony Orchestra debut in 2002 and his Carnegie Hall debut in 2007. From 1995 to 2000 he was Music Director of the Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra in the Czech Republic and from 2002 until 2005 was Principal Guest Conductor of the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. He and his wife Maria and their three children make their home in Columbia and Bratislava and his daughter Chloe is a renowned violin soloist and appears worldwide, sometime with her father on the podium with her. He is thrilled to be invited back to appear with the Odyssey Chamber Ensemble.
Maria Duhova Trevor, harp (Season 7, 9, 11-13, 15, 17+)
Maria has been principal harpist of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra since 2001 and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra since 2012. Maria collaborates with local musicians in solo recitals and chamber music, and appears regularly with the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, Columbia Civic Orchestra and MU ensembles. In addition to her adjunct harp instructor position with the University of Missouri and Truman State University, she maintains an active private studio. In 2011 Maria initiated the monthly Harp and Healing services at the Broadway Christian church and also recorded her CD, Healing Harp. Born in the Slovak Republic, Maria Duhova Trevor holds a Masters degree in Harp Performance from the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Bratislava, where she studied under Katarina Turnerova and Adriana Antalova. Prior to that she studied harp performance at the Conservatory of Music in Zilina under Tibor Kovac. She completed her studies there performing the Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp with the Slovak Sinfonietta. During her Conservatory studies she made several recordings of solo harp pieces for the Slovak Radio. From 1996 to 1999 Ms. Trevor was Principal Harpist of the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic (Czech Republic) with whom she toured throughout Europe. In 1999 Ms. Trevor was a featured recitalist at the Seventh World Harp Congress in Prague. Later that year, she won the harp position at the Slovak National Opera, where she played in over thirty opera and fifteen ballet productions. In 2001 she premiered and recorded a new work by David Ott for harp and orchestra, “The Angel’s Harp”. From 2002 to 2005 Ms.Trevor was a recording harpist for the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra with whom she participated in dozens of contemporary music and movie score recordings. In 2003, she joined the Radio Symphony Orchestra on their tour of Japan. Ms.Trevor has been principal harpist of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra since 2001 and featured as soloist in the Ravel Introduction and Allegro in 2002, and the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto in 2004.
Bion Tsang, violoncello (Season 18, 19)
Cellist Bion Tsang has been internationally recognized as one of the outstanding instrumentalists of his generation: among his many honors are an Avery Fisher Career Grant, an MEF Career Grant and the Bronze Medal in the IX International Tchaikovsky Competition. He has performed as soloist with such orchestras as the New York, Mexico City, Moscow, Busan and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestras, the Atlanta, Pacific, Civic, American and National Symphony Orchestras, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Saint Paul and Stuttgart Chamber Orchestras and the Taiwan National Orchestra.
Mr. Tsang’s chamber music career has been marked by collaborations with such artists as violinists Pamela Frank, Jaime Laredo, Cho-Liang Lin, Anne Akiko Meyers and Kyoko Takezawa and Chee Yun, violist Michael Tree, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, bassist Gary Karr and pianist Leon Fleisher. He has been a frequent guest artist of the Chamber Music Societies of Boston, Brooklyn and Fort Worth, Chamber Music International of Dallas, Da Camera of Houston, Camerata Pacifica of Los Angeles and Bargemusic in New York and performed at such festivals as Marlboro Music Festival, the Cape Cod, Tucson, Portland and Seattle Chamber Music Festivals, the Bard Festival, Bravo! Colorado, Music in the Vineyards and the Laurel Festival of the Arts, where he served as Artistic Director for ten years.
Mr. Tsang’s discography includes three live recordings: Beethoven: Sonatas and Variations for Cello and Piano (Artek), Brahms: Cello Sonatas and Four Hungarian Dances (Artek), and Bion Tsang & Adam Neiman: Live at Jordan Hall (BHM). Tsang released The Blue Rock Sessions (BHM) in 2017, featuring eighteen virtuoso miniatures for cello and piano, and Dvořák/Enescu Cello Concertos (SONY Classical) in 2019, with conductor Scott Yoo and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. His latest album, released in June 2021, is Bach Cello Suites (SONY Classical).
Mr. Tsang received his BA from Harvard University and his MMA from Yale University, where he studied with Aldo Parisot. His other cello teachers included Ardyth Alton, Luis Garcia-Renart, William Pleeth, Channing Robbins and Leonard Rose.
Mr. Tsang resides in Austin, TX, where he holds the Long Chair in Cello at the UT Butler School of Music.
www.biontsang.com
www.youtube.com/c/biontsangmusic
Cellist Bion Tsang has been internationally recognized as one of the outstanding instrumentalists of his generation: among his many honors are an Avery Fisher Career Grant, an MEF Career Grant and the Bronze Medal in the IX International Tchaikovsky Competition. He has performed as soloist with such orchestras as the New York, Mexico City, Moscow, Busan and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestras, the Atlanta, Pacific, Civic, American and National Symphony Orchestras, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Saint Paul and Stuttgart Chamber Orchestras and the Taiwan National Orchestra.
Mr. Tsang’s chamber music career has been marked by collaborations with such artists as violinists Pamela Frank, Jaime Laredo, Cho-Liang Lin, Anne Akiko Meyers and Kyoko Takezawa and Chee Yun, violist Michael Tree, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, bassist Gary Karr and pianist Leon Fleisher. He has been a frequent guest artist of the Chamber Music Societies of Boston, Brooklyn and Fort Worth, Chamber Music International of Dallas, Da Camera of Houston, Camerata Pacifica of Los Angeles and Bargemusic in New York and performed at such festivals as Marlboro Music Festival, the Cape Cod, Tucson, Portland and Seattle Chamber Music Festivals, the Bard Festival, Bravo! Colorado, Music in the Vineyards and the Laurel Festival of the Arts, where he served as Artistic Director for ten years.
Mr. Tsang’s discography includes three live recordings: Beethoven: Sonatas and Variations for Cello and Piano (Artek), Brahms: Cello Sonatas and Four Hungarian Dances (Artek), and Bion Tsang & Adam Neiman: Live at Jordan Hall (BHM). Tsang released The Blue Rock Sessions (BHM) in 2017, featuring eighteen virtuoso miniatures for cello and piano, and Dvořák/Enescu Cello Concertos (SONY Classical) in 2019, with conductor Scott Yoo and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. His latest album, released in June 2021, is Bach Cello Suites (SONY Classical).
Mr. Tsang received his BA from Harvard University and his MMA from Yale University, where he studied with Aldo Parisot. His other cello teachers included Ardyth Alton, Luis Garcia-Renart, William Pleeth, Channing Robbins and Leonard Rose.
Mr. Tsang resides in Austin, TX, where he holds the Long Chair in Cello at the UT Butler School of Music.
www.biontsang.com
www.youtube.com/c/biontsangmusic
Cameron Tubbs, violoncello (Season 15 & 16)
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James Tucker, piano (Season 6, 14+)
James Tucker currently serves on the Music Faculty at Saint Anthony's High School in South Huntington, New York. He is the accompanist for the Chorus and the Gregorian Schola Ensemble. Based out of New York, Tucker has cultivated a unique profile as a highly versatile and multi-dimensional musician. Highlights include solo performances at Carnegie Weill Hall in New York City; a regional tour as founding member of Trio Nouveau; performance of the Schumann Piano Concerto with the Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra; and performing a private mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City for Pope Francis. Following his Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and Music Theory from the University of Missouri, studying with Dr. Peter Miyamoto, Tucker went on to continue his studies at the Manhattan School of Music with Jeffrey Cohen and John Forconi, graduating in 2012. Today, Mr. Tucker is engaged in a vibrant career as a music educator for St. Anthony’s High School and as director of music for the First Presbyterian Church in Babylon, New York while still leading an active performance schedule in the Tri-State Area.
James Tucker currently serves on the Music Faculty at Saint Anthony's High School in South Huntington, New York. He is the accompanist for the Chorus and the Gregorian Schola Ensemble. Based out of New York, Tucker has cultivated a unique profile as a highly versatile and multi-dimensional musician. Highlights include solo performances at Carnegie Weill Hall in New York City; a regional tour as founding member of Trio Nouveau; performance of the Schumann Piano Concerto with the Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra; and performing a private mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City for Pope Francis. Following his Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and Music Theory from the University of Missouri, studying with Dr. Peter Miyamoto, Tucker went on to continue his studies at the Manhattan School of Music with Jeffrey Cohen and John Forconi, graduating in 2012. Today, Mr. Tucker is engaged in a vibrant career as a music educator for St. Anthony’s High School and as director of music for the First Presbyterian Church in Babylon, New York while still leading an active performance schedule in the Tri-State Area.
Trio Chymera: Leo Saguiguit, Neil Ostercamp, Rachel AuBuchon (Season 4, 9, 10)
TRIO CHYMERA was formed in 2007 at the University of Missouri and explores music for the combination of two saxophones and piano through original compositions, arrangements, and commissions of new works. The ensemble has given performances throughout Missouri and the United States at the Odyssey Chamber Music Series of Columbia; Baylor University in Waco, Texas; Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg; North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Conferences at the University of South Carolina (2008), University of Missouri (2009), University of Georgia (2010), Arizona State University (2012); and the 2011 U.S. Navy Band 34th International Saxophone Symposium in Fairfax, Virginia.
Rachel AuBuchon performs frequently with faculty and students at the University of Missouri as a staff accompanist. Her engagements have included two performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall, North American Saxophone Conferences in 2008-10, the 2007 Missouri Music Educators Association Convention, and the 2005 National Association of Teachers of Singing Regional Convention. She earned a BM in piano performance from Truman State University under David McKamie, and a MM in accompanying at the University of Missouri under Janice Wenger and Natalia Bolshakova.
Neil Ostercamp has performed throughout the country, appearing at New York’s Weill Recital Hall, and was a two-time national finalist in the MTNA chamber music competition. He is a founding member of Missouri Saxophone Quartet, Trio Chymera, Contreras Saxophone Quartet, and Free Collective. He earned his BS in music education and MM in saxophone performance at the University of Missouri under the instruction of Professor Leo Saguiguit. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in saxophone performance at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where he is a student of Steve Stusek and Chad Eby. www.neilostercamp.com
Leo Saguiguit has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and abroad, including Cuba, France, Greece, Sweden, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines. He maintains an active performance schedule as a member of the Athens (Greece) Saxophone Quartet, Chicago Saxophone Quartet, Missouri Saxophone Quartet, and Trio Chymera. He has performed regularly as saxophonist with the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, and Missouri Symphony. He earned music degrees from Emory University and Northwestern University, where he studied with Fred Hemke, Paul Bro, and Jonathan Helton. He is currently associate professor of saxophone at the University of Missouri.
Rachel AuBuchon performs frequently with faculty and students at the University of Missouri as a staff accompanist. Her engagements have included two performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall, North American Saxophone Conferences in 2008-10, the 2007 Missouri Music Educators Association Convention, and the 2005 National Association of Teachers of Singing Regional Convention. She earned a BM in piano performance from Truman State University under David McKamie, and a MM in accompanying at the University of Missouri under Janice Wenger and Natalia Bolshakova.
Neil Ostercamp has performed throughout the country, appearing at New York’s Weill Recital Hall, and was a two-time national finalist in the MTNA chamber music competition. He is a founding member of Missouri Saxophone Quartet, Trio Chymera, Contreras Saxophone Quartet, and Free Collective. He earned his BS in music education and MM in saxophone performance at the University of Missouri under the instruction of Professor Leo Saguiguit. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in saxophone performance at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where he is a student of Steve Stusek and Chad Eby. www.neilostercamp.com
Leo Saguiguit has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and abroad, including Cuba, France, Greece, Sweden, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines. He maintains an active performance schedule as a member of the Athens (Greece) Saxophone Quartet, Chicago Saxophone Quartet, Missouri Saxophone Quartet, and Trio Chymera. He has performed regularly as saxophonist with the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, and Missouri Symphony. He earned music degrees from Emory University and Northwestern University, where he studied with Fred Hemke, Paul Bro, and Jonathan Helton. He is currently associate professor of saxophone at the University of Missouri.
Trio Menil (Season 20, the 2023 Plowman Chamber Music Competition Grand Prize Winner)
Jonathan Mak, Piano
Jeongwon Claire An, Violin
David Dietz, Cello
Based in Houston, Texas, Trio Menil is a versatile ensemble at home in both the concert hall and classroom. The trio has performed in concert halls around North America, and has received the Grand Prize and Odyssey Chamber Music Series Award at the 2023 Plowman Chamber Music Competition. Trio Menil is part of DACAMERA’s Young Artist Program, where they present concerts in collaboration with art exhibitions, and teach music-integrative workshops in Houston public and private schools. This initiative has taken them everywhere from kindergarten classrooms to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
Formed during their studies at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, the trio has worked with James Dunham, Paul Kantor, Jon Kimura Parker, Virginia Weckstrom, and Kathleen Winkler.
The trio is named after the Menil Collection, a museum and neighborhood of art in the heart of Houston, and shares the same mission to attract, educate, and inspire diverse audiences through art.
Jonathan Mak, Piano
Jeongwon Claire An, Violin
David Dietz, Cello
Based in Houston, Texas, Trio Menil is a versatile ensemble at home in both the concert hall and classroom. The trio has performed in concert halls around North America, and has received the Grand Prize and Odyssey Chamber Music Series Award at the 2023 Plowman Chamber Music Competition. Trio Menil is part of DACAMERA’s Young Artist Program, where they present concerts in collaboration with art exhibitions, and teach music-integrative workshops in Houston public and private schools. This initiative has taken them everywhere from kindergarten classrooms to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
Formed during their studies at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, the trio has worked with James Dunham, Paul Kantor, Jon Kimura Parker, Virginia Weckstrom, and Kathleen Winkler.
The trio is named after the Menil Collection, a museum and neighborhood of art in the heart of Houston, and shares the same mission to attract, educate, and inspire diverse audiences through art.
The University Percussion Ensemble (Season 9)
The University Percussion Ensemble is formed mostly of percussion undergraduate and graduate students within the School of Music at MU. Directed by Dr. Gaines for the past fifteen years, this ensemble has been selected twice to perform at MMEA (1999, 2011). The ensemble has been part of several new music commissions and actively encourages composers to write for the medium. Varying in size for each piece of literature, the group can be seen playing percussion orchestra music for fifteen or more players as well as chamber music in the form of trios and quartets. This ensemble is an elective for the students and most of them will participate in the class as their schedule allows. With much of the large ensemble percussion repertoire being limited to color and rhythmic punctuation, participating in percussion ensemble often gives the students challenges they have not experienced before when it comes to phrasing, communication, and self-direction. There is not a lot of Christmas music available for the percussion ensemble but when the opportunity does come around, the Richard Gipson arrangements performed tonight are the best way to go. These arrangements are available on CD if you’d like to amplify your current Christmas music collection. (Christmas Bells, Mallets & Drums by the University of Oklahoma percussion ensemble).
2012-2013 UPE members are: Matthew Allen - Shane Batchelor - Kyle Bauche - Andrew Cook - Will Galvin - Shaun Gladney - Alex Gueterman - Nathan Reifsteck - Jared Rivera - Kevin Sanders - Blake Schulte - Matt Stiens -Kyle Lee - Dan Steiner - Abby Rehard - Nathan Smith
2012-2013 UPE members are: Matthew Allen - Shane Batchelor - Kyle Bauche - Andrew Cook - Will Galvin - Shaun Gladney - Alex Gueterman - Nathan Reifsteck - Jared Rivera - Kevin Sanders - Blake Schulte - Matt Stiens -Kyle Lee - Dan Steiner - Abby Rehard - Nathan Smith
Chris Van Leeuwen, trumpet (Season 14)
Chris holds a BA in Music from the University of Northern Iowa (2008), an MM in Trumpet Performance from Indiana University (2010), and an MA in Jazz Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Missouri (2017). At Indiana, he served as principal trumpet of the Philharmonic and Concert orchestras, co-won the brass concerto competition in 2010, was selected to perform for the Kennedy Center’s Conservatory Project conducted by John Adams, and received 2nd place in the ensemble division at the 2010 National Trumpet Competition. After finishing at Indiana, Chris worked for both Royal Caribbean Cruises and Azamara Cruises. In the classical world, he has performed with the Des Moines Symphony, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, and the Dubuque Symphony. In the jazz and commercial world, Chris's notable performances include the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, The O’Jays, Kelley Hunt, the Buddy Rich Big Band, La Sonora Santanera, and as a contracted musician for national Broadway tours at the brand new Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City. A recent graduate of Mizzou, Chris helped to coordinate the jazz program by directing the big bands and jazz combos as a teaching assistant. He was also the graduate assistant for the Community Music Program. Van Leeuwen regularly performs in Kansas City, St. Louis, and various parts of Iowa with jazz, big band, commercial, and Latin groups. Chris is an active member of popular Iowa bands Orquesta Alto Maiz and Parranderos Latin Combo and he recently toured with both Kelley Hunt and Seattle-based soul group The Dip. He is also a composer and arranger in various genres and has recorded arrangements with Des Moines-based indie-pop band Canby and singer/song-writer Max Jury.
Chris holds a BA in Music from the University of Northern Iowa (2008), an MM in Trumpet Performance from Indiana University (2010), and an MA in Jazz Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Missouri (2017). At Indiana, he served as principal trumpet of the Philharmonic and Concert orchestras, co-won the brass concerto competition in 2010, was selected to perform for the Kennedy Center’s Conservatory Project conducted by John Adams, and received 2nd place in the ensemble division at the 2010 National Trumpet Competition. After finishing at Indiana, Chris worked for both Royal Caribbean Cruises and Azamara Cruises. In the classical world, he has performed with the Des Moines Symphony, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, and the Dubuque Symphony. In the jazz and commercial world, Chris's notable performances include the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, The O’Jays, Kelley Hunt, the Buddy Rich Big Band, La Sonora Santanera, and as a contracted musician for national Broadway tours at the brand new Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City. A recent graduate of Mizzou, Chris helped to coordinate the jazz program by directing the big bands and jazz combos as a teaching assistant. He was also the graduate assistant for the Community Music Program. Van Leeuwen regularly performs in Kansas City, St. Louis, and various parts of Iowa with jazz, big band, commercial, and Latin groups. Chris is an active member of popular Iowa bands Orquesta Alto Maiz and Parranderos Latin Combo and he recently toured with both Kelley Hunt and Seattle-based soul group The Dip. He is also a composer and arranger in various genres and has recorded arrangements with Des Moines-based indie-pop band Canby and singer/song-writer Max Jury.
Daniel Velasco, flute (season 19)
Daniel Velasco is an award winning flutist whose "standout" and "vibrant" performances (Miami Herald) have taken him around the world. He is the first prize winner of the National Flute Association's Young Artist Competition, WAMSO Minnesota Orchestra Competition, MTNA Young Artist Competition, Claude Monteux Flute Competition, second prize winner of the William C. Byrd Competition and finalist at the Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh International Competition.
He has been a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador, Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra, Luciano Carrera Chamber Orchestra, University of Akron Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and has been featured as a guest performer at the Schubert Club Series in Saint Paul, the Indy Flute Festival in Indianapolis, the MidSouth Flute Festival, the Middle Tennessee Flute Festival in Nashville, the University or North Florida, the Florida Flute Association Convention, the Swedish Flute Association Convention, the Guadalajara-Mexico “Vientos de Otoño Festival,” the "Festival Internacional de Flautistas en la Mitad del Mundo" in Ecuador, and the National Flute Association Conventions in Kansas City, New Orleans, Chicago and Orlando.
Orchestral festivals include the Latin American Orchestra, Chautauqua Music Festival, Orchestra de la Francophonie, Utah Festival Opera, as well as tours through Chile and Central America with the Orchestra of the Americas. He has performed under Carlos Prieto, Gustavo Dudamel, Claudio Abbado, Ben Zander, Jean-Philippe Tremblay, Jacomo Bairos, Ramón Tebar, Cristian Macelaru, Carl St. Clair, and others.
An active freelancer, he has been a member of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, and has performed with Boca Sinfonia, Michigan Philharmonic, Akron Symphony, Pittsburgh Opera and Kansas City Symphony. He was a member of the Solaris woodwind quintet for two seasons, and is a founding member of the Miami-based NuDeco Ensemble.
Velasco earned a doctoral degree from the University of Miami-Frost School of Music, and holds degrees from the University of Michigan, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Northern Iowa. His main teachers include Angeleita Floyd, Marianne Gedigian, Amy Porter and Trudy Kane.
He served on the faculty at the University of Akron from 2016-2018 and is currently the flute professor at the University of Kansas. He is a Yamaha performing artist.
Daniel Velasco is an award winning flutist whose "standout" and "vibrant" performances (Miami Herald) have taken him around the world. He is the first prize winner of the National Flute Association's Young Artist Competition, WAMSO Minnesota Orchestra Competition, MTNA Young Artist Competition, Claude Monteux Flute Competition, second prize winner of the William C. Byrd Competition and finalist at the Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh International Competition.
He has been a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador, Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra, Luciano Carrera Chamber Orchestra, University of Akron Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and has been featured as a guest performer at the Schubert Club Series in Saint Paul, the Indy Flute Festival in Indianapolis, the MidSouth Flute Festival, the Middle Tennessee Flute Festival in Nashville, the University or North Florida, the Florida Flute Association Convention, the Swedish Flute Association Convention, the Guadalajara-Mexico “Vientos de Otoño Festival,” the "Festival Internacional de Flautistas en la Mitad del Mundo" in Ecuador, and the National Flute Association Conventions in Kansas City, New Orleans, Chicago and Orlando.
Orchestral festivals include the Latin American Orchestra, Chautauqua Music Festival, Orchestra de la Francophonie, Utah Festival Opera, as well as tours through Chile and Central America with the Orchestra of the Americas. He has performed under Carlos Prieto, Gustavo Dudamel, Claudio Abbado, Ben Zander, Jean-Philippe Tremblay, Jacomo Bairos, Ramón Tebar, Cristian Macelaru, Carl St. Clair, and others.
An active freelancer, he has been a member of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, and has performed with Boca Sinfonia, Michigan Philharmonic, Akron Symphony, Pittsburgh Opera and Kansas City Symphony. He was a member of the Solaris woodwind quintet for two seasons, and is a founding member of the Miami-based NuDeco Ensemble.
Velasco earned a doctoral degree from the University of Miami-Frost School of Music, and holds degrees from the University of Michigan, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Northern Iowa. His main teachers include Angeleita Floyd, Marianne Gedigian, Amy Porter and Trudy Kane.
He served on the faculty at the University of Akron from 2016-2018 and is currently the flute professor at the University of Kansas. He is a Yamaha performing artist.
The Verdehr Trio (Season 9)
An acknowledged leader in the field of new music, the Verdehr Trio for over thirty years has concentrated on molding and defining the personality of the violin-clarinet-piano trio. The Trio has over the years created a large repertoire by commissioning over 200 new works from some of the world's most prominent and exciting composers--known and unknown, young and old, from this country and abroad. These efforts are entitled The Making of a Medium because, in a real sense, this is what has happened over the years.
A handful of earlier trios by Bartok, Stravinsky, Milhaud, Khachaturian, Berg, Krenek, Poulenc and Ives showed the potential tonal and musical possibilities of this grouping. Now, with more than 230 total works in this genre, the violin-clarinet-piano trio has become a viable chamber music medium whose substantial literature may be recognized together with other major mediums as the piano trio, woodwind and brass quintets and the piano quartet. To round out its repertoire with Classical and Romantic works, the Trio has rediscovered as well as transcribed 18th and 19th century pieces for inclusion in its concert programs.
The Verdehr Trio has performed throughout the world: in seventeen European countries, the former Soviet Union, in South and Central America as well as in Asia, Australia and in almost all of the United States. Among major concert halls where the Trio has appeared are Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Library of Congress, Vienna's Brahmssaal, Sydney Opera House, London's Wigmore Hall, Auditorio de Madrid, Dvorak Hall in Prague, IRCAM Centre in Paris and Leningrad's Philharmonic Chamber Hall. The Trio has also played at various international festivals--the Spoleto Festival, Prague Spring Festival, the Vienna Spring Festival, Warsaw Autumn, the Grand Teton Music Festival and at numerous international clarinet festivals. Recently the Trio received a Creative Programming Award from Chamber Music America.
In addition to trios, the group has also commissioned Trio Concertos from Buhr, David, Ott, Skrowaczewski and Wallace and performed these with Vienna's Tonkunstler Orchestra, the Honolulu Symphony, Prague Chamber Soloists, Vancouver CBC Orchestra, Grand Rapids and Flint, Michigan Orchestras as well as with the National Orchestra of Spain and the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra. Most recently, Double Concertos for violin and clarinet by James Niblock (3 concerti), William Wallace, Dinos Constantinides, Paul Chihara, Ian Krouse and Richard Mills have been completed.
To complement its commissioning efforts the Verdehr Trio has embarked upon three projects to make the repertoire known and accessible to musicians everywhere. The first is a series of CD recordings of the new works written for the Trio: The Making of a Medium CD Series on Crystal Records (click here to purchase). The second and parallel project is The Making of a Medium Video Series consisting of half-hour programs featuring prominent composers and their works written for the Verdehr Trio. These programs include interviews and discussions by the composers as well as a complete performance of the work. Hosted by Martin Bookspan. These DVDs are available through Such Media, Inc. and can be purchased here. Series I includes composers Leslie Bassett, Alan Hovhaness, Karel Husa, Thea Musgrave, Ned Rorem and Gunther Schuller. Series II includes trios by Alexander Arutiunian, David Diamond, William Bolcom, Betsy Jolas, Libby Larsen, Philippe Manoury, Gian Carlo Menotti, Peter Sculthorpe, Peter Schickele, Joan Tower and Robert Mann. Hosted by Peter Schickele and Walter Verdehr.
The Verdehr Trio is in residence at Michigan State University. An article about the Trio appears in the new Groves Dictionary of Music and the Trio won an Adventuresome Programming Award from ASCAP and Chamber Music America. www.verdehr.com
A handful of earlier trios by Bartok, Stravinsky, Milhaud, Khachaturian, Berg, Krenek, Poulenc and Ives showed the potential tonal and musical possibilities of this grouping. Now, with more than 230 total works in this genre, the violin-clarinet-piano trio has become a viable chamber music medium whose substantial literature may be recognized together with other major mediums as the piano trio, woodwind and brass quintets and the piano quartet. To round out its repertoire with Classical and Romantic works, the Trio has rediscovered as well as transcribed 18th and 19th century pieces for inclusion in its concert programs.
The Verdehr Trio has performed throughout the world: in seventeen European countries, the former Soviet Union, in South and Central America as well as in Asia, Australia and in almost all of the United States. Among major concert halls where the Trio has appeared are Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Library of Congress, Vienna's Brahmssaal, Sydney Opera House, London's Wigmore Hall, Auditorio de Madrid, Dvorak Hall in Prague, IRCAM Centre in Paris and Leningrad's Philharmonic Chamber Hall. The Trio has also played at various international festivals--the Spoleto Festival, Prague Spring Festival, the Vienna Spring Festival, Warsaw Autumn, the Grand Teton Music Festival and at numerous international clarinet festivals. Recently the Trio received a Creative Programming Award from Chamber Music America.
In addition to trios, the group has also commissioned Trio Concertos from Buhr, David, Ott, Skrowaczewski and Wallace and performed these with Vienna's Tonkunstler Orchestra, the Honolulu Symphony, Prague Chamber Soloists, Vancouver CBC Orchestra, Grand Rapids and Flint, Michigan Orchestras as well as with the National Orchestra of Spain and the Grand Teton Festival Orchestra. Most recently, Double Concertos for violin and clarinet by James Niblock (3 concerti), William Wallace, Dinos Constantinides, Paul Chihara, Ian Krouse and Richard Mills have been completed.
To complement its commissioning efforts the Verdehr Trio has embarked upon three projects to make the repertoire known and accessible to musicians everywhere. The first is a series of CD recordings of the new works written for the Trio: The Making of a Medium CD Series on Crystal Records (click here to purchase). The second and parallel project is The Making of a Medium Video Series consisting of half-hour programs featuring prominent composers and their works written for the Verdehr Trio. These programs include interviews and discussions by the composers as well as a complete performance of the work. Hosted by Martin Bookspan. These DVDs are available through Such Media, Inc. and can be purchased here. Series I includes composers Leslie Bassett, Alan Hovhaness, Karel Husa, Thea Musgrave, Ned Rorem and Gunther Schuller. Series II includes trios by Alexander Arutiunian, David Diamond, William Bolcom, Betsy Jolas, Libby Larsen, Philippe Manoury, Gian Carlo Menotti, Peter Sculthorpe, Peter Schickele, Joan Tower and Robert Mann. Hosted by Peter Schickele and Walter Verdehr.
The Verdehr Trio is in residence at Michigan State University. An article about the Trio appears in the new Groves Dictionary of Music and the Trio won an Adventuresome Programming Award from ASCAP and Chamber Music America. www.verdehr.com
Vox Nova (Season 12, 14, 15, 17)
Vox Nova, an award-winning vocal chamber group based in Columbia, Missouri, "brings friendship and teamwork to its chamber choral sound" (Vox Magazine), and have been celebrated for their "commitment to American music—worthy of honor" (The American Prize). The musicians in the ensemble are established music educators, conductors, and professional vocalists, many of whom received training at the University of Missouri. The vocalists span the entire country, currently coming from Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma, New York, and Washington. Many of the members are winners of various solo competitions, perform with other professional choirs, prominent music festivals, and opera companies, both locally and across the United States. Vox Nova is committed to vocal excellence, championing new American compositions, and spreading choral music to new listening audiences. Vox Nova frequently collaborates with native Columbia chamber ensembles and composers. They have been guest artists for the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, the Idaho International Choral Festival, the True/False Film Festival, and the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA). In 2018, they were selected as the national winner of The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music-Community Ensemble Division. Vox Nova has also been recognized as national finalists for American Music-Choral Performance. For the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 season, they were the Ensemble-in-Residence for the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, and will return in 2021 as the Ensemble-in-Residence for the third and final time.
Soprano: Melissa Baughman, Lacey Gladden, Mickey Emch, Rachel Naughtin, Catherine Sandstedt
Alto: Christina Adams, Betsy Bledsoe, Kara Brietzke, Christina Ray, Christine Jarquio Nichols
Tenor: Neal D. Long, Nollie Moore, Jonathan Ray, Jared Smith, Jordan Walker
Bass: Jacob Clifford, Darrell J. Jordan, Colin, Knoth, Hugh Naughtin, Jeremy Wagner
Vox Nova, an award-winning vocal chamber group based in Columbia, Missouri, "brings friendship and teamwork to its chamber choral sound" (Vox Magazine), and have been celebrated for their "commitment to American music—worthy of honor" (The American Prize). The musicians in the ensemble are established music educators, conductors, and professional vocalists, many of whom received training at the University of Missouri. The vocalists span the entire country, currently coming from Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma, New York, and Washington. Many of the members are winners of various solo competitions, perform with other professional choirs, prominent music festivals, and opera companies, both locally and across the United States. Vox Nova is committed to vocal excellence, championing new American compositions, and spreading choral music to new listening audiences. Vox Nova frequently collaborates with native Columbia chamber ensembles and composers. They have been guest artists for the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, the Idaho International Choral Festival, the True/False Film Festival, and the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA). In 2018, they were selected as the national winner of The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music-Community Ensemble Division. Vox Nova has also been recognized as national finalists for American Music-Choral Performance. For the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 season, they were the Ensemble-in-Residence for the Odyssey Chamber Music Series, and will return in 2021 as the Ensemble-in-Residence for the third and final time.
Soprano: Melissa Baughman, Lacey Gladden, Mickey Emch, Rachel Naughtin, Catherine Sandstedt
Alto: Christina Adams, Betsy Bledsoe, Kara Brietzke, Christina Ray, Christine Jarquio Nichols
Tenor: Neal D. Long, Nollie Moore, Jonathan Ray, Jared Smith, Jordan Walker
Bass: Jacob Clifford, Darrell J. Jordan, Colin, Knoth, Hugh Naughtin, Jeremy Wagner
Aaron Wacker, tuba (Season 12)
Aaron T. Wacker (M.M.E. and B.M.E. University of Northern Colorado) is a PhD candidate at the University of Missouri. At MU, he teaches undergraduate courses including Elementary Folk Guitar, observation of student teachers, co-teach Music Education Student Teaching Seminar, and private tuba lesson (majors and non majors). He assists with courses including Rehearsal Clinic – Band Conducting, Orientation: Music Education, as well as concert bands and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble rehearsals, and music education office work. Mr. Wacker’s primary research involves instrumental rehearsal preparation and his research interests include instrumental rehearsal pedagogy and preservice teacher education. Recent journal publications include peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Band Research and as well as practitioner articles in The Colorado Music Educator. While at the University of Missouri, he has been able to present research posters at state conference and recently has been accepted to present a poster at the The biennial NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education National Conference with Dr. Brian Silvey. Mr. Wacker is currently working on his dissertation on rehearsal preparation in secondary instrumental education.
Aaron T. Wacker (M.M.E. and B.M.E. University of Northern Colorado) is a PhD candidate at the University of Missouri. At MU, he teaches undergraduate courses including Elementary Folk Guitar, observation of student teachers, co-teach Music Education Student Teaching Seminar, and private tuba lesson (majors and non majors). He assists with courses including Rehearsal Clinic – Band Conducting, Orientation: Music Education, as well as concert bands and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble rehearsals, and music education office work. Mr. Wacker’s primary research involves instrumental rehearsal preparation and his research interests include instrumental rehearsal pedagogy and preservice teacher education. Recent journal publications include peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Band Research and as well as practitioner articles in The Colorado Music Educator. While at the University of Missouri, he has been able to present research posters at state conference and recently has been accepted to present a poster at the The biennial NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education National Conference with Dr. Brian Silvey. Mr. Wacker is currently working on his dissertation on rehearsal preparation in secondary instrumental education.
Korin Wahl, viola (Season 10 & Performance Fellow, Season 11)
Violist Korin Wahl is passionate about connecting others through the power of chamber music. She is currently the violist for the New Music Ensemble at the University of Missouri and for two years was the violist of the Graduate String Quartet in-residence at Mizzou. She has performed at many venues in the area including the Missouri Theater and the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City. Korin has attended festivals such as Killington Chamber Festival, Eastern Music Festival, Brevard Music Festival, and the Black Hills Chamber Festival with the Orlando Chamber Soloists. She has also had the opportunity to perform in venues throughout the United States and Europe such as Carnegie Hall, the Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria. This past summer Korin attended the Zodiac Chamber Music Festival in Valdeblore, France where she had the opportunity to perform in various historical venues throughout the South of France. Korin’s musical inspiration began with private instruction from her first teacher William Goodwin and has flourished through her collaboration with numerous peers and mentors including former teacher William Goodwin, violinists Corinne Stillwell and Susan Jensen, cellist Ariana Macmillan, and pianists Ludwig Treviranus and Read Gainsford. Through her mentorship with the Orlando Chamber Soloists, she found a love of working with children from toddler to young adult in their Teddy Bear Concert Series. This past summer Korin was invited to an internship with the Education and Community Engagement Department of the Seattle Symphony, where she observed and participated in the Symphony’s community events located throughout the Seattle metropolitan area. Korin continues to educate today’s youth as the Assistant Director of the Missouri String Project and teaches privately through the Community Music Program. Ms. Wahl completed her Bachelor’s degree at Florida State University where she studied with Pamela Ryan and Corrine Stillwell. She is currently completing her Master’s in Viola Performance at Mizzou under the instruction of Leslie Perna.
Violist Korin Wahl is passionate about connecting others through the power of chamber music. She is currently the violist for the New Music Ensemble at the University of Missouri and for two years was the violist of the Graduate String Quartet in-residence at Mizzou. She has performed at many venues in the area including the Missouri Theater and the Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City. Korin has attended festivals such as Killington Chamber Festival, Eastern Music Festival, Brevard Music Festival, and the Black Hills Chamber Festival with the Orlando Chamber Soloists. She has also had the opportunity to perform in venues throughout the United States and Europe such as Carnegie Hall, the Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria. This past summer Korin attended the Zodiac Chamber Music Festival in Valdeblore, France where she had the opportunity to perform in various historical venues throughout the South of France. Korin’s musical inspiration began with private instruction from her first teacher William Goodwin and has flourished through her collaboration with numerous peers and mentors including former teacher William Goodwin, violinists Corinne Stillwell and Susan Jensen, cellist Ariana Macmillan, and pianists Ludwig Treviranus and Read Gainsford. Through her mentorship with the Orlando Chamber Soloists, she found a love of working with children from toddler to young adult in their Teddy Bear Concert Series. This past summer Korin was invited to an internship with the Education and Community Engagement Department of the Seattle Symphony, where she observed and participated in the Symphony’s community events located throughout the Seattle metropolitan area. Korin continues to educate today’s youth as the Assistant Director of the Missouri String Project and teaches privately through the Community Music Program. Ms. Wahl completed her Bachelor’s degree at Florida State University where she studied with Pamela Ryan and Corrine Stillwell. She is currently completing her Master’s in Viola Performance at Mizzou under the instruction of Leslie Perna.
Jane Wang, flute (Season 16)
Jane Wang is a second year undergraduate at the University of Missouri studying flute performance. She is a student of Professor Alice K. Dade, as well a current member of the University of Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra. She was previously a member of Mizzou’s Wind Ensemble, during which time she won first prize in the Missouri Music Teachers Association Lower Level Collegiate Woodwinds Competition. A 2018 graduate of Parkway Central High School in St. Louis, MO, she was a former member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2016 to 2018. She was honored three times as a member of the Missouri All-State honor ensembles, including winning principal flute in the All-State Orchestra her senior year. She was also involved in the Preparatory Program at Webster University Community Music School, and was a student of Jennifer Nitchman. In her free time, Jane enjoys spending time with friends, binge-watching youtube videos, and consuming copious amounts of food. She would like to thank her parents, her friends, and her teachers Professor Dade and Jennifer Nitchman for inspiring her and helping her get to where she is today.
Jane Wang is a second year undergraduate at the University of Missouri studying flute performance. She is a student of Professor Alice K. Dade, as well a current member of the University of Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra. She was previously a member of Mizzou’s Wind Ensemble, during which time she won first prize in the Missouri Music Teachers Association Lower Level Collegiate Woodwinds Competition. A 2018 graduate of Parkway Central High School in St. Louis, MO, she was a former member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2016 to 2018. She was honored three times as a member of the Missouri All-State honor ensembles, including winning principal flute in the All-State Orchestra her senior year. She was also involved in the Preparatory Program at Webster University Community Music School, and was a student of Jennifer Nitchman. In her free time, Jane enjoys spending time with friends, binge-watching youtube videos, and consuming copious amounts of food. She would like to thank her parents, her friends, and her teachers Professor Dade and Jennifer Nitchman for inspiring her and helping her get to where she is today.
Carina Nyberg Washington, Founder | clarinet (Season 4, 10)
Swedish clarinetist, Carina Nyberg Washington, received her Diploma in Orchestral Performance from the Royal Danish Academy of Music and her MM in Performance from the University of Memphis. Her principal teachers have included Michael Schlyter, Bendt Neuchs Sorensen, Jorgen Jensen, Lee Morgan, Daniel Gilbert, and James Gholson. While in Scandinavia, Washington was a freelance musician performing with such groups as the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Danish Philharmonic, the Copenhagen Cantata Orchestra, and the Norwegian State Army Band. Before moving to the United States in 2003, Washington served as co-principal clarinet with the Danish Radio Sinfonietta. With them, Washington performed on several recordings and performed at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. After moving to America, Washington served two seasons as co-principal clarinetist of the Missouri Chamber Orchestra and currently performs regularly with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the Eroica Ensemble. She has performed under the baton of such conductors as Curt Sanderling, Christopher Hogwood, and Richard Spano. As a chamber musician, Washington has participated in chamber music concerts throughout Europe and North America including venues in Paris, Stockholm, and Oslo. She has co-founded several chamber groups including the PRIZM Ensemble of Memphis. Washington recently joined the Memphis Woodwind Quintet. Washington has attended the International Festival Institute at Round Top, Texas, Thy Chamber Music Festival (Denmark), and traveled throughout Germany and Holland as the principal clarinetist of the Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra. As a soloist, Carina Washington has performed with the University of Memphis Symphony Orchestra and with the Södra Latin Symphony, Stockholm, as well as with the recently formed Wolf River Chamber Orchestra of Memphis. She has performed recitals across the United States and has given master classes at the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Tech. Washington has also been on the faculty at Camp Encore-Coda, Main. Washington has been awarded such prizes as the Lilla Alfvén Prize, Jacob Gades Stipend, Augustinus Fonden Grant, and the Månssons Legat Grant. She has performed at the 2008 International Clarinet Association (ICA) Annual Clarinet Fest in Kansas City, MO, and serve as faculty and artist at the International Chamber Music Festival in Stellenbosch, Southafrica. She can be heard on the Albany Records recording of music for bassoon by African-American composers featuring bassoonist Lecolion Washington, and on the Highwater Classics recording of German Lieder featuring soprano Susan Owen-Leinert.
Lecolion Washington, bassoon (Season 4, 10)
Lecolion Washington, Jr. joined the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music faculty at the University of Memphis in the fall of 2004. He is the bassoonist of the Memphis Woodwind Quintet and he serves as the co-coordinator of the University of Memphis annual double reed festival. Prior to joining the University of Memphis faculty, he was the bassoon professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Washington enjoys the versatility that he has as a performer. Based on auditions Washington has been offered positions with the Houston Grand Opera, the Shanghai Broadcasting Orchestra, and the Victoria (TX) Symphony Orchestra where he spent 3 seasons as assistant principal bassoon including one season as acting principal. Washington also served three seasons as co-principal bassoon of the Missouri Chamber Orchestra. He currently performs regularly with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the Iris Chamber Orchestra, and he has served as guest principal bassoon with the Arkansas Symphony and the Reno Philharmonic.Washington has performed chamber music with principal players from such orchestras as the New York Philharmonic, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. He has performed with the New York Chamber Ensemble and the North Country Chamber Players, and in 2004 the Orchestral Performance Program at the Manhattan School of Music invited him to perform on a chamber music concert of distinguished alumni. Washington serves on the faculty of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival in South Africa where he performs, coaches chamber music, and teaches masterclasses along with distinguished faculty from all over the world. As a soloist Washington has performed concerti with the Round Top Festival Orchestra, the Meadows Symphony Orchestra at Southern Methodist University, the University of Memphis Wind Ensemble, and the University of Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Professor Washington has given recitals and master classes at schools around the country including the Eastman School of Music, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, the University of North Texas, and the University of Texas at Austin. He gave a lecture-recital on music for bassoon by African-American composers at the 2007 National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music Conference, and he has performed at International Double Reed Conferences in 2005 and 2007. Washington attended the Texas Music Festival, the Cape May Music Festival, and the International Festival Institute at Round Top. He is married to Swedish clarinetist, Carina Nyberg Washington. In 2008 he released a CD of music for the bassoon by African-American composers on the Albany Records label which was recorded using a Fox 660.
Carline Waugh, soprano (Season 13, 18)
Carline Waugh is a Jamaican-born soprano acclaimed for her ability to mesmerize audiences. This powerful singing actor performs throughout the USA, Italy, Russia, her homeland of Jamaica and other parts of the world singing solo recitals, opera, and oratorio. She has appeared on the operatic and concert stage with such companies as the International Opera Theatre, Wichita Grand Opera, the Volgograd Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, and is no stranger to the Missouri Symphony, Jefferson City Symphony, Colombia Choral Union, and the Odyssey Chamber Music Series.
Carline has recently sung leading roles in the international Italian premiers of the operas Buffalo Soldiers, Songo Di Una Notte Di Mezza Estate, and the cantata Hilegard Von Bingen and Black Madonna. Her other recent roles include Mimí in Puccini’s La Boheme, Gretel from Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Liu from Turandot, Zerlina from Don Giovanni, Valencienne from The Merry Widow, Polly from Die Dreigroschenoper, and Gianetta from The Gondoliers. Her recent concert repertoire includes Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Brahms’ A German Requiem, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ, Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, Handel’s Messiah, and J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in D Major. Just prior to the start of the pandemic, she sang Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen this season with the Atlanta-based Peach State Opera.
She earned a Bachelor of Music Performance at Atlantic Union College where she studied voice with Ms. Faith Esham and had Dr. Kaestner Robertson as her academic advisor for the degree program. She earned a Master of Music Performance at the University of Mississippi where she studied with Ms. Nancy Maria Balach. Carline went on to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from Louisiana State University where she studied with Dr. Loraine Sims.
She has been a winner of competitions including the Monroe Symphony’s Marjorie Stricklin Vocal Competition, the Beethoven Club of Memphis Vocal Competition, Thayer Young Artist Competition, the National Association of Teachers of Singing Regional Competition, the Classical Singer Regional Competition, and the Young Artist Competition sponsored by the National Association of Business and Professional Women’s Club of Long Island. She has also been a finalist in the Harlem Opera Theater Competition, Opera Ebony Vocal Competition in New York, and was a regional winner for the New York Lyric Opera Competition. Ms. Waugh has received scholarship awards from foundations including the CHASE Fund, the Music Club of Baton Rouge, and the Baton Rouge Opera Guild. She has recently been awarded the Future of Music Faculty Fellowship supported by the Sphinx Venture Fund and the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Since earning her doctorate, Dr. Waugh has lectured at Lincoln University in Missouri and Jacksonville University in Florida. She now serves Marshall University in West Virginia as Assistant Professor of Voice.
Carline Waugh is a Jamaican-born soprano acclaimed for her ability to mesmerize audiences. This powerful singing actor performs throughout the USA, Italy, Russia, her homeland of Jamaica and other parts of the world singing solo recitals, opera, and oratorio. She has appeared on the operatic and concert stage with such companies as the International Opera Theatre, Wichita Grand Opera, the Volgograd Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, and is no stranger to the Missouri Symphony, Jefferson City Symphony, Colombia Choral Union, and the Odyssey Chamber Music Series.
Carline has recently sung leading roles in the international Italian premiers of the operas Buffalo Soldiers, Songo Di Una Notte Di Mezza Estate, and the cantata Hilegard Von Bingen and Black Madonna. Her other recent roles include Mimí in Puccini’s La Boheme, Gretel from Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Liu from Turandot, Zerlina from Don Giovanni, Valencienne from The Merry Widow, Polly from Die Dreigroschenoper, and Gianetta from The Gondoliers. Her recent concert repertoire includes Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Brahms’ A German Requiem, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Dubois’ Seven Last Words of Christ, Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, Handel’s Messiah, and J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in D Major. Just prior to the start of the pandemic, she sang Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen this season with the Atlanta-based Peach State Opera.
She earned a Bachelor of Music Performance at Atlantic Union College where she studied voice with Ms. Faith Esham and had Dr. Kaestner Robertson as her academic advisor for the degree program. She earned a Master of Music Performance at the University of Mississippi where she studied with Ms. Nancy Maria Balach. Carline went on to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from Louisiana State University where she studied with Dr. Loraine Sims.
She has been a winner of competitions including the Monroe Symphony’s Marjorie Stricklin Vocal Competition, the Beethoven Club of Memphis Vocal Competition, Thayer Young Artist Competition, the National Association of Teachers of Singing Regional Competition, the Classical Singer Regional Competition, and the Young Artist Competition sponsored by the National Association of Business and Professional Women’s Club of Long Island. She has also been a finalist in the Harlem Opera Theater Competition, Opera Ebony Vocal Competition in New York, and was a regional winner for the New York Lyric Opera Competition. Ms. Waugh has received scholarship awards from foundations including the CHASE Fund, the Music Club of Baton Rouge, and the Baton Rouge Opera Guild. She has recently been awarded the Future of Music Faculty Fellowship supported by the Sphinx Venture Fund and the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Since earning her doctorate, Dr. Waugh has lectured at Lincoln University in Missouri and Jacksonville University in Florida. She now serves Marshall University in West Virginia as Assistant Professor of Voice.
Janice Wenger, piano (Seasons 7 & 16)
Janice Wenger has appeared as solo recitalist on numerous university campuses and as professional accompanist throughout the United States. Internationally, she has performed and taught at the Janacek Academy of Music in the Czech Republic, the Chinese Cultural University in Taipei, Taiwan, and the Sichuan Conservatory in Chengdu, China. She also performs and tours nationwide with the University of Missouri’s McNulty/Walter historic reproduction fortepiano, specializing in the music of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Schubert. Dr. Wenger has served frequently as official accompanist to both regional and national finals of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) student competitions and has been lecturer or adjudicator for the American Liszt Society, the College Music Society, the National Federation of Music Clubs, the St. Louis Piano Teachers Roundtable, the National Federation of Music Clubs student auditions, the Historic Keyboard Society of North America, and MTNA and many of its state affiliates. Dr. Wenger has served as a member of the national Board of Directors and national Vice President of MTNA, also leading their Collaborative Performance Forum. As Professor of Music at the University of Missouri, Dr. Wenger teaches studio piano, collaborative piano, and piano literature, and coordinates the keyboard area as well as serving as Associate Director of the School of Music. Dr. Wenger holds degrees from Kansas State University, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
Janice Wenger has appeared as solo recitalist on numerous university campuses and as professional accompanist throughout the United States. Internationally, she has performed and taught at the Janacek Academy of Music in the Czech Republic, the Chinese Cultural University in Taipei, Taiwan, and the Sichuan Conservatory in Chengdu, China. She also performs and tours nationwide with the University of Missouri’s McNulty/Walter historic reproduction fortepiano, specializing in the music of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and Schubert. Dr. Wenger has served frequently as official accompanist to both regional and national finals of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) student competitions and has been lecturer or adjudicator for the American Liszt Society, the College Music Society, the National Federation of Music Clubs, the St. Louis Piano Teachers Roundtable, the National Federation of Music Clubs student auditions, the Historic Keyboard Society of North America, and MTNA and many of its state affiliates. Dr. Wenger has served as a member of the national Board of Directors and national Vice President of MTNA, also leading their Collaborative Performance Forum. As Professor of Music at the University of Missouri, Dr. Wenger teaches studio piano, collaborative piano, and piano literature, and coordinates the keyboard area as well as serving as Associate Director of the School of Music. Dr. Wenger holds degrees from Kansas State University, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
Charles Wetherbee, violin (Season 9)
Violinist Charles Wetherbee has performed throughout the world, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Canada, Mexico, and the United States. He has appeared at the Aspen Music Festival, the Garth Newell Center, the Hidden Valley Festival (CA), the Roycroft Chamber Festival (NY), the Nouvelle Academie International d’Été (Nice, France), the Olympic Music Festival (WA), the MidAmerica Music Festival (OH), and Strings in the Mountains (CO). A native of Buffalo, New York, Charles gave his first performances at age six. He made his debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under Symon Bychkov, and since then has performed with the National Symphony under Mstislav Rostropovitch, as well as the Japan Philharmonic, the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bogota (Columbia), the National Repertory Orchestra, the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Mexico, the Symphony Orchestra of the Curtis Institute, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Virginia Symphony, among others. In 1988 he toured Asia, including performances in Seoul, Korea, as part of the Olympic Arts Festival. In the same year he also made his New York debut at Carnegie Hall to critical acclaim as a participant in the American Music Competition. In 1990, he traveled to the Persian Gulf to perform for the men and women of the armed services. The Washington Post called Wetherbee “a consummate artist... with flawless technique”. The Virginia Pilot said that he “... gave a performance of great conviction and emotion”. The Columbus Dispatch wrote “... a first rate showman... his double-stops, harmonics, and beautiful sound kept the audience spellbound”.
Charles is an artist dedicated to the music of today, as well as to the great literature of the past. In May of 2007, he was invited to St. Petersburg, Russia, to give the Russian premiere of Grammy Award winning composer John Corigliano’s Violin Concerto, and was subsequently invited back to perform the Beethoven concerto in the famous Shostakovich Philharmonic Hall. Charles has been heard nationwide on the NPR program “Performance Today”, featuring his performance of the Red Violin by Mr. Corigliano with Joanne Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2002, he gave the Latin American premier of the Red Violin, and was immediately re-engaged to return in 2003, for performances of the Szymanowski Violin Concerto. In November 2005, Charles gave the world premiere of the Violin Concerto by composer Jonathan Leshnoff with the Columbus Symphony, and then performed the concerto in Baltimore, MD with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. The Baltimore Sun wrote “This was very classy fiddle playing, with a golden, penetrating tone, sterling technique and strongly communicative phrasing.” Mr. Wetherbee has also performed the Leshnoff concerto in Mexico City, Mexico, with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Mexico; in Kyoto, Japan, with the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra; and in Breckenridge, Colorado, with the National Repertory Orchestra. Other world premieres include the Leshnoff Double Concerto for Violin and Viola with Michael Stern and the IRIS Chamber Orchestra, followed by performances in Duluth (MN), St. Petersburg (Russia), Orquesta de Extremadura (Spain), Buffalo (NY), and Boca Raton (FL). Charles will perform the world premiere of the violin concerto by Korine Fujiwara in the National Gallery, Washington, DC, as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival.
A devoted chamber musician, Charles is the first violinist of the Carpe Diem String Quartet, with whom he tours and performs regularly. With Carpe Diem he is featured on many different CDs, and also has recorded with Carpe Diem and guitarist Willy Porter as a member of the mealies. He was a founding member of Opus 3 piano trio, and with Opus 3 performed in the French, German, Austrian, and Dutch embassies, as well as the Terrace Theater of the Kennedy Center, the National Gallery, the Corcoran Gallery, Strathmore Hall, and throughout the eastern United States. He is also the Artistic Director of the Dercum Center for Arts and Humanities, Keystone, Colorado.
Charles is newly appointed to the violin faculty of the College of Music, University of Colorado at Boulder. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Aaron Rosand. Other mentors include Sylvia Rosenberg, Karen Tuttle, and Felix Galimir. As a recording artist, he is represented on Naxos, Seize the Music Records, Weasel Records, Vienna Modern Classics, as well as the Cascade labels, and was also featured on a recording with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra playing Massenet’s Meditation from Thaïs. Mr. Wetherbee has been the recipient of numerous honors, including the Ashworth Artist and the George Hardesty awards. Charles performs on a violin made by Kurt Widenhouse, and bows by Charles Espy and Benoit Rolland. Visit Carpe Diem String Quartet web site, www.cdsq.org
Charles is an artist dedicated to the music of today, as well as to the great literature of the past. In May of 2007, he was invited to St. Petersburg, Russia, to give the Russian premiere of Grammy Award winning composer John Corigliano’s Violin Concerto, and was subsequently invited back to perform the Beethoven concerto in the famous Shostakovich Philharmonic Hall. Charles has been heard nationwide on the NPR program “Performance Today”, featuring his performance of the Red Violin by Mr. Corigliano with Joanne Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2002, he gave the Latin American premier of the Red Violin, and was immediately re-engaged to return in 2003, for performances of the Szymanowski Violin Concerto. In November 2005, Charles gave the world premiere of the Violin Concerto by composer Jonathan Leshnoff with the Columbus Symphony, and then performed the concerto in Baltimore, MD with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. The Baltimore Sun wrote “This was very classy fiddle playing, with a golden, penetrating tone, sterling technique and strongly communicative phrasing.” Mr. Wetherbee has also performed the Leshnoff concerto in Mexico City, Mexico, with the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Mexico; in Kyoto, Japan, with the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra; and in Breckenridge, Colorado, with the National Repertory Orchestra. Other world premieres include the Leshnoff Double Concerto for Violin and Viola with Michael Stern and the IRIS Chamber Orchestra, followed by performances in Duluth (MN), St. Petersburg (Russia), Orquesta de Extremadura (Spain), Buffalo (NY), and Boca Raton (FL). Charles will perform the world premiere of the violin concerto by Korine Fujiwara in the National Gallery, Washington, DC, as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival.
A devoted chamber musician, Charles is the first violinist of the Carpe Diem String Quartet, with whom he tours and performs regularly. With Carpe Diem he is featured on many different CDs, and also has recorded with Carpe Diem and guitarist Willy Porter as a member of the mealies. He was a founding member of Opus 3 piano trio, and with Opus 3 performed in the French, German, Austrian, and Dutch embassies, as well as the Terrace Theater of the Kennedy Center, the National Gallery, the Corcoran Gallery, Strathmore Hall, and throughout the eastern United States. He is also the Artistic Director of the Dercum Center for Arts and Humanities, Keystone, Colorado.
Charles is newly appointed to the violin faculty of the College of Music, University of Colorado at Boulder. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Aaron Rosand. Other mentors include Sylvia Rosenberg, Karen Tuttle, and Felix Galimir. As a recording artist, he is represented on Naxos, Seize the Music Records, Weasel Records, Vienna Modern Classics, as well as the Cascade labels, and was also featured on a recording with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra playing Massenet’s Meditation from Thaïs. Mr. Wetherbee has been the recipient of numerous honors, including the Ashworth Artist and the George Hardesty awards. Charles performs on a violin made by Kurt Widenhouse, and bows by Charles Espy and Benoit Rolland. Visit Carpe Diem String Quartet web site, www.cdsq.org
David Witter, trombone (Season 20+)
David Witter is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and improvisor active in the Columbia and Kansas City music scenes. He is a member of the faculty at the Swinney Conservatory of Music at Central Methodist University as the assistant professor for Music Ministry and Composition. He directs the Jazz Ensemble and Chapel Bands, and teaches classes on choral arranging, composition, music business and technology, and jazz theory and arranging. Additionally, he teaches applied lessons in composition, bass guitar, and jazz piano, as well as trombone. As a composer, his accomplishments include having been the recipient of the Sinquefield Prize (2012) and the first prize in the UMKC Kemner Wind Ensemble Composition Competition (2018). As a performer, he has appeared playing trombone and electronics on recordings for the Kansas City-based Mother Brains records, and can be seen most Sundays playing bass guitar, trombone, Moog Sub Phatty and Juno 60 (not at the same time 🙂) on the worship team at the Crossing Church in Columbia, where he also serves part-time as music director. He lives in Columbia, MO with his two teenage kids and two middle-aged beagles, and in his free time he enjoys running and mountain biking.
David Witter is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and improvisor active in the Columbia and Kansas City music scenes. He is a member of the faculty at the Swinney Conservatory of Music at Central Methodist University as the assistant professor for Music Ministry and Composition. He directs the Jazz Ensemble and Chapel Bands, and teaches classes on choral arranging, composition, music business and technology, and jazz theory and arranging. Additionally, he teaches applied lessons in composition, bass guitar, and jazz piano, as well as trombone. As a composer, his accomplishments include having been the recipient of the Sinquefield Prize (2012) and the first prize in the UMKC Kemner Wind Ensemble Composition Competition (2018). As a performer, he has appeared playing trombone and electronics on recordings for the Kansas City-based Mother Brains records, and can be seen most Sundays playing bass guitar, trombone, Moog Sub Phatty and Juno 60 (not at the same time 🙂) on the worship team at the Crossing Church in Columbia, where he also serves part-time as music director. He lives in Columbia, MO with his two teenage kids and two middle-aged beagles, and in his free time he enjoys running and mountain biking.
Michael White, flute (Season 7-9, 11+)
Michael White studied flute with Byron Hester, principal flutist with the Houston Symphony Orchestra (1952-1992), and received both the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Houston. He also studied privately in London with Gareth Morris, principal flutist with the New Philharmonia Orchestra. Michael began playing professionally in Houston during his sophomore year at the University of Houston and soon became established as a prominent free-lance player. He has played with every major arts organization in Houston, including the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Texas Opera Theater, the Texas Chamber Orchestra, Theatre Under the Stars, and the Houston Gilbert & Sullivan Society. He was principal flutist with the Houston Ballet Orchestra and the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra for 23 years. Michael maintains his professional ties to Theatre Under the Stars and the Houston Gilbert & Sullivan Society and returns to Houston to perform with these groups. In Columbia, Michael enjoys playing with the Columbia Civic Orchestra under the leadership of Stefan Freund.
Wontanara (Season 16)
Wontanara is a Columbia-based nonprofit organization founded in 2018. The name “Wontanara” comes from a phrase from Guinea which means “we are one.” As such, it is Wontanara's mission to celebrate diversity in the Columbia community by focusing on the performing arts of Africa and her diaspora. Through hosting educational outreach events, teaching dance and percussion classes, sponsoring performances featuring master guest artists from Africa, and collaborating with other community organizations, Wontanara brings our community members together, cultivating an appreciation of what African culture has to offer.
Dancers: Julie Staveley-O'Carroll (artistic director), Candace Kauffman, Kristin Nies, Katy Klymus
Percussionists: Brianna Trainor (technical director), Mira Stoddart, Otter Bowman
Artistic Director of Wontanara, Julie Staveley-O’Carroll has been studying West African dance for over 19 years, with a special passion for Guinea, West Africa. She began taking classes in Lancaster, PA around 2000, and was inspired to travel to Guinea for the first time in 2013 to learn about the dancing and culture from the source. She has studied with several master dancers and drummers over the years, including Youssouf Koumbassa, Salia Camara, and Bolokada Conde. Since moving to Columbia, Julie has taught West African dance classes and performed throughout the community, with recent appearances at the Missouri Theater, Rhynsburger Theater, and The City of Refuge. She travels to Guinea each year to immerse herself fully in the culture and art forms which first inspired her to begin Wontanara. Julie lives with her husband Kevin in Columbia and is also a yoga instructor at Sumits Hot Yoga.
Wontanara is a Columbia-based nonprofit organization founded in 2018. The name “Wontanara” comes from a phrase from Guinea which means “we are one.” As such, it is Wontanara's mission to celebrate diversity in the Columbia community by focusing on the performing arts of Africa and her diaspora. Through hosting educational outreach events, teaching dance and percussion classes, sponsoring performances featuring master guest artists from Africa, and collaborating with other community organizations, Wontanara brings our community members together, cultivating an appreciation of what African culture has to offer.
Dancers: Julie Staveley-O'Carroll (artistic director), Candace Kauffman, Kristin Nies, Katy Klymus
Percussionists: Brianna Trainor (technical director), Mira Stoddart, Otter Bowman
Artistic Director of Wontanara, Julie Staveley-O’Carroll has been studying West African dance for over 19 years, with a special passion for Guinea, West Africa. She began taking classes in Lancaster, PA around 2000, and was inspired to travel to Guinea for the first time in 2013 to learn about the dancing and culture from the source. She has studied with several master dancers and drummers over the years, including Youssouf Koumbassa, Salia Camara, and Bolokada Conde. Since moving to Columbia, Julie has taught West African dance classes and performed throughout the community, with recent appearances at the Missouri Theater, Rhynsburger Theater, and The City of Refuge. She travels to Guinea each year to immerse herself fully in the culture and art forms which first inspired her to begin Wontanara. Julie lives with her husband Kevin in Columbia and is also a yoga instructor at Sumits Hot Yoga.
Andrew Wiele, clarinet & Season 17 Odyssey Performance Fellow (Seasons 16-19)
Andrew Wiele has always grown up around music. His mother had a piano in the house, and he started taking lessons at a young age, as well as playing clarinet and singing in the choir throughout middle and high school. It was during his senior year of high school when he realized that he loved music and wanted to pursue it as a career, thanks to the music of artists like George Winston, Horace Silver, and Herbie Hancock. It is their uniqueness, love of music and art, and their connection with their audiences that Andrew wants to capture in his own music. Already, many people have praised Andrew for the way he connects his music to the world around him. His performances have been described as engaging, providing context and meaning to the music. One of Andrew’s most deeply held beliefs is that music can heal the soul and communicate things words could never express. Through the creation and performance of music people can come together, build community and strengthen bonds. Music and its many forms can cross over any barrier and foster peace and happiness. Currently, Andrew has several outlets through which he shares his love of music with others. He holds an adjunct faculty position at the University of Missouri, and is available for hire for private lessons, collaborative piano, freelance performances on piano or clarinet, and piano tuning.
Andrew Wiele has always grown up around music. His mother had a piano in the house, and he started taking lessons at a young age, as well as playing clarinet and singing in the choir throughout middle and high school. It was during his senior year of high school when he realized that he loved music and wanted to pursue it as a career, thanks to the music of artists like George Winston, Horace Silver, and Herbie Hancock. It is their uniqueness, love of music and art, and their connection with their audiences that Andrew wants to capture in his own music. Already, many people have praised Andrew for the way he connects his music to the world around him. His performances have been described as engaging, providing context and meaning to the music. One of Andrew’s most deeply held beliefs is that music can heal the soul and communicate things words could never express. Through the creation and performance of music people can come together, build community and strengthen bonds. Music and its many forms can cross over any barrier and foster peace and happiness. Currently, Andrew has several outlets through which he shares his love of music with others. He holds an adjunct faculty position at the University of Missouri, and is available for hire for private lessons, collaborative piano, freelance performances on piano or clarinet, and piano tuning.
Dean Wibe, violoncello | Odyssey Performance Fellow (Season 20)
Dean Wibe is a cellist from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He began playing in the public school classroom and first studied cello privately with Dianne Platte and Hannah Holman. He recently received his Bachelors of Music at the University of Iowa where he studied with Professor Anthony Arnone. Dean is an avid chamber musician and is passionate about the performance of contemporary classical music. He is currently studying with Dr. Eli Lara and working on his Masters at the University of Missouri, where he performs with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble.
Dean Wibe is a cellist from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He began playing in the public school classroom and first studied cello privately with Dianne Platte and Hannah Holman. He recently received his Bachelors of Music at the University of Iowa where he studied with Professor Anthony Arnone. Dean is an avid chamber musician and is passionate about the performance of contemporary classical music. He is currently studying with Dr. Eli Lara and working on his Masters at the University of Missouri, where he performs with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble.
Graham Woodland, violin (Season 11, 12, 16)
Graham Woodland received his Bachelor of Music Degree in violin performance from the University of Missouri, where he was a student of Eva Szekely and studied chamber music with Julie Rosenfeld and Peter Miyamoto. He went on to receive his Master of Music Degree from the Hartt School, where he studied with Katie Lansdale and completed long-term Suzuki Teacher Training with Christie Felsing. He has appeared as soloist with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, University of Missouri Philharmonic, Hartt Contemporary Players, and the MU Chamber Soloists. He is currently Assistant Concertmaster of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra and performs with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Previously, Graham was Principal second violin of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and performed with the New Britain Symphony and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. He has been a winner and finalist in many competitions including the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artist, Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA), and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. He has participated in masterclasses with Paul Biss, Pinchas Zukerman, Robert Lipsett, Lawrence Dutton, and members of the Berlin Philharmonic. Summer festivals attended include the Innsbrook Institute Academy and Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and the Texas Music Festival. A dedicated teacher, Graham’s students have earned leadership positions in the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Missouri All-State Orchestra, and have had success in local and state level competitions. He recently joined the Suzuki violin faculty at the Community Music School of Webster University in St. Louis.
Graham Woodland received his Bachelor of Music Degree in violin performance from the University of Missouri, where he was a student of Eva Szekely and studied chamber music with Julie Rosenfeld and Peter Miyamoto. He went on to receive his Master of Music Degree from the Hartt School, where he studied with Katie Lansdale and completed long-term Suzuki Teacher Training with Christie Felsing. He has appeared as soloist with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, University of Missouri Philharmonic, Hartt Contemporary Players, and the MU Chamber Soloists. He is currently Assistant Concertmaster of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra and performs with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Previously, Graham was Principal second violin of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and performed with the New Britain Symphony and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. He has been a winner and finalist in many competitions including the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artist, Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA), and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. He has participated in masterclasses with Paul Biss, Pinchas Zukerman, Robert Lipsett, Lawrence Dutton, and members of the Berlin Philharmonic. Summer festivals attended include the Innsbrook Institute Academy and Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and the Texas Music Festival. A dedicated teacher, Graham’s students have earned leadership positions in the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Missouri All-State Orchestra, and have had success in local and state level competitions. He recently joined the Suzuki violin faculty at the Community Music School of Webster University in St. Louis.
Anthony Wu, solo piano (Season 16 Concerto Competition Winner, 17, Season 18 Concerto Competition Winner)
Anthony Wu is a 17-year-old senior at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, MO. He is currently studying with University of Missouri Professor of Piano Dr. Peter Miyamoto, and has previously studied with Dr. Natalia Bolshakova, Rachel Hahn, and Natalia Izyumina. Last summer, he attended the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he studied with Bronze Medalist of the 1986 Tchaikovsky Competition William Wolfram. There, Anthony won the 2021 EMF Concerto Competition, after which he performed the Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 25 with the EMF Youth Symphony. In his most recent performance, Anthony was given the title of runner-up in the 2021 Missouri State MTNA Senior Piano Competition. He was also the winner of said competition in 2020. In February of that year, after competing in the MMAMTA/Odyssey Pre-Collegiate Concerto Competition, he was given the opportunity to perform the Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 with a full orchestra in the Odyssey Chamber Music Series concert “Baroque Valentine”. Anthony also plays the trumpet, and studies the instrument with University of Missouri Trumpet Professor Dr. Iskander Akhmadullin. He has placed in All-State ensembles all four years that he has been in in high school, and has performed with the 2022 All-State Orchestra, as well as the 2018 and 2019 All-State Bands. Anthony is heavily involved in his school’s concert and jazz ensembles, as well as its marching band, the Rock Bridge Emerald Regiment. After high school, Anthony has serious aspirations to become a performing musician. He hopes that his career will be one where he can show people the greatness of the arts, and that any audience that might see him in a concert program will enjoy his playing.
Anthony Wu is a 17-year-old senior at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, MO. He is currently studying with University of Missouri Professor of Piano Dr. Peter Miyamoto, and has previously studied with Dr. Natalia Bolshakova, Rachel Hahn, and Natalia Izyumina. Last summer, he attended the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he studied with Bronze Medalist of the 1986 Tchaikovsky Competition William Wolfram. There, Anthony won the 2021 EMF Concerto Competition, after which he performed the Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 25 with the EMF Youth Symphony. In his most recent performance, Anthony was given the title of runner-up in the 2021 Missouri State MTNA Senior Piano Competition. He was also the winner of said competition in 2020. In February of that year, after competing in the MMAMTA/Odyssey Pre-Collegiate Concerto Competition, he was given the opportunity to perform the Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 with a full orchestra in the Odyssey Chamber Music Series concert “Baroque Valentine”. Anthony also plays the trumpet, and studies the instrument with University of Missouri Trumpet Professor Dr. Iskander Akhmadullin. He has placed in All-State ensembles all four years that he has been in in high school, and has performed with the 2022 All-State Orchestra, as well as the 2018 and 2019 All-State Bands. Anthony is heavily involved in his school’s concert and jazz ensembles, as well as its marching band, the Rock Bridge Emerald Regiment. After high school, Anthony has serious aspirations to become a performing musician. He hopes that his career will be one where he can show people the greatness of the arts, and that any audience that might see him in a concert program will enjoy his playing.
Scott Yoo, violin (Season 9, 15, 18-20)
Scott Yoo has served as the Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Mexico City Philharmonic since 2016. He is the first democratically elected and first foreign-born conductor in the orchestra’s history. Since 2004, he has served as Music Director of Festival Mozaic. Mr. Yoo is Host and Executive Producer of the PBS series Now Hear This, the first series about classical music on American prime-time television since 1967. Now in its sixth season of production, Now Hear This received Emmy nominations in 2021 and 2023.
Mr. Yoo has conducted the Colorado, Dallas, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New World, San Francisco and Utah Symphonies, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in his Carnegie Hall debut. In Europe, he conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, Britten Sinfonia, L’Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, and the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris. In Asia, Mr. Yoo has led the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra in Tokyo and the Seoul Philharmonic and Busan Philharmonic in Korea. His discography includes over 20 recordings on Sony Classical, Warner Classics, New World, and Naxos. His latest recording is of Shostakovich’s Eleventh Symphony with the Mexico City Philharmonic on Sony Classical, to be released in fall 2024.
After beginning his musical studies at age three, Mr. Yoo performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Boston Symphony at age 12. He won First Prize in the 1988 Josef Gingold International Violin Competition, the 1989 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, and the 1994 Avery Fisher Career Grant. In 1993, Mr. Yoo and Now Hear This Executive Producer Richard Lim founded the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, presenting a subscription series at Jordan Hall in Boston and over 100 performances on tour.
Scott Yoo studied violin with Roman Totenberg, Paul Kantor and Dorothy DeLay, and conducting with Michael Gilbert and Michael Tilson Thomas. He has been the Conductor of the Colorado College Music Festival since 2002, and the founder of the Medellín Festicámara, a chamber music program that educates underprivileged young musicians from Colombia. He received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard, and an honorary doctorate from Colorado College in 2021.
Mr. Yoo has conducted the Colorado, Dallas, Indianapolis, Minnesota, New World, San Francisco and Utah Symphonies, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in his Carnegie Hall debut. In Europe, he conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, Britten Sinfonia, L’Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, and the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris. In Asia, Mr. Yoo has led the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra in Tokyo and the Seoul Philharmonic and Busan Philharmonic in Korea. His discography includes over 20 recordings on Sony Classical, Warner Classics, New World, and Naxos. His latest recording is of Shostakovich’s Eleventh Symphony with the Mexico City Philharmonic on Sony Classical, to be released in fall 2024.
After beginning his musical studies at age three, Mr. Yoo performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Boston Symphony at age 12. He won First Prize in the 1988 Josef Gingold International Violin Competition, the 1989 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, and the 1994 Avery Fisher Career Grant. In 1993, Mr. Yoo and Now Hear This Executive Producer Richard Lim founded the Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, presenting a subscription series at Jordan Hall in Boston and over 100 performances on tour.
Scott Yoo studied violin with Roman Totenberg, Paul Kantor and Dorothy DeLay, and conducting with Michael Gilbert and Michael Tilson Thomas. He has been the Conductor of the Colorado College Music Festival since 2002, and the founder of the Medellín Festicámara, a chamber music program that educates underprivileged young musicians from Colombia. He received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard, and an honorary doctorate from Colorado College in 2021.
Kristen Yu, piano | viola (Season 17 Concerto Competition Winner (piano), 18, 19 Concerto Competition Winner (viola), 20)
Kristen Yu is a senior at Rock Bridge High School. She began the viola at age nine with Morgan Owen and Briana Frieda, and she currently studies with Professor Leslie Perna. Since 2021, Kristen has been coached by Scott Yoo for her chamber ensemble “Cloud 9,” of which she has been a founding member since 2016. Most recently, Kristen was selected as a violist for Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute’s prestigious 2024 National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA) and will perform in Carnegie Hall and around South America. She was also selected for the 2021 and 2022 NAfME All-National Symphony Orchestra and served as Assistant Principal Viola in 2022. Throughout all four years of high school, she was a member of the Missouri All-State Orchestra, serving as Principal Viola in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and as Assistant Principal in 2022. Alongside viola, Kristen has studied piano since she was five with Mabel Kinder, subsequently with Ayako Tsuruta. In 2022, she won the Silver Award in the WPTA Finland International Piano Competition. She was a four-time Winner and four-time Runner-Up recipient in the MMTA State Piano competition. Kristen was also the winner of the 2021 MMAMTA/Odyssey Pre-Collegiate Aria/Concerto Competition. Drawing from her achievements in both piano and viola, Kristen finds fulfillment in imparting her love for music to younger musicians as an adjunct teacher and mentor in the community, specifically at Columbia Music School, City of Refuge Strings Project, and Missouri String Project. In the fall, Kristen will embark on her collegiate journey at UPenn, pursuing a double major in economics and psychology, complemented by a minor in music.
Kristen Yu is a senior at Rock Bridge High School. She began the viola at age nine with Morgan Owen and Briana Frieda, and she currently studies with Professor Leslie Perna. Since 2021, Kristen has been coached by Scott Yoo for her chamber ensemble “Cloud 9,” of which she has been a founding member since 2016. Most recently, Kristen was selected as a violist for Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute’s prestigious 2024 National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA) and will perform in Carnegie Hall and around South America. She was also selected for the 2021 and 2022 NAfME All-National Symphony Orchestra and served as Assistant Principal Viola in 2022. Throughout all four years of high school, she was a member of the Missouri All-State Orchestra, serving as Principal Viola in 2021, 2023, and 2024, and as Assistant Principal in 2022. Alongside viola, Kristen has studied piano since she was five with Mabel Kinder, subsequently with Ayako Tsuruta. In 2022, she won the Silver Award in the WPTA Finland International Piano Competition. She was a four-time Winner and four-time Runner-Up recipient in the MMTA State Piano competition. Kristen was also the winner of the 2021 MMAMTA/Odyssey Pre-Collegiate Aria/Concerto Competition. Drawing from her achievements in both piano and viola, Kristen finds fulfillment in imparting her love for music to younger musicians as an adjunct teacher and mentor in the community, specifically at Columbia Music School, City of Refuge Strings Project, and Missouri String Project. In the fall, Kristen will embark on her collegiate journey at UPenn, pursuing a double major in economics and psychology, complemented by a minor in music.
Priscilla Yuen, piano (Season 14)
Priscilla Yuen is currently working at the Eastman School of Music as staff pianist and at the Rochester Institute of Technology as adjunct professor of piano and choral accompanist. Ms. Yuen collaborates with musicians across the country, participates and accompanies in master classes, coaches musicians of all ages and enjoys choral accompanying. She has performed at the Kennedy Center, Yamaha Hall and various conservatories and schools. In 2014, Ms. Yuen was one of the pianists for the International Trombone Festival hosted at Eastman. She was most currently the staff pianist and arts/administrative coordinator at the New York Summer Music Festival and has also participated in the Quartet Program hosted by Charlie Castleman. In graduate school, she was the first prize winner of the Kneisel Lieder Competition and was also awarded the Loos Scholarship and Koeng Award. Ms. Yuen received her Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music under the tutelage of Dr. Jean Barr and received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Piano Performance with Dr. Peter Miyamoto.
Priscilla Yuen is currently working at the Eastman School of Music as staff pianist and at the Rochester Institute of Technology as adjunct professor of piano and choral accompanist. Ms. Yuen collaborates with musicians across the country, participates and accompanies in master classes, coaches musicians of all ages and enjoys choral accompanying. She has performed at the Kennedy Center, Yamaha Hall and various conservatories and schools. In 2014, Ms. Yuen was one of the pianists for the International Trombone Festival hosted at Eastman. She was most currently the staff pianist and arts/administrative coordinator at the New York Summer Music Festival and has also participated in the Quartet Program hosted by Charlie Castleman. In graduate school, she was the first prize winner of the Kneisel Lieder Competition and was also awarded the Loos Scholarship and Koeng Award. Ms. Yuen received her Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music under the tutelage of Dr. Jean Barr and received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Piano Performance with Dr. Peter Miyamoto.
Mara Zaner, Violin (Season 18 Concerto Competition Winner)
Mara Zaner is a fifteen-year-old sophomore attending Rock Bridge High School. From a young age, she knew she knew she possessed a special passion for music. She has been playing violin for seven years and has been with the Missouri Conservatory for five of those years, as well as the Missouri Academy of Music for one. She also serves as a teacher and mentor for the Sinfonietta Orchestra at the Missouri Academy of Music. For the last three years, Mara has been studying violin with Amy Appold. She has enjoyed playing in many orchestras inside and outside of school since starting violin. She is a member of the Young Artists Philharmonic serving as concertmaster, as well as the Missouri Academy of Music Virtuosi Orchestra serving as concertmaster. Along with participating in various chamber small groups, she has recently been studying under the mentorship of Kirk Trevor as the First Violinist of the Reseda Quartet for the past three years. She also participated in the 2022 Missouri All-State Orchestra. Along with the violin, she has studied piano for three years now. She is very passionate about music and plans to pursue it further in college. She also has a passion for mathematics and academics at Rock Bridge High School. She recently started to lead the Bruin Strings, a community-based orchestra group that plays in volunteer functions. She is also looking forward to doing some composing this year with a club at Rock Bridge High School. She spends her time studying, composing, writing, painting, as well as spending time with friends and family.
Mara Zaner is a fifteen-year-old sophomore attending Rock Bridge High School. From a young age, she knew she knew she possessed a special passion for music. She has been playing violin for seven years and has been with the Missouri Conservatory for five of those years, as well as the Missouri Academy of Music for one. She also serves as a teacher and mentor for the Sinfonietta Orchestra at the Missouri Academy of Music. For the last three years, Mara has been studying violin with Amy Appold. She has enjoyed playing in many orchestras inside and outside of school since starting violin. She is a member of the Young Artists Philharmonic serving as concertmaster, as well as the Missouri Academy of Music Virtuosi Orchestra serving as concertmaster. Along with participating in various chamber small groups, she has recently been studying under the mentorship of Kirk Trevor as the First Violinist of the Reseda Quartet for the past three years. She also participated in the 2022 Missouri All-State Orchestra. Along with the violin, she has studied piano for three years now. She is very passionate about music and plans to pursue it further in college. She also has a passion for mathematics and academics at Rock Bridge High School. She recently started to lead the Bruin Strings, a community-based orchestra group that plays in volunteer functions. She is also looking forward to doing some composing this year with a club at Rock Bridge High School. She spends her time studying, composing, writing, painting, as well as spending time with friends and family.
Pete Zambito, percussion (Season 3, 5, 10-12, 20)
Pete Zambito is the Associate Teaching Professor of Music, Assistant Director of Athletic Bands, and Arts Entrepreneurship Coordinator at the University of Missouri. He teaches courses in a variety of subjects, including Music History, Composition, Aural Skills, Percussion, Career Development, and Writing for the Arts. Prior to working at Mizzou, he was the Associate Professor of Music, Percussion Instructor, Drumline Instructor, and Director of the Sacred Music Program at Lincoln University (MO). Since relocating to Missouri in 2006, he has performed across the state and is currently the principal timpanist for the Marshall (MO) Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been a section percussionist for the Missouri Symphony Orchestra and is also a frequent performer on the Odyssey Chamber Series in Columbia, Missouri. Previously, Dr. Zambito directed the percussion program at Concord University in Athens, WV. In addition to teaching class piano and arranging and scoring, he ran the percussion studio, directed the marching band drumline, the basketball pep band, and in his final semester, directed the concert band. As a performer, Dr. Zambito has toured extensively throughout the Southeast and Midwest as a marimbist, including a duet tour throughout North Carolina and West Virginia with trombonist Daniel Rice, and solo tours of Virginia and South Carolina. In addition, he has worked as pianist and percussionist for a variety of churches and performed professionally as a section percussionist in the Salisbury (NC) Symphony Orchestra. He is also a commissioned composer of percussion solos, duets, and ensemble works, many of which are available through C. Alan Publications. Dr. Zambito holds a B.A. degree in music performance with a focus on piano from Wake Forest University, and M.M. and D M.A. degrees in percussion performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has contributed articles to Percussive Notes and Rhythm Scene, both publications of the Percussive Arts Society. He spent 3 years as an editor and engraver at C. Alan Publications and has been a frequent contributor as coordinator, clinician and performer at the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy. He is in frequent demand as clinician and adjudicator throughout the Midwest. Dr. Zambito is a Vic Firth Artist and Educational endorser. He created and hosts Pete’s Percussion Podcast, a weekly show dedicated to long form interviews of those in and around the percussion world.
Iren Zombor, violoncello (Season 10)
Iren Zombor is a native of Miskolc, Hungary. After attending music college in her hometown, she lived in Bratislava, Slovakia for two years, where she studied with the famous Slovak cellist, Joseph Podhoransky. She received her Masters of Music degree in cello performance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She has been the member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since the fall of 1996, where she currently holds the Assistant Principal Cello position. Ms. Zombor has performed around the world with various orchestras as far as Eastern and Western Europe and Japan. In addition to her busy performance schedule, her passion has long been private teaching. She has taught students of all ages at all levels. She has been on the Rhodes College faculty since 2004.