2016 Texas Music Festival Orchestra Fellows

Flutist Allison Parramore has performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Nova, and is currently a flutist for the Phoenix Orchestra, the Equilibrium New Music Concert Series, and Hathor Winds. She recently won the 36th Annual James Pappoutsakis Flute Competition and the 2016 Boston Woodwind Society Doriot Dwyer Flute Competition. Ms. Parramore has performed at the Festival of Contemporary Music at the Tanglewood Music Center and the Brevard Music Center. This summer Ms. Parramore is excited to attend the Texas Music Festival and also return to perform at the Tanglewood Music Center. Ms. Parramore is a student of Linda Toote and Elizabeth Rowe. She holds degrees from The Boston Conservatory and the University of Rhode Island, and currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts.

Kathryne Salo, a Miyazawa Emerging Artist, is a DMA candidate at Michigan State University. She has performed in venues from New Orleans Arena to Royal Festival Hall to St. John’s, Smith Square, with musicians including Ellis Marsalis, Frederick Fennell, and Sir Colin Davis. Kathryne holds the LRAM teaching diploma and worked as a graduate teaching assistant for four years. She earned degrees from Louisiana State University, the Royal Academy of Music, and University of Tennessee. Most recently, she won the MSU Concerto Competition and third prize at the Ervin Monroe Young Artist Competition.

Evan Pengra Sult is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Flute Performance at the Eastman School of Music, studying with Bonita Boyd. Among other honors, Evan has won 2nd place in the Seattle Flute Society Young Artist Competition (2016), twice won the Frank and Lu Horsfall Competition (2013, 2011), and won the WMEA State Solo Competition (2011). He has previously attended TMF (and is delighted to be returning!) and the National Orchestral Institute. Later this summer, Evan will be playing in the Tanglewood Festival of Contemporary Music.

Andrew Glenn is an oboist from Austin, Texas. He is currently studying with Jonathan Fischer, Bob Atherholt and Adam Dinitz at the Moores School of Music. He has previously studied with Jared Hauser at Vanderbilt University. Andrew has performed with the Nashville Symphony, the Nashville Sinfonietta and is also a founding member of the Aeolus Winds. In addition to music, Andrew enjoys backpacking, rock climbing and landscape photography.

I am an undergraduate student at the Oberlin College and Conservatory, where I have just completed my first year of study towards a performance degree. I study with Robert Walters, English Horn of the Cleveland Orchestra. When not busy with my musical studies, I enjoy listening to music, playing board and video games, studying Computer Science, and playing Baroque oboe.

Mary O’Keefe is a junior at the New England Conservatory, studying with Keisuke Wakao. She is dedicated to exploring social boundaries with music, organizing a performance of the second movement of Dvorak’s 9th Symphony for a concert honoring Black History Month with NEC’s African American Student Union. This past April, she performed a junior recital that functioned as a benefit concert, raising money for the Nature Conservancy's Adopt an Acre Foundation. Outside of NEC, Mary also performs with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Recent studies include work with Jan Eberle at the Chautauqua Music Festival and master-classes with Maurice Bourgue.

Tanavi Prabhu studies at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music with Robert Walters. Previously, she was a student of Jonathan Blumenfeld. She performed as principal with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra from 2012-2015. Tanavi attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute 2014 Oboe Workshop where she studied with John Ferrillo and Robert Sheena and participated in the 2015 Hidden Valley Music Seminars English Horn Masterclass. This past January, she was a member of the Emmanuel Music Bach Institute performing on oboe, English horn, and oboe d'amore.

Alexandra Doyle graduated summa cum laude from the University of Houston this past May with degrees in clarinet performance and journalism, and she will begin her studies toward a master’s degree in clarinet performance in the fall at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Alexandra is an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, and she is very excited to participate in the second music festival of her career right here at her home in the Moores School of Music.

Adam Floyd is a clarinetist based out of Boston. A native of Houston, Texas, Adam began his early musical studies at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts and was a finalist in the Houston Symphony’s League Concerto Competition. Adam previously studied at the Manhattan School of Music where he was most recently named a nominee for the Fuchs Chamber Award. Previously, he has studied with renowned clarinetists Mark Nuccio, New York Philharmonic/Houston Symphony, and Thomas LeGrand, Houston Symphony. Adam has participated in masterclasses with artists such as Andrew Mariner, Ian Swensen, Wenzel Fuchs, and Jonathan Cohler. Continuing his studies at the New England Conservatory with Michael Wayne, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Adam hopes to inspire others emotionally and intellectually through music.

Kamalia Freyling is a Bachelor of Music and Performer’s Certificate Candidate at the Eastman School of Music in the studio of Jon Manasse. She has performed with the Eastman Philharmonia, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, OSSIA New Music, and several chamber ensembles. Past festival attendance includes the New York String Orchestra Seminar, the Round Top Festival Institute, and the Idyllwild Arts Symphony/Chamber Orchestra. Additional honors include winning both the 2013 Don Caneva Scholarship Competition and 2013 San Diego Clarinet Society Young Artist’s Competition. A San Diego native, Kamalia performed as principal/assistant clarinet in the San Diego Youth Symphony from 2011-2013.

Born in Colombia and raised in the Dominican Republic, Juan Esteban Martinez is currently on his second year at the Peabody Institute where he study with Anthony McGill, Principal Clarinetist of New York Philharmonic. At the age of 15 he debuted as soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic and two years later he was one of the winners of the Caldas’ Young Artist Competition in Colombia performing with the Caldas Symphony Orchestra. He was a founder fellow of both the Latin-American Wind Orchestra and the Iberoamerican Orchestra. Juan was also the recipient of the Sidney Jensen Memorial Award for outstanding clarinet performance at Peabody.

Elisha Willinger will begin pursuing his Master of Music degree at Yale University this fall. In 2012 he won the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition. He has been a participant of the Sarasota Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival and School, National Orchestral Institute, and Banff Centre. This summer Elisha will also perform at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. He is currently on the sub lists for the Charleston Symphony, New World Symphony, and is former second clarinet of the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. Born in Taiwan and raised in Florida, he began studying music at the age of ten. He is a graduate of The Glenn Gould School in Toronto and the Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music.

Born in a small town in East Texas, Moved to Rowlett, Texas at the age of 10 and was introduced to the bassoon. Attended Coyle Middle School and graduated from Rowlett High School in 2010. Received a bachelor's degree in Music Education and Performance from Texas A&M Commerce in the spring of 2014. Moved to Denton in the summer of 2015 and graduated with an Artist Diploma this past Spring.

Brian Geise is an award winner in local competitions such as the Dallas Symphonic Festival and the Collin County Young Artist Competition. In high school, he performed with such ensembles as the Richardson Symphony Orchestra and the University of North Texas Symphonic Band. For three years, Brian served as Principal Bassoon of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, performing with them at venues in Germany and the Czech Republic as bassoonist, contrabassoonist, and saxophone soloist. Besides TMF, Brian has attended the Brevard Music Center Institute and the Eastern Music Festival. He currently studies with Professor George Sakakeeny at Oberlin Conservatory.

Lieza Hansen is currently the co-principal of the American Youth Symphony in Los Angeles. She also performs regularly with the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra and the Santa Monica Symphony. Prior to her career in California, she lived in Iowa City and performed with the Iowa City Chamber Singers Orchestra, the Clinton Symphony Orchestra, and the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra. Lieza is currently pursuing a Master in Bassoon Performance from the University of Southern California under the tutelage of Judy Farmer. She received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Iowa where she studied with Benjamin Coelho.

Nina Laube has studied bassoon with George Sakakeeny for one year at the Oberlin Conservatory, and in the fall of 2016 will continue her studies with Prof. Sakakeeny at the Eastman School of Music. From 2012 to 2015 Nina was a member of the Midwest Young Artists Symphony Orchestra. She has appeared as a soloist with the Knox-Galesburg Symphony Orchestra and the Highland Park High School Orchestra. Before TMF, she has studied at Domaine Forget and Hidden Valley Music Seminars.

Aaron Griffin is currently studying horn performance at the University of Houston Moores School of Music with Gavin Reed. He has also received additional instruction from William Vermeulen, Robert Johnson and Roger Kaza. Aaron is an active freelancer and has taught at many schools in the Greater Houston Area. Aaron has been a participant of the 2014 and 2015 Texas Music Festival and the Marrowstone Music Festival. Prior to arriving at the 2016 Texas Music Festival, he will be performing with the San Antonio Symphony and the Hot Springs Summer Music Festival.

Scott Höhn is an active orchestral performer in Houston and around the country. Since moving to Houston in 2013, Scott has been a regular performer with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera, and the San Antonio Symphony. He also plays with the Colorado Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, and Louisiana Philharmonic, Da Camera of Houston, and has performed with the Hawaii Symphony. He is a three-time member of Colorado MahlerFest, most recently as principal horn. A native of Colorado, Scott attended The University of Northern Colorado before receiving his Master’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. His primary teachers include William VerMeulen, Denise Tryon, and Mark Denekas.

As an active freelancer, Jamie Leff has played with the Houston Grand Opera, the Louisiana Philharmonic, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, among others. Jamie is currently pursuing a Performance Certificate in Horn Performance at the University of Houston, Moores School of Music, where she studies with Robert Johnson, Associate Principal Horn of the Houston Symphony. Jamie holds a Bachelor's degree from Indiana University, and a Master's degree from DePaul University in Chicago. Jamie’s main musical influences are Dale Clevenger, Jim Smelser, and Oto Carrillo (Chicago Symphony), Wolfgang Vladar (Vienna Philharmonic), and Jeff Nelsen (Canadian Brass).

Scott Leger is a horn player from The Woodlands, Tx. A recent summa cum laude graduate from Southern Methodist University, Scott majored in Music Education and Music Performance studying horn in the studio of Greg Hustis. Scott also received minors in Mathematics and Music Theory. In past summers, Scott has attended the National Repertory Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute and Festival, and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. Scott Leger will continue his music education in the Fall at the Yale School of Music.

Stephen Newberry is pursuing his Bachelor's degree in Horn Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, currently studying with Randy Gardner. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Stephen has also studied with Richard Deane and Susan Welty. In past summers, Stephen has attended festivals at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Musicians, and the Brevard Music Center. Stephen performs as a substitute with the Albany (GA) Symphony Orchestra and also freelances in the greater Cincinnati area.

Charlotte is a native of North Texas. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Horn Performance with Randy Gardner at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. This past October, Charlotte made her debut as an orchestral soloist with the Seven Hills Sinfonietta playing Schumann's Konzertstück for Four Horns as third horn. She is a 2015 graduate of The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Horn Performance. She was in studio with Jeff Nelsen and also studied natural horn with Richard Seraphinoff. This summer, Charlotte will be performing the music of Elton John in the musical Billy Elliot at The Firehouse Theatre in Dallas, TX.

Maxwell Stein hails from Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and is entering his 3rd year at The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. In past summers he’s had the privilege of attending music institutes such as, The Interlochen Center for the Arts, The Banff Centre for Music, and The Texas Music Festival at University of Houston. Maxwell is a National YoungArts alumnus, and a Maddy Summer Artist Award winner from Interlochen. At The University of Michigan, his current teachers are Adam Unsworth and Bryan Kennedy, and in past summers he’s studied with Gail Williams, Peter Kurau and William VerMeulen.

French Horn player Stephen Wadenpfuhl currently lives in his hometown of Houston Texas. He is an active freelance orchestral musician who has played with many groups across the country including City Music Cleveland (OH), New Bedford Symphony Orchestra(MA), Galveston Symphony, and Houston Civic Symphony. Stephen has served as Utility Horn substitute for City Music Cleveland since 2013, and held the position of Associate Principal Horn with the Houston Civic Symphony from 2012-2015. Stephen is finishing his senior year at the University of Houston Moores School of Music pursuing his Bachelors in Music Performance. His primary teacher is Robert Johnson, Associate Principal Horn of the Houston Symphony.

Although Clinton Webb has a Master’s in tuba from Indiana University, where he studied with the renowned Daniel Perantoni, the pull of the great repertoire of the orchestral tradition, much of which the tubist doesn’t play, was too strong for him to continue. Given an opportunity to study with Myron Bloom, former Principal Horn of the Cleveland Orchestra, Clinton decamped to horn and earned a Performer’s Diploma from IU under Bloom’s tutelage. Since leaving IU, Clinton has been a contract member of several orchestras in the Detroit area, and was recently runner up for the position of Associate Principal Horn of the Louisiana Philharmonic.

Chris is a senior trumpet performance major at Baylor University, his primary teachers are Wiff Rudd and Mark Schubert. He has been a semi-finalist in the National Trumpet Competition undergraduate solo division and small ensemble division, a finalist in the International Trumpet Guild's orchestral excerpt competition, and a winner of the NTC large ensemble division.

Ryan Chastain is currently pursuing a DMA degree in trumpet performance at University of Houston's Moores School of Music where he studies under Jim Vassallo. Ryan received his MM degree from Oklahoma City University where he studied with Michael Anderson. Ryan Began his college career at the University of Oklahoma where he studied with Dr. Karl Sievers, and earned his BM degree in trumpet performance. Ryan's was the winner of the 2014 ArtistWorks Classical Scholarship Competition, and received a Fellowship to the Marrowstone Music Festival the same year.

Trumpeter Allen Chen has performed in venues across the United States including Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, Boston’s Symphony Hall, as well as Jones Hall in Houston. He is currently a fellow in Da Camera Houston’s Young Artist Program and was recently joined the Houston Brass Quintet. As an educator, he regularly holds clinics and masterclasses in numerous schools across the greater Houston area. Mr. Chen completed his Bachelors and Masters of Music University of Illinois and the New England Conservatory respectively. His principal teachers have included Michael Ewald, Ronald Romm, Benjamin Wright, and Thomas Rolfs.

Gerardo Mata is an active freelancer in the Houston Area and frequently performs with both The Houston Grand Opera and Ballet orchestras. He attended The University of Texas at Austin studying with Ray Sasaki and performed with the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. He continued his studies with Allan Dean at the Yale School of Music and graduated with his Masters in Performance in 2013. Throughout his career he has performed under the batons of renowned conductors such as Shinik Hahm, Peter Oundjian, Jahja Ling, Speranza Scappucci, Toshiyuki Shimada and Helmuth Rilling. Gerardo is currently completing his Doctorate at the University of Houston's Moores School of Music studying with Jim Vassallo, principal trumpet of the Houston Grand Opera.

Stephen Farrell is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. A 2015 graduate of Baylor University, Stephen also performed as a fellow during the 25th Anniversary Season of the Texas Music Festival in 2014. Stephen has studied under Brent Phillips and Allen Barnhill.

Chris Grijalva has been lauded for his “nuanced artistic choices” and “exceedingly classy musical taste.” The young trombonist’s artistry stems from his broad background and insatiable curiosity. Also trained in composition, the vocal arts, and even Latin ballroom dance, Chris nurtures a deep respect for art of every kind and uses his diverse influences to shape a unique and exciting approach to performance. Originally from Houston, Mr. Grijalva has sought wisdom wherever he can find it, earning his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern California and currently pursuing his Master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University with Peter Sullivan.

Aneesh is a native of Pearland, Texas where he studied with Brian Logan. He is entering his third year at Northwestern where he currently studies with Michael Mulcahy, Douglas Wright, Timothy Higgins, Christopher Davis, and Randall Hawes. He has participated in the summer music festival orchestra at Texas Music Festival as well as the TMF Jazz Ensemble. He was also selected as a fellow for the 2015 Summer Brass Institute in California. Besides playing trombone, he enjoys hiking, traveling, and can probably find him playing basketball late at night.  

Ingram Lee IV studies at the University of Michigan. He has completed 4 years of academic instruction to obtain a double major in trombone performance and music education; and will be student teaching in the fall of 2016. An advocate for performing and teaching, Ingram has attended music festivals such as Brevard and Hotsprings, and been a finalist in the American Trombone Workshop solo competition; he also teaches marching band around the Katy I.S.D area and private lessons. His teachers include David Jackson, Allen Barnhill, Charlie Vernon, and Nathaniel Brickens.

Stephen Whimple is a native of Clifton Park, New York. Now in his 3rd year at The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, Stephen has studied with Mark Hartman and Charles Hopkins. He participated in ensembles such as the NYSSMA Conference All-State Wind Ensemble and the NAfME All-Eastern Symphonic Band. He has attended trombone workshops such as the Winter Trombone Workshop in 2016 and the Third Coast Trombone Retreat. Stephen has played with nearly every ensemble that performs at SUNY Potsdam, including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Latin Ensemble, and many assorted chamber groups.

Houston native Jasper Davis received his undergraduate degree in Instrumental Performance from the University of Houston, and is currently a first year Master's student in Orchestral Performance at the Manhattan School of Music. His primary teachers are Dan Black, Brian Risinger, Phillip Freeman, and Ilan Morgenstern. Positions of note include the Tanglewood BUTI Symphony Orchestra, the City of Houston's MUSIQA Brass Septet, the Texas Music Festival Symphony Orchestra, and a current spot on the San Antonio Symphony sub list.

Ben Malmer received his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston, and is currently a second year master's student at the University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music. Most recently he was selected as a semi-finalist for the Mock Band competition, the Arnold Jacobs Mock Orchestral competition and the Ensemble competition at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference. Ben has participated in the Round Top Festival Institute, Texas Music Festival and the Napa Valley Orchestral Institute. He was also a semi-finalist for "The President's Own" Marine Band audition, as well as a finalist for the Erie Philharmonic audition. His primary teachers include Tim Northcut, Mark Barton, Dave Kirk and Derek Fenstermacher.

Ben St. Pierre is currently a sophomore at Rice University. Most recently, Ben was a finalist in the 2015 National Symphony Orchestra's Young Soloist Competition. Ben spent two summers at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, where he studied with Mike Roylance, Principal Tuba of the Boston Symphony. Ben's principal teachers include Seth Cook, Dave Kirk, Paul Norris, and Brian Bersh.

Bio and pic coming soon!

Greg Doscher is a sophomore studying Percussion Performance and Music Education at the Eastman School of Music. Performing with the Symphony Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble, he is also an advocate for collaborative new music, often premiering new works. An Austin native, he regularly teaches and performs in the area during the summer. His teachers include Michael Burritt, Charles Ross, and James Ross.

Braden Freitas is a rising sophomore studying Percussion Performance at Rice University with Matthew Strauss and Richard Brown. Performing with the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, along with the percussion ensembles and other new music ensembles. He began playing in the sixth grade but did not continue his studies until the ninth grade. A Hawaiian native, Braden teaches in the Spring area public band programs helping with both marching and concert programs.

Originally from San Antonio, Briana Garcia received her BM from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Tx where she served as Principal Percussionist for both the Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. In addition, she enjoyed playing with the Percussion Ensemble and Opera, as well as the Austin Civic Orchestra. In 2012 Briana moved to Houston to pursue her Master’s degree with Blake Wilkins. During her time at Moores School, she played with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Opera. She has also played with the Houston Civic Symphony and Galveston Symphony while maintaining a large teaching studio.

Sarah Jayne Gartin, percussion, recently graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a Master’s in Music Performance. While at Eastman, she earned the prestigious Performer’s Certificate, and studied with Michael Burritt, Charles Ross, Bill Cahn, and Jake Nissly. Sarah received her Bachelor’s in Music Performance from The Florida State University (Go ‘Noles!) where she studied Percussion Performance with Dr. John W. Parks IV. Sarah had the privilege of performing at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention as a member of the winning FSU ensemble (2011) and ESM ensemble (2013). Outside of school, she has attended the Juilliard Percussion Seminar, Eastern Music Festival, and Chautauqua Institute. Sarah is very excited to be joining the 2016 Texas Music Festival team!

Ben Kipp grew up in Huntley, IL. He has performed with orchestras including the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Buffalo Philharmonic, Dayton Philharmonic, Toledo Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, New World Symphony and The Cleveland Pops Orchestra. He has worked with conductors such as Keith Lockhart, Matthias Bamert, JoAnn Falletta, Louis Langree, Jeff Tyzik, Julian Kuerti and Grant Llewellyn. In 2012 and 2013, Ben was the teaching assistant at the Brevard Music Center. He recently completed his master’s from Cleveland State University where he studied with Tom Freer, assistant timpani/section percussion of the Cleveland Orchestra.

Tomasz Kowalczyk is a versatile musician who feels equally enthusiastic about working as a soloist, a chamber musician and an orchestral performer. Mr. Kowalczyk presents solo recitals his native Poland, around Europe and United States. Focused on heightening the stature of percussion as a solo instrument, his performances often feature a combination of the established repertoire with transcriptions of J.S Bach’s masterpieces, as well as new works commissioned, or written for him. As a chamber musician, Mr. Kowalczyk performs a wide variety of repertoire ranging from Bartok to Reich. He is a founder of the Peabody Percussion Trio, he performed with members of eighth blackbird, and his collaboration with the legendary musician Leon Fleisher and Peabody Chamber Players on Gyorgy Ligeti’s chamber operas “Aventures” and “Nouvelles Aventures” brought him to the Perelman Theater of the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts in Philadelphia, and subsequently to New York’s Kaufman Theater in the 92nd Street Y. Passionate about orchestral performance, Mr. Kowalczyk works as an extra percussionist with the Houston Symphony, was a fellow at the Boston Symphony’s Tanglewood Music Center, and performed across the globe with the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra, Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra, and the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, working under Pierre Boulez, Christoph von Dohnanyi, Peter Eotvos, Valery Gergiev, Pablo Heras-Casado, Fabio Luisi, Jun Maerkl, Yannick Nezet-Seguin and Simon Rattle. He succeeded in numerous international solo and chamber music competitions, including the first prize at the European Music Prize for the Youth International Marimba Competition in Münster, Germany. He was also a prize winner at the Yale Gordon concerto competition, the PAS (Percussive Arts Society) International Percussion Ensemble Competition and PAS International Solo Competition. Mr. Kowalczyk is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Rice University’s  Shepherd School of Music.  He holds a Master’s Degree from Boston University,  a Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. His past and present teachers include: Alan Abel, Timothy Genis, Don Liuzzi, Matt Strauss, David Skidmore, Robert van Sice and Svetoslav Stoyanov.

Percussionist Lucas Sanchez performs in all genres: orchestral, chamber music, solo, and jazz. He has played in the Sydney Opera House with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony, Carnegie Hall with the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra, Jones Hall with the Houston Symphony, and the Astrodome with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps. Hundreds of elementary-school students in the Houston area have benefited from Lucas’s percussion presentations. He will pursue his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Miami this fall. Sanchez received his Bachelors and Masters of Music degrees from Rice University, where he was the 2016 Louis Sudler Prize recipient.

Maddi Shake, an Indianapolis native, started playing percussion at 9 years old. Starting in 5th grade, she studied with Paul Berns of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for 8 years. She is currently a sophomore at The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in Chicago, where she is pursuing a B.M. in Percussion Performance. Her primary teacher is Vadim Karpinos of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. At Roosevelt, she was selected to receive the Jacob Duman Scholarship for musicianship, and performs with the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Percussion Ensemble.

Born in Seoul, Korea, Sukyung Ahn graduated from Sunwha arts high school. She graduated from Seoul National University with Bachelor's degree, under Ju-young Baek. She was awarded with many prizes including Korean Chamber Orchestra competition, and Segye news music competiton. She had participated in Euro music festival, Great Mountains music festival and school, Sejong music festival and she also performed with Seoul Camerata Orchestra. She is currently pursuing a master's degree at Indiana University, studying with Mark Kaplan.

Samantha Arizpe is a junior at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music studying for her bachelor's in violin performance under Andrzej Grabiec and completing a minor in marketing. Samantha began playing the violin at age 6 through mariachi and has since been a part of numerous competitions and performances playing alongside Grammy-award winning artists, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan,, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, and other Latino artists. Throughout her middle and high school years she has also participated in youth orchestras in Houston, including the Greater Houston Youth Orchestra and the Virtuosi of Houston Youth Chamber Orchestra. Samantha hopes to pursue a masters in violin performance and to continue performing and teaching students in Greater Houston area.

Andres Bravo was born in La Paz Bolivia. He started learning the violin at the age of 9 under his mother’s teaching Elizabeth Canedo, and soon after he entered the National Conservatory of Bolivia for four years. Some of his teachers were: Ramiro Jimenez (Bolivia) Giri Sommer(Czech Republic), Eric Hosler (U.S) and Armando Vera( Bolivia). He joined the Bolivian Symphony Orchestra at the age of 14 as a guest student member.He participated in music festivals in the U.S and Bolivia such as: Eastern Music Festival, Interlochen, Bolivia Clasica, and Bravura, where he played important roles like Concertmaster and Principal Second ( Interlochen Philharmonic 2010), and Co-Concertmaster (Bolivia Clasica and Bravura).He has played in Master classes for different well known violinists: Dylana Jenson, Kenneth Goldsmith, Jaime Laredo, Zachary Carrettin, Nicola Benedetti, and Rafael Gintoli. Andres attends Sam Houston State University since 2012-2013, and since then he has been studying with Dr. Javier Pinell and Dr. Nahomi Gjevre.He has been awarded to perform in the SHSU Honors Recital of 2013-2014, and He has played as the Concertmaster and Co-Concertmaster of the SHSU Symphony orchestra.

Ahra Cho, started playing the violin when she was 4 years old. She has performed with numerous orchestras including Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra as her debut at age 11 as well as Jeonju Philharmonic Orchestra, Korean Chamber Orchestra, Sejong soloists Concert. Studying with Ju-young Baek at the Seoul National University college of music, she won the concerto competition and she also have had a couple of recitals at Kumho art hall supported by culture foundation in Korea. Also, she took part and played in San Francisco International Music Festival and she performed solo recitals and chamber music in Vianden Music Festival in Luxembourg. She graduated from Seoul National University as an honor student at 2013. After graduating, she was invited to play solo and chamber concert at Music Festival in Zaragoza, Spain, In 2015, she won the classical Mozart string competition and has performed with MSM string orchestra. Also she won second prize in the Cynthia Woods Mitchell young artist competition at Texas Music Festival and She won first prize in the 2015 Duxbury Music Festival solo competition and concerto competition. She is currently a Master's degree candidate and scholarship recipient at the Manhattan School of Music, where she studies with Lucie Robert.

Jisu Choi began her violin studies at the age of 13 and was awarded various prizes at Dong-A News Music Competition, LISMA Competition and Crescendo Music Competition, receiving an honor to give the winner’s recital at Weill Recital Hall. She also has performed actively as a chamber musician and has participated in Chamber Music Society at Lincoln Center Masterclass. Jisu is a scholarship recipient at Manhattan School of Music and a recipient of Mark E. Tracey Memorial Band Scholarship. Jisu is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Lucie Robert.

I was born in El Cerrito, California but raised in Tucson, Arizona. I started playing violin at the age of five with my father, Bruce Freifeld. For the past two years of my undergraduate studies, I have been part of Dr. Yon's studio at the University of Houston. I will be continuing a violin performance degree at Northern Arizona University under the instruction of Dr. Louise Scott. This will be my second year attending the Texas Music Festival.

Carly Galloway began playing violin at the age of 10, through the Klein School District Strings Program. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Moores School of Music, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She participated in the AFA Conservatory Orchestra from 2008 to 2010, serving as concertmaster for two years. She is a freelance musician, frequently performing at weddings and community sponsored events. Since 2014, she has taught private violin and viola lessons. Carly hopes to continue to train young musicians, while she pursues a Master’s degree in Violin Performance.

Felix Gamez is a recent graduate of the University of Houston's Moores School of Music where he studied with Andrzej Grabiec. While at Moores, he held principal positions in the school symphony and chamber orchestras and was concertmaster of a winter opera production. Mr. Gamez currently studies with Dr. Kirsten Yon and teaches privately in studios and schools in The Woodlands, Tx.

Bio and pic coming soon!

Bin Gui, born in Qingdao, China, started playing the violin at the age of four. From 2007-2009, Bin served as concertmaster at Qingdao Youth Symphony Orchestra and played solo pieces with the orchestra for special events. However, she did not start her conservatory life until 2014, when she got into Manhattan School of Music for Bachelor degree. In the spring of 2016, Bin played concertmaster at Manhattan School of Music Symphony orchestra under the baton of Ken-David Masur, and Composer orchestra under the baton of George Manahan. Bin is now a student in the studio of Lucie Robert.

Saki Kaneko graduated from Toho Gakuen School of Music in Japan and continues her studies at Manhattan School of Music under Koichiro Harada and Patinka Kopec. She won first place in the 50th Kamakura Music Competition in 2004 (age group: 10-12) and fifth place in the 22nd Japan Classical Competition in 2012 (age group: 19-22). She participated in Great Mountain Music Festival and School in Korea and Tomamu Music Seminar.

Despite her young age, violinist Hae Ji Kim has already been heard on renowned concert stages such as Carnegie hall, Lincoln center, Seoul Arts Center, Beethoven haus and so on- in Europe, the United States of America and Asia. Recognized as an orchestral leader, she was selected to be concertmaster as a teenager in her high school, continuing through Seoul National University Orchestra and into Juilliard. She is a current full scholarship student at Manhattan School of Music for professional study. As an active soloist and chamber musician, she has been collaborating with numerous artists, and has won top prizes in many competitions.

With "a tone to die for" (The Straits Times), Singaporean violinist Rose Xiu Yi Kow is equally at home as soloist and chamber musician. Her playing has taken her to festivals all across Europe and the US, such as the Florence International Music Festival, Berlin Young Euro-Classics and MusicAlp Academy. She has attained both Associate (2007) and Licentiate (2009) diplomas in violin performance from Trinity College London, and counts among her previous teachers and mentors Qian Zhou, Daniel Avshalomov (American String Quartet), and Susan Jolles (Metropolitan Opera). At present, she is a candidate for the Bachelor of Music performance degree at the Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Lucie Robert.

Andrzej Kunecki began studying violin at the age of six. In 2013, he received his Master in Music Degree from the Bacewicz Academy of Music in Lodz, Poland. Recently, Andrzej has finished his Artist Certificate Program at Azusa Pacific University where he had an opportunity to study the violin performance under Charles Stegeman and Nathan Cole. Alongside his solo work, he performed, as a concertmaster, with the APU Symphony, as well as with a variety of chamber groups. Outside of APU, Andrzej is a member of both the American Youth Symphony and the Young Artist Symphony Orchestra. Beginning in Fall 2016, Andrzej starts, as a Teaching Assistant, his Doctorate Program at the University of Kentucky.

Born in Seoul, Korea, Haeni Lee began playing the violin at the age of seven. She attended Sunhwa Arts School (2004-2007) and Sunhwa Arts High School (2007-2010) studying with Jong chul Kim with top honors. In 2010, she got into Seoul National University, where she worked with Ju-young Baek and received her Bachelor of Music degree. Also, Haeni Lee is the recipient of several prizes and awards, including a Sungjong National music competition and Eun Young music competition. In 2014, she then moved to the United States to earn her Master of Music degree with Mauricio Fuks at the Indiana University as a scholarship recipient. In the IU, she has been a concertmaster of IU Chamber Orchestra and won the concerto competition so she recently played with IU Concert Orchestra. Haeni will be starting her DMA degree in Austin Texas in the fall.

Violinist Nuri Lim recently graduated from Seoul National University with a bachelor's degree in violin performance under the tutelage of Ju-young Baek. Ms. Lim has made appearances at a various music festivals across the country, such as Aspen Music Festival, Sejong Music Festival, Academie Internationale d'Ete de Nice, Mozarteum Summer Academy, Festival Music Alps, Great Mountain Music Festival. She has performed recitals at Ujung Art Center and Ewon Cultural Arts Center. In 2015, she served as a concertmaster of the Seoul National University Symphony Orchestra. She won the first prize in the Music Association of Korea Competition, Eumyeon, New York Artists International Competition and actively participates in competitions worldwide.

James Vincent Masanotti is a violinist from Goose Creek, South Carolina. Starting his musical studies in the 6th grade, he went on to attend the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, SC. James then received a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Furman University, also in Greenville. Now living in Houston, TX, he is currently studying at the University of Houston for a Master of Music degree. James is a student of Dr. Kirsten Yon.

Bio and pic coming soon

Born in Seoul, Korea, Yelin Park started playing the Violin at 7 year-old. She received a certificate from Music Prodigy Academy in Seoul Arts Center and She graduated from Yewon Arts School and Seoul Arts high School. She graduated with honors Summa cum laude from Seoul National University at the top of her class. Also she was a full scholarship recipient. She was the first prize winner of Seoul National University Chamber music competition, Busan International Music Festival string competition and 2nd Prize winner of Korea Chamber Orchestra Competition. She was selected as prodigy musician by Kumho Cultural Foundation, so she performed at Kumho Art hall. Yelin Park is a first year Master's degree and she is studying with professor Lucie Robert at Manhattan School of Music.

A native of South Korean, Chu Kyung Park was recipient of the fellowship from the Nohup Cultural Foundation. Mr. Park appeared in masterclasses by Gil Shaham, Rong-Yan Tang, Michael Ludwig and Yael Weiss. As a devoted orchestra and chamber musician, he has been Principal of the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and performed regularly for the official banquet and dinner receptions held by former Korean presidents Mu-hyun Roh and Myung-bak Lee, with the selected members of the Korean National Police Orchestra. Since forming the Ilya Piano Trio in 2013, the trio was invited to perform at the DoCha Chamber Music Festival. Mr. Park is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree in string performance and literature at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign studying with Stefan Milenkovich. He is currently the violin Teaching Assistant at UIUC.

Carina studies Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and violin performance at the University of Michigan. She is a student of Aaron Berofsky and Kathryn Votapek. Originally from Little Rock, AR, she attended Interlochen Arts Academy where she studied violin with Paul Sonner. She is president of University of Michigan’s professional women’s music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota, an organization dedicated to spreading music throughout communities and fundraising for its many philanthropic efforts. She also enjoys scuba diving and will embark to South Africa after Texas Music Festival, to pursue work as a research assistant at a white shark research and conservation organization.

Angel Rhodes started studying violin at the age of 5 under the tutelage of Cindy Lin.  She has performed with multiple orchestras, including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.  She has won many scholarships and awards including first place in the Young Musician’s Competition.  She has participated in many festivals, including the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Brevard Music Festival and the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute.  Currently she is studying with Professor Oleh Krysa at the Eastman School of Music.   

My name is Mark Sanchez and I am from Fort Worth Texas. I have played the violin for 15 years now starting at 12 years old. My accomplishments on my instrument include participation in the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth, All State Orchestra, UIL Solo/Ensemble, recipient of the Aetheria Foundation Scholarship, and Fort Worth Civic Orchestra. My undergraduate degree was in Music Education at Baylor University and I am currently attending the University of Houston for Violin Performance. My dream career would be to both play in an orchestra and teach privately.

Harrison Schumann was born in Houston, TX and began his musical career at the age of 8 in Cody, WY. He was inspired to pick up the violin when he was told that his great-great-grandfather had played traditional folk music on the instrument. With this musical heritage in mind, Harrison continued to practice and perform on the violin in classical, folk, and other styles. After moving back to Texas and playing in the all-region and all-state orchestras, Harrison decided to pursue music at the college level. He currently attends Southern Methodist University and is majoring in Violin Performance and Geology.

Bio and pic coming soon!

Clara Treadway is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music at Northern Illinois University, under the instruction of Mathias Tacke. She began playing violin at age 8 in her hometown of Houston, Texas, and is thrilled to be back. This is her first year as a TMF Fellow.

Aishwarya Vijay began her violin studies at the age of four. During high school, she studied under Doris Preucil. Aishwarya attended Yale University, where she studied under Professor Kyung Yu and performed in Carnegie Hall as a member of the Yale Symphony Orchestra. She graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Currently, she continues to study under Professor Kyung Yu and performs as assistant concertmaster of the Yale Medical School Symphony. Aishwarya has worked with violinists such as William Preucil Jr, Paul Kantor and Brian Lewis. Aishwarya has founded a musical outreach program called Harmony@Yale which was recognized by MusicianCorps, a national music service organization. For Aishwarya, the pursuit of music has become a fundamental part of her inner self that is both fulfilling and relaxing.

Guolong Wang was born in Beijing, China. He started playing the violin with Mr. Fangping Zhu at the age 5. In 2009, he was accepted by the Central Conservatory of Music and studied with Professor Weidong Tong. During the school year, Mr. Wang was appointed as the concertmaster of China Youth Symphony Orchestra. He had lead the orchestra as the concertmaster in many concerts throughout Asia such as Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong and Macao. He was also a member of China Youth Chamber Orchestra during 2009-2011 season. In 2012, Mr. Wang received the first prize of the Hong Kong International Violin Competition and gave solo recitals after winning the prize. In the next year, he won the grand prize of Montecito International Music Festival. He attended many summer festivals such as 2012 Master Class & Music Festival in Poland, 2014 Meadowmount School of Music as a full scholarship student. In 2015, Mr. Wang came to the United States to continue his study in violin performance. He is currently studying in the Manhattan School of Music under Professor Lucie Robert.

James Watts, 23, is entering his final year at the University of Houston where he is pursuing degrees in both Chinese Language and Music. In addition to violin, he also plays piano, and is a serious recorder player. After his sophomore year at UH, he spent a year living and studying on full scholarship at the extremely prestigious Tongji University in Shanghai, where he had the opportunity to serve as the concertmaster of the Tongji University Symphony Orchestra and was even an extra in a Chinese blockbuster movie called For Love or Money. When he is not practicing violin, James spends his time knitting obsessively.

Esther Witherell, a 20-year old from Albany, New York, is currently working toward her Bachelor's of Music in Violin Performance at Ithaca College. Throughout high school, she was active in the Empire State Youth Orchestra and in 2012, traveled to China and South Korea with the ensemble, performing in major cities and at World Expo 2012. Last summer, she attended Rocky Ridge Music Center’s Young Artist Program in Estes Park, Colorado, and served as concertmaster of the orchestra there. She has studied with Elisabeth Silver, Michael Emery, Fritz Gearhart, Sylvia Ahramjian, William Terwilliger, and Susan Waterbury.

Undergraduate violinist Naxin Yin is pursuing her Bachelors of Music in Violin Performance at Manhattan School of Music. Naxin is the recipient of the Herbert R. and Evelyn Axelrod Scholarship at Manhattan School of Music and she studies with Professor Lucie Robert. Also, she was the concertmaster and the principal second in Manhattan School of Music Philharmonia and Composer Orchestra 2014-2015, meanwhile, she has been named to the Dean’s List 2014-2016.

Ke Zhu started to play the violin at the age 4 and 6 years later was accepted as one of the youngest violinist to “The Central conservatory of music” in Beijing with Prof. Weidong Tong until 2013 when he moved to the US to study with Lucie Robert. Ke is a prize winner of both the “2008 Menuhin International Violin Competition” junior division in England and the “2009 Tchaikovsky Violin Competition” for young musicians at the tender age of 14 and 15 years old winning respectively the 4th and 5th prize. He has since performed in numerous concerts in Canada, Poland, Singapore, Denmark, China and the United States. Mr. Zhu has also won the MSM Classical Concerto Competition in 2015 performing Mozart Concerto No.5 and just this year, as the youngest contestant won the 2016 Eisenberg-Fried String Competition. He will be performing the Shostakovich Concerto No.1 in the fall of 2016 in New York City. 22 years old, Mr. Zhu has participated in numerous music festivals including Kronberg Academy “a tribute of Yehudi Menuhin” in Germany, the Texas Music Festival in Houston, the Great Wall Festival in China and several others. He is currently in the class of Prof. Lucie Robert of the Manhattan School of Music since 2013 as a full scholarship student, and plays a “Antonius Sgarbi Domo” violin on a generous loan from MSM.

I am Orlando Barajas, and I was born on 07/28, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. I moved to Juarez when I was 10 years old, and I have lived here since then, I started playing the Viola when I was 12 . I started in a child orchestra called Esperanza Azteca, and there I met Mr. Guillermo Quezada, my first Viola teacher from 2011-2014. In Summer 2014 I started taking lessons with Dr. Stephanie Meyers, my current teacher. I am in college now at UTEP, majoring in Music Performance.

Violist Kevan Clarkston is a master’s student at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music studying with Professor James Dunham. He received a BM in viola performance and a BA in biology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City under the direction of Professor Scott Lee and Dr. Jackie Lee. Mr. Clarkston recently attended the Saint Lawrence String Quartet Seminar and the Chiara String Quartet’s Chamber Music Institute. Past achievements include competing in the IVC 2012 Young Artist Competition, winning the 2012 UMKC Concerto/Aria Competition, and performing in the finals of the 2010 International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition at Carnegie Hall.

Evan Cooper is an avid freelance musician performing at multiple venues in the Kansas City, Missouri area. Not limited to performing classical music, Evan is also proficient in bluegrass, rock, and jazz. He has also performed with the Enid Symphony Orchestra (OK), and the Saint Joseph Symphony Orchestra (MO). Evan attended Oklahoma State University for his Bachelors studying with Dr. Laura Talbott, Evan is currently a MAsters candidate at the University of Missouri Kansas City studying with Scott Lee.

A native of Shreveport, LA, Kyle began taking viola lessons at the age of eight through a local Suzuki music school. His keen interest in orchestral playing has led him to perform in places like Carnegie Hall in 2013 and 2014. Kyle is now a junior at the University of North Texas (UNT) earning a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance under the tutelage of Dr. Susan Dubois and Dr. Daphne Gerling. Aside from the UNT orchestras, Kyle enjoys performing with the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Monroe Symphony Orchestra, and Marshall Symphony Orchestra.

Violist Rachel Hall enjoys an emerging career as a chamber musician, recitalist, pedagogue, and orchestral player. Rachel received a Bachelor’s in viola performance at Cleveland Institute of Music, a student of Stanley Konopka, and is completing a Master’s in performance at Florida State University studying with Pamela Ryan. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, she began viola studies at age eight with former teachers Marilyn Seelman and David Holland. Mrs. Hall received additional instruction from Robert Vernon and Helen Callus. She works with FSU viola students as a graduate teaching assistant and served as an adjunct faculty member at Cuyahoga Community College.

Nickolas Kaynor is a graduate student of Daniel Avshalomov at the Manhattan School of Music. He studied with Robert Becker as an undergraduate at Chapman University. As a member of the Chapman Quartet, the Chapman Duo, and the Chapman Orchestra, Nickolas toured Nevada, California, Washington, New York, and Massachusetts. The Chapman Duo won Seattle’s Frances Walton Competition, and the Wildflower International Recording Competition. Nickolas won Chapman’s Concerto Competition and performed the Bartók Viola Concerto with the Chapman Orchestra in 2015. In his spare time, Nickolas can be found on the nearest trail mistaking oddly shaped branches for birds of prey.

Margaret Klucznik began her study of the viola at age seven. She was twice a member of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (2013 and 2014), where she served as assistant principal. Membership in that orchestra gave her the opportunity to work with James Ross, Carrie Dennis, Valery Gergiev, Joshua Bell, Beth Guterman-Chu, David Robertson, and Gil Shaham. While in high school, Margaret studied with Steve Larson at The Hartt School. She currently studies with Peter Slowik at Oberlin Conservatory, where she has just finished her sophomore year. Margaret loves cats and follows elite gymnastics.

Mariya Ksondzyk started playing violin when she was ten years old though she secretly always liked the viola more. In 2013, Mariya founded and managed Silver Strings, an ensemble that performs at events in the Seattle area and finally changed her primary instrument from violin to viola, though she still plays both. A student of Rictor Noren and formerly of Dr. Amber Archibald, Mariya is currently pursuing a BM in Viola Performance at The Boston Conservatory. A native of Ukraine, she is fluent in four languages and in her free time enjoys collecting unusual mugs.

Born and raised near Washington D.C. Samantha Peng loves music with a passion. She began playing viola at the age of nine, and decided to become a professional musician in high school when she became principal violist of the McLean Youth Orchestra. She is currently studying under Dr. Susan Dubois and Dr. Daphne Gerling at The University of North Texas pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance and Music Education. In her spare time, Samantha rock climbs to stay active.

Mason Spencer, 19, is from Cleveland Ohio. He has just finished his freshman year at Indiana University - Jacobs School of Music, where he studys Viola with Stephen Wyrczynski and is pursuing a Bachelors of Music in Viola Performance. Throughout high school; Mason was a student of Mark Jackobs, was a member of The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and The Contemporary Youth Orchestra. Mason was also the 2015 Young Soloist Concerto Competition Winner with the Suburban Symphony Orchestra

Melody is a highly motivated, cheerful and sociable individual. She switched to viola at the age of 15, joined the viola section of Singapore National Youth Orchestra and performed at Aberdeen Youth Festival, Scotland and Young Euro Classic in Berlin, Germany. She toured Germany with The Knights, a chamber orchestra from New York in 2012. She has played in masterclasses and taken lessons with Yuri Bashmet, Zhang Man Chin, Michael Klotz, Caroline Coade, Dimitri Murrath and John Hayhurst. Passionate about outreach and education, Melody has taught Music and English to children in Cambodia and Laos. She is currently doing her undergraduate studies in the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music studying Viola Performance with Mark Jackobs.

Shelby Thompson is a violist and recent graduate of the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. In her time at the Moores School, Shelby studied with violist, Wayne Brooks. With her focus on viola performance she served as principal and assistant principal of the Symphony, Opera and Ballet orchestras and was also an active member of the AURA New Music ensemble. Shelby maintains a studio of young violists and violinists in the Houston area. Shelby will be attend Florida State University in the Fall working on her Master's Degree in Viola Performance while playing as a member of the Eppes Quartet, FSU's graduate string quartet in residence.

Georgia Bourderionnet is a French-American cellist born in New Orleans. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance from the Eastman School of Music in the studio of David Ying. She has toured France with the Orchestre des Jeunes du Centre under conductors Jean-Marc Cochereau and Marius Stieghorst as well as the USA with the National Youth Orchestra of the USA (NYO-USA) under conductor David Robertson. While studying with cellists Jeanne Jaubert and Jee Yeoun Ko in high school, Georgia performed the Dvořák and Honegger cello concertos with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans and appeared on From the Top in Boston as a Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist. In France, she studied with Yovan Markovitch (Ysaÿe Quartet) and Edouard Sapey-Triomphe (Orchestre National de Lyon) in 2011 and 2012 at the Musicalta festival. She has performed in masterclasses with Yo Yo Ma, Jan Vogler, Peter Wiley, Guy Johnston, and Ludwig Quandt.

Sara Bravo was born on May 28th in 1994 in La Paz, Bolivia. She started her violin studies with her mother and first teacher Elizabeth Canedo Bravo at the age of 9, at 11 she changed the violin for the cello studies. During this period she studied in Bolivia with Dr. Eduardo Vargas, Mariela Cassano, Jane Daniels (US), Davide Payser (Spain) and Daniel Saenz (US) who has been his current professor since 2010 in person and by Skype. Sara Bravo entered the National Music Conservatory to be a cello student under Eduardo Vargas. At 14 she was admitted by audition for its titular conductor the American David Handel, to play in the major and most important Symphony Orchestra in Bolivia, The National Symphony. Since 2008 she is frequently invited as cellist to play at the National Symphony Orchestra of Bolivia; moreover, she was also a member of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia, and the Youth Orchestra of the National Music Conservatory. She attended the EMF (Eastern Music Festival) at Greensboro, North Carolina (2009) and the Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan (2010 and 2011). There she played in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra (Interlochen, MI) and the Guilford Symphony Orchestra (EMF, NC) under celebrated conductors, namely Jung-Ho Pak, Jose Luis Novo, Octavio Masarocas y Leonard Schwartz. She also took regular classes from Dr. Beth Vanderborgh, Dr. David Carter, Dr. John Marshall during these summer festivals. The past summer she attended the Master Works Festival in Indiana and took lessons from Alan Harrell, member of the Cleveland Orchestra. Also, she has been a member of the Youth Orchestra of the “Bolivia Clásica” project organized by the worldwide famous Bolivian-American pianist Ana María Vera since 2012.She also attended master and regular classes with renowned cellists and musicians from America and Europe like Eric Hosler (violinist, US), Adrian Brendel (cellist, UK) y Willem Stam (cellist, Canada) and Ana María Vera in the academic programs developed by the project “Bolivia Clásica”. In 2012 she was admitted as regular student of the School of Music of the Sam Houston State University with audition of the Lalo’s concerto in its 1st movement. More recently she has participated in master classes with Leonard Elschenbroich, Sharon Robinson, Aron Zelkowicz, and Vagram Saradjian. Sara is currently working on her Bachelor degree on cello performance.

Hernan Campa was born in Monterrey, Mexico and moved to Houston when he was 10. After listening to his middle school's orchestra, Hernan fell in love with the sound of strings and picked up the cello shortly after, at age 13, studying under Stephen Payne. He has participated in numerous orchestras and festivals since, including the 2013 Texas All-State Symphony, American Festival for the Arts, Eastern Music Festival, Houston Youth Symphony, Virtuosi of Houston, and Music for All's Honor Orchestra of America, gaining principal spots in the latter five. Currently, Hernan studies with Anthony Kitai at the Moores School of Music.

Cellist Hyewon Chang, from Seoul, South Korea is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music Degree at San Francisco Conservatory of Music with the mentorship under Jean-Michel Fonteneau. Hyewon started cello at the age of 18. She began her formal study for music in Kyungwon University for 2 years as a principal and her passion brought her to the United States to study at SFCM as get a scholarship from the school. She demonstrated her playing as one of the founding members of the Luminis Ensemble in 2011. She had placed second at the Seoul Universal Music Competition in 2012 and had participated in the Miami Summer Music Festival in 2015 as one of the full fellowship.

Hello, My name is Chentian Gu. I finished my Bachelor of Music degree at Shanghai Conservatory in 2013 and then I get accepted from Peabody Conservatory to study Master of Music degree for two years. Afterwards, I continue study Graduate Performance Degree at Peabody Institute until now. I was once the Principal cello in Shanghai Conservatory Symphony Orchestra. I study from BSO Cello principle Dariuz Skoraczewski all the time. I have been held three successful solo recitals at Peabody. I get the fellowships from Atlantic Music Festival, Pacific Region festival, Brevard music festival in each summer.

Christine R. Kralik is currently working on her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Cello Performance at Texas Tech University. She has greatly enjoyed being a member of the TTU Graduate String Quartet, performing various chamber works in many student recitals, and performing two of her own recitals this school year. She is currently a student of Jeffrey Lastrapes. Ms. Kralik received her Master of Music in Cello Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music studying under TCO cellist Richard Weiss, and her Bachelors of Music from the University of Utah as a student of Pegsoon Whang.

Hannah MacLeod began playing cello in her native Scotland around her fourth birthday, adding piano three years later. She continued her musical studies upon moving to her adopted hometown of Minneapolis in 2003. She spent a post-graduate year at Interlochen Arts Academy, having previously spent five summers at Interlochen Arts Camp. In May, Hannah graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University, with a B.M. in cello performance and a minor in linguistics. At NYU, she studied with Eric Jacobsen and Eileen Moon. Hannah interests include new music, music education and she has taught with UpBeat NYC, an El Sistema inspired nucleo. When not playing cello, Hannah can be found outside outside, running, cycling or swimming.

Robert Rosenfeld was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He picked up the cello at age 12, and began studying the instrument at age 14 with Lachezar Kostov. Since then, he has participated in several musical organizations and festivals, including the Houston Youth Symphony, Interlochen Arts Camp, Aria International Summer Academy, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. He has also studied privately with teachers such as Astrid Schween, Anthony Kitai, Wesley Baldwin, Alison Wells, Stephen Balderston, Marci Rosen, and George Neikrug. He has also studied chamber music with musicians such as Peter Zazofsky, Lucia Lin, Robert Merfeld, and Michelle LaCourse, and has played in chamber masterclasses for Jorja Fleezanis, Frank Huang, and Joel Smirnoff. Robert just completed his freshman year at the Boston Conservatory, studying under Andrew Mark.

Born in Hong Kong, cellist Hsin Hou Sun studied with Terry King at Longy School of Music and Ross Harbaugh at University of Miami. Orchestra experience includes Boston Civic Symphony, Wellesley Symphony and New England Repertory Orchestra. He had performed under the batons of Gustavo Dudamel, Giancarlo Guerrero, Leon Fleisher, Max Hobart and James Feddeck; honored to play masterclasses for Paul Katz, Natasha Brofsky, Matt Haimovitz, Hanani Yehuda, Richard Weiss, Roger Tapping, Ulf Schneider and the Simon Bolivar String Quartet. He is a passionate cello teacher at El-Sistema inspired programs in Boston and an avid advocate of performing classical music at public areas.

Charlotte Ullman graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in May of 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Cello Performance, as a student of Anne Martindale Williams. Most recently, she has attended Wintergreen Summer Music Academy, where she performed in a masterclass with Zuill Bailey. She has previously attended the Meadowmount School of Music, where she studied with Clive Greensmith. A Connecticut native, Charlotte has performed with New York Youth Symphony in Carnegie Hall and attended the Preparatory Division at Mannes. Charlotte will attend Southern Methodist University to work towards a Master’s degree in Cello Performance, as a student of Andrés Díaz.

Michael Fortner, from Houston, Texas, began the bass at age 10. His principal teachers include Christopher Burns, Donald Howie, and Eric Larson. He has previously attended the American Festival of the Arts, two Wabass Workshops with Ranaan Meyer, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and the 2015 Domaine Forget Academy in Quebec, Canada, where he studied with Francois Rabbath, Paul Ellison, and Etienne Lafrance. He is currently enrolled at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where he is a member of the bass studio of David Allen Moore. Following TMF, Michael will return for his second summer at Domaine.

Christopher was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cleveland State University where he studied with Charles Carleton and Derek Zadinsky. Recently he graduated with a master's degree from the University of Cincinnati - College-Conservatory of Music where he studied with Albert Laszlo. In previous summers he participated at the National Music Festival and Kent/Blossom Music Festival, among others. This summer he will return to Kent/Blossom and this fall he will continue his studies in Cincinnati to pursue an Artist Diploma.

Casey Karr currently resides in Chicago, where he is a regular member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and a Master’s of Music student under Andy Raciti at Northwestern University. He completed his Bachelor’s of Music at Oberlin Conservatory in 2015, where his primary teachers were Scott Dixon and Tom Sperl. Mr. Karr has previously been employed as Principal Bassist at both Opera in the Ozarks and the Wooster Symphony Orchestra, and has served as a substitute bassist in the Firelands Symphony Orchestra. In the summer of 2015, Casey was a member of the National Repertory Orchestra.

A South Korean native, Josephine Jihee Kim, 23, began her bass studies when she was 16. She attended prestigious arts boarding school, the Idyllwild Arts Academy. At Idyllwild, she studied with Chris Hanulik, principal bassist of the LA Philharmonic, and Jeremy Kurtz-Harris, principal bassist of the San Diego Symphony. Josephine has performed with orchestras such as the Greater Youth Orchestras of Dallas, Idyllwild Chamber Orchestra, the California All-State Philharmonic, and Peabody Conservatory Orchestra. Ms. Kim currently studies with renowned pedagogue, Jeff Weisner at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University.

Michael Martin is currently a senior at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music studying Double Bass with Tracy Rowell (Apollo’s Fire Chamber Orchestra). He hails from Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he began studying the double bass with Domenick Fiore (Allentown Symphony) in his freshman year of high school, and quickly pursued further studies concurrently with Joseph Conyers (Philadelphia Orchestra). His interests outside of classical music include running, coffee, reading, poetry, and the competitive console game Super Smash Brothers Melee. A favorite pastime of Mike's is drinking home-brewed, French-pressed coffee on Sunday mornings and watching It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Born in Bloemfontein South Africa, bassist Johann Schuster was raised in a family of musicians. Upon finishing his high school diploma Johann moved to the U.S to attend the Interlochen Arts Academy, where he studied with Principal Bass of the Michigan Lyric Opera, Derek Weller. With a BMus degree in music performance, Johann graduated from The Boston Conservatory in 2014 where he studied with Boston Symphony bassist Benjamin Levy. Johann is currently finishing his second season as a bassist in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and frequently works with Chicago Symphony Bassists Alexander Hanna and Robert Kassinger. In the Fall of 2016 Johann will attend the DePaul University School of Music to pursue his Masters Degree under the tutelage of Robert Kassinger.

A native of Marietta, Georgia, Dylan Stroud began his bass studies under late Atlanta Symphony Orchestra bassist Doug Sommer at age fourteen. He was a member of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra for three years. He has spent summers studying and performing at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, the Eastern Music Festival, and the Wintergreen Performing Arts Festival. Dylan went on to study Boston University where he studied under Boston Symphony Orchestra bassists Ed Barker, Jim Orleans, and Todd Seeber. He is currently finishing his undergraduate studies at Indiana University where he is a student of Bruce Bransby.

Eric Timperman is entering his fourth year of undergraduate studies at Indiana University, where he is pursuing degrees in both Music and Psychology. He holds the position of Assistant Principal Bass with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, and additionally has performed with the Columbus Indiana, Terre Haute, and Owensboro Symphony Orchestras. He has also performed on recordings for the Naxos label with the IU Chamber Orchestra and was a fellowship recipient at the 2015 Aspen Music Festival. Eric studies privately with former L.A. Philharmonic principal bassist, Bruce Bransby. He plays on a modern double bass made by Anton Krütz in 2003.

Pui Hang Natalie Man, from Hong Kong, is currently pursuing a Master of Music in harp performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she is a student of Yolanda Kondonassis. She earned an (Honours) Degree of Music in 2014 at The Hong Kong of Performing Arts studying with Ms. Dan Yu and Ms. Ann Huang. She also performed in masterclasses held by Ms. Susann McDonald, Ms. Skaila Kanga, Ms. Natalia Shamayeva, Ms. Isabelle Perrin, Mr. Xavier de Maistre, Ms. Naoko Yoshino. She has participated in summer festivals such as the Academie International de Courchevel in France. An avid orchestral musician, she was invited to performed with ensembles such as The Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, The SAR Philharmonic orchestra.

Cindy Qin is currently a harp performance major at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where she studies with Paula Page. Her previous private instructors include Trina Struble, principal harpist of the Cleveland Orchestra, Pingqiu Yue, her grandmother, and Ni Yan. Cindy has served as principal harpist in the Shepherd School Orchestras and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. She has played under the baton of Larry Rachleff, James Feddeck, and Brett Mitchell. She was invited to attend the Round Top Music Festival during the summer of 2015. In 2014, she performed at the World Harp Congress in Sydney, Australia. And she was a participant in Young Artist’s Harp Seminar and the Saratoga Harp Colony in 2013. Cindy made her solo debut with the Suburban Symphony Orchestra as the winner of their Concerto Competition in 2014. She is also the first prize winner of the San Antonio Tuesday Musical Club’s Young Artist's Competition in 2016.