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< Back Previous Kaiden Griggs Next colORCHESTRA and Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall Soloist with Orquesta Filarmónica Municipal de Guayaquil WATCH VIDEO Kaiden Griggs is a young rising star pianist residing in Vienna, Virginia. He began studying piano at age six, and he has studied with Dr. Anna Ouspenskaya since 2019. In November 2024 Kaiden made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City, performing the Saint-Saens Concerto Number Two with the Orchestra Manhattan, conducted by Karim Said. He is excited to perform internationally with the Guayaquil Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra. Kaiden is a freshman at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia. He participates in mathematics competitions and is a C-rated epee fencer. Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Soloist - Kaiden Griggs. Orchestra Manhattan, conducted by Karim Said. Saint-Saens, Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor

< Back Previous Marilyn Jia Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 24, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Marilyn Jia, violinist, began her studies at the age of six with James Greening-Valenzuela. A prizewinner in numerous competitions, her recent achievements include First Prize in both the Pelican International Competition for Young Musicians and the North California Young Talents Competition. Marilyn performs with the Young People's Symphony Orchestra in Berkeley, CA, and the East Bay Chamber Orchestra, where she has served as co-concertmaster. She recently completed Level 10 examinations in both the RCM and ASTACAP programs.

Learn more < Back Laureates Gala Sponsorship Laureate Gala will sponsor a limited number of Awards to soloists, piano, instrumental and vocal, for a performance at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. These Awards are provided by progressive Musicians and Virtual Concert Halls. The Award includes a fully sponsored performance on the Gala program of up to 5 minutes, plus: A Carnegie Hall Archival DIGITAL VIDEO of performance (see Regulations for acceptable uses as per by Carnegie Hall rules) Medals; Certificates Full color brochure (digital and printed) Complimentary tickets Winners will be interviewed by Steve Robinson, a world renowned producer of classical music radio shows Photos This Award is Sponsored by Progressive Musicians and Virtual Concert Halls Our team is constantly working to develop new outlets that provide musicians opportunities to learn, improve, and celebrate milestones. Currently we are hosting online competitions that provide each contestant with the expert feedback from professional musicians, and prizes ranging from our world-wide online showcases, to performing opportunities in some of the most prestigious performance venues around the world. We believe that it is important to recognize all of the instruction and support that went into the training and development of musicians. We also recognize the various rates of progress. Progress does not always happen at a steady rate. Progress may be quicker for some, and slower for others. Yet still progress may vary from person to person. As long as one is making progress, there will be milestones to celebrate. View More Visit Laureate Gala Page Previous Next

< Back Previous Yerin Lee Next Violinist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall February 17, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Yerin Lee, violinist, is an emerging artist whose expressive musicality and technical finesse have earned her recognition on international stages. She began her musical studies at an early age and continued her formal training at Chungnam Arts High School, where she graduated in 2023. Yerin has been recognized with numerous awards throughout her career. She was a Prize Winner in the 2023 Sound Espressivo Laureate Gala Audition, received First Prize at The 4th Review Concurs (2022), and Third Prize at the String Avenue Online International String Competition (2021). Earlier accomplishments include winning First Prize at the Chungnam Student Music Competition in both 2017 and 2018, reflecting her longstanding dedication to her instrument. Her artistic development has been shaped through studies and masterclasses with distinguished international musicians. In 2023, she studied with Martin Funda (Musikhochschule Stuttgart) and Andrey Baranov (Folkwang Universität der Künste). Previously, she has worked with Tomo Keller (Concertmaster, Academy of St Martin in the Fields), Jacqueline Ross (Guildhall School of Music & Drama), and Celia Waterhouse (BBC Symphony Orchestra). With a warm tone, refined technique, and a deeply thoughtful musical voice, Yerin Lee continues to build a promising career as a soloist and ensemble performer. She brings sincerity, depth, and passion to her performances, establishing herself as a rising talent to watch in the world of classical music.

< Back Previous Carolina Rodriguez Next Conductor Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall June 28, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Passionate about fostering creativity and collaboration, Carolina brings a unique blend of musical proficiency and artistic management to create impactful and harmonious performances. After earning a B.A. in Educational Sciences, Carolina completed piano performance degrees from Concordia and McGill University in Montreal and studied Dalcroze Eurhythmics at The Juilliard School in New York City. For over fifteen years, she performed as a piano soloist, in chambers and with orchestras. During this period, she also founded and managed the Tresonans Piano Trio. Carolina ventured as a cultural activist in 2016 when she launched ArteSana, a multimedia project focused on showcasing women whose lives healed through creative and artistic activities. A couple of years later, she was appointed as President of Concertando México, a philanthropic association providing music instruction to disadvantaged youth based on El Sistema in her hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico. In 2021, Carolina moved to Texas, where she completed a dual master’s program in Orchestra Conducting and Arts Leadership at the University of Houston. She will be conducting at Carnegie Hall for a second time this June. Carolina would like to serve and connect with others through music and the arts.

< Back Previous Joshua Gwon Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 25, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Joshua Gwon is an accomplished 11th-grade violinist at Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia. He began studying the violin at age five in Belgium under Isabelle Deschamps of the Belgium National Orchestra, continued his studies in South Korea with Joycelyn Tye, and later trained in Oklahoma with Dr. Marat Gabdullin, Assistant Concertmaster of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Currently based in the Washington, D.C. area, Joshua studies with renowned pedagogue Olga Khroulevitch. He has earned first-place honors in numerous prestigious competitions, including the Great Composers Concerto Competition, American Fine Arts Festival (performing at Carnegie Hall), American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition, Fairfax Arts Coalition for Education Solo Competition, YMIC Metropolitan Music Festival, NVMTA Concerto Competition, and NVMTA Achievement Competition. He also received Honorable Mention at the Army Orchestra Young Artist Competition and performed with the Army Orchestra in 2024 and 2025. Joshua has held the position of Concertmaster for his school and youth orchestras and participated in distinguished ensembles such as the Senior Regional Orchestra and Virginia State Orchestra. He further honed his leadership skills as Concertmaster during Peabody Institute Summer Chamber Week. Committed to giving back, Joshua volunteers performances at senior living facilities. Outside of music, he enjoys soccer and staying active.

< Back Previous Vinayak Vikram Next Composer Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall June 30, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Vinayak is a passionate young musician who finds deep joy in classical music. Over the past several years, he has studied both the recorder and the violin, and more recently has begun composing music in a focused and serious way. He plays the full family of conventional recorders—Sopranino, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass—and uses advanced instruments such as the Mollenhauer Modern Alto and Modern Soprano. With these, he has significantly extended the upper register beyond standard fingerings. Recently, he added the Helder tenor recorder to his collection, an instrument capable of covering the entire flute range. On the Helder, he has mastered rapid scales up to E7 and feels confident tackling flute repertoire. He has participated in numerous competitions and festivals, performing primarily on alto and soprano recorders. Notable achievements include winning 1st Prize in the Baroque Woodwinds Section of the American Virtuoso International Music Competition, which led to a performance at Carnegie Hall in September. For that event, he arranged and performed Bach’s Chaconne from the Partita in D minor. Additional awards include 3rd place in the American Talent Competition and 2nd place in the JS Fest International Competition, both with an arrangement of the third movement of the Sibelius Violin Concerto. He is also the only youth member of the Mid Peninsula Recorder Orchestra. In the fall, he began studying composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His work has already received international recognition: he won the Beeffie Award for Best Creative Video at the Beethovinci Online Music Competition, and earned a Gold Award for Best Original Composition at both the Reinecke and Beethovinci competitions, the latter for an original recorder quartet in G minor. He was also a regional finalist in the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Composer Competition with a string quartet in D minor. He has composed a wide variety of works, including solo pieces for recorder in A minor and E minor, concertinos for violin in A minor, and two symphonic movements—one for strings in E major, and one for winds in E minor. His compositional voice is inspired by Classical and Romantic composers like Mozart and Mendelssohn, as well as the beauty of nature. More recently, he has begun exploring elements of world music and drawing on his cultural roots for inspiration. As a violinist, he plays in the California Youth Symphony and served as concertmaster of the Intermezzi Ensemble last year. This orchestral experience has informed and enriched his approach to writing for chamber and symphonic ensembles.

< Back Previous Daniel Kuzuhara Next Pianist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall February 20, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Pianist Daniel Kuzuhara, born in Madison, Wisconsin, earned his Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studied under Dr. Karen Shaw. Prior to his graduate studies, he trained with Professor Anthony Padilla at Lawrence University, Julie Chang, and Karen Hill. He currently continues his artistic development under Maestro Sebastiaan Bijlsma at Tiziano Rosetti’s International Music Academy. Throughout his career, Daniel has received numerous awards and honors at local, national, and international competitions. His accolades include First Prize at the Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition, Grand Prize and First Place at the Rocky Mountain Summer Music Competition, First Prize in the International Music Competition “Vienna” Grand Prize Virtuoso, two Platinum Medals at the 2021 Quebec International Music Competition, a Platinum Medal at the Global International Music Competition, and Gold Medals at the 2021 and 2022 Grand Metropolitan International Music Competitions. He has also received First Prize at both the 2022 Tiziano Rosetti International Music Competition and the 2nd Swiss International Music Competition, as well as Second Prize in the Gloria Artis Competition in Vienna, the Franz Liszt Center International Music Competition, and the 2021 Music International Grand Prix. Locally, Daniel was the winner of the 2011 Neale-Silva Young Artists Competition, sponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio, where he was featured in a live broadcast performance. Daniel has appeared in recital across the United States and abroad, with notable performances at Carnegie Hall in New York and Musikverein in Vienna, Austria. In addition to his performing career, Daniel is the founder of Appassionato Music Studio, where he offers private instruction in piano and violin to students of all ages and levels. He is also a co-founder of the Apostle Island Trio, which gave its debut performance in 2017. Active in his community, Daniel frequently presents solo and chamber concerts and has taken leadership roles in local musical organizations. He currently serves as co-chair of the Madison Area Music Educators (MAME) Honors Festival and is the former treasurer of the organization.

< Back Previous The Bayberry String Quartet Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall July 1, 2024 WATCH VIDEO The Bayberry String Quartet, known for its dynamic performances and fresh interpretations, celebrates the power of chamber music to unite, inspire, and delight audiences. Now in its eighth season, BSQ continues to captivate listeners in prestigious concert halls across the country, including Carnegie Hall, the Chautauqua Institution, and Lincoln Center. Beyond the stage, the quartet expands its artistic reach through innovative online collaborations—most notably its genre-blending rendition of Edgar Winter Group’s Frankenstein—and through the Bayberry String Quartet Listening Guide, a distinctive educational resource created to enrich listeners’ appreciation of the string quartet tradition. Nurit Pacht Violin Violinist Nurit Pacht is an acclaimed artist and prizewinner at major international competitions, including the Irving Klein International Music Competition in California and the Tibor Varga International Violin Competition in Switzerland. Her career has placed her center stage at significant world events, among them the European Conference inaugurating the Euro in Brussels. Under the auspices of the European Commission and the United Nations, she toured the former Yugoslavia during the 1996 cease-fire. In 2015, she performed for Pope Francis during his visit to New York and later embarked on a U.S. State Department–funded recital tour of Ukraine. Pacht has collaborated with visionary artists such as stage director Robert Wilson and choreographer Bill T. Jones, and she has worked closely with many of today’s leading composers. She has toured internationally as a soloist with orchestras including the Houston Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Rhode Island Philharmonic, and Israel Chamber Orchestra. Israeli composer Noam Sheriff dedicated his violin concerto Dibrot to her, which she performed in several of Israel’s most prestigious venues. Also an accomplished baroque violinist, Pacht holds a master’s degree from Juilliard’s Historical Performance program. Her recordings appear on Nimbus Records and Toccata Classics. Steffani Kitayama Violin Violinist Steffani Kitayama is a dynamic performer, educator, and dancer, currently dividing her time between the concert stage, the teaching studio, and performing with a small ballet company in Michigan. She holds performance degrees from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music and Northwestern University, studying under Won Bin Yim and Blair Milton. During her recent years in Washington, D.C., she performed with the Grammy-nominated Inscape Chamber Orchestra, the New Orchestra of Washington, and in chamber music collaborations across the United States. A devoted chamber musician, she has worked closely with distinguished artists including Mathias Tacke of the Vermeer Quartet, Yo-Yo Ma, Simon Fischer, Peter Salaff, and members of the Cavani Quartet, Lincoln Trio, and Artemis Quartet. Kitayama’s teaching experience spans a wide range of settings—from public-school outreach programs and group classes to individualized private instruction. She currently maintains a thriving private studio with her husband, violinist Gabe Bolkosky, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is a sought-after teacher at institutes throughout the U.S. and abroad. Gabe Bolkosky Viola Violist Gabe Bolkosky has built an inspiring career as both performer and educator, sharing his artistry across the United States and internationally. Though known primarily as a violinist, Gabe brings remarkable versatility to the stage, performing classical and contemporary works alongside collaborators from a wide range of musical traditions. He has released seven CDs that highlight the breadth of his musicianship, spanning contemporary music, jazz, tango, and traditional classical repertoire. Over two decades of teaching and performing, Gabe spent six years as a Guest Artist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he taught violin and chamber music. He also served as Executive Director of The Phoenix Ensemble, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting artists and educational institutions. Gabe is the founder and director of PhoenixPhest! Grande, two inclusive chamber music festivals held each May and August, are designed to welcome musicians of all ages and levels into a supportive and vibrant community. Most recently, he founded Musicians Take a Stand, an organization that empowers musicians to present concerts for humanitarian causes and use social media to amplify support and fundraising efforts. Laura Usiskin Cello Cellist Laura Usiskin has shared her artistry across North America and Europe, performing in such renowned venues as the Kennedy Center, Alice Tully Hall, Palazzo Chigi Saracini in Italy, Weill Recital Hall, and BargeMusic. Equally passionate about early music and contemporary creation, she has performed as a Baroque cellist and has premiered or commissioned dozens of new works throughout her career. In 2011, Laura founded the Montgomery Music Project, an El Sistema–inspired program providing intensive string instruction to hundreds of low-income students across three counties in Montgomery, Alabama. She has held orchestral positions with the New Haven Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, and Orchestra Iowa. In addition to being a member of the Bayberry String Quartet, Laura is a core performer with Atlanta’s acclaimed new-music ensemble vim. She has served on the faculties of the University of Alabama at Birmingham—where she founded the concert series Chamber Music @ AEIVA—and Birmingham-Southern College. Laura graduated cum laude from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Behavior, earned her Master of Music from The Juilliard School, and completed her Doctor of Musical Arts at the Yale School of Music, where she was awarded the prestigious Aldo Parisot Prize. Photo credit: https://bayberrystringquartet.com/

< Back Rita D'Arcangelo Flute Learn More Videos About Rita d'Arcangelo is the first prize in numerous international competitions, she made her debut as soloist in 2011 at the Carnegie Hall in New York. She's one of the few flautists to have in repertoire the Concierto Pastoral by J. Rodrigo. She recorded for the German radios SR2, SWR and WDR, the Japanese National Television NHK and for the Vatican Radio. As a first flute she worked at the "HPAC Orchestra" and the Osaka Philarmonic Orchestra in Japan; Filharmonia Gorzowska, the United Chamber Orchestra and the Kammersolisten der Deutschen Oper Berlin. She's a flute Professor at the Department of Music of the German State University BTU – Cottbus, at the private University Akademie für Musik Berlin where she is also Head of Department for Orchestral Instruments. Rita is also guest professor at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan and member of the jury for the Grammy Awards of the Recording Academy USA. She regularly holds masterclasses in Japan, Europe and the U.S.A. Rita D'Arcangelo is a Nagahara Flutes Artist and plays on a beautiful instrument crafted expressly for her by Kanichi Nagahara Graduated in flute, with honors, at the Conservatory of Music "L. D'Annunzio " in Pescara (Italy), she then graduated also at the "Royal Northern College of Music "in Manchester, “ the International Academy of Music in Milan " and " the Hochschule fuer Musik” in Mannheim. Rita studied with Sir James Galway for many years, following the masterclasses of the Weggis Flute Festival in Switzerland, where she won the gold Nagahara 14K flute headjoint in 2008 and was invited as Guest Artist in 2016 and 2019 Previous Next

< Back Previous Kenneth Zhang Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 24, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Kenneth Zhang, age 13, from Orinda, CA, is a violinist and pianist. A longtime student of James Greening-Valenzuela, he was selected as a soloist for Berkeley's Junior Bach Festival and has won multiple top prizes in competitions, including the Charleston International Music Competition, North California Young Talents Competition, San Francisco International Innovative Music Competition, Pelican International Music Competition, and DVC/HNU String Competition. Kenneth currently attends the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, CA.

< Back Previous Terrence Darnell Nelson Next Collaborative Pianist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall February 17, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Terrence “Ray Boy” Nelson is a multifaceted producer, musician, and arranger whose versatility and creative vision have shaped his distinctive sound. A gifted multi-instrumentalist, he is fluent on keys, drums, bass, and percussion, enabling him to craft music from the ground up with a signature blend of innovation, groove, and emotional depth. Known for his ability to produce and perform across genres, Terrence’s work reflects a dynamic range and an intuitive ability to capture the vibe and spirit of the moment. As a producer, Terrence has contributed to projects for both emerging and established artists, with his musical reach extending beyond the United States to collaborations as far as Tel Aviv, Israel. He is widely recognized for his tenure as the resident keyboardist and bassist for Notorious, the house band for BET’s 106 & Park, a role that brought his musicianship to a national audience. Terrence is endorsed and affiliated with organizations including iStandard Producers, Urban Network, and ASCAP. Passionate about music education, he also dedicates time to mentoring and teaching students, emphasizing both the craft and the heart of musicianship, while continuing to learn from artists across generations. As the CEO of RayBoy Productions, LLC (founded in 2006), Terrence continues to produce, perform, and expand his artistic footprint. His current independent artistic endeavor, The RayTerry Project, showcases an eclectic collection of original work that he wrote, produced, and performed. Blending harmonious melodies with thought-provoking, heartfelt lyrics, the project affirms his identity not just as an artist, but a “HEARTist”—a title lovingly given to him by his supporters. A proud native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Terrence carries his moniker “Ray Boy” in honor of his father, L. Ray Nelson—a tribute to legacy, love, and the foundation that continues to inspire his work.