< Back Previous John DiSanto Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 1, 2024 WATCH VIDEO John DiSanto is a versatile multi-woodwind performer based in New Jersey. He holds degrees from the Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts and New Jersey City University, earning a Master’s in multiple woodwind performance. He performs on all members of the saxophone, clarinet, and flute families, as well as bassoon. An active freelance artist in the New York area, John currently plays reed 3 on Broadway’s Disney’s Aladdin. He has held reed 2 on The Prom and Caroline or Change, and has performed as a substitute on over 30 Broadway productions. Other Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include Kid Victory (reed 2), The Unsinkable Molly Brown (reed 2), and Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular (reed 6). John is a longtime member of the Swingadelic Big Band, appearing on their recent album Bluesville, and has recorded with Charlie Rosen’s 8-Bit Big Band, as well as Broadway and Off-Broadway cast recordings. Orchestral appearances include the New Jersey Symphony, Princeton Symphony, Queens Symphony, and New Jersey Festival Orchestra. He has also performed with the Ron Aprea Big Band featuring Lew Tabackin at Birdland Jazz Club. John resides in New Jersey with his wife, Wendy, and daughter, Charlotte.

< Back Previous Charis Dimaras Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall June 30, 2026 WATCH VIDEO Equally at home as solo recitalist, chamber music collaborator and orchestra soloist, Greek concert pianist & conductor, Charis Dimaras, has appeared in many of the world’s leading venues (among them at Athens’ MEGARON Concert Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Brussels’ European Union Parliament, London’s South Bank Center, Salzburg’s Mozarteum, St. Petersburg’s Yusupov Palace, Beijing’s Egg, and New York City’s Kaufman & Lincoln Centers and Carnegie Hall) and in music festivals on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as in Turkey, Russia, Brazil, India and China. A veteran master-instructor, Dr. Dimaras currently serves as Professor of Piano and Collaborative Studies and as Keyboard Area Coordinator at Ithaca College and is the 2022 recipient of the institution’s most coveted teaching honor, its Teaching Excellence Award. In addition, Dr. Dimaras has long been sought after as a guest clinician for solo piano, chamber music, and vocal coaching master classes and as an adjudicator of competitions nationally and internationally. Finally, since 2024, he has served as resident piano faculty for the annual piano program of the Chautauqua Summer Music Institute. He holds bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in piano performance from London’s Royal College of Music and New York’s Juilliard School & Manhattan School of Music, respectively, and a master's in orchestral conducting from Bard College. He has also pursued advanced German Literature studies at the University of Athens.

< Back Previous Marin Vitas Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 1, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Marin Vitas (Split, 1989) holds a Master’s degree in solo singing from the University of Mostar, studying under N. Manuilenko and A. Pljevljak-Krehić. In 2016 he made his operatic debut in the comic opera Turia i Plamenko by B. Erceg. He subsequently appeared as a soloist in the choreo-drama concert Naracija i Opera, directed by I. L. Lema, and in the musical spectacle Mozart u vrtu, conceived and conducted by I. Tatarević. In Split, under maestro E. Mihajlović, he performed the role of Ottone in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea. He completed his graduate studies with a performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater at St. Paul’s Church in Cambridge, England. In 2019, as part of the concert series “Vinko Lesić” in Split, he earned distinction and was awarded a special prize—a masterclass with renowned Croatian mezzo-soprano Renata Pokupić. Throughout his studies Vitas regularly attended masterclasses and vocal seminars with esteemed pedagogues including Fiorenza Cedolins, Nelli Manuilenko, José van Dam, Radmila Bakočević, Egon Mihajlović, Daniela Schillaci, Renata Pokupić, among others. He continued his postgraduate development at the Academy of Music in Zagreb in the class of Renata Pokupić, with whom he performed in 2020 alongside the Croatian Baroque Ensemble (HRBA) at the Croatian House in Split. At the Academy he appeared in several projects as a soloist, including the opera Animal Farm (Snowball) under the baton of Mladen Tarbuk and directed by Krešimir Dolenčić, staged on the occasion of the Academy’s centennial and awarded the Rector’s Prize. Most recently, in autumn 2023, he performed J. S. Bach’s cantata Wiederstehe doch der Sünde with the Mostar Chamber Ensemble in the cathedrals of Mostar and Sarajevo. He continues his artistic development in Zagreb under the guidance of Željka and Neda Martić.

< 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.

< Back Previous Emily Greene Next Vocalist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall June 28, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Emily Greene has nurtured a passion for music, languages, and the performing arts from a very young age. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at Bowdoin College, where she studies classical voice under Christina Astrachan. Beyond her college studies, she continues vocal training in both classical and musical theater styles with Mary Johnston Letellier, having previously studied with Samantha Loomis and Paul Stickney. A versatile musician, Emily also plays violin, guitar, and piano—her first instrument, which she began studying at age five with Portland Symphony Orchestra violinist Deirdre Oehrtmann. Emily’s love for opera began in 2016, when she joined the children’s chorus for Opera Maine’s production of Carmen, blending her musical and linguistic passions. The following year, she contributed as a librettist to the original opera Girl in Six Beats, a collaboration between Opera Maine, The Telling Room, and the University of Southern Maine. She later became a member, and eventually coordinator, of Opera Maine Teens. Her performance credits span opera, musical theater, choir, orchestra, and dance. Recent stage roles include Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Antonio in Twelfth Night, Emma Carew in Jekyll and Hyde, and Gabriella Montez in High School Musical. She has performed Susanna in scenes from The Marriage of Figaro with Portland Conservatory of Music’s Opera Summer Scenes program, appeared as a guest vocalist for PCM’s Piano Palooza (2022), and sung both as soloist and ensemble member with the Southern Maine Choral Music Academy. She has also performed in recitals for Opera Maine Teens, district and all-state festivals for both violin and voice, serving as concertmaster of the District II Instrumental Festival and achieving the highest vocal audition score at the District II Vocal Festival (2023). In addition to her artistic accomplishments, Emily has excelled academically. In high school, she was inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society, French Honor Society, Latin Honor Society, and the National Honor Society, earning recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction. She received medals for the National Latin Exam (since 2020) and the Grand Concours (since 2013), as well as the B2 DELF Certification in French (2018). Emily performed at the 2024 Laureate Gala and is thrilled to be returning, continuing her journey as a dynamic young artist with a bright future in both classical and theatrical performance.

< Back Previous Annarose Atamian Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 24, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Annarose Atamian is a freelance dancer and choreographer based in the UK. She began her dance training in the United States before earning a Bachelor's in Dance at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. In the past year, she toured the UK, Switzerland, and Italy with VERVE, the postgraduate company of NSCD, performing works by Matteo Marfoglia, Joy Alpuerto Ritter, and LA’HORDE. Annarose continues to create and perform across America and Europe, bringing energy and innovation to every stage.

< Back Previous Mijo Chang Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 28, 2026 WATCH VIDEO Mijo Chang, from New York, NY, is 12 years old and currently studies piano with Donna Weng Friedman at the Mannes School of Music Precollege Division. She began playing piano at age six and was accepted to Mannes Prep at age seven, where she is now part of the Clara Mannes Scholars program. In 2026, she reached the final stage of the Mannes Prep Senior Concerto Competition. She also achieved the following: Royal Resonance International Music Competition (2026, Gold), Euro Elite International Music Competition (2026, Finalist), American Protégé International Concerto Competition (2023, 2nd Place).

< Back Melanie Ragge Oboe Learn More Videos About Melanie Ragge has performed nationally and internationally as a recitalist, chamber musician and orchestral player. She’s played in venues as far flung as Vancouver Island, Malta, and Northern Sweden as well as UK venues such as St John’s Smith Square, the Royal Opera House and Wigmore Hall. A founding member of the New London Chamber Ensemble, she has released several CDs, including Nielsen’s Wind & Piano Chamber Music. ‘…Performances and sound quality are outstanding in every regard’ International Record Review. Originally a medical student at King’s College Cambridge, Melanie ultimately graduated with a Master of Philosophy degree in Musicology. She was subsequently awarded a Leverhulme Fellowship at the Royal College of Music where she studied oboe with Michael Winfield, contemporary oboe with Edwin Roxburgh and piano with Phyllis Sellick. Melanie has since collaborated with numerous artists including the Dante, Schidlof and Emperor string quartets, pianists Ann Martin-Davis, Michael Dussek and Angela Hewitt, and baritone Gerald Finlay. Over the last few years, her performances have included recitals with Angela Hewitt and the New London Chamber Ensemble at Wigmore Hall, the premiere of the ensemble’s newly commissioned Nonet by Martin Butler with the Dante Quartet at the Cheltenham Festival, touring and recording Mahler’s 10th Symphony at Philharmonie Hall in Berlin with the International Mahler Orchestra, and recitals at the Royal Opera House with the Ellipsis Ensemble. Her most recent recording was a disc Martin Butler’s chamber music with the New London Chamber Ensemble and Navarra Quartet for NMC. She regularly coaches and gives masterclasses; she has been a guest tutor for numerous projects, including Chamber Music International, the Aberystwyth Music Festival, Hamburg Hochschule für Musik und Theater and the Penderecki Musik Akademie, and was for many years Associate Director and woodwind tutor for the National Youth Chamber Orchestra. As well as her work at the Royal Academy, she teaches at the Purcell School of Music, and coaches for Cambridge University. Her scientific interest continues in the form of ongoing research into the use of Electromyography to help to reduce strain injuries in musical training. In 2018, the New London Chamber Ensemble recorded Philip Cashian’s dectet Settala’s Machine in the Royal Academy of Music’s Angela Burgess Recital Hall, with Moriarty Winds, recent graduates, and Leverhulme Chamber Music Fellows at the Academy. With support from the Royal Academy of Music’s Research Department, Melanie Ragge commissioned film-maker David Lefeber to make a short film of the recording project, exploring the educational value of side-by-side projects in preparing young musicians for the profession. You can watch a film about Mel’s work developing her online teaching – From No Tech To High Tech – here: https://vimeo.com/352064378/78d0f118b5 You can view another short film of Melanie’s work with oboe students from the Royal Academy of Music, Creativity in a Crisis; lockdown miniatures by oboists at the Academy here: https://vimeo.com/459367076 You can see the film Settala’s Machine by Philip Cashian here: https://vimeo.com/352064378/78d0f118b5 or listen to the audio file here: https://soundcloud.com/nlce-1/philip-cashian-settalas-machine-for-wind-dectet-new-london-chamber-ensemble-and-moriarty-winds Previous Next

< Back Previous Alan Ma Next Pianist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 30, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Alan is a dedicated 13-year-old pianist with a deep appreciation for music and artistic expression. He began studying piano at the age of seven and has since built a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary repertoire. Through consistent practice and a love for performance, Alan continues to refine his technique and broaden his musical understanding. Beyond his musical pursuits, Alan maintains an excellent academic record and enjoys exploring literature, technology, and time with family and friends. He aspires to continue his musical journey by composing original works and pursuing a professional career in performance.

< Back Stephen Stirling French Horn Learn More Videos About Stephen Stirling is a renowned horn soloist. Since studying at the Royal Northern College of Music with Ifor James and later with Julian Baker, he has worked mostly in the rather rarefied world of chamber music. He enjoys an enormously varied career travelling all over the world, particularly relishing playing in unusual and far-flung places. Stephen is the Principal Horn of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. He has broadcast concertos on BBCTV and Radio 3, and appeared with orchestras such as the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Orchestra of St John’s, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with Richard Hickox, Sir Neville Marriner, Heinz Holliger, Iván Fischer and Douglas Boyd. His recordings of the complete Mozart Horn Concertos with the City of London Sinfonia are frequently broadcast on Classic fM. He has also recorded the virtuosic Double Horn Concertos by Vivaldi. Gary Carpenter’s marvellous new Horn Concerto was written for him and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and given its world and broadcast premiere in April 2005. Other recent first performances have included solo works by Martin Butler and Stephen Dodgson. Stephen has a world-wide reputation as a chamber musician being in constant demand at festivals in the UK and abroad. He is a member of Endymion Ensemble, The Fibonacci Sequence, Capricorn, Arpege and the New London Chamber Ensemble. His many critically acclaimed CDs include the first recordings with Endymion, of York Bowen’s Horn Sonata and his beautiful Quintet for Horn and Strings, and Mozart’s entire output for wind ensemble with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. CDs of horn quintets by Stanford and Dunhill have just been released. His second recording of the Brahms Horn Trio, with the Florestan Trio, was nominated for a Gramophone award and in the USA, Fanfare described it as the equal of any recording whether modern or ‘Golden Age’. Spring 2007 saw the release by Deux-Elles of Horn – rare works of chamber music featuring the horn, with the Fibonacci Sequence. Stephen is a professor at Trinity College of Music, London, on the faculty of the Yellowbarn Summer School in Vermont and a seasoned participant at the Dartington International Summer School. More information at www.stephenstirling.com Previous Next

Prominent Pianists Festival APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 7, 2023 June 4, 2023 - A djudications Live Stream June 25, 2023 - in-Person and Remote Hybrid Live Concer t at Penny Burchfield Art Gallery Auditorium in Buffalo, NY. Reguations Apply Open to Student Pianists of all ages and levels PIANO SOLOISTS, DUOS, & PIANISTS ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR TEACHERS MAY PARTICIPATE All adjudications will take place online Each pianist will receive a performance evaluation from an adjudicator during a live stream broadcast, and will receive a certificate of participation and achievement APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 7, 2023 Apply Reguations Divisions Ages 5-7 Ages 8-10 Ages 11-14 Ages 15-18 Adult Amateur division Collegiate Undergraduate division Collegiate Masters division Collegiate Doctoral division Repertory All pianists may play one or multiple selections within time limit. See Rules and Regulations for details Apply by May 7 The registration fee $35 Apply Reguations Recital In person & by remote simultaneously SELECTED PIANISTS WILL BE INVITED TO PERFORM ON OUR LIVE HYBRID RECITAL A newly innovative opportunity for pianists to perform live in person OR by REMOTE on the exact same program. The in person performances with a live audience will take place in the Penny Burchfield Art Gallery auditorium in Buffalo, NY. See MORE in REGULATIONS Apply Reguations PRIZES All participants will receive a certificate of participation and achievement. Other prize considerations will include… A live online performance opportunity produced by Virtual Concert Halls. This opportunity is a live performance given by remote, which will be live streamed for our audiences around the globe (SEE FULL REGULATIONS FOR DETAILS). A performance opportunity produced by Progressive Musicians and Virtual Concert Halls in the 2023-2024 season on the Laureate Gala at Carnegie Hall See MORE in REGULATIONS Apply Reguations JURY The Jury Panel is sponsored by Progressive Musicians. See website to learn more about Jury members www.progressivemusicians.com/judges Contact Feel free to contact us with any inquiries or questions Email: director@progressivemusicians.com Call/Text: +1-716-800-9819 See MORE in REGULATIONS Apply Reguations

< Back Michelle Lynne Piano Learn More Videos About Canadian pianist Michelle Lynne is known for her dynamic and exciting performances, connecting with audiences in a personal and touching way. Based in the Netherlands, she has performed across Canada and Europe. A frequent chamber musician, she is also in demand as a collaborative pianist and festival adjudicator. She is regularly invited to give masterclasses in International Schools across Europe with violist Deanna Petre as part of the Juilliard Global program. As Artistic Director of the concert series Opus 16 Concerten , she creates concert programs with other young professionals to connect and inspire audiences. She is the Co-Founder of The Fearless Artist Mastermind , a coaching program for professional musicians with co-facilitator Deanna Petre, where they work with musicians to equip them with skills needed to build successful careers as classical musicians. The recipient of numerous awards, she is a laureate of the Prix d’Europe, the Helene Roberge Competition (ARAM), the Canadian Music Competition, the Kiwanis Competition, the Shean Competition. Michelle has attended summer festivals across Europe, studying with renowned professors such as Julian Martin (Julliard), Claudio Martinez Mehner (Basel), Dominique Weber (Geneva), Klaus Hellwig (Berlin), Ferenc Rados, Marian Hahn (Peabody) and André Laplante (Conservatoire de Montréal). She received a Professional Studies Diploma and a Masters degree in piano performance from the Université de Montréal, studying with Dr. Jean Saulnier. She is inspired by new ideas, good conversation, travel and long walks with her cyprus poodle. Canadees pianiste Michelle Lynne is bekend vanwege haar dynamische en opwindende optredens. Ze verbindt zich met haar publiek op een persoonlijke en ontroerende manier. Ze ontving talrijke prijzen en is gelauwerd als winnares van Prix d’Europe , de Helene Roberge Competition (ARAM) , de Canadian Music Competition , de Kiwanis Competition , de Shean Competition en de University of Alberta Concerto Competition . Mevrouw Lynne trad op door heel Canada en eveneens in Nederland, Zwitserland, Duitsland, Kroatië, Spanje, Italië en Frankrijk. Michelle nam deel aan zomerprogramma’s in Italië, Banff, Spanje, Duitsland, en het Orford Arts Center, waar ze studeerde met befaamde professoren als Julian Martin (Julliard), Claudio Martinez Mehner (Bazel), Dominique Weber (Geneve), Klaus Hellwig (Berlijn), Ferenc Rados, Marian Hahn (Peabody) en André Laplante (Conservatorium van Montreal). Ze speelt regelmatig als kamermuzikant. Als veelgevraagd samenwerkend pianiste en jurylid, werd ze uitgenodigd om samen met violiste Deanna Petre masterclasses te geven in Zwitserland. Daarnaast is ze samenwerkend pianiste in de zangstudio van de vermaarde Gemma Visser (Eijsden). Michelle ontving een Professional Studies Diploma en een mastertitel in Piano Performance van de Universiteit van Montreal, waar zij studeerde met Jean Saulnier. Daarvoor studeerde ze aan de Universiteit van Alberta. Ze kreeg een LCCM (masterdiploma) van het Conservatorium van Canada en de Performers ARCT van de Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Ze is de artistiek directrice van Opus 16 Concerten , in Limburg, Nederland. Previous Next