< Back Previous Mǎdǎlina-Claudia Dǎnilǎ Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall July 1, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Mǎdǎlina-Claudia Dǎnilǎ is an internationally acclaimed concert pianist known for her profound artistry and versatility. She has won top prizes in prestigious competitions, including the International Piano Competition in Vigo, Spain, and the Charleston 20th Century Music Competition. As a member of the celebrated ‘Mada & Hugh’ Piano Duo, Mădălina has captivated audiences worldwide with her mastery of a diverse repertoire. In 2024, she was awarded a scholarship to the Ruhr Klavier Festival, generously donated by legendary violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, along with an invitation to make her solo debut at the festival. Mădălina’s expertise extends to historical instruments and performance practices, enriching her concerts and informing her teaching. As a dedicated instructor at Cunningham Music School, she nurtures the next generation of pianists, sharing her knowledge and passion. Beyond music, Mădălina embraces travel, painting, and literature, which continue to inspire her artistic vision. From her roots in Romania to her exploration of works such as George Crumb’s Makrokosmos, she has established herself as a distinguished pianist, educator, and versatile artist on the international stage.

< Back Previous Alexis Min-Gi Perrin Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall February 19, 2026 WATCH VIDEO Alexis Min-Gi Perrin, age 11, is a French Korean boy living in Singapore. He began his piano studies at the age of 7 and is currently in 6th grade at the International French School of Singapore. He entered his first competition at the age of ten, and earned 1st place in the BTDA (Brilliant Talent Discovery Awards) of Singapore and 2nd place in the International Schubert Competition Vienna. Outside of music, Alexis enjoys playing in a football league and loves reading and playing Chess. He is also a junior black belt in Taekwondo.

< Back Yael Weiss Piano Learn More Videos About A captivating presence on the concert scene, award-winning Israeli-American pianist Yael Weiss has been hailed by many of today's greatest musicians and critics for visionary interpretations of surpassing depth, immediacy and communicative power. Following a recent recital, the Washington Post portrayed her as “a pianist who delves deeply and tellingly into that cloudy area where fantasy morphs into improvisation, inventiveness being common to both.” Ms. Weiss has performed across the United States, Europe, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and South America at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Benaroya Hall, Moscow’s Bolshoi Hall and London’s Wigmore Hall. Her New York recital debut, presented by the Metropolitan Museum, was acclaimed by the New York Times as, "remarkably powerful and intense . . . fine technique and musicianship in the service of an arresting array of music." Ms. Weiss has appeared as soloist with many international orchestras, including the Prague Chamber Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony, Israel Chamber Orchestra, and the Brazil National Symphony, to name a few. She is also in demand at international music festivals, such as Marlboro, Ravinia, City of London, Banff, Parry Sound, Caramoor, Hornby Island Festival, Changwon International Festival, and the Seattle Chamber Music Festival. A significant part of Ms. Weiss’s current touring schedule is devoted to her international commissioning and performance project, “ 32 Bright Clouds: Beethoven Conversations Around the World ” . This groundbreaking endeavor brings together composers from 32 countries of conflict and unrest throughout the world, joined together in sending a message of oneness and peace. Each new composition is inspired by one of Beethoven’s 32 Piano Sonatas, and the entire cycle of new works is unified by a single “peace motif” from Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis. Ms. Weiss has presented “32 Bright Clouds” recitals in Korea, Cuba, Austria, Canada and in venues throughout the US, performing programs that combine Beethoven with new works from around the world. Her 2020 recital for the Smithsonian Institution was featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and was attended by audiences internationally via YouTube Premiere. An advocate for the power of music in the service of peace, Yael Weiss has been interviewed on the WWFM Classical Network’s “A Tempo” and “Between the Keys” shows. She has also been a frequent guest on American Public Media’s Performance Today and St. Paul Sunday, on the BBC in London, and on New York’s WQXR and WNYC. Her 2016 recital from the National Gallery was selected for broadcast on WETA’s “Front Row Washington”. She has appeared numerous times on Israeli television, and presented a recital filmed live for NHK television in Japan. Weiss’s discography encompasses piano works by over a dozen composers, with such releases as “Robert Schumann: Piano Works” and “88 Keys to Joy”, on the Koch International Classics label. In 2021, Toccata Classics released her premiere recording of Aviv : Concerto for Piano and Chamber Orchestra, written for her by composer Joel Feigin. Ms. Weiss is also devoted to chamber music, and tours worldwide with violinist Mark Kaplan and cellist Peter Stumpf as the Weiss-Kaplan-Stumpf Trio . Their recordings of complete Beethoven Piano Trios will be released in 2023 on Bridge Records. The Trio’s discography also includes CDs of Brahms, Smetana, Chihara, Lansky and Lerdahl trios, as well as a new-music release, “An American Tour”, featuring world premiere recordings of compositions by American composers Schoenfield, Chen Yi, Auerbach and Newman. Ms. Weiss has been honored with distinguished prizes from the Naumburg International Piano Competition and the Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Piano Competition. She is a recipient of the Presser Award as well as grants from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation. She studied with Richard Goode and Edward Aldwell at the Mannes College of Music and with Leon Fleisher and Ellen Mack at the Peabody Conservatory. Yael Weiss has presented master-classes for top institutions worldwide and served on the faculties of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, UC Santa Barbara and the Heifetz Institute. Away from the piano, Yael Weiss is an avid runner, regularly taking part in marathons and other long-distance races. Born in Israel, she currently makes her home in New York City. Previous Next

Sound Espressivo 2023-24 Season Application Form Please fill out an Application Form below. Click on a button with the name of your Audition or Competition. The button takes to the Application Form for that event. Read the Regulations, fill out required fields and check required boxes. Looking forward to receiving your Application and Video! Apply to Carnegie (Solo, Ensemble) Apply to Carnegie (with Orchestra) Apply to Carnegie as Composer Apply to colORCHESTRA with Orchestras Laureate Gala at Carnegie Regulations Consent Form

< Back Previous Qianci Liu Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 21, 2023 WATCH VIDEO Qianci Liu earned her master’s degree in cello performance from the Manhattan School of Music under Prof. Marion Feldman, and her bachelor’s degree from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music under Prof. Jiuhe Chen. With more than fifteen years of experience in the performing arts as a performer, instructor, composer, recording artist, and concert producer, she currently serves as the Executive Director of the Paulus Hook Music Foundation, the New York Big Apple Music Festival, and the New York International Symphony Orchestra. Qianci has performed as a cellist with the Shanghai Opera House Orchestra and served as principal cellist for the Broadway musical The Lion King (Shanghai Tour, 2005). She appeared as a soloist at the Shanghai Bund Lights Show Walking on the Bund and has been featured in numerous recording projects, including the Global Music Award–winning album On and Between composed by Zhen Chen, and the soundtrack Wait for Me for China Central Television. Her commercial album credits include A Cellist in Shaoxing Road, Xian Qin, Little Reunion, and Pray for the World. As a composer, her recent work includes the musical animation Lily, to Mom and Candy for cello and jazz band. On October 15, 2023, Qianci made her Carnegie Hall Zankel Hall debut in the concert Wandering Melody with the New York International Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Elias Miller.

< Back Previous Allison Li Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 25, 2025 WATCH VIDEO From her first violin lesson at age five, Allison has been deeply immersed in music, making the instrument a central part of her life. Now 14 and a freshman at Paul VI Catholic High School, she studies under the guidance of Olga Khroulevitch in Falls Church, Virginia, honing her technique and artistic expression. Allison’s dedication to her craft is reflected in her success in numerous competitions across the DMV area, where she has consistently distinguished herself among her peers. With a profound passion for music, she is committed to pursuing her dream of a lifelong career as a violinist, bringing artistry and devotion to every performance.

< Back Previous Laura McCormick Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 4, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Laura McCormick, 17, from Brisbane, Australia, began her journey in the arts at age three with dance lessons and started piano at age seven. Since 2019, she has studied piano under Miss Sonya Visser and is currently pursuing AMEB Theory of Music with Dr. Lisa Cheney. This year, Laura won the International Prominent Pianists Festival and will have the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall in April 2024. After completing Year 12, she will begin a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 2024. Laura aspires to become a concert pianist, traveling the world and sharing her passion for music.

< Back Previous Joel Chen Next Pianist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall February 17, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Joel, a 16-year-old pianist currently in the 11th grade, has been studying piano with Dr. Anna Ouspenskaya since 2016. Over the years, he has developed a mature musical voice and a strong stage presence, performing at major venues including Carnegie Hall on multiple occasions. In 2019, Joel won 1st place in the Little Mozarts International Competition performing Balakirev (Balanchivadze) Piano Concerto No. 3, Mvt. 3, which led to his debut performance at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, where he performed Clementi’s Sonatina Op. 36 No. 6, Mvt. 1. The same repertoire also earned him 2nd place in the Great Composers International Competition series — The Music of Eastern Europe and Masters of Sonata. In 2020, Joel received 1st place in the American Fine Arts Festival with Kabalevsky’s Piano Concerto No. 4 “Prague,” Mvt. 1, and was selected for the Orpheus Classical Recording Project. He continued gaining international recognition, earning 3rd prize at the Knabe International Piano Concerto Competition (2022) with Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Mvt. 1, and 2nd place in the GCC The Art of Piano Competition. In 2023, Joel won 3rd place in Best Mozart Performance with Concerto No. 22, Mvt. 1, 2nd place in the Glory International Music Competition, and received an Honorable Mention in the American Music Talent Competition. That May, he returned to Carnegie Hall to perform Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G. Also in 2023, Joel won 1st place in the American Fine Arts Festival International Concerto Competition with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22, and performed Beethoven’s Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1, Mvt. 1 at Carnegie Hall later that year. He additionally earned 3rd place in the Best of Beethoven Competition 2023. Most recently, in 2024, Joel received an Honorable Mention at the NVMTA Concerto Festival for his performance of Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2, Mvt. 1, and won 1st place in the Sempre Musick International Concerto Competition 2024, where he performed the same concerto with orchestra in May 2024. Joel continues to develop his artistry and technical mastery, pursuing performance opportunities and preparing for a future career as a concert pianist.

< Back Previous Ayla Moreno Next Pianist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 26, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Ayla began studying piano and violin at the age of three, making her orchestral solo debut at six with the Tucson Civic Orchestra performing Berkovich’s Piano Concerto. The following year, she performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra and with the Tucson Repertory Orchestra during their tour in Japan. In 2022, at age ten, she performed Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra, followed in 2023 by Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Orquestra do Algarve in Portugal under Maestro Maurizio Colasanti. Ayla has participated in numerous prestigious music festivals, including the Cleveland Institute of Music Young Artist Seminar, the Chopin Festival in Poland, the Philadelphia International Music Festival, Heifetz PEG, Colburn Piano Seminar, Sima Classics in Poland, and the Piano Concerto Festival, studying with distinguished teachers and performing in orchestral and recital settings. She also enjoys performing at the annual Tucson Folk Festival. Ayla has won awards in national and international competitions, including the Chopin International Piano Competition (Hartford, CT), the Young Artists’ Competition by the Civic Orchestra of Tucson, the Dorothy Vanek Youth Concerto Competition (Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra), the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, the WPTO Spain International Piano Competition, the Sound Espressivo Competition, the Frantz Liszt Center International Piano Competition, and the Charleston International Music Competition, among others. She is an active member of the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra and studies piano with Dr. Kyungsun Choi and violin with Dr. Laura Tagawa. Outside of music, Ayla enjoys playing chess and taking dance classes.

< Back Devin Patrick Hughes Conductor Learn More Videos About Highly regarded for his exhilarating score interpretations, advocacy for music accessibility, innate passion and entrepreneurial vigor, Devin Patrick Hughes is an American orchestral and operatic conductor of Irish and Guatemalan descent. He is concurrently serving as Music Director and Conductor of the Boulder Symphony and Arapahoe Philharmonic . Previously he has held artistic leadership positions with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association, Denver Young Artists Orchestra, and Denver Philharmonic Orchestra. Devin was recently invited to the Antal Dorati Conducting Competition and featured in Maestro, the Solti International Conducting Competition as a semi-finalist in Budapest. He was the only American selected with eleven other conductors worldwide to compete in the Toscanini International Conducting Competition , and was a conducting fellow at the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen . He has conducted orchestras across North America and Europe including the Winnipeg Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Des Moines Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Salina Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, San Antonio Symphony, Green Bay Symphony, Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, and Orchestra of the Hungarian State Opera. In response to COVID-19, Devin has created multiple programs connecting orchestras to their communities including the Virtual Virtuoso Series & Music Connects Series , partnering with organizations such as Balfour Senior Assisted Living and Community Food Share to produce performances and dinners both virtually and live. In addition to producing outdoor and drive in concerts, including Boulder Arts Outdoors , Brass in the Park-ing Lot , and the world-renowned Takács Quartet, Devin can be heard on One Symphony , his new podcast amplifying the voices of composers and other artistic entrepreneurs. Devoted to music existing for a greater communal purpose, Devin attracts and creatively engages audiences of all stripes by bringing the stories behind the music to life and inspiring critically acclaimed performances. Showcasing his passion for outreach, Devin founded and developed a high school apprenticeship program, a community chamber music initiative and play-in, a summer camp for all ages, and has held benefit concerts for organizations such as the Red Cross , Oxfam International , Cultures in Harmony , and the Colorado Haiti Project . He has also served as an AmeriCorps tutor, mentor and coach for Nothing But Achievers , and the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony, where he arranged spirituals for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. March, and created the Boulder Symphony Music Academy , which offers an environment in which students of diverse backgrounds and ages have the opportunity to explore their unique musical talents and to bring the best of themselves, their creativity, and their intellectual skills to their music and life, Devin has partnered to make music more universally accessible through organizations such as Carnegie Hall’s LinkUp , I Have A Dream , Circle of Care, Freemasons, Boulder Muse , El Sistema , Flatirons Strings Academy , and Pinnacle Charter School in Denver. Through the Glow Project and other sensory-friendly performances geared to those with autism and dementia, Devin has created programs tailored to those who cannot experience the full sound and stimulation of a symphony live. He has chaired multiple foundational competitions nurturing the development of young performers, composers, and conductors, and serves as guest clinician for multiple school districts across Colorado. Aside from Devin's frequent appearances as a clinician and speaker, he has taught courses at the Denver Academy for Lifelong Learning and the Music Schools of the University of Denver, Ithaca College in New York, and New Mexico School for the Arts and serves as an annual guest artist and adjudicator with the International Keyboard Odyssiad and Festival and Sound Espressivo Global Music Competition . Equally active in choral and operatic repertoire, Devin has made community collaborations a recurrent part of orchestral life. He has combined local orchestras, businesses and non-profits to begin a community-based opera program which combines seasoned operatic professionals with aspiring artists and enthusiastic community members to create unique operatic experiences. This grassroots opera initiative based in Colorado attracts dozens of vocalists nationwide per season for critically acclaimed opera and operetta productions along the Front Range, and spawned a new Opera Chorus that performs with orchestras across the region. Among others, Devin has led productions of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Puccini’s La Bohème, Bizet’s Carmen, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Brahms’ German Requiem, and has also premiered choral-orchestral works by living composers such as Ozie Cargile, Austin Wintory & Gregory T.S. Walker. A zealous performer and promoter of the music of our time, Devin has fostered multiple composer-in-residency programs premiering dozens of new works. He has also constructed innovative avenues to bring new music to the forefront of the classical music scene. Under his baton, the Arapahoe Philharmonic and the Boulder Symphony have soared to new artistic heights and become a centralized hub for community-wide outreach and education initiatives, major collaborations, operatic performances, and premieres and recordings of exciting new music. Dedicated to highlighting local composers and exploring the interplay of music, theatre, art, and dance, Devin also commissioned and performed multiple musical responses to exhibitions in the Museum of Contemporary Art during Denver Arts Week . Recently Devin has brought premieres of award winning composer Sarah Kirkland Snider’s music to Colorado and initiated a collaboration between abstract painter Will Day and composer Jonathan Bingham which resulted in music and art extemporaneously being created in real-time in collaboration with the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. As a civic-minded citizen and ambassador for the arts, Devin was appointed by City Council to serve as Arts & Culture Commissioner for the City of Boulder . Devin’s education includes studies at Ithaca College School of Music, University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, Grinnell College, Vienna Conservatory of Music, and Ball State University. See Devin Patrick Hughes on 9News! Listen to Devin Patrick Hughes on One Symphony Previous Next

< Back Previous Jonathan Li Next Flutist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall February 17, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Jonathan Li is an emerging flutist who performs as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. He has served as Principal Flute in the NYSBDA Honor Band, Area All-State Orchestra, and All-County Band, as well as with his school’s wind ensemble. He has given a featured recital at Hatch Recital Hall at the Eastman School of Music, and has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RPYO). Jonathan is also a recipient of an Eastman School scholarship, recognizing both his artistry and dedication to his craft.

< Back Previous Alexander Farng Next Cellist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall February 20, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Alexander Farng is a seventh-grade student at Frontiers Academy Trilingual School. He began studying the cello in fourth grade under the guidance of Mr. Sangwon Cho. Since then, he has distinguished himself in numerous prestigious competitions, including CalASTA, SYMF, the Satori Music Festival, Musical Arts, the Charleston Music Competition, and the Global International Music Competition, among others. Alexander is also a member of the Amati Strings Orchestra, performing in museums, senior centers, amusement parks, and other venues where he helps bring classical music to the community. Beyond music, he is active in student government and enjoys playing AAU basketball with Pro’s Vision.