< Back Ka Long (Chris) Au Piano, Program Host, Board Member, Social Media Manager Learn More Videos About As of December 2021, Chris Au is a multiple prize winner of the 2021 Sydney Eisteddfod: in particular, earning 1st Prize in the all the Open Age categories of Chopin Piano, 19th Century Piano, and Russian Piano. In August 2021, the Young Concert Artists International Piano Competition of the WPTA Thailand awarded Chris with the Gold Award and WPTA Thailand Artist Award for his performances of Beethoven and Chopin. Celebrated for his ‘intimate dialogue between him…and the audience’ (Barrie Examiner), Chris Au is a 1st Prizewinner of the 2020 Sound Espressivo Global Competition (specializing in the Music Ambassador Category), Prizewinner of the 2020 Texas State International Piano Concerto Competition, Semi-Finalist of the 2020 Maestro Art Taiwan International Piano Competition, and Prizewinner of the 2016 Shean Piano Competition. Since his return to Sydney, he has presented Charity Concerts to raise money for Arthritis NSW and raise awareness to Auto-Immune Chronic Diseases and to encourage others who may be suffering. So far, he has raised over $4000. His virtual concerts with Virtual Concert Halls and Polyphony Arts have been internationally acclaimed. Most recently, he was invited by the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC to perform at the New South Wales Government House. Chris Au was born in Hong Kong and raised in Sydney, Australia. He began serious studies at the age of 14 upon his acceptance in the studio of renowned Australian pedagogue Margaret Hair. Since studying with her, Chris received accolades such as 1st Prize in the 2010 Sydney Eisteddfod Recital Award and at the Parramatta Eisteddfod. His progress was significantly hindered for a few years when he was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 16. Under the care of Dr. Jeffrey Chaitow, he continues to take fortnightly biologic injections to keep the condition under control. His first musical experience overseas brought him to Germany, where he won the Audience 1st Prize at the 2010 Klaviersommer Bad Bertrich whilst under the tutelage of Professor John Perry. Inspired by this experience, Chris began to pursue a career in music. Chris began his Undergraduate studies at The Colburn School with Ory Shihor, and continued them John Perry and David Louie at the Glenn Gould School of Music of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. There, he also attained his Artist Diploma. During that time, he was generously sponsored by the Full-Tuition Joan and Jerry Lozinski Scholarship, and has performed in Koerner Hall. In May of 2020, Chris completed his Masters of Music Degree with Jean Saulnier and Jeanne Amiele at the University of Montreal. He is currently pursuing his D.E.P.A. at the University of Montreal with Jean Saulnier and Charles Richard-Hamelin. He has won scholarships to many summer festivals including the Banff Centre, the Orford Music Festival, the John Perry Academy, the Gijon International Piano Festival, the International Holland Music Sessions, and the Kawai Sydney International Piano Festival. He has had the great opportunity to work in Masterclasses with legendary artists such as Menahem Pressler, Leon Fleisher, Richard Goode, Krzysztof Jablonski, Daniel Shapiro, Anton Nel, Andre Leplante, Marc Durand, Marietta Orlov, and Robert McDonald. His inspired performances have secured multiple re-engagements particularly at the Barrie Concert Association, where he is a regular guest artist of the Midday with Shigeru Concert Series, as well as their Pianofest. He is also a regular guest artist at both Concerts@100 of Toronto and Clearly Musical Home Concerts. Chris also works at Virtual Concert Halls as Live Broadcast Host, Social Media Manager, and Judge of the 2021 Sound Espressivo Global Competition. https://chrisaupiano.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCol9jU9Ae8crNLSMj-h76qQ Previous Next

< Back Previous Grace Cho Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 1, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Grace Cho is a freshman at Lynbrook High School who began playing piano at the age of seven. She has earned recognition in several competitions, including the US Open Music Competition, California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) Competition, and the Pelican International Music Competition in both Baroque and Contemporary categories. Grace was also invited to perform at the MTAC State Convention after receiving branch and state honors through the Certificate of Merit program. In addition to piano, Grace plays the flute and enjoys art and field hockey.

< Back Previous Gianluca Greco Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 24, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Gianluca J. Greco is a distinguished flutist, conductor, concert performer, and educator whose multifaceted career spans more than 25 years across Italy and abroad. He graduated in Musical Disciplines with concentrations in Interpretation and Composition, Music Education, Flute, and Orchestral Conducting, and serves as a lecturer at Music High Schools and State Conservatories throughout Italy. As a concert performer, Gianluca has appeared as soloist, chamber musician, and music director, earning numerous national and international awards. He has collaborated with some of Italy’s most renowned concert institutions, performing in prestigious venues including the Teatro Regio di Torino, Teatro alla Scala di Milano, and Teatro La Fenice di Venezia. Winner of the First Prize at the Three-Year Specialization Course held by Maestro Angelo Persichilli at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (AIF, Rome), Gianluca has conducted many leading orchestras, among them: The Symphony Orchestra of Milan The Symphony Orchestra of the Goldoni Theatre of Livorno The Symphony Orchestra of Sanremo The Orchestra of the Musical Institution “O. Respighi” The Symphony Orchestra of the Accademia Pescarese The Symphony Orchestra of Benevento Eufoniarchè The International Symphony Orchestra of Campania The Symphony Orchestra of the City of Grosseto The Symphony Orchestra of the Mediterranean The Symphony Orchestra 131 of Basilicata The Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra of Bari Former Artistic and Musical Director of the “Giuseppe Ragni” Philharmonic of Termoli, Gianluca founded the Molise Symphony Orchestra in 2003 — a symphonic institution under private law of the Molise Region — with which he has toured extensively throughout Europe. His repertoire embraces a vast range of styles, from Baroque to contemporary, encompassing major symphonic and operatic works. He has made numerous recordings and televised performances in collaboration with RAI and RAI Sat International. Gianluca J. Greco currently serves as Associate Music Director of the Symphony Orchestra of the Goldoni Theatre in Livorno.

< Back Previous Aida Mastrodonato Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 24, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Aida Mastrodonato is an accomplished soprano, singing teacher, concert performer, and educator from Italy. She holds a degree in Musical Disciplines with specializations in Interpretation and Composition, Music Education, Singing, and Social Sciences, and serves as a Music Education teacher at the Ministry of Education and Merit. With over 20 years of concert experience, Aida has performed extensively as a soloist, chamber musician, and artistic director of cultural events, concert seasons, and music courses. From 2002 to 2022, she held the position of President of both the Civic Music School of Molise and the Molise Symphony Orchestra, leading the latter on tours throughout Italy and abroad. A laureate of numerous national and international music competitions, Aida has collaborated with major concert institutions and appeared in prestigious Italian theaters. A versatile and inquisitive artist, her repertoire spans Baroque, Classical, and Romantic opera and chamber music, as well as jazz. She has performed leading roles in celebrated operas such as La Traviata, Rigoletto, Tosca, La Bohème, Gianni Schicchi, L’Elisir d’Amore, and Cavalleria Rusticana. In addition to her performing career, Aida is deeply engaged in the study of music therapy and art therapy. Her thesis in music therapy reflects her enduring interest in exploring how music serves as a powerful tool for both artistic expression and personal growth.

< Back Capital Trio Capital Piano Trio was founded in 2001 in the United States by three young Russian-born musicians, all of whom have received international acclaim as soloists. Anna Ouspenskaya, piano David Chernyavsky, violin Igor Zubkovsky, cello Mendelssohn - Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66 I. Allegro energico e con fuoco II. Andante espressivo III. Scherzo: Molto allegro quasi presto IV. Finale: Allegro appassionato Babajanian - Piano Trio in F-sharp minor (1952) I. Largo - Allegro espressivo II. Andante III. Allegro vivace Listen Capital Piano Trio (formerly known as Trio Moskva) was founded in 2001 in the United States by three young Russian-born musicians, all of whom have received international acclaim as soloists. The trio gave a series of six concerts of all-Beethoven programs at the Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum and was a part of the Musical Evening Series at the Corcoran Gallery; was invited to the prestigious Trondheim Chamber Music Festival in Norway and made their Kennedy Center debut in 2002. The trio performs extensively in Washington, D.C. and throughout the United States. Pianist Anna Ouspenskaya is a Second Prize Winner of the Bach International Competition in Washington, D.C. She has concertized throughout nearly twenty states, as well as Europe. She appeared as a soloist with major symphony orchestras of the former USSR, and on major venues including Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center. She has been a long-time faculty member at the Levine School of Music and has two solo CDs to her credit. Violinist  David Chernyavsky  has won several competitions in Russia, France, and the US. As a member of St. Petersburg String Quartet, he participated in such famous music festivals as Mainly Mozart, Great Lakes Music Festival, Albuquerque Music Festival, Musica Mundi (Belgium) and many others. David has performed and taught master classes throughout the United States, Mexico, all over Europe, Israel, and Japan.  He is currently a member of San Francisco Symphony, and before that he held the position of Assistant Concertmaster with the Washington National Opera Orchestra. Cellist Igor Zubkovsky is the Grand Prix winner of the Tansman International Competition in Poland. As a member of the Brahms Trio in Moscow, he won Second Prize at the Trapani, Italy, and First Prize at the Weimar Germany International Chamber Music Competitions. He has been recorded on numerous CDs, both as a soloist and a chamber musician. He is the author of numerous arrangements and transcriptions of duets and trios featuring the cello. Photo Credit: Anastasia Chernyavsky Published by Cicerone Music and Art (CiMA) Previous Next

Louisa Valentina Schewe < Back Louisa Valentina Schewe Previous Next Louisa Valentina Schewe Germany VIOLINIST Louisa Valentina has been playing the violin since the age of 6 years. She was a student of Ralf Kröger and is now a student of Stephanie Lichtmess in Hannover, Germany. She won several first prizes in national and international competitions and had master classes with Prof. Luz Leskowitz (Salzburg), Prof. Maria Egelhof (Lübeck) and Christin Blumenstein (Weimar). Louisa Valentina holds a scholarship at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien in Hannover.

< Back Previous Chris Au Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 21, 2023 WATCH VIDEO Celebrated for his “intimate dialogue between him…and the audience” (Barrie Examiner), pianist Chris Au is a 1st Prizewinner of the 2020 Sound Espressivo Global Competition (Music Ambassador Category), Prizewinner of the 2020 Texas State International Piano Concerto Competition, Prizewinner of the 2016 Shean Piano Competition, and Semi-Finalist of the 2020 Maestro Art Taiwan International Piano Competition. Most recently, he performed and competed in Rexxam Hall at the 2023 Takamatsu International Piano Competition. Highlights of 2023 included a Fellowship and Artistic Residency at the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance under the mentorship of Steven Isserlis, James Somerville, and Jane Coop. He made his concerto debut with the premiere movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Central Texas Philharmonic during the Texas State International Piano Festival and was later invited by Orford Musique to perform for Bill and Hillary Clinton at Manoir Hovey. In November 2023, Chris made his Carnegie Hall debut performing the Finale of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with the New York Chamber Players Orchestra conducted by Maestro Giacomo Franci. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Sydney, Australia, Chris began formal studies at age 14 with renowned pedagogue Margaret Hair. He went on to win top prizes at the Sydney and Parramatta Eisteddfods. At 16, his musical development was interrupted when he was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis; under the care of Dr. Jeffrey Chaitow, ongoing biological treatment now keeps his condition under control. Chris’s first international engagement took him to Germany, where he won the Audience 1st Prize at the 2010 Klaviersommer Bad Bertrich while working with John Perry. Inspired by this experience, he pursued further studies at The Colburn School with Ory Shihor, then at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music with John Perry and David Louie, completing both Undergraduate studies and an Artist Diploma. He was awarded the full-tuition Joan and Jerry Lozinski Scholarship and performed in Koerner Hall. He completed his Master of Music degree at the University of Montreal with Jean Saulnier and Jeanne Amiele in 2020, and pursued additional studies with Saulnier and Charles Richard-Hamelin through the D.E.P.A. program in 2021. Chris has earned scholarships to major international festivals including the Banff Centre, Orford Academy, John Perry Academy, Gijon International Piano Festival, International Holland Music Sessions, and the Kawai Sydney International Piano Festival. He has performed in masterclasses with Menahem Pressler, Leon Fleisher, Richard Goode, Krzysztof Jablonski, Daniel Shapiro, Anton Nel, André Laplante, Marc Durand, Marietta Orlov, and Robert McDonald. His inspired performances have led to frequent re-engagements, particularly with the Barrie Concert Association, where he is a regular artist for the Midday with Shigeru series and Pianofest. He is also a recurring guest at Concerts@100 in Toronto, performing alongside Timothy Chooi and members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his performing career, Chris works with Virtual Concert Halls as a Live Broadcast Host, Social Media Manager, and Jury Member.

< Back Previous Matt Lepek Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 1, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Matt Lepek is a freelance multi-woodwind musician based in the New York City and New Jersey area. He earned his Master’s in Performance from New Jersey City University, specializing in multiple woodwinds. While in school, he studied with notable performers across musical theatre, rock, jazz, and classical music, including oboist Marsha Heller, studio musicians Edward Joffe and Rick Heckman, and jazz saxophonists Jim Snidero and Bob Malach. Matt has performed extensively throughout the United States and Canada on saxophone, oboe, English horn, flute, and clarinet in a variety of ensembles and arrangements. His professional experience includes numerous Broadway shows, a chair at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and he is currently a regular member of the orchestra for the Broadway musical Aladdin.

< Back Previous Cameron Wu Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 24, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Cameron, age 12, lives in Irvine, California, and began studying piano at the age of five under the guidance of Ms. Sue Farng. He entered his first competition—the Southwestern Youth Music Festival—at age seven, qualifying for his category and earning 3rd place. By age ten, he continued to gain recognition, winning 2nd place in both the Satori Summer Music Festival (qualified category) and the Pelican International Music Competition. At eleven, Cameron joined the Junior Chamber Music program in Orange County, performing a Beethoven Sonata as part of a piano–violin duo. That same year, he returned to the Southwestern Youth Music Festival and won 1st place in the qualified category. This year, at age twelve, Cameron earned 1st place in the Global Music Arts Competition (20th Century Era), 2nd place at SYMF in the open category, as well as 1st place (qualified category) and 3rd place (open category) at the Satori Summer Music Festival. He has also completed seven years of the Music Teachers Association of California’s Certificate of Merit program, passing with State Honors each year. Outside of music, Cameron enjoys playing on both a basketball league and a club team, and loves reading and playing video games in his free time.

< 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 Michał Szostak Organ/Baroque Judge, Board Member Learn More Videos About I started studying the organ at the age of 17 in Warsaw, Poland. I am a graduate of the Józef Elsner Public School of Music in Warsaw in the organ class of Dr Roman Szlaużys and organ improvisation in the class of Prof. Marian Sawa. I had been studying organ performance as part of an artistic internship at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw in Prof. Andrzej Chorosiński’s class, as well as organ improvisation at the Pontificio Istituto Ambrosiano di Musica Sacra in Milan (Italy) in Maestro Davide Paleari’s class. I participated in master classes on the subject matter of organ works (Ullrich Böhme, Andrew Dewar, Pieter van Dijk, François Espinasse, Bernhard Gfrerer, François-Henri Houbart, Oliver Penin, Louis Robilliard, Daniel Roth , Jean-Claude Zehnder and others), organ improvisation (Frédéric Blanc, Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin, Thierry Escaich , Gaétan Jarry, Samuel Liégeon, Baptiste-Florian Marle-Ouvrard, Wolfgang Seifen, Sietze de Vries and others) and liturgical music (Roman Catholic and Anglican). In February 2019, I obtained an academic degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in the field of 'Instrumental Studies' in the discipline of 'Organ Performance' based on the dissertation of "Organ, as a source of inspiration in the art of improvisation and performance practice" written under the direction of prof. Andrzej Chorosiński and defended at the Białystok faculty of the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. I am an international concert organist and I have the pleasure to perform regular solo recitals in countries of Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Africa: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brasil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Monaco, Nigeria, Panama, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and the USA. I conduct international (Nigeria, Poland, Ukraine) didactic activities in the field of organ improvisation and practice of interpretation of organ literature from different periods, among others in cooperation with The Royal School of Church Music. I participate in international academic conferences on organ and sacred music (Belgium, Nigeria, Poland). My organological publications are issued regularly by prestigious organ magazines: British "The Organ" , Canadian "Organ Canada" , as well as American "The Diapason" and "The Vox Humana" . Since 2013 I have been a member of The Royal College of Organists, based in London, and since 2014 (as the first Pole) I have had a certificate (certRCO) from this organization. Since 2017 I have been a member of The American Guild of Organists, based in New York City, USA and since 2018 I have been a member of The Organ Historical Society based in the USA. In the years 2002-2011, I was an organist at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Warsaw; I wrote a monograph on the history of the organ (J.G. Meinert, 1782) of this church, and I recorded a CD (organ literature and improvisations) , which is the only record of the sound of this instrument which no longer exists. At that time I co-authored a series of broadcasts on “Radio Warszawa 106.2” about organs in the Warsaw-Prague Diocese. In the years 2011-2018, I held the position of Music Director and the Leading Organist at the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary in Lichen Stary, where I played the largest organ in Poland (Zych, 157, 6M+P) located in the Basilica in Licheń Stary (the largest church in Poland). In 2017, I wrote the book "The Lichen Organ in relation to the Largest Instruments in Poland, Europe and the World" and recorded a compact disc, “Ave Regina Caelorum” with improvisations on the biggest organ in Poland (in the Basilica in Licheń Stary - can be bought on eBay ). In 2018 I recorded a second compact disc in the Basilica in Licheń Stary, Poland with French literature and improvisations, "French Inspirations: 2nd half of the 19th century" ( eBay ). In addition, I have completed Masters and PhD studies in the area of economics at the Leon Kozminski Academy in Warsaw. Since 2019, as an Associate Professor, I work at the University of Social Sciences in Warsaw, where I conduct interdisciplinary scientific and research work at the interface between management and art, as well as didactic activities for English-language BA, MA, and MBA programs and at the Polish campus of the Clark University, Worcester, USA, in the area of international finance, corporate finance, financial analysis, financial and managerial accounting, self-presentation, business presentations, marketing of visual arts, business ethics, and CSR. I am a Deputy Dean for international student affairs of the Faculty of Management and Security. Since 2021, as an Assistant Professor, I work at the Collegium Civitas in Warsaw. I am also the founder and president of the Jan Drzewoski Foundation dealing with a wide range of organ themes. For more detailed information, please visit www.michalszostak.org/cv Michał Szostak, D.Mus.A., Associate Professor Previous Next

Learn more < Back Brilliant Talent Discovery Awards Two Scholarship for any instrumentalists to take part in immersive cultural tour in Europe Dates TBD Munich-Fussen-Insbruck-Liechtenstein-Zurich Details TBC Two Scholarships for Pianists Masterclasses with professors in one of the leading music institutions in Germany Performance opportunity in one of the castles/venues (again, details TBC) Dedicated cultural tour/itinerary that involves visits to various cultural sites, concerts and/or opera theatres This Award is Sponsored by BTDA CULTURAL TOUR CONCERT & MASTERCLASSES SOUNDS OF THE ALPS Munich | Füssen | Kempten | Augsburg Artistventure Concerts, together with Brilliant Talent Discovery Awards is organizing a cultural tour with masterclasses, sightseeing and concert performance from 13 to 20 June 2023. The itinerary includes city tour in Munich, visit to Neuschwanstein Castle (yes, the one that inspired Disneyland!), cultural sites in historic Kempten, breath-taking scenery of snowy Alps (even in June), Leopold Mozart’s House in Augsburg, scenic road trip through the mountains, cultural sightseeing and of course masterclasses and concert performance. View More Visit BTDA Website Previous Next