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< Back Previous Kevin Matheson Next Violinist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 26, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Kevin Matheson is an acclaimed violinist known for his expressive artistry and dynamic collaborative work. He was awarded First Prize in the 2021 Charleston International Music Competition for his performance of Vieuxtemps’ Souvenirs d’Amérique. As part of a violin–viola duo with his brother, Matheson received critical praise at their Carnegie Weill Recital Hall début during the Ibla Grand Prize winners’ tour, where critics noted their mesmerizing, spirited performances — two perfect virtuosos, playing as one. The duo has toured extensively, including two successful tours in Japan featuring recorded performances at Yamaha Hall in Tokyo. Matheson has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Irish Sinfonietta Orchestra in New York City in Vivaldi’s Four Violin Concerto, and the Valley Chamber Orchestra at Hollins University in concertos by Bruch and Mozart. A frequent recitalist and chamber musician, he performs widely throughout Virginia. He has notably collaborated with the Roanoke Ballet Theatre and Southwest Virginia Ballet, commissioning and organizing new choreography for works such as Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, and Bartók’s 44 Duos. He has arranged numerous Broadway, operatic, film, and orchestral selections for his violin–viola–piano trio, which tours under the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Matheson has also commissioned and premiered new chamber works, recorded five CDs, and serves as a Performing Artist for Young Audiences of Virginia, presenting educational concerts across the state. Kevin Matheson is Concertmaster of the Orchestra of Virginia’s Blue Ridge and Adjunct Instructor at Hollins University.

< Back Previous Christina Harnisch Next Swiss pianist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall June 30, 2025 WATCH VIDEO The Swiss pianist Christina Harnisch took her concert diplome with Franz Joseph Hirt at the Berne Conservatory and University. After working with Eduardo Vercellei she obtained the “Prix de Virtuositè“ Neuchâtel. She won several nacional and internacional prizes and study awards and subsequently embarked on further pianistic studies with Yvonne Lefébure in Paris, Louis Kentner in London, Vitalij Margulis in Freiburg/Br und Bruno Mezzena in Italy. Since then the versatile musician has continually appeared on concertstage in Switzerland and abroad as a soloist in piano recitals ,orchestra concerts (Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie, Berner Symphonieorchestra, San Francisco Sinfonietta, Orquesta nacional del Peru and others) and chambermusic concerts. Her repertoire ranges from Bach to contemporary music. One main focus lies on the works of women composers (Cécile Chaminade, Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Grazyna Bacewicz u.a.)She played in many countries and performed in the Tonhalle Zurich, the Wienerkonzerthaus in Wien, the Purcell.room in London. She also gives masterclasses on universities and conservatories. She toured in the USA, Southamerica, Europe, China, Thailand. She made a big tour through China with concerts in the Forbidden City Concerthall in Beijing, the Hangzhou Grand Theatre a.o. In the last years she performed in Southamerica, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, where she played with the Orquesta Nacional del Peru in Lima and took part on the “Festival Internacional de Musica Clasica Contemporanea“ in Lima. She has a duo with Romano Pucci, first flutist of the “Orchestra del teatro alla Scala di Milano. Recently the Duo Pucci-Harnisch made a big tour in China, where they played with a big success in Shanghai in the “Shanghai Oriental Art Center“ and later on in Bangkok for the “Festival della Lingua Italiana“. In the last years she made besides other concerts a big concert tour in India with concerts in Bangalore, Goa, Kolkata, Pune and New Delhi, a Thailand tour, played a solorecital in the Tonhalle Zurich and and performed with the Donausinfonieorchester the Cécile Chaminade piano concert for piano and orchestra in Zurich, Locarno (Palazzetto Fevi) and Locarno (Palazzo dei congressi). Recently she played the Mendelssohn concert in sol minor Nr 1 in Budapest with the Donau Sinfonieorchester Budapest, took part on the festival de la Francophonie in Poland with concerts in Warschau and Torun and made a big tour in Chile with six solorecitals in Santiago and Vina del Mar (Fundacion de Providencia, Centro Cultural de los Carabineros, Teatro Municipal Vina del Mar). Since a few years she has an American Manager Jack Price, www. Priceattractions.com with whom she was able to give two solorecitals "Great pianists of the world" in Belleville and St. Louis USA, Illinois and Missouri. With a recital composers and women composers (Chopin, Maria Szyamnowska, Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn, Grazyna Bacewicz, Cécile Chaminade Debussy). She also played the Clara Schumann concert and the Chaminade concert with orchestra in Poland with orchestra im H. Wieniawskiegio and in November 2023 she performed the Clara Schumann concert in St. Louis Missouri USA with the University City Symphony orchestra. In June 2025 she can play as a soloist in a Gala concert at Carnegie Hall New York. She also performed as a soloist on festivals like "Klavierfestival in Freiburg im Breisgau", Orbetello pianofestival Italy, festival internacional de Musica Clasica Contemporanea in Lima, a.o. and in Duo with Romano Pucci for the Festival internazionale Ruggero Leoncavallo in Brissago, the festival Chamberseries in the Oriental Art Center in Shanghai, the festival "Spiezer Schlosskonzerte", the festival della Lingua Italiana in Bangkok a.o. Radio –, CD-, and TV recordings.

< Back Previous Andrea Causapruna Next Guitarist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall June 30, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Andrea Causapruna developed a passion for music at a young age. He began studying classical guitar, alternating with electric guitar during his high school years, and played in various bands, exploring genres from early blues to experimental rock. He studied at the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome under Giuliano Balestra, graduating with top honors in guitar. He was a full student at the advanced courses of the Accademia Chigiana in Siena with Oscar Ghiglia and he furthered his studies with Stefano Grondona in Brescia. His classical repertoire spans from the Renaissance to contemporary works. Andrea performis Spanish Golden Age music on the vihuela and 19th-century music on period instrument. He has performed in numerous festivals and events in Italy and abroad and has won several national and international competitions. In 2006, he was awarded the Silver Plaque of the Italian Presidency of the Republic as the overall winner of the Anemos music competition in Rome. Andrea has given guitar masterclasses in Mexico City at the Escuela Nacional de Música and the Instituto Superior de Bellas Artes. He holds a degree in Music Didactics and teaches in public schools. He is also a composer. His album "The Lover’s Suitcase”, published by World Fonogram Records in 2023, received international acclaim. He is author of soundtracks for movies and music for theatre production. The passion for theatre led him to found the collective "Il Teatro Invisibile” in 2017 and in 2021 his project Siamo Tutti Lupi Cattivi was a finalist at the Rome Fringe Festival, Tube section. In 2024, he debuted with the play Tungsteno by Antonio Mocciola.

< 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.

Winners Concerts February 17 and 19 Upcoming Concerts International Artists Concerto Performance Date FEBRUARY 17th & 19th, 2023 Western New York Chamber Orchestra Classics #3 Glen Cortese, Conductor col ORCHESTRA Auditions Winners - soloists, bios and program here Friday, February 17, 2023 7:30 p.m Westminster Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, NY Sunday, February 19, 2023 4:00 p.m King Concert Hall, Fredonia, NY Full Concert Program col ORCHESTRA Auditions Meet the Finalists To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Sound Espressivo is thrilled to announce a new undertaking for the 2022-23 season: the col ORCHESTRA Open Auditions Presented in Partnership with Brilliant Talent Discovery Awards , Progressive Musicians , Virtual Concert Halls , and /kor/ productions This uniquely-designed audition is open to musicians of all ages who are available for soloist engagements within the 2022-23 and 2023-24 concert seasons. Selected artists will be awarded an appearance opportunity to perform solo with esteemed professional orchestras from around the world. This two-tiered audition has no accompanying requirements, is readily accessible by video submissions, and there is no time limit imposed on the selections that competitors choose to present—we want YOU to show us what you feel you do BEST! Audition for Upcoming Concerto Performance Dates: FEBRUARY 17th & 19th, 2023 Western New York Chamber Orchestra Glen Cortese, Conductor Come and join a supportive, inclusive environment that values professionalism, creativity, personal expression, and the joy that comes from making music! Regulations Repertory List Register Upcoming dates Audition for Upcoming Concerto Performance Dates: FEBRUARY 17th & 19th, 2023 Western New York Chamber Orchestra Classics #3 Glen Cortese, Conductor BEETHOVEN: Coriolan Overture col ORCHESTRA Auditions Winners - soloists and repertory TBA Friday, February 17, 2023 7:30 p.m Westminster Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, NY Saturday, February 18, 2023 7:30 p.m King Concert Hall, Fredonia, NY Register to audition NOW ColORCHESTRA Finalsts

< Back Previous Cristina Maria Noli Next Composer Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 30, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Cristina Maria Noli (b. 1986, Cuggiono, MI) began her musical journey studying flute during her classical high school years. In 2009, before completing her studies, she was chosen to perform the Italian premiere of Barbara Heller’s La Palmera at the “In-audita musica” festival, held at the F.lli Olivieri Auditorium of the Novara Conservatory. She studied composition with Maestro Maurizio Ferrari at the “Peri-Merulo” Higher Institute of Musical Studies in Reggio Emilia, where she participated in national events such as L’ora della musica and Compositori a confronto (2011). In 2012, she contributed to the productions of Il futuro spezzato (Masini Auditorium, Reggio Emilia) and Lucifero (Teatro dei Rinnovati, Siena). Later, she pursued studies with Maestro Giorgio Planesio at the “G. F. Ghedini” Conservatory in Cuneo, where she was selected to help compose music for the stage production of Orfeo (2015), performed at the Toselli Theater and San Giovanni Hall. That same year, her solo harp piece Pàs à pàs was featured in the Conservatory’s season as part of Compongo l’arpa, in collaboration with Salvi Harps. Cristina has received numerous awards in national and international competitions, including First Prize at the 3rd “Don Giovanni Conta” Instrumental Competition (Spineto di Castellamonte, TO) and First Prize at the 6th “Antonio Salieri” International Competition for Young Musicians (Legnago, VR). After moving to Milan, she continued her studies with Maestro Giuseppe Colardo and later with Maestro Sonia Bo, graduating with distinction in October 2022. In 2023, several of her works received premieres: Trinus for flute and clarinet (Milan Conservatory, Puccini Hall), Suggestioni for wind quartet (Pinacoteca Civica, Ascoli Piceno; Pesaro Conservatory—finalist in the Mauro Crocetta Competition), Omaggio for voice and guitar (Pinacoteca Civica, Como), and Sogni che tramutano i pensieri for flute, clarinet, and piano (Museo del Novecento, Milan).

Liang < Back Junwen Liang Jan 30 at 3:00pm EST (26+) 1). Chopin Mazurka in a minor, Op. 17 No. 4; 2). Earl Wild "Embraceable You" from 7 virtuoso etudes on Gershwin's songs; 3). Prokofiev Piano Sonata No. 8 in B-flat major, Op. 84 (2nd and 3rd movements) Chinese pianist Junwen Liang is currently completing his doctorate in piano performance at Penn State University under the tutelage of Christopher Guzman. He also serves as a graduate teaching assistant in the piano department. Junwen is a prizewinner of many national and international piano competitions, including The Princeton Festival Piano Competition, The American Prize, New York International Piano Competition, and Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, etc. Such achievements also led him to perform concerts in Carnegie Hall and Kimmel Center. His upcoming performance engagements will feature a concerto performance in Russia and a solo recital in Italy in 2022 - 2023. Previous Next

Virtual Live performing - what can go wrong? What are the ways to prepare the troubleshooting so even the most complex live multicast will go smooth and stress-free? Live Internet Broadcast FAQ Can something go wrong during my performance? Yes. Something can go wrong. Live Virtual Stage and live Virtual Concert Hall are relatively new inventions of humanity, and Internet TV hadn’t been around the block for much more than a decade. The tech connections/integrations are complex, consist of many elements which must be made to work together in sync in real time. VCHS’ production crews consist of very experienced people who directed over 600 live broadcasts with 1,000s of participants. They’ve been called “Harry Potters of live music on a virtual stage”. You will be served by some on the best professionals in the industry. But still - things CAN go wrong during your performance! What can go wrong? What to expect if something does go wrong? What? During your tech check our producers may find that your tech is not able to perform adequately or reliably Solutions? We will offer you to reschedule for the next available date/session. We will give you instructions what you need to do to be prepared. What? Tech can fail while you are waiting for your turn in the Green Room, or while you are in the Competition Backstage, or even just before your turn. Solutions? We will walk you through the steps you need. Keep a close watch of the internal chat in the Broadcast Studio and follow producers’ instructions. You will not miss performing in your session! We will change the order of performances and you will perform later in the same session What? After our producers fine tune your tech settings and complete your audio/video tech checks you will transition to the Competition Backstage. Your tech can automatically revert to default settings during the transition Solutions? Take careful notes during your tech check, double-check to make sure your settings are the same, before entering Competition Backstage. “I did everything right and according to your producer’s recommendations. Can something still go wrong during my performance??” Unlikely, but something still can go wrong. As mentioned above: live virtual performance relies on young and cutting edge technology, and requires for many complex puzzle pieces to perform in sync AND in real time. It is a journey which may not be best suitable for you if you are prone to stage fright, or expect to feel traumatized if you need to deal with a sudden change of how things unfold. Please be mindful of your own feelings and do not take unnecessary risks. Virtual stage will keep developing and eventually will become as reliable as electricity in a physical concert hall. One can always just wait a bit longer for the tech to reach that stage of perfection! We now take our beautifully illuminated concert venues for granted, don’t we? But 10-20 years after Edison’s invention they didn’t look nearly as glorious as today. Your evening concerts were illuminated by a jumble of wires with weird looking glasses hanging from them, giving out flickering yellowish light, and sometimes turning off altogether “What will will your tech team do if something happens while I perform??” We will not let your performance look or sound in subpar quality, get “frozen”, get “muted”, etc. Instead we will: Interrupt your performance Take you off the stage Give you access link to our Troubleshoot Tech Room Our producers will work with you on solving the problems If we can solve the issues within reasonable time - we will bring you back onstage and you will have another opportunity to perform your program within the same session If the issues persist and we can’t resolve them right there and then - we will reschedule your performance for the next available date/session. "I have great and fast WiFi connection, a new generation IPad, and I’ve done 2 years of studying/teaching online. No worries, I am well prepared for your stream, there’s nothing that can go wrong from my side." Unfortunately things can still wrong: IPads are not suitable for Internet TV broadcasting, the technology of an iPad does not support connecting to a Broadcast Studio and streaming live music. Please be prepared to use a laptop or desktop. WiFi connection, although often workable, may become unreliable and not sustain the stream throughout the duration of your performance, no matter how fast. Ethernet cable connection is highly recommended as it provides stability of your signal. Both, the speed and stability are essential for quality broadcasting of a live music performance. However, WiFi connection may work fine. Just please be prepared that the transmission made through WiFi connection may lack consistency when compared with the transmission by people who are able to connect to a grounded Router using Ethernet Cable. Ok, I got the Ethernet cable, now we are all set, right? Almost. Please make sure that your cable is connected to the grounded Router. Please refer to our recommendation deck on how to identify that you are really connecting to the correct type of Router. If you are connecting to a Wi-Fi-based Router, or to a Wi-Fi-based Booster, or another Internet device which is not connected to your provider via a grounded cable – you are not improving the connection by using Ethernet cable. The logic is simple: Ethernet cable is used with a purpose to eliminate wireless Internet connection at any point in the chain.

< Back Previous Hassan Al-Mufti Next Pianist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall February 20, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Hassan Al-Mufti — Pianist, Composer & Educator Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Hassan Al-Mufti is an accomplished pianist, composer, and educator whose musical journey spans continents. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Music from the College of Fine Arts at the University of Baghdad, he went on to study piano at the Music and Ballet School of Baghdad under esteemed Russian pianists Igor Chernyavsky and Agnes Bashir. Before coming to the United States, Hassan spent six years teaching and performing in Amman, Jordan, where his artistry brought him invitations to perform for the Jordanian Royal Family, foreign dignitaries, and members of the Diplomatic Corps. In September 2001, Hassan arrived in the United States as a refugee, finding a new beginning in Buffalo, New York. He continued his piano studies with Kenneth Atkinson at the Community Music School of Buffalo (CMS), where he later joined the faculty as a Teaching Artist and eventually became Chair of the Piano Department. Hassan’s performances have taken him across the Middle East and the United States, where he is admired for his expressive musicianship and commitment to music education. He currently resides in Buffalo with his wife, Jennifer.

Subin Lee < Back Subin Lee Previous Next Subin Lee 🇰🇷 Republic of Korea HARPIST Subin Lee is the Marylin Costello Annual Fellow at the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studies with Elizabeth Hainen, Principal Harpist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She won first prize at the Suoni d’arpa International Harp Competition. As the youngest among all contestants, Subin was the winner of the 2017 Lyon & Healy Awards and is also a prizewinner of Szeged International Harp Competition, Germany International Harp Competition, Korea International Harp Competition, and Hudson International Concerto Competition. Subin has been selected as Kumho Prodigy sponsored by the Kumho Asiana Foundation to hold solo recitals in 2014 and 2016. She has also performed solo in Lincoln Center, Seoul Arts Center, and Youngsan Art Center. Subin has performed concerto works with Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra, Romania Timisoara Orchestra, Philharmonians Orchestra, GYO Youth Orchestra, YASP Orchestra, and has performed as student soloist with Temple University Symphony Orchestra, winning the Boyer College Concerto Competition. Subin has participated in monthly volunteer concerts in Cha Medical Center and has also performed volunteer concerts in Joongang University Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Samsung Seoul Medical Center, International Bobas Hospital, and I-eum Arts Center for the Disabled. She has also shown exceptional work in her academic studies and has received the Mayor’s Seoul Citizen Award for Creative Science and Arts and Seoul Superintendent of Education Award.

Narodytska < Back Maria Narodytska Jan 29 at 10:00am EST (26+) F. Schubert: Valses Nobles D. 969; M. Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition Maria Narodytska is a pianist of Ukrainian origin. Her international concert activity includes such venues as Laeiszhalle in Hamburg; Sala Maffeiana in Verona; Casa da Musica in Porto; Ruth Taylor Recital Hall in San Antonio; Hylton Performing Arts Center in Virginia as well as theaters and concert halls all over the world. In 2019 an album with Maria Narodytska playing Brahms was released under the label OnClassical for further worldwide distribution by Naxos of America. This work has already got a positive review at Rai Radio 3 – one of the most important radio stations in Italy, devoted to classical music. Her second album for Nationalux as a winner of “The most beloved artist” prize at Richter IPC was released on the 18th of September 2020. Her third album devoted to Schubert appeared under OnClassical, published by Naxos of America in March 2021. The next two albums are planned for release in 2022. Maria Narodytska is a winner of over 40 international piano competitions including over 15 first prizes won only during the last two years. Previous Next

< Back Previous Elaine Sara Lim Next Pianist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall June 28, 2025 WATCH VIDEO A storyteller through music, pianist Elaine Sara Lim creates thematic programming that speaks directly to audiences. Praised for the range of colors in her playing, Elaine’s repertoire includes works by Brahms, Ravel, Haydn, and women composers such as Bauer, Howe, and Zaimont. With elegant immediacy and technical command, she captures the essential characters of the works she presents. Credits include solo and collaborative performances at the Governor’s Residence in Denver, Colorado, the Dukes Hall Gallery of Fine Arts in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and the Amro Music Piano Gallery in Memphis for their “Steinway Series.” International credits include performances at Chateau d’Aix in Port du Quercy, France, Priesterseminar in Graz, Austria, and Chiesa della Santissima Trinità in Cremona, Italy. As a concerto soloist, Elaine has performed with the Manila Symphony Orchestra and members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, she has performed piano quintets at Grace College in Indiana and Converse College in South Carolina, and premiered chamber works by contemporary composers Sarah Perske, Matthew Huston, and Brian Goetzinger. Her deep interest in literature and the visual arts is evident in past projects such as Visions and Tales, a multimedia recital pairing piano works with paintings and stories, and The Lake at Evening, a program of American Impressionist pieces inspired by the poetry of Poe, Yeats, Sharp, and Fletcher. She holds a doctoral degree from James Madison University and has pursued studies at the University of Santo Tomas (Philippines), the University of Memphis, and the University of Denver.