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S ound Espressivo Rules, Regulations, Formats Some competitions may have varied requirements for repertory, age, dates, and other, and may award unique Prizes not available in other Competitions. For additional details please read carefully the webpage for that Competition. For additional details about Masters and Masterworks Competition, please see Section 15 below. Download a PDF of Rules here 1. Eligibility Competition is open to classical and jazz musicians of • all nationalities and all ages • all instruments and voice • ensembles and groups of any size and composition For the Preliminary Round applicants must either submit a recent video of their own performance or choose a date on the Application form to audition LIVE through an Internet Broadcast system. Semi Finalists and Finalists MUST be prepared to compete LIVE through Internet Broadcast TV method. Participants for The Sound Espressivo competition must have access to broadband internet with a computer that contains a microphone and video camera. Technical assistance, necessary preparations, consultations, individual remote tech check sessions with Broadcast Producers and Engineers, production of the Broadcast, and Broadcast management are provided by the Sound Espressivo partner, a Virginia based broadcasting and production company Virtual Concert Hals. 2. Competition Rounds Sound Espressivo is held in two rounds: • Preliminary Round • Finals 3. Dates, Deadlines, Application Process Refer to specific Dates and Deadlines stated on the Competition websites, for each Concert Season Contestants apply online through SEC website Portal by filling out the Application Form and completing the payment through SEC payment system online. Payment methods: major credit cards. Additional payment methods can be requested by an applicant, but not guaranteed. All contestants who advance to Finals Round will have to fill out a Registration Form and pay Live Auditions fee by a deadline stated in the Form, in order to confirm their participation in the Final Round. 4. Financial Aid Full and Partial Scholarships covering Application and/or Registration Fees may be awarded to qualified applicants based on need. Inquiries and requests for Financial Aid are considered based on the Applicant’s unique circumstances and the Competition’s ability to provide funds. Financial Aid may be awarded to qualified applicants towards purchasing and/or renting necessary equipment required for quality broadcasting of the Contestant’s performances in Semi Final and Final Rounds ONLY. No Aid will be awarded towards costs for Preliminary Round video submissions. 5. Age Groups, Categories, Instruments SEC accepts all instruments, ages, styles, and voice. In the Preliminary Round of the Competition contestants compete within their respective age groups. Instruments accepted: • Piano • All String Instruments • All Wind Instruments • Guitar • Harp • All Percussion Instruments • All Baroque Instruments • All Ensembles • Voice Eligible music styles and periods: • Baroque (Period instruments) • Classical • Contemporary including performances of original compositions by contestants and all types of “covers”: transcriptions, paraphrases, cadenzas, and other. • Jazz, including improvisations, jingles, mixes, standards, and other. • Music from around the world • Opera and Lieder • Broadway and Light In the Final Round contestants compete within their respective age groups in the following Categories: • 10 and under • 11-14 • 15-18 • Adult (19 and older) 6. Repertory and Time Limits • Contestants are free to choose any repertory, for ALL Rounds; pick what represents you best as a musician. • If you wish to be considered for special Awards check the descriptions on the website and plan your repertory accordingly. Time limits • For all Preliminary Round Auditions Videos time limit is 10 min. • You will not be disqualified for shorter performances • If you choose one composition which is longer than 10 min., you will not be disqualified for overtime • Final Rounds - time limits and repertory requirements vary, please check specific requirements on website. 7. Competition Procedures and Formats SEC is held globally online. Video submissions are allowed only for the Preliminary Round. Final Round is held in the format of a LIVE Internet TV public Broadcast. Technical assistance, necessary technical preparations, consultations, guidance materials (printed, digital, video); individual remote tech check sessions with Broadcast Producers and Engineers, production of the Broadcast, Broadcast management are provided by the Sound Espressivo business partner, Virtual Concert Halls, a Virginia, USA based broadcasting and production company. Videos and Broadcasts of the Competition Rounds are property of Sound Espressivo and Virtual Concert Halls which retain full control of the copyrights. 8. Adjudication process Each Preliminary Audition video is adjudicated by one member of the SEC Judges’ Panel. SEC Judges may provide written comments for video submissions (available upon request) Final Rounds are adjudicated by the Judges Panel consisting of several members. Judges will provide on-air artistic feedback to each contestant immediately after the performance. All decisions by SEC Judges are final and may not be disputed. All decisions by companies-sponsors of Prizes and Awards are made by the respective companies’ representatives and are final. 9. Prizes and Awards • Each Contestants will receive Judges' comments (written for video submissions, live onscreen for live performances) • Certificate of Participation. Laureates. Up to 6 (Six) Laureates will be chosen by the Judges Panel in consultation with SEC Board. Each Laureate Award Package is valued at total of $8,500. Total Award Pool for Laureate Awards is valued at $51,000. Laureates are eligible to receive the following Awards pending Judges Panel decisions: • Laureate Recital Award. Valued at $5,000 each. Full management service from VCHS necessary to provide the Laureate with an opportunity to present a full solo recital on the VCHS Virtual Stage. Each Laureate Recital will be publicly broadcast on all VCHS platforms. Each Laureate Recital will be promoted through VCHS social networks, mailing lists, media. Each Laureate Recital and its promotion campaigns will be serviced by VCHS producers, graphic designers, copywriters, social media specialists, audio/video streaming engineers. Dates of Laureate Recitals TBD • Laureate Interview Award. Valued at $2,000 each. Interview Award provided by VCHS. The Award is aimed at helping Laureates launch their careers, promote their artistry, jump-start their presence as musicians of statute. Each Interview will be professionally scripted and services by VCHS production teams and conducted by VCHS Host in a format of a live broadcast. Each Interview is up to 60 minutes in length. • Laureate Coaching Award. Valued at $1,000 each. Full course on professional streaming/broadcasting technology and methods provided by VCHS. Valued at $1,000 each. • Laureate Profile Award. Valued at $500 each. Professionally designed Artistic Profile on SEC and VCHS websites Laureates are eligible to receive additional Awards sponsored by Companies (check the Prizes Page on SEC website) Winners. Up to 12 (Twelve) Winners will be selected by the Judges Panels to receive Winners Package Award. Judges Panels have a complete discression when selecting Winners. Each Winner Award Package is valued at $3,800. Total Award Pool for Winners Awards is valued at $45,600. Judges Panels may choose up to: One First Place Winner, One Second Place Winner, One Third Place Winner in each Age Category Multiple Honorable Mentions may be awarded. • Winners Concert Award. Valued at $2,000 each. Up to 12 Winners will be selected by the Judges Panel to receive this award. Each Winner is eligible to receive full management service from VCHS necessary to provide the Winner with an opportunity to perform in a group Winners Concert on the VCHS Virtual Stage. Time limit per performer is 20 minutes. • Winner Group Interview Award. Valued at $1,000 each. Group Interview Award is provided by VCHS. The Award is aimed at helping Winners launch their careers, promote their artistry, jump-start their presence as musicians of statute. Each Interview will be professionally scripted and services by VCHS production teams and conducted by VCHS Host in a format of a live broadcast. Each Interview is up to 60 minutes in length and will present no more than 4 Winners. • Winner Group Coaching Award. Valued at $500. Full course on professional streaming/broadcasting technology and methods provided by VCHS. In groups of no more than 6 Winners. • Winner Profile Award. Valued at $300 each. Professionally designed Artistic Profile in a group space on SEC website. Honorable Mentions. Up to 10 (Ten Awards) Valued at $1,000 each. Total Award Pool for these Honorable Mention Awards is up to 10, or up to $10,000. All Finalists who are awarded an Honorable Mention will receive an Honorable Mention Award Package consisting of: Designer Certificate Profile in an Honorable Mention group page on SEC website An invitation to perform in one multicast group concert on VCHS Virtual Stage (time onstage per performer is limited to 5 minutes) Additional Awards and Prizes All applicants are eligible to be selected to compete in Sound Espressivo Live Finals All Finalists, including Laureates, Winners, and Honorable Mentions are eligible and considered to receive scholarship Prizes to participate in masterclasses with distinguished artists around the world. All Finalists are eligible and considered to receive scholarship Prizes for participation in prestigious summer programs and festivals around the World. All Finalists are eligible and considered to receive scholarship Prizes for VCHS Broadcasting Seminar All Semi Finalists and Finalists receive a Designer Certificate reflecting their respective advancements. All Applicants receive Recognition Award sponsored by the iClassical Academy, regardless of their advancement. All Applicants are eligible to receive free passes to observe masterclasses with distinguished artists around the world. Prizes sponsored by international music companies. All Finalists will be considered by SEC sponsoring companies as candidates for the Prizes (check the list of Prizes on SEC website periodic updates as the Competition regularly accepts more eligible Prizes from companies around the World). Sponsored Prizes are awarded by the companies- sponsors' representatives independently from the Judges Panels. Not all Prizes may be awarded. Companies’ decisions are final. Cash Awards. All Finalists, Winners, and Laureates are eligible and will be considered as candidates to receive cash Awards. Specific amounts of each category of cash Awards will be determined and announced by the SEC Board as soon as practical, for each Season. Your family and friends can watch your live performance and cheer in real time. Your performance will be recorded, and your friends will be able to see it after that date. If you choose to submit a video, it will be premiered on our channels and available for replays. 10. Prizes sponsored by Partner Companies Sponsor Companies’ Awards are posted publicly on the SEC website, for each Season. The list of Partner Companies and the Prizes is updated on a regular basis, please check periodically the Prizes and Awards page on the website for the most up-to-date information. Partner-sponsored Prizes include possibilities to receive: • Performance engagements, Management services, • Scholarships for prestigious music festivals and summer programs Scholarships for masterclasses and courses • Coaching programs for musicians in career planning, social media for musicians, professional topics of musicians’ health and wellbeing • Scholarships for access to professional and educational resources Professional audio and video recording services • Professional web design services specific to musicians and artists Graphic design services for performing artists. • All Finalists will be considered by SEC sponsoring companies as candidates for the Prizes (check the list of Prizes on SEC website periodic updates as the Competition regularly accepts more eligible Prizes from companies around the World). Sponsored Prizes are awarded by the companies-sponsors' representatives independently from the Judges Panels. Not all Prizes may be awarded. Companies’ decisions are final. 11. Teachers’ and Educational Institutions’ recognition Sound Espressivo Competition Board understands the importance of support which students receive from their community, their schools, and especially from their teachers, for them to grow as musicians. As our token of appreciation for the hard and creative work which these people and organizations invest in the students' growth and future, we provide Sound Espressivo Contestants' School and Teacher with a featured space on the Sound Espressivo website. Each Teacher and School will receive a Profile created on the SEC website, including visual branding and individual Teacher’s pictures, we will also provide links for visitors to learn more about these distinguished educators and institutions. 12. Public Broadcasts. Tech requirements and release/consent forms All public broadcasts of the Competition are provided and managed by Virtual Concert Halls, an independent broadcasting and production company registered and headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, USA. VCHS will provide each Contestant with who performs on the public broadcasts of SEC events with instructional materials, individual preparation time and tech checks with streaming producers and staff, and all assistance available, to ensure an even field of the quality technical presentation for all SEC Contestants. Please refer to the “Technical Requirements” section on the website for more detailed information All Contestants, Guests, Teachers, Representatives, others who appear on the VCHS Broadcasts of the SEC events must sign release/consent forms, as required by the Virginia local, the US Federal, and the international laws and regulations governing public Internet TV broadcasts. Please note: Each Contestant’s checking of a BOX on the Application Form constitutes their consent and is in place of a separate signature of a separate form. To review the form, click here Virtual Concert Halls enjoys the “Allow Listed Broadcaster status from the Warner Music Group which provides VCHS broadcasts with protection against getting “muted,” taken down, or otherwise disfigured by WMG Copyrights Department through copyrights claims. VCHS earned the status through its strict adherence to copyrights and international regulations. All those who appear on the SEC public broadcasts provided by VCHS will enjoy the privileged status which comes with the responsibilities for Contestants and others to only perform music which they have the right to perform. 13. Privacy Policy and Consent/Release Form By submitting an Application to any competitions posted on Sound Espressivo website you consent to Privacy Policy and copyrights Release for public broadcasts and other forms of presentations associated with participation on SEC events. SEC Privacy Policy can be reviewed here Consent /Release form can be viewed here 14. Competition Board Sound Espressivo Board of Directors and Advisers is the governing body of the Competition. SEC Board Officers and Members: Anna Ouspenskaya, Secretary Antara Hebbar, Member, Youth Advisor Micah Yui, Member, Adviser Avguste Antonov, Member, Adviser Mellasenah Morris-Edwards, Member, Adviser Michal Szostak, Member, Adviser Section 15 Masters and Masterworks Competition 2023-24 Music for Youth! Call for Scores by living Composers. Performers who wish to present new music. Compositions for Piano, Violin, Cello Winners - Scores and Perfomers - will be presented at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall Gala Concert on April 1, 2024 Performance at the Carnegie Hall is a Fully Sponsored opportunity, no performance fee required Application Deadline - October 15, 2023 Masters and Masterworks mission is to connect young musicians and living composers on a journey of discovery of Music for Youth! Music for Piano, Violin, or Cello, written for Young Performers. Violin and Cello pieces can be with or without accompaniment. No compositions for chamber ensembles. Compositions for Piano 4Hands are accepted. Awards Up to Three Scores will be selected for a performance at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on April 1, 2024, at the Laureates Gala (one composition for Piano, plus one for Violin, plus one for Cello). Up to Three Performers will be selected to perform these compositions at Carnegie Hall. All performances are fully sponsored by Sound Espressivo, Progressive Musicians, and Virtual Concert Halls. There is NO PERFORMANCE FEE required for Winners to perform at the Gala concert at Carnegie Hall (travel and accommodations in NY City are the responsibility of the Winner). In addition to the performance, all Winners (Composers and Performers) will receive: A Carnegie Hall Archival DIGITAL VIDEO of their performance (see Regulations for acceptable uses as per by Carnegie Hall rules) Medal Certificate Full color brochure (digital and printed) Complimentary ticket An Interview by Steve Robinson, a world-renowned producer of Photos Letters of recommendation and other support Professional Portfolio packets available upon request Judges’ decisions are final and cannot be disputed. Not all Prizes may be awarded. Application and Audition Process Preliminary Round Composers sumbit scores. One score per Application. Duration limit - 5 min Performers submit a video of any composition of their choice. Time limit - 10 min Results Composers: Up to 6 scores will be selected for the Final Round (two scores per each instrument) Scores will be published on the websites and made downloadable for Performers. Composers whose pieces were selected will join the Judges Panel as Artistic Advisors (non-voting members). Performers: Up to 12 Finalists will be selected for the Live Round (4 musicians per each instrument). The jury may select Alternates. Finalists will choose a piece which they wish to prepare for the Final Round, from the Finalist scores. Final Round Live performance by 12 Finalists in front of the Judges Panel, on a world-wide Internet TV Broadcast. The Judges Panel includes Composers of the pieces which were selected for the Final Round. Composers and Performers will have an opportunity to meet and get to know each other. Judges from aroud the world provide on-air commentary immediately after each performance. Finalists meet the Judges and can ask questions. Musicians' supporters can write comments which will be shown onscreen. Family and friends can watch and be part of your LIVE performance from anywhere in the world. Performer Finalists will receive Technical Preparation session with VCHS Broadcast Directors and Engineers, in preparation for the broadcast, at no additional cost. More about Broadcast technology for musicians here Age Limits Composers: no age limit Performers: 18 and under Application Fee Composers: $75 Performers: $100 Finals Live fee: $0 Winners Performance at Carnegie Hall fee: $0 Important DATES October 15, 2023 - Composers submit scores and Application Deadline November 05, 2023 - Scores selected for Finals are announced. November 15, 2023 - Performer Application Deadline (submit a video of any composition) December 5, 2023 - 12 Finalists are announced. February 1, 2024 - Registration deadline for the Performers Tech Preparation sessions for Performers February 19-23, 2024 - Tech Preparation sessions for Finalists (no additional fee required) February 24-26, 2024 - Final Round of the Competition APRIL 1, 2024 - Laureates Gala Concert at Weill recital Hall at Carnegie Hall

< Back Johanna Moffitt Voice Learn More Videos About American soprano, Johanna Moffitt, relocated to Chicago 7 years ago where she has since been making a splash across the Chicago arts scene. She has performed all over the Windy City, making a name for herself particularly in the repertoire of Puccini and Mozart where her “brilliant and silvery” voice especially shines. Recent highlights include Mimí in Bohème 2.0 with /kor/ productions, Margery (cover) in The Dragon of Wantley with Haymarket Opera Company, Paquette (cover) in Candide with Music Theater Works, and the title role in Madama Butterfly with Main Street Opera. Her favorite operatic roles include Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro, Micaëla in La Tragédie de Carmen, Fiordiligi in Cosí fan tutte, Bardolfo in Falstaff, La Ciesca and Nella in Gianni Schicchi, and Bianca in La Rondine. Also at home in the realms of music theater and theater, Johanna has portrayed such versatile characters as Cathy in the Last Five Years, Reverend Mother in Nunsense, Meg March in Little Women and Madame de Rosemonde in Les Liaisons Dangereuses. As a producer, she has sought to bring opera to non-traditional venues with her company /kor/ productions, through sold out performances of Bohème in a Bar, Falstaff, Carmen, and Le Nozze di Figaro. Most recently, she has produced Bohème 2.0, an innovative online version of Puccini’s beloved masterpiece, La Bohème, using acclaimed singers from across the United States and being live streamed on YouTube. In her spare time, Johanna very much enjoys teaching in her private voice studio, performing as a storyteller, and hanging out with her adorable pups, George and Charlie. Previous Next

Laureate Gala Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 7:00pm EST Instrumentalists, Vocalists, Ensembles & Composers From Around the World Program Concertos and Arias with New York Chamber Players Orchestra Giacomo Franci , Artistic Director and Conductor Visit Carnegie Hall site for tickets for upcoming Gala concerts CONCERTOS AND ARIAS BY J. S. Bach, Mozart, Wieslaw Rentowski, James Adler, Chopin, Rainer Stegmann, Tchaikovsky, Albéniz, Rodrigo, Henry Litolff, Gong Qian Yang, François Borne CONDUCTORS Giacomo Franci, Paolo Scibilia, Alan Freiles Lillian Guo, soprano Stacey Kim, violin Dominika Zamara, soprano Ximurong Zhai, piano Theodore Wang, violin Aurelia Faidley-Solars, cello Saiya Mittal, violin Anna Maria Mendieta, harp Roland Schlieder, guitar Laura Steven Song, violin Ante Božić-Kudrić, piano Anastasiya Squires, flute SOLO PERFORMANCES: Neil Krishnan, piano NEW COMPOSITIONS BY: James Adler, Rainer Stegmann, Gong Qian Dates and Deadlines CELLO ENSEMBLE: The Bow Lightlys PRESENTS WORKS BY: J. S. Bach, Handel, Vivaldi Gala Laureates INTERVIEWS WITH STEVE ROBINSON APRIL 2 in New York City Steve Robinson is an American radio manager, producer and executive producer. He has held senior management positions with numerous American radio stations, including WFMT and the WFMT Radio Network/Chicago, WBUR/Boston, WGBH/Boston, WCRB/Boston, KPFA/Berkeley, WBGO/Newark, Vermont Public Radio and Nebraska Public Radio Network.ork. Robinson served as general manager of the statewide Nebraska Public Radio Network (1990-2000) and WFMT and the WFMT Radio Network from 2000 until October 2016. A 50-year radio veteran, he has produced programs ranging from classical music documentaries to public affairs programs and has directed over 100 on-air pledge drives. In 1984, he co-founded AIR, the Association of Independents in Radio, a service organization to assist independent radio producers in the United States. Robinson wrote AIR’s first two successful grants from the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. James Adler Audience Favorite AWARD $250 "It is very important to have the audience participate in this competition! It engages the listener and encourages our wonderfully talented contestants. I am delighted to co-found the James Adler Audience Favorite Award for the Sound Espressivo Global Music Competition. Sit back, listen, enjoy -- and please vote!" ~James Adler, Pianist and Composer Photo: Frank Gimpaya Repertoire Artists from Around the World Sample Compositions from All Periods of Classical Music Kaleidoscope of Genres, Instruments, Ensembles Age is Not a Limitation of Artistry! Performers are Aged 7-80 Age Groups snd Categories iClassical Academy AWARDS iClassical Academy provides Recognition Awards to Winners and Participants of Carnegie Gala Auditions We believe that anyone, at any time, should have access to the wonderfully beautiful world of music Our mission is to provide new generations of musicians, from any part of the world, the possibility to improve their skills and enjoy a wide audience iClassical Academy is based in Switzerland iClassical Awards International Panel of Judges Judges provide immediate on-air feedback to participants during the Live Audition stage. To learn more about the Judges, and to see their bios click here Laureate Gala! OUR STORY Laureates' Journey to Performance in New York Cit y at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall Hosted by STEVE ROBINSON, the world renowned producer of classical music radio programs SEE FULL BROCHURE Carnegie Auditions Play Video Play Video 35:56 Announcing Winners of Auditions for Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall Announcing Winners of Auditions for Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall held live on our previous Broadcasts on April 29 - May 2, 2023 Musicians were auditioning for an opportunity to perform at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, in Gala concerts in New York City. The Gala Auditions are organized by Sound Espressivo, Progressive Musicians, and Virtual Concert Halls. Auditionees from many countries are seeking guidance and support from the Judges, through live comments which you will hear after each performance The Sound Espressivo Global Competition is an online, live-streamed competition. It combines a competition and live performance experience. Progressive Musicians is an organizer of many competitions and concerts at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall. Virtual Concert Halls is an Internet TV broadcaster providing artists with a virtual stage and ability to reach audiences beyond the walls of conventional concert halls. The goal of these Auditions is to encourage, nurture, and reward musicians who are proactive about sharing their art and developing their careers. Sound Espressivo and Progressive Musicians together are providing opportunities for musicians to discover their unique artistic voice, take initiative, present themselves on their own terms, and carve out their own career paths. Thank you Judges! Gr 1 - Avguste Antonov. Masterclasses in Italy. Talent Summer Courses Gr 2 - Emil Chudnovsky Gr 3 - Vera Danchenko Gr 4 - Giacomo Franci Gr 5 - Giacomo Franci Gr 6a - Avguste Antonov Gr 6b - Avguste Antonov Gr 7 - Giacomo Franci Gr 8 - Giacomo Franci Gr 9 - Giacomo Franci Gr 10 - Avguste Antonov and Vera Danchenko Gr 11 - Gevorg Sargsyan and Emil Chudnovsky ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ These public broadcasts are brought to you by Virtual Concert Halls: Anna Ouspenskaya, Igor Zubkovsky, Frane, Rusinovich, James Welch, Fedor Ouspensky, Ante Bozc-Kudric, Chris Au. These programs are offered to public free of charge. https://virtualconcerthalls.com/ https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ Play Video Play Video 02:30:17 Laureates Gala Auditions Group 11 Laureate Gala Auditions April 29 - May 2, 2023 Candidates present their chosen programs to International Panel of Judges, for an opportunity to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Instrumentalists, Vocalists, Ensembles & Composers. Concertos and Arias to be performed with New York Chamber Players Orchestra, Giacomo Franci, conductor. Program: Tuesday May 2 GROUP 11 12:00pm-2:00pm Recitalists Yiqun Zhao, Flute, United States 6:36 - Cecile Chaminade - Concertino for flute, Op. 107 Christopher Rocha, Piano, United States 17:54 - Chopin - Waltz in B Minor Op. 69 No. 2 Valerija Iljinaite, Voice (dramatic soprano), United Kingdom 25:20 - Tchaikovsky - Liza’s aria from queen of spades 29:50 - Rosephanye Powell - Dying from ‘Then, Here and Now’ Chinnawat Themkumkwun, Guitar, Austria 38:49 - Olga Amelkina-Vera (b. 1976) - Western Vista Vlad Krik , Composer/Pianist, Germany 1:01:49 - Vlad Krik - NEW AGE 2022 Marcio Candido, Violin, USA 1:14:41 - Paulo Bosisio Aboio - e Dança Negra for solo violin Sophie Lu, Cello, United States 1:33:40 - David Popper - Hungarian Rhapsody op 68 Janelle Bai, Piano, USA 1:47:30 - R. Shchedrin - A la Albeniz Francesca Bartolo, Voice (Mezzo-Soprano), London, United Kingdom 51:44 - G. Rossini - Cruda Sorte!….agio so per pratica Produced and presented by Progressive Musicians, Sound Espressivo, and Virtual Concert Halls Play Video Play Video 02:30:10 Laureates Gala Auditions Group 10 Laureate Gala Auditions April 29 - May 2, 2023 Candidates present their chosen programs to International Panel of Judges, for an opportunity to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Instrumentalists, Vocalists, Ensembles & Composers. Concertos and Arias to be performed with New York Chamber Players Orchestra, Giacomo Franci, conductor. Program: Monday May 1 GROUP 10 9:00am-11:00am Recitalist Candidates Courtney Daniels and Narmina Sultanova, Voice, US 14:22 - S. Moniuszko - Halka's Aria Bruce Leto, Jr., Piano, United States 29:30 - Maurice Ravel - Valley of the Bells Anna-Thérèse Mehra, Piano, USA Liszt - Un Sospiro Jelena Stefanic, Voice/Soprano, Croatia 43:37 G. Puccini - La Boheme / Donde lieta, Mimi's aria Neel Perdue, piano, USA 2:05:26 - E. Grieg - Wedding in Troldhaugen 2:11:22 - F. Liszt - Consolations Patricio Cadena Perez, Guitar, France 1:25:37 - Francisco Tárrega - Recuerdos de la Alhambra 1:29:30 - Antonio Lauro - Valse N° 3 Jed Wei, Piano, USA 1:47:33 - Franz Liszt - Liebestraum no. 3 1:42:44 - Frédéric Chopin - Nocturne in C# Minor Venicia Rasmussen, Voice, Germany 56:40 - Mozart - Come scoglio , from 'Cosi fan tutte' 1:03:30 - Puccini - Un bel del vedremo, 'Madama Butterfly' Produced and presented by Progressive Musicians, Sound Espressivo, and Virtual Concert Halls Play Video Play Video 41:47 Laureates Gala Auditions Group 9 Laureate Gala Auditions April 29 - May 2, 2023 Candidates present their chosen programs to International Panel of Judges, for an opportunity to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Instrumentalists, Vocalists, Ensembles & Composers. Concertos and Arias to be performed with New York Chamber Players Orchestra, Giacomo Franci, conductor. Program: GROUP 9 9:00pm-10:00pm Concertos and vocal works with ORCHESTRA Yiqun Zhao, Flute, United States Carl Philipp Stamitz - Flute Concerto in G major, Op.29 George Cheng, piano, U.S. 3:43 - Mozart - Concerto No.27 in B flat Major, K.595, III. Rondo Allegro Andrew Chukwuka Egbuchiem, Voice Countertenor, United States 24:50 - Antonio Vivaldi - Nel profundo cieco mondo 30:30 - George Fredrick Handel - Amor tiranno amor Produced and presented by Progressive Musicians, Sound Espressivo, and Virtual Concert Halls Play Video Play Video 01:30:54 Laureates Gala Auditions Group 8 Laureate Gala Auditions April 29 - May 2, 2023 Candidates present their chosen programs to International Panel of Judges, for an opportunity to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Instrumentalists, Vocalists, Ensembles & Composers. Concertos and Arias to be performed with New York Chamber Players Orchestra, Giacomo Franci, conductor. Program: GROUP 8 7:00pm-8:30pm Concertos and vocal works with ORCHESTRA Joel Chen, piano, United States 8:03 - Mozart - Piano Concerto No 22, Movement 1 Susan Dantoni and Jan Koler, piano/cello, USA 16:43 - Faure - Elegy Susan - Dantoni and Cecelia Guerra, piano/soprano, USA 27:30 - Samuel Barber - St. Ita’s Vision Julio Reyes, Guitar, United States 34:08 - Antonio Vivaldi - Concerto in D Stacey Stofferahn, Voice, United States 47:40 - Lowe Finney - "Longing" Lori Qian, Piano, USA 56:08 - Beethoven - Concerto No. 2 Allegro con brio Produced and presented by Progressive Musicians, Sound Espressivo, and Virtual Concert Halls Play Video Play Video 01:18:57 Laureates Gala Auditions Group 7 Laureate Gala Auditions April 29 - May 2, 2023 Candidates present their chosen programs to International Panel of Judges, for an opportunity to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Instrumentalists, Vocalists, Ensembles & Composers. Concertos and Arias to be performed with New York Chamber Players Orchestra, Giacomo Franci, conductor. Program: GROUP 7 5:30pm-7:00pm Concertos and vocal works with ORCHESTRA Elaine Sara Lim, Piano, United States 7:36 - Mozart - Piano Concerto in A Major K488, 3rd Movement Harry Chen, Piano, United States 24:26 - Kabalevsky - Piano Concerto No 3 (Youth Concerto) in D Major, 2nd Movement Louise Ting, Piano, USA 37:33 - J. Haydn - Concerto in C major Tristan Zhu, violin, United States Ludwig van Beethoven - Violin concerto in D Major, Mvt 1 Sofia Baturina, Piano, USA 57:10 - Saint Saëns - Piano Concerto No. 2 Olivia Zhang, Piano, United States 47:48 - Haydn - Concerto in D Major, Mvt III, Rondo all'ongharese-Allegro assai Produced and presented by Progressive Musicians, Sound Espressivo, and Virtual Concert Halls Play Video Play Video 01:28:58 Laureates Gala Auditions Group 6B Laureate Gala Auditions April 29 - May 2, 2023 Candidates present their chosen programs to International Panel of Judges, for an opportunity to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Instrumentalists, Vocalists, Ensembles & Composers. Concertos and Arias to be performed with New York Chamber Players Orchestra, Giacomo Franci, conductor. Produced and presented by Progressive Musicians, Sound Espressivo, and Virtual Concert Halls Program: GROUP 6b 2:30pm-4:30pm Piano Recitalists Ximurong Zhai, Piano, Canada 10:53 - Charles Griffes - Fantasy Pieces - Scherzo Vignesh Rajagopalan, Piano, United States 20:36 - Mozart - Sonata No. 11 in A Minor,, K. 331 Tiger Stepinski, piano, USA 28:47 - Sergei Rachmaninoff - Etude OP 39 NO 6 Andrew Khayms, Piano, USA 36:15 - Chopin - Polonaise in D minor, Op. 71 No. 1 Daniel Lee, Piano/Composition, US 52:40 - Daniel Lee - Rise William Sun, Piano, US 1:01:02 - Fazil - Summer time Variations Bonnie Zhou, Piano, United States 1:11:10 - Michael Glinka - The Nightingale Variation Play Video Play Video 01:20:19 Laureates Gala Auditions Group 6A Laureate Gala Auditions April 29 - May 2, 2023 Candidates present their chosen programs to International Panel of Judges, for an opportunity to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Instrumentalists, Vocalists, Ensembles & Composers. Concertos and Arias to be performed with New York Chamber Players Orchestra, Giacomo Franci, conductor. Program: GROUP 6a 12:00pm-2:00pm Piano Recitalists Jia Li, Piano, USA 10:48 - Chopin - Nocturne Op. 9. No. 2 in Eb Major 14:59 - Mozart - Rondo Alla Turca Maggie Chen, Piano, United States 21:37 - MacDowell - Witches Dance Kristina Henckel and Amanda Virelle, Piano Duo, United States 29:01 - Sergei Rachmaninoff - Barcarolle from Six Pieces Op. 11 Antian Jiang, Piano, Canada 41:20 - Franz Liszt - La Campanella in G-sharp minor Alexis Dyche, Piano, USA 52:02 - Frederic Chopin - Impromptu, Opus 29 56:03 - Aaron Copland - The Cat and the Mouse Erin Chen, Piano, United States 1:05:52 - Chopin - Fantaisie-Impromptu In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 66 Produced and presented by Progressive Musicians, Sound Espressivo, and Virtual Concert Halls Previous Gala videos The New York Chamber Players Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Giacomo Franci is featuring world class soloists from US, Europe, Canada, Asia Premieres of newly composed works; recital soloists, and ensembles. SPECIAL GUESTS Maestro Giacomo Franci Music Director of New York Chamber Players Orchestra Alexander Peskanov Pianist, Composer Steve Robinson Honorary Host James Adler James Adler Audience Favorite Award James Adler Audience Favorite Award Jennifer Wang Gala Staff Collaborative Pianist Jennifer Wang, piano is a pianist, professional accompanist and collaborator based in New York and the DC area as well as Program Coordinator and Administrator Assistant at the Summit Music Festival. She received her Master Manhattan School of Music, New York, Jennifer has won numerous competitions, both in solo and chamber, performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Merkin Concert Hall in NY, Palazzo del Priori in Italy, DiCapo Opera Theater in New York, Embassy of Italy, Mexican Cultural Institute, Lyceum in Alexandria, featured on Cable TV: A Holiday Recital, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Netherlands Embassy, Alden Theater Music Friends Concert, and the Kimmel Center in PA as well as giving a lecture-concert in Wuhan, China. Meet the Gala Performers

< Back Previous Aviram Freiberg Next Israeli Composer Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 30, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Dr. Aviram Freiberg – Horn Player, Singer, Composer, and Scholar Dr. Aviram Freiberg is an Israeli multifaceted musician — horn player, singer, composer, pedagogue, researcher, and entrepreneur. He holds a B.Mus. in Horn Performance from the New England Conservatory in Boston, an M.A. in Musicology from Bar-Ilan University, and a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Haifa. For more than two decades, Aviram served as a horn player in leading Israeli orchestras. As a vocalist, he has performed widely in recitals, operas, and concerts, collaborating with choirs, orchestras, and ensembles. As a composer, Aviram’s primary focus is opera. Four of his operas have been performed, including at the prestigious Kfar Blum Music Festival (2008). His latest opera, The House of Bernarda Alba—based on Lorca’s celebrated play—was produced in 2023. His works have been performed and recorded by major ensembles: the Netanya-Kibbutz Orchestra recorded selections of his music in 2018; the Israeli Sinfonietta Be’er-Sheva premiered his Three Short Pieces for Chamber Orchestra in 2024; and in 2025, his Sinfonietta will be premiered at a Carnegie Hall gala concert. Beyond opera, Aviram composes chamber, symphonic, and choral music, as well as musical theatre works. Aviram is also the co-founder of Opera–Tsafon, a center dedicated to the creation and promotion of contemporary Israeli opera in northern Israel.

Meet our Hosts Anna Ouspenskaya, Margaret Pinder Russian born American concert pianist, chamber musician, educator, musicians' advocate, lecturer, adjudicator, writer, music programs host Margaret Pinder is a Cambridge-educated international corporate lawyer She taught at Harvard University before moving back to the UK where she now works for Polyphony Arts music management agency. She is Chair of the Hull Philharmonic Society and plays principal double bass. As Mayor of Beverley she used her office to provide wider access to music for local children. Margaret can be found performing on the UK stand up circuit.

Calista Case < Back Calista Case Previous Next Calista Case 🇺🇸 USA SOPRANO Calista Case is a young soprano, a musical theatre artist, an actress, and a dancer. She is from Lexington, Kentucky and is currently a first-year studying drama at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in New York City. This summer, she had the opportunity to train at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria where she specialized her studies in German lieder. She is passionate about many different styles of singing, including musical theatre, art song, opera, and popular music.

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.

Opportunity to study in Madrid Musical Arts Madrid “Virtuoso Diploma”  (high level masterclass)  Opportunity to study in Madrid Opportunity to study in Madrid Musical Arts Madrid “Virtuoso Diploma” (high level masterclass) Conditions: Musical Arts Madrid “Virtuoso Diploma” in Madrid (Spain), anytime from December 2021 to June 2022 (high level masterclass): 500 € Scholarship - Dates are flexible, length of course to be agreed with professor Cristina Cavalli. The course can be fully online if necessary. Total worth of festival/masterclass: 4150€ Includes: - 30 individual lessons (75 min) + concerts in Madrid and final “Virtuoso” degree. Competitions winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) are exempted from the admission exam. Excludes: - Air tickets - Accommodation Please note that scholarship recipients are responsible for their own travelling expenses and possible visas needed for travelling. The conditions and decision for this award are final and cannot be disputed. If necessary, special arrangements can be made directly with the masterclass/festival professor. Learn more Leon Piano Meeting, in León (Spain) July 2022, 11-24: 100 € Scholarship) Conditions: - Dates are flexible, length of course to be agreed with festival professor Cristina Cavalli. If necessary, the masterclass can be hold entirely online (Total worth of festival/masterclass: 450€) Includes: - 4 individual lessons (60 min) + concerts in León + free Workshop about Self Coaching Excludes: - Air tickets - Accommodation Please note that scholarship recipients are responsible for their own travelling expenses and possible visas needed for travelling. The conditions and decision for this award is final and cannot be disputed. If necessary, special arrangements can be made directly with the masterclass/festival professor. Masterclasses with Cristina Cavalli 20% discount on bulk of 6 hours e-learning lessons (all levels) Six hours lesson bulk at a discounted price of 400 euros instead of 500 (20 % discount); a good internet connection is required. Available in English, Italian or Spanish.

< Back Manhattan Moods These series of albums provide a unique platform for emerging voices in classical composition and performance, offering listeners a journey through both familiar traditions and unexplored musical landscapes. Featured works and artists: Stas Venglevski - Rondo Fantasy for Accordion and Orchestra. Stas Venglevski, accordion Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 1. Kate Lee, piano Vivaldi - Summer. Gvantsa Butskhrikidze, violin Gong-Qian Yang - Agitato for String Orchestra Saint-Säens - Concerto No. 2. Ayla Moreno, piano Listen Featured Works: Stas Venglevski - Rondo Fantasy for Accordion and Orchestra. Stas Venglevski, accordion Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 1 Kate Lee, piano Vivaldi - Summer Gvantsa Butskhrikidze, violin Gong-Qian Yang - Agitato for String Orchestra Saint-Säens - Concerto No. 2 Ayla Moreno, piano Stas Venglevski 's bio Acclaimed for his dazzling technical command, expressive artistry, and deep musical sensitivity , Stanislav “Stas” Venglevski has earned international recognition as a master of the bayan — a type of classical Russian accordion. A native of the Republic of Moldova , formerly part of the Soviet Union, Stas is a two-time First Prize winner of the national bayan competition in Moldova. He holds a Master’s Degree in Music from the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow , where he studied under the legendary Russian bayanist Friedrich Lips . In 1992 , Stas immigrated to the United States , where he has since established himself as a performer, composer, conductor, arranger, entertainer, and teacher . Stas's extensive repertoire includes classical, contemporary, and ethnic music from around the world, along with many original compositions . He has toured as a soloist throughout the former Soviet Union, Canada, Europe, and the United States , and has performed with major symphony orchestras across both Europe and North America. His notable collaborations include appearances with Doc Severinsen , Steve Allen , and on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion . Since 2016 , Stas has served as the Artistic Director of the Houston Accordion Orchestra Retreat , and in 2021 , he was named Artistic Director of A World of Accordions Museum in Superior, Wisconsin. A dedicated leader in the accordion community, he is a former President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild (ATG) and continues to serve on its board. Most recently, Stas joined the faculty of the Music Department at the University of Wisconsin–Superior , where he shares his passion for the bayan and accordion with the next generation of musicians. Kate Lee's bio Kate Lee began studying piano at the age of 4 under the guidance of Dr. Anna Ouspenskaya and Frane Rusinovic, and studies music theory with Fedor Ouspensky. Her musical development has been marked by a series of impressive performances and honors at both national and international levels. In 2019 , Kate received the Judges’ Distinction Award (Plaque Trophy) in the American Protégé International Concerto Competition , as well as First Place in the American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music . These achievements led to her debut performances at Weill Recital Hall and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall . In 2020 , she won First Place in the Forte International Music Competition & Festival , further establishing her promise as a rising young pianist. Her success continued in 2022 with: First Place in the American Fine Arts Festival Concerto Competition An Honorable Mention in the William Knabe International Piano Competition An Honorable Mention and the iClassical Academy Excellence Award from the Global Sound Espressivo Competition A return performance at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall , as First Place winner of the American Protégé International Piano & Strings Competition In addition to these accomplishments, Kate has earned awards from other esteemed competitions, including: Glory International Modern & Contemporary / Romantic Music Competition YMIC Metropolitan Music Festival Great Composers Competition series Through her years of study, Kate has developed a passionate, focused, and enthusiastic approach to music. Her commitment to steady practice has nurtured both expressive performance skills and analytical thinking , making her a standout among her peers. Gvantsa Butskhrikidze's bio Gvantsa Butskhrikidze was born in 2002 in Kutaisi, Georgia , and began her violin studies at the M. Balanchivadze Musical School , in the school's Orchestra Department. Early in her musical journey, she was awarded a scholarship to the Art Academy and earned First Prize in a national competition, where she was also recognized as the Judges' Favorite . Gvantsa is a prize-winning violinist at several international competitions , including a First Prize and Grant Award at a prestigious contest in Turkey , and First Place at the “Find Your Star” competition. She has given three solo recitals and has appeared as a special guest performer in concerts across various regions of Georgia. Her orchestral experience includes performing with the Sinfonietta Orchestra , and she is a First Prize winner of the International Contest of Young Musicians . In 2019, Gvantsa participated in the American Protégé International Competition , winning First Prize , which led to her Gala performance at Carnegie Hall . In 2021, she won First Prize in the O. Taktakishvili International Music Competition , further establishing her as one of Georgia’s most promising young violinists. Gvantsa currently studies at the Mikeladze Central Music School under the guidance of Professor Manana Kantaria , continuing to develop her artistry and technique at the highest level. Gong-Qian Yang's bio Gong Qian Yang is a versatile and visionary composer whose music reflects the modern classical style of the 21st century. His compositions span a wide range of genres, including choral works, film scores, television and radio themes, gaming music, soundscapes, and large-scale symphonic pieces such as the Symphonic Poem "Nature and Me" and "Dawn – Awakening." His music is known for being natural, uplifting, easy to listen to, and deeply inspirational. As a composer, producer, and publisher, Yang has released seven original albums, with more on the way: Sonic Poem Sonic Spring by Gong Qian Yang Sonic Wave by Gong Qian Yang Lean on Me Music for Yoga and More Sonic Fusion Space and Stars The album Space and Stars reflects Yang’s intimate connection with nature — inspired by the sounds and essence of birds, forests, seashores, waves, wind, the night sky, moonlight, and twinkling stars. An accomplished violinist, Yang is a two-time First Prize winner of the Starling International Scholarship Foundation in the United States. He studied with the legendary Prof. Dorothy DeLay and Prof. Kurt Sassmannshaus at the Aspen Music Festival and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where he earned his Master's Degree in Music. His earlier studies included mentorship from Kathleen Lenski and Prof. Robert Lipsett in California. Yang’s experience at CCM also enriched his path as a composer. He studied composition with Joel Hoffman and was deeply influenced by Gerhard Samuel — a noted conductor and composer who had studied with Paul Hindemith and Serge Koussevitzky. During his time at CCM, Yang had the rare privilege of performing on Prof. Samuel’s Gagliano violin, which further shaped his understanding of sound and expression. Even while enjoying success as a soloist and concert artist, Yang maintained a strong focus on composition and music production. Drawing inspiration from a vast repertoire and the traditions of Western classical music, he has crafted a unique voice rooted in emotional depth, natural harmony, and spiritual connection to the universe. Much of his music emerges from moments of reflection during travel — for example, humming melodies on the road to Nashville or feeling his heart sing while driving through the Appalachian Mountains. Yang believes that music should radiate infinite life energy, glorifying the beauty of the universe and celebrating the spirit of humanity within it. His albums are available on platforms including Apple iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon MP3, Tencent Music, Netease Music, Verizon, Nokia, MySpace Music, Tradebit, Napster, Emusic, and more. His music has been well received in the U.S. and internationally, known for its ability to reach and touch listeners on a deeply personal and emotional level. Ayla Moreno's bio Ayla began studying piano and violin at the age of three and made her orchestral solo debut at six, performing the Berkovich Piano Concerto with the Tucson Civic Orchestra. The following year, she performed Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 1 with both the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra and the Tucson Repertory Orchestra during their tour in Japan. In 2022, she performed Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra at age 10, followed in 2023 by Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with Orquestra do Algarve of Portugal under the baton of maestro Maurizio Colasanti. She has participated in prestigious music festivals, including the Cleveland Institute of Music Young Artist Seminar, Chopin Festival in Poland, Philadelphia International Music Festival, Heifetz PEG, Colburn Piano Seminar, Sima Classics in Poland, and the Piano Concerto Festival, where she studied with renowned teachers, gave concerts and appeared as a soloist with orchestras. She also enjoys performing at the annual Tucson Folk Festival. Ayla is a top prizewinner of numerous national and international competitions, including the Chopin International Piano Competition (Hartford, CT), WPTO Spain International Piano Competition, Sound Espressivo Competition, Frantz Liszt Center International Piano Competition, Charleston International Music Competition, and several local concerto competitions. She is a member of the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra and currently studies piano with Dr. Kyungsun Choi and violin with Dr. Laura Tagawa. Outside of music, Ayla enjoys playing chess and taking dance classes. Maestro David Wroe's bio Maestro David Wroe is Music Director of the New Jersey Festival Orchestra , Principal Conductor at the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice (NY) , and a regular guest conductor with L’Orchestre Régional de Normandie in France . A frequent presence on international stages, he has conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra , Saint Louis Symphony , Royal Scottish National Orchestra , L’Orchestre National de Lille , New York City Opera , New York City Ballet , and leading orchestras across Europe, Asia, and North America. Formerly Assistant Conductor to Seiji Ozawa at the Boston Symphony Orchestra , Wroe led performances at Tanglewood , Symphony Hall , and collaborated on recordings with Jessye Norman and Itzhak Perlman . His operatic leadership includes positions at Opera Delaware , Oper der Stadt Heidelberg , and Opera Teatro Gratticielo in New York. He has recorded with L’Orchestre National de Lille (TransArt label) and conducted broadcasts for the Austrian Broadcasting Authority (ORF) . In the crossover space, he has performed with artists such as Kristin Chenoweth , Mannheim Steamroller , Joan Rivers , and Jackie Evancho . A committed educator, Wroe has held positions with NYU , Montclair State University , and Brown University , and led youth programs for the Boston Symphony and Taipei Symphony . Honors include the Seiji Ozawa Fellowship at Tanglewood , finalist in the Leonard Bernstein Conducting Competition , and a U.S. Congressional citation for contributions to the arts. He holds degrees from Manchester University (UK) and Northwestern University , and studied with Gustav Meier and Victor Yampolsky . Produced by Sound Espressivo — Vienna, Virginia, USA Edited and Published by Cicerone MA — Utrecht, The Netherlands Production Manager – Anna Ouspenskaya Publishing Coordination – Irma De Jong Sound Engineer – James Welch Editing and Mastering – Gianriccardo Pera Cicerone MA Streams ©2025 Previous Next

< Back The Road to Zlin These series of albums provide a unique platform for emerging voices in classical composition and performance, offering listeners a journey through both familiar traditions and unexplored musical landscapes. Featured Works: S. Rachmaninoff- Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2, Op.18 (1st movement) Gong Qian - Strings Attached W.A. Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 12 in A Major, K. 414 (1st movement) Reiner Stegmann - Aprěs la guerre E. Grieg - Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in A minor, Op. 16 (2nd movement) G. Puccini - In quelle trine morbide, from 'Manon Lescaut' F. Mendelssohn - Bartholdy - Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor, Op. 64 (1st movement) Listen Featured Artists: Jennifer Savage (piano) Louise Ting (piano) Zhibin Chiam (piano) Jelena Stefanic (soprano) Kevin Matheson (violin) Gong-Qian Yang (composer) Rainer Stegmann (composer) Artists' Biographies Jennifer Savage Jennifer Savage received her Master Manhattan School of Music, New York, studying piano performance with Arkady Aronov and Efrem Briskin under the Elva van Gelder Memorial and Constance Keene piano scholarship, previously studying at the MSM Precollege with Dr. Anna Ouspenskaya at the Levine School of Music. An avid performer, Jennifer has appeared as a soloist with the Virtuosi Brunensis Orchestra and at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, Kaufman Center’s Merkin Hall, historical Palazzo dei Priori in Perugia Italy, the DiCapo Opera Theater in New York, and the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Jennifer has won numerous competitions, both in solo and chamber music, performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center in NY, Palazzo dei Priori in Italy, DiCapo Opera Theater in New York, Embassy of Italy, Mexican Cultural Institute, Lyceum in Alexandria, featured on Cable TV: A Holiday Recital, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Netherlands Embassy, Alden Theater Music Friends Concert, and the Kimmel Center in PA as well as giving a lecture-concert in Wuhan, China. Louise Ting Elite International Music Competition First Prize Carnegie Hall, Manhattan NY – January 2023 Golden Classical Music Awards First Prize and Exceptional Young Talent Special Prize and Carnegie Hall Manhattan, NY – July 2022 Windsor International Piano Competition Category A - 3rd Prize – July 2022 International Music Competition Amsterdam "Grand Prize Virtuoso" First Prize plus Exceptional Young Talent Special Prize "Young Musician Category" July 2022 International Music Competition Salzburg "Grand Prize Virtuoso" First Prize plus Exceptional Young Talent Special Prize "Young Musician Category" July 2022 7th Paderewski International Piano Competition Special Online Edition - Honorable Mention – June 2022 10th Concorso Musicale Ineternazionale Citta Di Palmanova Premio UNESCO First Prize Cat E - May 2022 Young Promise International 2021 Piano Competition Second Place – May 2021 Crescendo International Music Competition First Place - January 2021 Zhibin Chiam Zhibin Chiam lives for the magical moments of sharing great music with audiences worldwide. He worked as an accompanist for 12 years before he played for the Belgian American pianist Tedd Joselson and with Joselson’s guidance has been developing his distinctive pianism of sensitivity, refinement and imagination ever since. Season 2024/25 sees Zhibin Chiam performing at Music Fest Perugia in Italy and Season 2025/26 includes a solo recital at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Within 2 years of starting a concert career, Zhibin Chiam has played with the Orquestra do Algarve and the Orchestra delle Cento Città, played with the conductors Marius Stravinsky and Maurizio Colasanti, and has been signed by Price Attractions. His performances have taken him to Italy, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Hong Kong and Singapore. His audiences have included dignitaries from the Embassy of Italy and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Singapore. A pianist of distinctive pedigree, Zhibin Chiam presently studies with Tedd Joselson and is an heir in the lineage of Vladimir Horowitz, Rudolf Serkin and Clifford Curzon. He has studied with Boris Kraljevic who is a postgraduate of the Tchaikovsky State Conservatory in Moscow in the class of Lev Naumov, a pupil of Heinrich Neuhaus. He has taken masterclasses with Mikhail Voskresenky (who worked with Dmitri Shostakovich), Jean-David Coen, Ian Jones, David Fung, Rixiang Huang, Danijel Gasparovic and Christopher Elton. He also attended a summer school at the Musikakademie Tübingen, Germany where he studied with Wei Tsin-Fu. Zhibin Chiam has garnered multiple awards and prizes including Bronze Hands at the Carles and Sofia International Piano Competition 2024, Distinction at the WPTA Italy International Piano Competition 2024, Gold Award at the Gold Star International Music Competition 2024 Singapore Preliminary, Finalist in the colORCHESTRA Auditions 2024, Career Project Prize at the 5th Swiss International Online Music Competition 2023, Silver Award at the 5th WPTA Singapore International Piano Competition 2023, Special Prize in the 2023 Pacific Stars International Piano Competition, Gold Award in the 1st Ars Nova Fest in Singapore, Bronze Award in the 1st WPTA Singapore International Piano Competition, and Platinum Award in the 1st Le Petit Performers’ Festival in Singapore. Jelena Stefanic Jelena is Croatian soprano performing wide range of roles, spanning from iconic Baroque heroines, to Mozart, Verdi, Puccini and Operetta Diva roles. Jelena is a Croatian soprano performing a wide range of roles, spanning from iconic Baroque heroines to Mozart, Verdi, Puccini and Operetta Diva roles. When she was only 16 years old, she made her debut in Varaždin as Hyale in Acteon under the baton of Laurence Cummings. Through years she appeared at numerous stages such as Vienna Musikverein, State Opera Ruse, Bulgaria, State Opera Maldybayev, Croatian National Theatres in Varazdin, Osijek, Pola. Then NCPA Beijing, Carnegie Hall, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Mythos Opera Festival (Catania, Taormina Teatro Greco), Schlosstheater Schönbrunn Vienna, Vienna Volksoper, Teatro della Ciudad Mexico, Grand Theatre Suzhou, Bridewell Theatre London, Kensington Opera London and many more. Her repertoire include roles: Traviata, Leonora in Il Trovatore, Elettra in Idomeneo, Vitellia in Clemenza di Tito, First Lady in Magic flute, Konstanze, Rosalinde in die Fledermaus, Countess Mariza, Angelica in Orlando, Verdi Requiem, Lady Macbeth, Thais, Donna Anna, Desdemona, Medea, Tosca, Tatyana and many more. She is an alumna of iSING Festival China, under guidance of Hao Jiang Tian and honorary chair Placido Domingo. In 2012 Jelena was invited to participate on Domingo’s Operalia as the first Croatian female singer in the long history of this greatest competition. From 2021 Jelena is a casting director of small Classical Music Festival, Noctes Aquae Iasae in Croatia. Kevin Matheson Violinist Kevin Matheson was awarded first prize in the 2021 Charleston International Music Competition for his performance of Vieuxtemps’ “Souvenirs d’Amérique.” Kevin Matheson, with his brother as violin-viola duo, received critical acclaim at their Carnegie Weill Recital Hall debut as part of the Ibla Grand Prize competition winners’ tour. They have been recognized for their mesmerizing and spirited performances - two perfect virtuosos, playing as one. Their two successful tours to Japan included recorded performances at Yamaha Hall in Tokyo. Kevin performed Vivaldi’s Four Violin Concertos with the Irish Sinfonietta Orchestra in New York City and has performed Bruch and Mozart concertos with the Valley Chamber Orchestra at Hollins University. Matheson is a frequent recitalist and chamber musician on concert series throughout Virginia. He has organized new ballet choreography for his performances of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, selections from Bartok’s 44 Duos for Two Violins and other works with the Roanoke Ballet Theatre and Southwest Virginia Ballet. Kevin Matheson has arranged many Broadway, movie, operatic and orchestral works for his violin-viola-piano trio which tours for the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Kevin Matheson has commissioned and premiered new chamber compositions, recorded five CDs and is a Performing Artist for Young Audiences of Virginia, presenting school concerts throughout the state. He is concertmaster of the Orchestra of Virginia’s Blue Ridge and Adjunct Instructor at Hollins University. Gong-Qian Yang Yang’s music is in the 21st century modern classical music style ranging from Choral, movie soundtrack, TV, radio headlines and gaming music, soundscape, to symphonic works such as "Nature and Me " Symphonic Poem and "Dawn-Awakening", etc. His music is natural, easy listening, uplifting and inspirational. As a composer, producer and publisher, Gong Qian Yang has released seven of his music albums: "Sonic Poem”； "Sonic Spring by Gong Qian Yang”； "Sonic Wave by Gong Qian Yang”； "Lean on Me”； "Music for Yoga and More”； "Sonic Fusion”； "Space and Stars” - Yang's inspiration for communication with nature: Birds, Forest, Seashore, Wave, Wind, Night sky, Moon and twinkling stars. As an accomplished violinist, Yang has been twice first-prize winner of the Starling International Scholarship Foundation in U.S. He pursued his violin study with the legendary violin teacher Prof. Dorothy Delay and Prof. Kurt Sassmannshaus at both Aspen music Festival and Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM). Yang has been conferred a Master's Degree of Music. Yang also studied with Ms. Kathleen Lenski, and Prof. Robert Lipsett earlier when he was in California. Yang very much enjoyed taking composer Joel Hoffman's class at CCM. He was also very grateful to his music mentor Gerhard Samuel (who studied composition with Paul Hindemith and conducting with Koussevitzky). Yang was coached and influenced by Prof. Samuel on modern music languages and new music for the future. Fortunately, Yang was offered the opportunity to play Prof. Samuel's Gagliano violin during the time while he was studying at CCM. While enjoying a successful career as soloist and concert artist, Yang always kept keen interest in music composition. Focusing on his music production, Yang has studied a wide range of repertoire and a great diversity of music by western masters. As a sensible composer, Yang has often been inspired by the harmony between all the creatures in the universe. A lot of his music ideas came to him when he was on his music tour. He was humming along on the way to Nashville, and his heart was singing when he was driving in the Appalachian Mountains. Yang says he enjoys being close to nature whether it is sunny or rainy; he feels the energy and harmony coming from everywhere. Yang’s music is in the 21st century modern classical music style ranging from Choral, movie soundtrack, TV, radio headlines and gaming music, soundscape, to symphonic works such as "Nature and Me " Symphonic Poem and "Dawn-Awakening", etc. His music is natural, easy listening, uplifting and inspirational. Rainer Stegmann Rainer Stegmann is a concert guitarist, composer and music educator. He studied in Frankfurt am Main at the Musikhochschule and at the Dr. Hoch's Conservatory. Rainer Stegmann performs as a soloist, in various chamber music casts and with orchestra. His musical focus is clearly in the field of new music. He wants to prove that contemporary music is not just for experts. Rainer Stegmann has performed numerous rarely heard contemporary chamber music and solo works for guitar. His CDs 'Soundscapes I, II and III' published by the classical label GENUIN received excellent reviews and established Rainer Stegmann as a globally respected interpreter of contemporary music. Rainer Stegmann has been active in composition since his youth. His teacher at the Frankfurt University of Music was Prof. Jürgen Blume. After that, he continued his autodidactically training, but also in courses, e.g. with Leo Brouwer. In his compositions, he often mixes different musical styles. He loves the strict classical forms as well as the free, quasi-improvisatory of contemporary music, but also rock and jazz. In his oeuvre there are solo, chamber music and orchestral works. www.rainerstegmann.de Previous Next

LOUISA MARIE CORDES < Back LOUISA MARIE CORDES Previous Next LOUISA MARIE CORDES 🇩🇪 Germany VIOLINIST Louisa began playing the violin with five years in the Suzuki Class of Isabel Morey Suau in Kiel, Germany. In 2018 she changed to Ralf Krögers violin Class. During the years she played many regional Competitions in which she won first prizes with distinction in her devision. And some international Competitions with first, second and third prizes. She had Master Classes, with Prof. Lutz Leskowitz (Salzburg), with Prof. Maria Egelhof (Lübeck) and Prof. Andreas Lehmann (Weimar). From October 2019 till June 2020 Louisa was at the Network of the YARO (Young Academy Rostock) at the HTM Rostock. Now Louisa has also lessons with Prof. Daniel Sepec, Musikhochschule Lübeck and has a scholarships, one at the Konservatorium Hamburg.

Zikai Andy Wang < Back Zikai Andy Wang Previous Next Zikai Andy Wang Canada PIANIST Zikai Andy Wang, 9-year-old, started learning piano at the age of 6 with Dr. Olga Chichova. He is self-disciplined, dedicated, and hardworking on practicing piano and won numerous awards in international competitions and local music festivals, Including the OMFA Ontario Provincial, Little Mozarts International Music Competition, Rocky Mountain Piano Competition, Peel Music Festival, etc. Andy is also an award winner of Steinway’s Canadian Young Artist Standards of Excellence Awards in 2021. In addition to music, Andy is also passionate for painting, language math and swimming.