Apply Laureate Gala Auditions for an opportunity to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall Apply Open to All Instrumentalists, Vocalists, Ensembles, Conductors, Composers Concert Season at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall: November 24, 2025, at 7:00pm November 25, 2025, at 7:00pm February 16, 2026, at 7:00pm February 19, 2026, at 7:00pm April 28, 2026, at 7:00pm June 28, 2026, at 1:00pm June 30, 2026, at 7:00pm Audition to perform Solo or Ensemble Concertos and Arias, new music by living composers with Orchestra Manhattan, David Wroe, conductor New York Chamber Players Orchestra, Giacomo Franci, conductor Download Consent Download Regulations LAST AUDITIONS in 2025-26 season! June 13-16, 2026. Performances at Carnegie Hall, with orchestras, solo, ensembles. Concert and recordings opportunities with orchestras worldwide. Soloists, Composers Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Four Seasons of Galas O UR 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 New York Chamber Players Orchestra Steve Robinson Honorary Host Susanna Kolker Guest Artist James Adler James Adler Audience Favorite Award James Adler Audience Favorite Award Jennifer Savage Gala Staff Collaborative Pianist Jennifer Savage 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, previously studying at the MSM Precollege and 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, 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. Meet the Gala Performers

< Back Previous Matthew Brand Next Pianist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 30, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Matthew Brand is an 11th-grade student at Horace Mann School and a dedicated musician with a wide-ranging background in classical, jazz, and contemporary music. He began studying piano in 2013 with Donna Weng Friedman and is currently enrolled in the Scholar’s Program at Mannes Prep, where he studies classical piano, composition, music theory, ear training, and jazz. He studies composition with Dr. Steven Sacco and performs in the jazz ensemble under the direction of Martin Shapiro. In addition to his work at Mannes, Matthew studies jazz and composition with Adam Dyer in London, England. He also works with Jason Pomerantz on songwriting and vocal performance. From April to July 2024, he wrote, produced, and recorded a self-titled five-song EP of original pop-rock music at Smash Studios Midtown, which has garnered over 20,000 streams across all platforms. Matthew has participated in a number of prestigious programs, including the Interlochen Center for the Arts, the Litchfield Jazz Camp, and the Manhattan School of Music’s Jazz Composition and Performance program. He has also studied jazz guitar with Joe Ravo. Since 2022, Matthew has achieved notable recognition for his musical accomplishments. He won the Progressive Musicians Concerto Competition and performed the first movement of Haydn’s Concerto in D Major—featuring his own original jazz cadenza—at Weill Carnegie Hall with the New York Chamber Players’ Orchestra under Maestro Giacomo Franci. In 2024, he composed a jazz-inspired concerto for piano and orchestra titled Fusion Fantasy, which was selected as a finalist in the Mannes Prep Concerto Competition. Beyond the classroom and concert hall, Matthew is committed to using music for social impact. He is the founder and host of UrbanAid, an annual charity rock concert at Horace Mann, and regularly performs in rock and jazz venues across New York City, including the Mercury Lounge, Stephen Talkhouse, and The Delancey. Photo credit: Matthew Borkowski.

< Back Previous Yiqun Zhao Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 24, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Yiqun Zhao is a New York–based flutist and data scientist. She won the 2021 New York Flute Fair Competition for non-professional musicians and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Flute Club, as well as on the National Flute Association’s Performance Health Care Committee. Yiqun has performed as a soloist in prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, and plays in multiple flute choirs and orchestras. She is currently studying with Nicolas Duchamp. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Yiqun holds a master’s degree in statistics from Harvard University—where she was one of eight merit-based commencement marshals among 1,000 graduates—and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where she was valedictorian. She also studied at ETH Zurich in Switzerland and works as a data science manager at a multinational consulting firm.

< Back Previous Kate Shin Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 1, 2024 WATCH VIDEO 16-year-old Kate Shin has been studying classical piano since the age of five. Inspired by the performances of other talented musicians, she has developed a deep passion for the piano. Kate studies with Ms. Han Bee Shin and has received numerous awards, including solo competition prizes from MTAC and the Southern California Junior Bach Festival, as well as honors from the Certificate of Merit program. She has also participated in masterclasses with Rufus Choi, Professor Junko Garrett, and Professor Jarred Dunn. Since 2019, Kate has been enrolled in the Pianist Program at the Orange County School of the Arts in California, studying under Dr. Sarkis Baltaian.

< Back Maurizio Mastrini Guest Artist, Piano Learn More Videos About Maurizio Mastrini Italy PIANIST Maurizio Mastrini is one of the best pianist and uncontaminated composer of the international musical and instrumental panorama. He came to the fore these last two years because he plays famous classical masterpieces starting from the last note backward to the first. The musical result is astonishing and the audience can listen to a new piece having the same notes of the original one, but played backwards. His musical creativity has his roots in the retreat in Umbria where he lives, far away from the frantic rhythms of daily life routine. This is exactly what makes him uncontaminated in his compositions and full of emotions that he transmits through his works. He has been defined a “wild heart” for his way of living and being a little bit solitary but with a heart that, when he plays, expresses a world of emotions. His compositions are the link between the traditional standards of music and the new Contemporary Classical Music, thanks to a cultured and emotional research, that fuses itself, in some parts to dodecaphony, leaving aside the harmonic hardness of this latter. Many of his works are minimalist compositions, others show a mathematical conception, other are constituted by very few notes “… even just few notes may move a person to tears” says the maestro, other compositions have instead such abundance of sounds that they sound like an orchestra”. The most recent comments about him: “Maurizio is extraordinary” Steve Orchard, sound engineer of the Air Studios in London,winner of a Grammy Award (for a Béla Fleck album) “A little bit crazy and a little bit genius: but the genius is 80% …”Corrado Canonici, double bass player, World Concert Artists agent, London “Phenomenal pianist” Margherita Ferrandino, RAI journalist “Mastrini: madness and brilliance to its pure essence … fantastic!!” Federico Taddia, RADIORAI speaker “Maurizio Mastrini is a genius!” Michele Cucuzza, RAI journalist “Mastrini represents one of the best international music talents” Fabrizio Frizzi, RAI TV presenter Etc. “Newspaper articles published about him by: Corriere della sera, Repubblica, Il Giornale, La Nazione, Il Messaggero, Focus, l’Espresso, etc. He has been the music guest in the following channels: RAIUNO, RAIDUE, RAITRE, ITALIA 1, CANALE 5, RETE 4, DEUTSCHEWELLEENGLISH,BBC, RADIORAI, Etc. His world tour will bring him in the most important cities of the world. Maurizio Mastrini graduated at the music conservatory “F. Morlacchi” in Perugia while studying with Maestro Vincenzo Vitale. He expresses his highest artistic expression playing the piano, though he is also a composer and director. Born in Panicale, a small village in Umbria, from very young parents (his father was 18 and his mother 16). His father perceives he is a boy out-of-the-common when he discovers him, at the age of 7 or 8 years old, playing rudimentary drums built with empty paint tins used by his father for mechanic constructions. His father brings him to a music teacher, who soon understands the talent of the young boy and suggests him to go to the conservatory. Maurizio starts playing the piano and he is soon considered a child prodigy. He wins several national and international music contests. He starts touring around the world and makes CD recordings for AZZURRA label that sell incredibly well throughout the world. Particulary important is the Cd collection “Storia della Musica – Capolavori” (History of music – the masterpieces) distributed by Ricordi where Maestro Riccardo Allorto chooses to put together in the same CD A.Rubinstein and M. Mastrini, this latter playing R.Schumann Phantasiestucke in C flat. His record production includes: “I Miei Romantici, vol.1”,“Sogno D’Amore”,“Sacro & Profano”, “I miei Classici”published by “Progetti Sonori” particularly interesting because Maurizio Mastrini is the first pianist to record the first works of the classical authors such as Mozart, Beethoven, etc.; Love Music, Classic Music For Christmas, “Le Musiche dello Zodiaco”, “Love Piano”. He composes a Mass in Latin at the age of 14, an opera, an Ave Maria and many other compositions, some of which he starts playing during his concerts. His many tours bring him to Iceland, Denmark, Turkey, France, England, Netherlands, the U.S.A., Spain, The Czech Republic. He held concerts in prestigious towns such as: Dijon, Basil, Cincinnati, London, Inverness, Paris, Verona, Rome, Besancon, Perugia, Milan, Messina, Reykjavík. He made video recordings for Italian RAI, Swiss radio and television, BBC, ABC, Mediaset.The teachers that mostly influenced him are Vincenzo Vitale,Don Mario Venturi and Winjand va De Pol. Meanwhile he founds and directs one of the most valued music schools in Europe “Accademia Nazionale d’Arte Musicale” (National Academy of Musical Arts) where, alongside with the music classes, he adds courses for pre-school children so to bring them close to music in an active way with solfeggio and playing the instrument thanks to the Pentamano system, that he invented himself.He wrote several didactic books as: “La tecnica del pianista contemporaneo”, “Mastro solfeggio”, “Mastrini piano”, collections of 4-hands pieces, etc. He directs the Royal Academy of Music Art from 1994 to 2002. Starting from 1998 he puts up short operas as: Mozart’s “La finta semplice”, A. Scarlatti’s “Il trionfo dell’onore”, D. Cimarosa’s “Il marito disperato”, A. Salieri 2Falstaff”, Donizetti “Giovedi Grasso” and “Il Campanello”. He starts playing his own compositions together with pieces by Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, Beethoven, Scarlatti. The reactions of the surprised public is so positive that he starts giving concerts playing only his music and obtaining a great success. The critics have defined him “a great technician with a sublime sensibility”. He then offers his creativity to the company he founds thereafter: Mastrini Production & Communication, that works in the field of musicals, tv productions, communication and marketing. Some of the best productions are: VIP MOBILE a company for phone services Canale 5, Italia 1,MTV, All Music; Dindo Mobile a company for phone services Canale 5, Italia 1, MTV, All Music. Maurizio Mastrini has conceived and implemented for the TV circuit Cinque Stelle 3 editions of the musical programme “Musica Maestro” and two editions of “Palcoscenico Aperto”,“Il Diavolo e l’Acqua Santa”. He created the tv formats “Drin Game”, “L’Autostop”, “Tutti a sCQuola”, “Un biglietto per due”. He produced the fiction “Oltre la collina” (“Beyond the hill”) chosen and awarded a special mention for merit at “Romafictionfest 2009”. He is the author of the soundtrack of “Così fan tutte” sit-com broadcasted by Mediaset. Maurizio manages anyway to find the right balance between business and private life, that he spends in his retreat in the Umbrian countryside. From 1992 he is the artistic director of the following music festivals: Piano festival in Verneuil en Halatte (France), Ross Shire Music (Scotland) and of the youth orchestra Malden Young Strings, Reykjavík Song Skolinn. He is the manager of the festival and the musical contest “Città di Folgaria Musica & Neve” from 1993 to 2003 and is the artistic director of the international festival “Euritmia Sonora”and of the international music contest “M. Petri” in Città della Pieve (PG), “Città di Marsciano” (PG) and is the founder of the music festival “Mosaico Sonoro” of Panicale. He composes several works for RAI such as theme songs, musical arrangements for the series of twenty-seven episodes “favolando Favolando” broadcasted by RAI Stereo Due. He wrote the musics for “UNO MATTINA” RAI UNO. He worked as musical consultant for the TMC tv programme “Zap Zap Tv” in 1998/1999 and 1999/2000. He was the musical consultant for “UNOMATTINA” since 1996 and from 1999 to 2003 of the programme “I FATTI VOSTRI” RAIDUE. n 2001 he composed the shortest opera in the world “Il Bacio”(the Kiss) on a text by Sergio Tasso, length 3 minutes and 20 seconds that will be inserted in the world Guinness. The opera will have its premiere in 2011. His style highlights in a very clear way the basic elements of his language cultured and complex, but emotional and immediate at the same time. His concerts raise increasing attention and enthusiasm in Italy, but the consecration as composer of international height arrives in 2009 with the album “Il Mio Mondo al Contrario” (“My world to the Reverse”) where Mastrini plays classical masterpieces and original compositions backwards,that is starting form the last note backward to the first. He is inspired by an endless research and experimentations of new musical frontiers. The musical result is surprising. He draws the attention of the media that range him among the most talented and amazing world contemporary pianists. Previous Next

< Back Previous Emily Liu Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 25, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Emily Liu is a 13-year-old violinist and 8th grader from Fairfax, Virginia, whose musical journey reflects both talent and dedication. She began studying the violin at the age of seven with her grandfather, building upon a cherished family tradition and a shared love for the instrument. Over the past six years, Emily has developed into a gifted young musician, earning multiple awards in local violin competitions. Her achievements are a testament to her passion, perseverance, and growing artistry. Since 2024, Emily has continued her advanced studies under the guidance of Olga Khroulevitch, a distinguished violin pedagogue known for her mastery of the Russian School of violin technique and for mentoring many accomplished students in the United States. Under Ms. Khroulevitch’s direction, Emily continues to refine her technical and expressive skills, striving toward ever greater musical excellence.

< Back Previous Elisabeth Möst Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall April 1, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Elisabeth Möst studied flute in Vienna with Manuela Wiesler and in London with William Bennett. She has performed widely throughout Europe, the United States, and South America, and has led masterclasses internationally. Möst has received numerous distinctions including First Prize in the international Tiziano Rosetti Competition (Winds and CD categories), a prize at the Contemporary Music Competition in London, and the award for Best Wind Player at the 3rd International Viennese Competition. Christoph Bielefeld studied harp in Germany and Switzerland. He currently serves as Solo Harpist of the Bruckner Orchestra Linz, and has performed as a substitute player with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Hamburg Philharmonic, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Bielefeld is also a faculty member at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg.

< Back Previous Sir Shefik Macauley Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 24, 2025 WATCH VIDEO Sir Shefik Macauley (Shefik) Emmy Award-Winning Media Personality, Philanthropist, and Technology Innovator Sir Shefik Macauley, known mononymously as Shefik, is an Emmy Award-winning media personality, philanthropist, and technology maven whose work spans television, science, and the arts. He earned an Emmy Award for his role as Technical Production Manager with NBC and Peacock during the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad (2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France). In 2024, Shefik was elevated to the rank of Knight, Grand Cross in the Equestrian Order of Michael Archangel, in recognition of his extensive charitable and philanthropic contributions. The Order, blessed by His Holiness Pope Francis, is recognized by world leaders and operates under the Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan, which holds special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Shefik continues to serve as Special Envoy to the United Nations for the Royal House of Ghassan. Beyond his television accomplishments, Shefik is Managing Director and Local Lead for NASA Space Apps Yonkers, where he fosters international collaboration at the intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). His lifelong commitment to innovation and community leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden and the Kentucky Colonel commission from Governor Andy Beshear. As a videographer and photographer, Shefik has covered major events at Madison Square Garden, MetLife Stadium, Citi Field, and Barclays Center, as well as productions featuring Broadway stars from Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Kinky Boots, The Lion King, Jersey Boys, Motown: The Musical, and many more. His work has been featured by TIME, TEDx, The Washington Center, TV One’s “Unsung”, Broadway World, and numerous television and radio outlets owned by Cox Media Group. His photography has appeared internationally in publications such as The Independent, Daily Mail, Harvard Kennedy School Magazine, Playbill, China Press, Cumhuriyet, and Sportskeeda. At the same time, his journalism has been published in GQ South Africa. In addition, Shefik has appeared and worked as a background actor in productions for Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures, HBO Max, Netflix, CBS, Paramount+, Hulu, Apple TV+, Peacock, Prime Video, FX, Investigation Discovery, and Disney Theatrical Productions, as well as in music videos for Roc Nation Records and other major labels. Shefik is also the Executive Producer and Host of the nationally syndicated radio show “Shefik presents Invocation” and its internationally distributed video series counterpart. The program reaches over one million listeners per month and has earned more than 40 industry awards, solidifying Shefik’s reputation as a creative force bridging media, innovation, and service.

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< Back Previous Alessandra Cuffaro Next Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall June 28, 2026 WATCH VIDEO “Extremely tenacious, she plays with great care for sound and possesses an elegant finishing touch and musical phrasing. To this, we must add her strong communicative power and the formidable technique required to perform the 24 Capricci.” — A. Cantù, music critic, journalist, and writer “In her hands, the violin is transformed, becoming a creature pulsating with life.” — G. Salvatori, music critic and journalist, RAI Tg2 Cultura e Società “An inimitable performer of Paganini… shaping the music with a pure expression that gushes from the soul and captivates the listener.” — “Le Arti” Prize, P. Amatiello, Rome, Sala della Protomoteca del Campidoglio “A sublime interpreter of my music… and also of the music of others!” — Franco Mannino “Alessandra Cuffaro is one of the most complete and ingenious musicians of the Third Millennium.” — N. Mula, art critic and journalist Ms. Cuffaro is the first woman in the history of Italian violinists to perform Nicolò Paganini’s most difficult virtuoso works, the 24 Capricci Op. 1, in a single concert. Recently, she was celebrated among the most important Italian Americans of the present generation and received the Cultural Award from the ILICA Foundation in New York City for her Paganini performances. The award citation reads: “For promoting the most authentic Italian culture around the world: Unique like Paganini.” She has performed all 24 Capricci approximately twenty-three times around the world. Ms. Cuffaro graduated in only six years, instead of the customary twelve, from the Corelli Conservatory in Italy under the guidance of Luigi Fusconi, a student of Arrigo Pelliccia. She continued her studies at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena and in Rome with Riccardo Brengola, winner of the Premio Paganini. A life-changing encounter followed with the renowned violinist Serguey Girshenko, professor at the Moscow Conservatory and concertmaster of the Bolshoi Theatre, and a pupil of David Oistrakh. In Rome, she also studied with and became assistant to Serguej Diachenko, of the school of Yuri Yankelevich and Herbert von Karajan, and collaborated with musicians including Bruno Canino, Teresa Procaccini, Konstantin Bogino, Anatole Lieberman, Francesco Ivan Ciampa, Emanuele Andrizzi, and Stephen Goss. While in Rome, she earned her second degree in Chamber Music from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory. Later, in the United States, she completed an Artist Diploma at the University of Denver under Linda Wang in only nine months, performing Paganini’s 24 Capricci at her graduation recital. Ms. Cuffaro has won numerous first prizes in national and international competitions. Her more than seven hundred performances as a soloist with orchestra, solo violinist, and chamber musician have been reviewed by American, European, and Eastern European newspapers, radio, and television networks, including RAI and CBS News. She has also taught numerous master classes throughout Europe and the United States. Ms. Cuffaro served as professor of violin at the Conservatory in Cagliari, Italy, before resigning to follow her husband to the United States. She frequently performs alongside her husband, musicologist, pianist, composer, and conductor Simeone Tartaglione. Ms. Cuffaro is currently Professor of Violin at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and regularly collaborates with youth orchestras and institutions including MCYO at Strathmore in Bethesda, the SJC String Ensemble, and the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC. In May 2019, Ms. Cuffaro was honored during The Catholic University Honorary Gala, Women of CUA, for her hard work, dedication, and unwavering support of her students and the University. She was recognized for her extraordinary achievements and worldwide acclaim for mastering some of the most technically demanding violin repertoire ever written. “Her strong will and love for the violin inspire all who aspire to achieve what many consider impossible. Professor Cuffaro’s inspirational personality shines through her devoted students.” Among critics, we read: “She becomes one with her violin.” “Her extraordinary strength captivates audiences as she performs.” “Her playing touches the heart.” “She plays like a goddess.” “Her fingers are gold, and her heart is that of a tiger.” “Her unique interpretation moves and heals the soul.” “Virtuoso Alessandra Cuffaro enchants audiences through her Magic Violin.” Ms. Cuffaro performs on a magnificent 1914 Vincenzo Sannino violin known as The Magic Violin.

< Back Previous Ralitsa Tcholakova Next Violinist Gala at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall November 26, 2024 WATCH VIDEO Ralitsa Tcholakova is an internationally recognized, award-winning Canadian violinist and violist known for her rich tone, expressive depth, and commitment to contemporary and underrepresented voices in classical music. She holds a Master’s Degree from the State Academy of Music in Bulgaria and a Diploma from the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna, studying in the class of Prof. Michael Frischenschlager. During her studies, she was a recipient of a prestigious scholarship from the Austrian Ministry of Culture. Tcholakova has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and festival artist in more than 25 countries, and has appeared with orchestras across Europe and North America. She has been recognized for her artistic contributions through nominations for both the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (2018) and the Governor General’s Persons Case Award (2017). Her discography includes several acclaimed recordings. Ballad of the North—featuring works by Canadian women composers—was distributed by SOCAN to 135 radio stations worldwide. Remembered Voices, released on the Carleton Sound label in collaboration with Dr. Elaine Keillor (Order of Canada), was praised by The Whole Note as “an excellent CD.” Her album Aboriginal Inspirations, featuring multiple GRAMMY Award-winner Ron Korb, is promoted globally by the Canadian Music Centre and NAXOS. Tcholakova has performed annual recital programs at the Parliament of Canada since 2015, and in 2021 was featured at the National Prayer Breakfast, held under the joint authority of the Speakers of the Senate and House of Commons. She premiered the solo viola work Prayer for Peace, commissioned for her from composer Evelyn Stroobach, at the Laureate Gala at Weill Carnegie Hall in 2022. Most recently, in November 2023, she returned to Weill Carnegie Hall as a violin soloist with the New York Chamber Players.

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