Hosted by Sound Espressivo Competition Judge and co-host: Chris Au In this broadcast, we explore how to be courageous as a musician not only in your artistry but in the business side of being a professional. This is something that's very admirable and respectable about Avguste Antonov - his tenacity, perseverance, sincerity, and dedication to making sure his career is forged by him. Check out his website at www.avgusteantonov.com This is a series curated by Virtual Concert Halls for the 2021 Sound Espressivo Global Competition. For more information on application, visit our website at www.soundespressivocompetition.com ______________________________ Born in Bulgaria, Avguste Antonov studied piano in Bulgaria (Dobrich), France (Ecole Normale de Paris, Conservatoire de Bordeaux Jacques Thibaud) and the United States (2000: University of Missouri-Kansas City; 2001-2004: University of Kansas; 2006-2008: Texas Christian University). He studied under the guidance of Alain Motard, Herve N'Kaoua, Robert Weirich, Stanislav Ioudenitch, Jack Winerock and Tamas Ungar. Avguste Antonov also had the privilege of taking masterclasses with Gerhard Oppitz, Jean-Claude Pennetier, Olivier Gardon, Grigory Sokolov, Olga Kern, Laure Favre Kahn, Anton Nel, Roman Rudnytsky and Yoheved Kaplinsky. In addition to performing, Avguste Antonov is active as lecturer and has presented lectures for the Carrollton Music Teachers Association, Frisco Music Teachers Association, Kansas Music Teachers Association, Oklahoma Music Teachers Association, Wisconsin Music Teachers Association and the Colburn Piano Summer Festival. He is an adjudicator for various international competitions including the ENKOR Piano Competition, the Sound Espressivo Global Competition , the Music International Grand Prix, North American Virtuoso International Music Competition, Royal Music Indonesia 2021, Grand Maestro International Music Competition and ​World Classical Music Awards In 2021, Avguste Antonov was named on the advisory board of the Sound Espressivo Global Competition.

Sound Espressivo is a competition EXPERIENCE created by a community of musicians, music educators, music managers. Our purpose is to make a difference for young musicians, for teachers, parents of music students. We are here to EMPOWER with new tools, ENRICH with new mindset, EXPAND horizons of what's possible, what it takes for a modern artist to create joy and success. Many aspects of the Competition are very new, learn what they are and i may fit your vision. Immediate feedback from Judges Internet TV live performance on a virtual stage Live interactions Prizes designed to keep giving more experience and opportunities for performance and study Opportunity to connect with likeminded people and form long lasting collaborations Apply by November 30 https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/home

"What's the relationship between Traditional and New Repertoire?" Maestro Massimiliano Donninelli is an esteemed member of the 2021 Sound Espressivo Global Competition. He will be speaking with us about his perspective as a conductor on traditional and new music. This promises to be a fascinating discussion! Apply now for the 2021 Sound Espressivo Global Competition at www.soundespressivocompetition.com ___________________________________________________ Massimiliano Donninelli represents one of the best performers of his generation. Since the beginning of his career he has dedicated himself to contemporary music, considered as privileged to live in his time and to immerse himself in the repertoire of Tradition. As a conductor of a classical and modern repertoire he has collaborated with prestigious festivals in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Slovenia, Croatia, Portugal, United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Holland, Canada, Serbia, Moldova, Greece . He has collaborated with prestigious artists such as Luciano Berio, Valeria Moriconi, Brett Deubner and many others, conducting the orchestra as the Bel'Arte Orchestra (Paris), Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra, National Philharmonic Orchestra "Serghei Lunchevici", National TeleRadio Orchestra - Moldova, National Choir "Moldova". At the same time, he dedicates himself to the composition and his works are performed in Italy, Germany, Slovenia, France, Croatia, Brazil, Spain, United States, broadcast by RssSky, Rete A, Telequattro, RadioVaticana, RAI, United Nations Radio (Colombia), Discovery Channel, RadioShalom, RTVSlovenija (Koper). He has recorded for CBC, Rai, Rai-Slo, RNE, Rusty Records, Palomar Records, Radio-Moldova, RadioFrance. Massimiliano Donninelli is distinguished by a special interpretative sensitivity and dedication to the composer's idea through a deep and particularly respectful knowledge of the score.

Music competitions often are a target of a lot of criticism. What is wrong with modern music competitions? How did the changes in music competitions scene over past 20-30 years affect the judging? What are the most common challenges for Judges? What are possible improvements and solutions? How does Sound Espressivo address the known issues? Apply by November 30 https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/ Judging modern music competitions certainly is a different task from what it meant for artists and music educators 20, 30, or 50 years ago. Things changed, and the changes are dramatic. There are many more competitions nowadays than a handful of major ones which dominated the field back a couple of decade ago. There are many different formats, a huge variety of different sets of requirements, and an even larger variety of awards and other benefits which today's competitions offer. And surely there are many issues and challenges which all people involve must face and resolve when participating in a competition. That includes not only contestants but also the Judges and organizers. Today's Panel topics are centered around the challenges particular to judging modern music competitions. Moderated by Avguste Antonov, piano, France, Sound Espressivo Board member Panelists: Anzel Gerber, cello, Austria Pierre Beaudry, guitar, Canada Olivier Chassain, guitar, France Who are the panelists: Pianist Avguste Antonov is an adjudicator for various international competitions including the ENKOR Piano Competition , the Sound Espressivo Global Competition, the Music International Grand Prix , North American Virtuoso International Music Competition , Royal Music Indonesia 2021 , Grand Maestro International Music Competition and World Classical Music Awards In 2021, Avguste Antonov was named on the advisory board of the Sound Espressivo Global Competition He has performed all over the World. He premieres at venues across North America and over the years he has worked with composers Carter Pann, Gregory Hutter, Michael Colgrass, Raina Murnak, Matthew Lewis, Till Meyn, Matthew Saunders, Robert Rollin, William Vollinger and others. Cellist Anzél Gerber, is performing on internationally renowned stages as soloist and chamber musician. Her passion for teaching served as inspiration to obtain her PhD and to conduct post-doctoral research in the field of cello training for gifted young cellists in Asia, USA and Europe. She regularly presents master classes at universities and festivals Canadian guitarist Pierre Beaudry performs through the world. His extensive concert career takes him to Europe, North America, China and South East Asia, where his solo performances are acclaimed both by the public and the press. He has been on the music faculties of three universities in Quebec, Canada (Concordia, Bishop’s and Sherbrooke) He was recently appointed as professor of guitar at the Tiziano Rossetti International Music Academy in Lugano, Switzerland. French guitarist Olivier Chassain was born in Paris in 1957. Today, his triple professional activity makes him simultaneously lead a career as an active international concert performer, a career as composer who enjoys seeing his works performed and published, and a career as guitar teacher at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (Cnsmdp)

Program: Bach - Cello Suite No.4 in E-flat Major, BWV 1010 4:11 Allemande 7:06 Courante 9:31 Sarabande 12:15 Gigue 18:17 Beethoven - Sonata in A Major, Op. 69 (I. Allegro ma non tanto) 33:53 Tchaikovsky - Pezzo Capriccioso, Op. 62 41:29 Pablo Casals - Song of the Birds 44:19 Sulkhan Tsintsadze - Chonguri (from Five Pieces on Folk Themes) Accompanied by Micah Yui, piano Fourteen-year Mira Kardan attends the Colburn School where she studies with acclaimed cellist Clive Greensmith. She began her cello studies in the Colburn Community School with Nancy Yamagata at age five. Mira has attended summer programs including the Heifetz Institute and Indiana University’s Summer String Academy. At the Colburn School, Mira has served as principal cello of the Community School’s String Orchestra and has been selected to play on the bi-annual Honors Recital. Additionally, her piano trio was chosen as for the School’s Honors Chamber Ensemble program. Her trio has won first place on two occasions in the regional division of MTAC’s VOCE competition. Now a member of Colburn’s prestigious Music Academy for gifted young artists, Mira participates in a comprehensive program of musical studies that include music theory, history, lessons and ensembles. Additionally, Mira has had the opportunity to study cello and chamber music with Hans Jensen, Amir Eldan, Peter Stumpf, Fabio Bidini, Susan Moses, and the Calidore Quartet. Mira is currently in the ninth grade at the Geffen Academy at UCLA. Her interests include reading, writing, and listening to music of all genres. She also enjoys travelling and experiencing new international cuisines. Mira lives in Los Angeles with her parents and beloved rescue dog, Daisy. Please support musicians and this concert series here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/vchs20

Join us for Interviews with exciting news from Sound Espressivo past Winners! Learn what happened is their music journey and life since 2020 when they impressed the International Panel of SEC Judges and received highest honors at the First Sound Espressivo Competition. Please post your comments and questions! We will bring them on screen for our guests to respond Apply by November 30 https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/application Learn more about past Winners https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/2020-laureates-and-winners

What have our fantastic prizewinners been up to this year? What kind of projects have they started to work on? Find out what has been inspiring them since their success at the 2020 Sound Espressivo Global Competition! Apply by November 30 at www.soundespressivocompetition.com for our 2021 edition of the Sound Espressivo Global Competition! ______________________________________________ Yerko Difonis is the first student born blind and partially deaf to pursue a master of music degree in piano performance at Mason Gross School of the Arts (MGSA). He has primarily used braille to learn music and it is an incredible pleasure to hear him play. Difonis’s family emigrated to the United States in 2000 on a temporary visa in search of educational resources for their son. They lived in New Jersey, then Brooklyn, N.Y., and finally Staten Island, N.Y. While in Brooklyn, they were connected with Lighthouse International, now Lighthouse Guild, where he was a member of the children’s program. Difonis learned Braille and enrolled in the Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School for those with vision loss. ___ Young Steinway Artist Artem Kopylov is an avid music ambassador, and is currently studying with Prof. Olga Chichova, one of the most celebrated and sought-after teachers in Toronto. A recipient of the Canadian Young Artist Standards of Excellence Awards Winner Notice, Artem is a winner of numerous national and international competitions for young pianists, performing with symphony orchestras in Toronto, Burlington, Moscow, and others. He is a first prize winner and laureate of the Steinway and Sons (New York City), GOCAA (Boston), 18th Nutcracker (Moscow) piano competitions, and others. Artem’s performances have been broadcast on Canadian national television by CBC and Radio-Canada. He has participated at festivals in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, U.S.A., Russia, and has taken master classes with prestigious pianists, including Dmitri Bashkirov, Marina Mdivani, Akiko Ebi, André Laplante, Bernd Goetzke, Bernd Glemser, Boris Petrushansky, Grigory Gruzman, Pavel Nersessian, Valeri Piasetski, and Stanislav Igolinsky. He has given recitals in halls such as Carnegie, Boston Conservatory, Tchaikovsky, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and others.

Accompanied by Mark Livshits, piano 3:16 Lalo - Symphonie Espagnole (I. Allegro non troppo) Bach - Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 10:56 Allegro 14:33 Andante 20:19 Allegro assai 24:04 Paganini - Caprice No. 9 27:29 Michael Daugherty - Viva for Violin 31:55 Grigoras Dinicu/Jascha Heifetz - Hora Staccato 37:52 Interview with Mio Imai Violinist Mio Imai (10), student of Kimberly Fisher, won in various competitions and made solo orchestra debut at age 9. She was nominated as finalist in the 2020 Philadelphia Orchestra Albert M. Greenfield Competition. Please support musicians and this concert series here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/vchs20

Sound Espressivo 2nd Online Global Music Competition Apply by 11/30 https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/home Empowering Tomorrow's Musician Deadline: November 30, 2021 Inviting individual musicians and groups Submit video or schedule live audition Video submissions accepted for Preliminary Round only Check dates for Preliminaries Three Rounds Semifinals and Finals - LIVE Internet TV broadcast. Perform from your own location Semifinals - December 16-19, 2021 Finals - January 29-30, 2022 Win performance opportunities from concert organizers. Scholarships, career training, web design, video trailers, casting, photo studies; participation in festivals, masterclasses, interviews, and much more. 40-Judges panel, internationally acclaimed artists from major conservatories, orchestras. Immediate live feedback from 6-judges panels, get comments from conductors, instrumentalists, composers Be heard, be visible! SEC Internet TV reached over million people around the globe in 2020 Sound Espressivo-2020 contestants represented over 70 schools and teachers from every continent Would you like your student to be featured in a solo recital like this provided as one of Prizes for SEC Laureates? https://youtu.be/YzS0gKlPTRA Wonder how the "immediate feedback" looks and feels? Here is a short clip from last year's Sound Espressivo Finals https://youtu.be/_Cz1n8-4-Kk What people say… https://fb.watch/8cRp0o4WUn/ https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/home

"Back to Beethoven" | Emil Chudnovsky | Co-Host: Chris Au We are delighted to have Emil Chudnovsky on our show who is one of the 2021 Sound Espressivo Competition Judges. We will have a lovely conversation about concertising, competitions, and his upcoming concert of the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the Manassas Symphony Orchestra at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Apply by November 30 for your opportunity to win from prizes worth $100,000. No time limits, no repertoire requirements, immediate feedback from Jury - head to www.soundespressivocompetition.com _____________________________________ Emil Israel Chudnovsky hearkens back to the grand romantic tradition of the golden age of violinists. His lush sound and inimitable ability to connect with audiences have garnered him accolades from listeners, presenters and critics alike. Recent seasons have been full of firsts, including his debut this season at the Seoul Arts Center in South Korea with the KammerSymphonie Berlin, and his recent inaugural recording with the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. Equally notable benchmarks include Chudnovsky’s debut with the Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco in Mexico, when he replaced an indisposed soloist for a previously unknown concerto on ten days’ notice. A veteran of the competition circuit, Chudnovsky is the winner of top prizes from nine international competitions. He holds 1st Prize from the XI International Curci Violin Competition (Naples), 1st Prize from the Young Artists Competition of the National Federation of Music Clubs and, most recently, 1st prize from the Valsesia-Musica International Violin Competition (Milan). Twice a laureate of the “Premio Paganini” International Competition, he also holds 2nd Prize from the D’Angelo International Competition, as well as awards from the Rodolfo Lipizer, Szeryng and Enescu international competitions. Chudnovsky began concertizing at the age of eleven with a solo performance on Uruguayan television and in concert with the Montevideo Chamber Orchestra. The same year, he was featured in a series of live radio broadcasts from the Mostly Mozart Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. Since then, Chudnovsky has performed to great critical acclaim all over the world, having toured extensively in Europe, Asia, North and South America. Emil Chudnovsky was born in Moscow, Russia to renowned violinist Nina Beilina and the late eminent opera conductor, Maestro Israel Chudnovsky. Chudnovsky plays on a copy of the ex-Joachim del Gesu made for him in July 2010 by Howard Needham.

What is the MOTIVATION of both competitors and Judges in taking part and advantage of Sound Espressivo's concept and originality? Building relationship between musicians from all other the world: a great new way of sharing between all of us! Apply by November 30 https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/home Olivier Chassain was born in Paris in 1957. He began studying the guitar in Limousin with Roger Généraux and completed his training with Carel Harms. In 1977, he entered the Conservatory of Paris (the current Cnsmdp) where he obtained in 1982 a first prize for guitar in the class of Alexandre Lagoya; he was also awarded a prize for counterpoint (class of Bernard de Crépy) and a prize for harmony (class of Roger Boutry). Today, his triple professional activity makes him lead simultaneously: a career as a concert performer, which took on an international dimension when he won the first prize in the "Guitar Foundation of America international competition" in 1988, thus becoming the first non-American guitarist to receive the highest distinction of this competition worldwide renamed. The following year (in 1989) he made a major tour organized by the GFA, across the entire North American continent: he was invited there regularly for concerts and master-classes, as well as on other continents. a career as a composer: he is the author of numerous works, in particular for guitar, such as: “ Fantastic echoes ” i n memoriam I. Presti and A.Lagoya , “ Etoiles ”, “ Arion ”, “ De loin en loin ”, sonata for two guitars (1995), “ Doigts de fées ” (2010) for flute and guitar, sonata for solo guitar (2011)…, and educational collections such as “ Patchwork ”, “ Ad hoc ”, “ Brèves de lectern ”(2012)… a teaching career which took off in Orléans in 1978, following his first teacher, Roger Généraux (he was established after obtaining his CA at the age of 21), and which saw its accomplishment when he was appointed in 1992 at the Jacques Thibaud Conservatory in Bordeaux, then in 1994 to succeed his master Alexandre Lagoya, as guitar teacher at the Paris National Conservatory of Music and Dance (Cnsmdp), where he still teaches today. Olivier Chassain regularly leads, in addition to his conservatory lessons, instrumental improvement sessions within the framework of festivals, summer academies, as was notably the case in Dordogne from 1995 to 2010, at the Britten school in Périgueux directed by Jean-Jacques Rouveroux: this institute organized ad hoc courses throughout the year in all musical disciplines, and called on internationally renowned artists. Olivier Chassain thus had, for his summer internship, the opportunity to invite many friends, renowned guitarists, such as J. Cogan, N. Koshkin, SI. Fukuda, B. Kanengiser, D. Bogdanovic, SE Olsen, F. Zigante, L. Blanquart, H. Navez, Jim Smith. Since 2010, it has been organizing new sessions in Limousin, throughout the year. Olivier Chassain's repertoire displays a great eclecticism, from the Renaissance to the music of today. Passionate about early music, he has also devoted himself to the lute and the vihuela for many years, in order to transmit through this privileged approach the sound and the spirit of this music. He is also fond of French music from the Grand Siècle and romantic music, which he plays alone or in the company of eminent artists such as P. Gallois, Ph. Muller, P.-H. Xuereb, R. Pidoux, E. Aubier, F. Pierre, G. Millière ... Ardent defender of contemporary creation, Olivier Chassain is the dedicatee of numerous works for guitar (Stephen Dodgson, Antonio Ruiz-Pipo, Thierry Pécou, Sean Heim) and of concertos: "Escales" by Roland Creuze: created in Bordeaux with the ensemble Musique Nouvelle and Michel Fusté-Lambezat, as well as that of Edith Lejet, "Flowers in the shape of diamonds", from the concerto by Alain-Michel Riou, and more recently by Alain Margoni. Olivier Chassain has made several records, under different labels, including "Almost a song" (Metronome recordings) which was crowned with the "Choc" of the World of Music, and "Eventail" by the review Classica. An album devoted to the complete compositions of Ida Presti - the world's first recording -, in duet with the Norwegian guitarist Stein-Erik Olsen, received a rave reception from music critics (ranked in the 'top 5' of the 10 best albums classics of 2009 in Scandinavia), under the Simax label. Several other recordings are in the pipeline, including a second album with his friend SE Olsen, for the Simax label, in a repertoire of original works dedicated to the Duo Presti-Lagoya.

Program: Bach - French Suite No.6 in E major, BWV 817 3:37 Allemande, 5:06 Courante 6:02 Gigue 7:51 Schubert - Impromptu in E-flat Major, Op. 90 No. 2 13:17 Chopin - Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 19:11 Alyabyev/Liszt - Nightingale 24:19 Prokofiev - Prelude in C Major, Op. 12 No. 7 "The Harp" 27:05 Debussy - Jardins Sous La Pluie (Gardens in the Rain), from Estampes Simon Yao, 9 years old, is a fourth-grade student from Southern California. He began playing piano at the age of 6. Simon attends the Colburn School where he studies with Jeffery Lavner. Simon has won MTAC’s Contemporary Festival Competition for two consecutive years since participating in 2019. He was the laureate and first place winner in the 2020 Sound Espressivo Global Competition. In January 2021, he won the 1st prize in Russian Souvenir International Youth Piano Competition. At the Colburn School, Simon has made frequent appearances at the Friday Night Recitals as one of the youngest performers. As a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, he also enjoys being engaged in bringing the gift of music to the community. Please support musicians and this concert series here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/vchs20

"What's the relationship between Traditional and New Repertoire?" Maestro Massimiliano Donninelli is an esteemed member of the 2021 Sound Espressivo Global Competition. He will be speaking with us about his perspective as a conductor on traditional and new music. This promises to be a fascinating discussion! Apply now for the 2021 Sound Espressivo Global Competition at www.soundespressivocompetition.com ___________________________________________________ Massimiliano Donninelli represents one of the best performers of his generation. Since the beginning of his career he has dedicated himself to contemporary music, considered as privileged to live in his time and to immerse himself in the repertoire of Tradition. As a conductor of a classical and modern repertoire he has collaborated with prestigious festivals in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Slovenia, Croatia, Portugal, United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Holland, Canada, Serbia, Moldova, Greece . He has collaborated with prestigious artists such as Luciano Berio, Valeria Moriconi, Brett Deubner and many others, conducting the orchestra as the Bel'Arte Orchestra (Paris), Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra, National Philharmonic Orchestra "Serghei Lunchevici", National TeleRadio Orchestra - Moldova, National Choir "Moldova". At the same time, he dedicates himself to the composition and his works are performed in Italy, Germany, Slovenia, France, Croatia, Brazil, Spain, United States, broadcast by RssSky, Rete A, Telequattro, RadioVaticana, RAI, United Nations Radio (Colombia), Discovery Channel, RadioShalom, RTVSlovenija (Koper). He has recorded for CBC, Rai, Rai-Slo, RNE, Rusty Records, Palomar Records, Radio-Moldova, RadioFrance. Massimiliano Donninelli is distinguished by a special interpretative sensitivity and dedication to the composer's idea through a deep and particularly respectful knowledge of the score.

Avagail Hulbert, violin 3:55 Vieuxtemps - Violin Concerto No. 5 in A minor, Op. 37 (I. Allegro non troppo) 14:39 Mozart - Adagio in E Мajor, Оp. 125 No. 2 Accompanied by Wan-Chi Su Ka Long Chris Au, piano 32:45 Schubert - Impromptu No. 1 in F minor, Op. posth. 142, D.935 46:38 Rachmaninoff - Etude-Tableaux in F-sharp minor, Op. 39 No. 3 52:10 Rachmaninoff - Prelude in E-flat Major, Op. 23 No. 6 Please support musicians and this concert series here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/vchs20

Please support musicians and this concert series here: Paypal.me/vchs20 2:20 Maria Narodytska Schubert/Liszt - Erl King A pianist of Ukrainian origin, Maria Narodytska is a winner of more than 40 international piano competitions. Maria holds a Master of Music degree from Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine which she graduated from as a pianist (Prof. Natalia Tolpygo) and as a composer (Prof. Iryna Aleksiychuk). In 2019 an album with Maria Narodytska playing Brahms was released under the label OnClassical for further worldwide distribution by Naxos of America. Her second album for Nationalux as a winner of “The most beloved artist” prize at Richter International Piano Competition is being prepared for release at the moment. Website: maria-narodytska.de 12:28 Joseph Yoon Haydn - Sonata in F Major, Hob.XVI:23 (I. Allegro) Joseph J. Yoon, 10, started playing piano at age 7 and is currently a student of Dominique Shim. Joseph has won numerous awards for both national and international, classical piano music competitions, and is passionate about introducing music to other people. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzd6Dv3C3FIZbBg84pXjQTA 22:32 Ukki Sachedina Liszt - Variations on a Basso Continuo from Bach's Cantata “Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen” Ukki Sachedina, 15, studies with Mr. Jeff Lavner at the Colburn School. Ukki has won national and international awards and his performances have been featured on WXQR public radio as well as in the New York Concert Review. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzz3Aa2x3lyZ81rZgG0kH6A 44:24 Matthew Brand Milhaud - La cuisine (Cooking), from La muse menagere, Op. 245 Matthew Brand - Reaching, Mischief Matthew Brand was born in New York and has been playing piano for 7 years. He attends Horace Mann School. Matthew studies classical piano with Donna Weng Friedman and composition with Dr. Steven Sacco at Mannes College of Music (Honors). He is a member of the Mannes Prep Jazz Ensemble. Matthew studied jazz at Interlochen with Leonard Foy and Xavier Davis. A winner of numerous completions and honors for his piano technique and original compositions, Matthew has performed at Steinway Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center. He is thrilled and honored to have this opportunity to perform in the Winner’s Recital for Sound Espressivo. Please support musicians and this concert series here: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/vchs20

2021 Sound Espressivo Competition Directors and Producers present: How to best prepare for livestreaming your performances online! Fedor Ouspensky | Co-Host: Chris Au We present a competition that is on the Virtual Stage - all live and broadcasted on the major streaming platforms. We provide a Tech Check, comprehensive guides to share the best sound over the online platform, and all the necessary support you need so you can feel comfortable performing. Apply by November 30 at www.soundespressivocompetition.com ___________________________________ Fedor Ouspensky was born in 1996 to a family of professional musicians. He started taking violin lessons at the age of 5 and a half with Olga Khroulevitch at the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC, moving later to Peter Sirotin and then to Rafail Sobolevsky and Oleg Rylatko, concertmaster of the Washington National Opera House Orchestra in Washington D.C. He studied with Naoko Tanaka at the Juilliard School, Oleg Rylatko at National Symphony Orchestra Fellowship program, and with Aaron Rosand privately. He also studied conducting with Maestro Mark McCoy and Maestro Glaser. Fedor is a devout promoter of classical music: in 2009 he became one of the founding performer-members of Arts Are For All Ages, a non-profit organization in Washington DC area, which provides classical music concerts to retirement communities. The organization’s membership consists mainly of high school young musicians, who volunteer their performances, and has grown to over 50 active performer-members and is providing about 70 concerts per year. Teaching young musicians is another of Fedor’s passions: he has taught students of different ages and levels, he also coached young violinists in preparation for youth and school orchestra auditions. Fedor loves methodical approach to teaching, and he has built a system of individual plans and written follow-up assignments which he gives to his students to help them make better use of their practicing time. At the age of 8, Fedor was invited to perform an Accolay concerto with McLean Youth Symphony Orchestra, since then he appeared as a soloist performing concertos with Loudoun Symphony Orchestra in Virginia, Bachanalia Chamber Orchestra in New York City and Capitol City Symphony in Washington DC. Fedor had attended Russian Embassy School, Cooper Middle School and South Lakes HS. He finished 3 years at the Juilliard School in New York City, NY. Fedor Ouspensky is the Creative Producer at Virtual Concert Halls and has been a Producer and Director of Sound Espressivo Competition Broadcasts and Live Rounds since 2020.

We started our 8am Broadcasts with the question of “How to choose competitions?” and we end our series of 8am Broadcasts by debating the validity, utility, and necessity of competitions. Are there too many? Is it just a money-making machine? Are we making sport out of music? Is Chopin rolling in his grave realizing his music is being used for competitions? www.soundespressivocompetition.com “There is nothing healthy or positive about competitions” “Beethoven would be rolling in his grave if he knew his music was being used in contests” “Music should not be used as pit musicians against one another” Do you agree with these statements? These are some of the things we’ll be discussing today at the Virtual Concert Halls Live Show

This Prize is a full scholarship to experience an immersive introduction to conducting, from first taste of a baton, to a spot on a podium conducting an orchestra. A Sound Espressivo Finalist who will be chosen to receive this Prize will have an opportunity to work with a prominent conductor over a period of several months, after which s/he will have an opportunity to conduct a professional symphony orchestra. This Prize is established by Ouspensky Family Fund with a purpose to help young musicians be introduced to conducting, and to discover new talents through the experience, the way Russian conductor Michail Ouspensky was discovered by Yuri Ahronovitch, a great Russian-Israeli conductor of the XX century https://yuriahronovitch.com/ Tune in to learn more about Michail Ouspensky and his story. To be considered for this and many other Prizes apply to Sound Espressivo Competition by November 30, 2021: https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/home

Introducing Dr. Angela Chan, Sound Espressivo Judge, piano, Canada. Sound Espressivo Competition created by a community of musicians, music educators, music managers, with a purpose to make a difference for young musicians, for teachers, for parents of music students. We want to EMPOWER musicians with new tools, ENRICH with new experiences and openminded thinking, EXPAND horizons of what's possible, what can work, what can be a source of joy and success for a performing artist of all ages in modern time. Apply by November 30 https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/home

In today's program we talk with organist Dr. Michal Szostak joining us from Warsaw, Poland, about his newly published book "The Organ as a source of Inspiration", and many other topics central to musicians and performing arts: Creativity and artistry Management of own artistic career Complex identities Creative personality, its features, its types Join us, post your comments and questions! Apply to Sound Espressivo by November 30 https://www.soundespressivocompetition.com/home Michał Szostak, organist, improvisator, researcher, born 1980 in Poland. Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance (Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, Warsaw), studied in Poland, Italy (Pontificio Istituto Ambrosiano di Musica Sacra), and the UK (The Royal College of Organists). An international concert organist performing dozens of recitals annually in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. His organological publications are issued regularly by prestigious organ magazines: British The Organ, Canadian Organ Canada, as well as American The Diapason and The Vox Humana. Member of The Royal College of Organists, London, The American Guild of Organists, and The Organ Historical Society, USA. The former Music Director and the Principal Organist at the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary in Licheń Stary (the largest organ in Poland 157/6M+P). He recorded on CDs. Besides, he has completed Master’s and Ph.D. studies in the area of management (Leon Koźmiński University, Warsaw) and, as Associate Professor, works at Warsaw universities – University of Social Sciences and Collegium Civitas – where he conducts interdisciplinary research at the interface between art and management, as well as didactic activities. Website: www.michalszostak.org