Jerzy Stryjniak

Dr. Jerzy Stryjniak Founder and President of the New York Conservatory of Music and the Chopin Society of New York.

Please visit www.stryjniak.com

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Joanna Stryjniak

Joanna Stryjniak is a graduate of the prestigious Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland, a school with traditions dating back to the fourteenth century. She received a Master’s Degree in Piano and Musicology. Her specialty is nineteenth-century music. Mrs. Stryjniak began her distinguished teaching career as a music professor at her alma mater.

Her excellent professional qualifications as a teacher are reflected in glowing references from both children and adult students. Mrs. Stryjniak also supervises the other instructors at the New York Conservatory of Music.

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Gabriel Stryjniak

Associate Director

Gabriel Stryjniak, serving as the associate director of the New York Conservatory of Music (NYCM), is deeply rooted in the institution's legacy as the son of its co-founders, Jerzy and Joanna Stryjniak. Raised in Queens, New York, Gabriel's introduction to music and the NYCM environment occurred at an extraordinarily early age. His journey with the piano began even before he learned to walk, a testament to his early immersion in the musical world nurtured by his parents.

A graduate of the renowned Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of the Arts on the Upper West Side, Gabriel balanced his artistic inclinations with academic pursuits. His educational path led him to Stony Brook University in Long Island, where he undertook a challenging curriculum, majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Applied Mathematics and minoring in music. This diverse academic background highlights his multifaceted interests and skills.

After completing his university education, Gabriel returned to New York City, eagerly stepping into his role at NYCM. His return signified a commitment to contribute to the institution that shaped much of his early life. In his current capacity, he plays a crucial role in overseeing NYCM’s operations, ensuring the smooth functioning and growth of the conservatory.

Gabriel's engagement with music continues to be an integral part of his life. He is a regular participant in student recitals and master classes at NYCM, where he not only shares his insights but also continues to refine his skills as a pianist. This ongoing involvement in both the administrative and artistic sides of the conservatory demonstrates his dedication to fostering a thriving musical environment.
As the associate director, Gabriel Stryjniak embodies a unique blend of administrative acumen and musical devotion. His lifelong connection to music, combined with his extensive academic background, positions him ideally to lead and inspire at the NYCM. Gabriel's story is one of continuous growth and passion for music, making him an invaluable asset to the NYCM community.

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Gabriela Wisniowska

administrative director

Gabriela , is a passionate music enthusiast and engaged parent. She is a dedicated individual with a profound love for music and the arts. With a rich background in music education and management, she spent a decade at the prestigious New York Conservatory of Music, where she served in various roles, starting as a coordinator and eventually moving up to a management position. Her experience at the Conservatory not only honed her professional skills but also deepened her passion for music.

After ten years of enriching experiences at the New York Conservatory of Music, Gabriela made the heartfelt decision to take a break from her career to start a family. This new chapter in her life brought immeasurable joy as they became a parent to three wonderful children, who, much like Gabriela, harbor a deep appreciation for the arts!

”My household resonates with creativity and passion as we are ardent music and dance enthusiasts”. All three of her children are actively involved in art, dance, theater and several musical programs fostering a well-rounded and holistic approach to their development. As a devoted and engaged parent, Gabriela is deeply involved in her children's school life and extracurricular activities. The melodies of music and the rhythms of dance all fill the air at her home.

With a belief in the transformative power of music in child development, Gabriela is on a mission to spread the love of music to young minds everywhere. She firmly believes that music is not only a form of entertainment but a fundamental aspect of cognitive and emotional growth. By nurturing a musical environment and actively engaging in a child's musical pursuits, she will truly aim to make your little ones musical experience a delightful and enriching journey for them and the entire family!

As she embarks on a new chapter as the Administrative Director of the Pre-K Division at the New York Conservatory of Music, Gabriela's fundamental goal is to create an inspiring environment where young children can explore their musical talents, develop a love for music, allow their musical creativity to flourish, and lay a strong foundation for their future musical education.

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Charlotte Nash

Charlotte Nash is an arts administrator with experience in live performance production, creative directing, and arts management. As an American expat in Abu Dhabi, UAE, she grew up as a ballet and jazz dancer under the teaching of her mother, a professional ballerina, and trained for 8 years as a Bel Canto opera singer. She is currently pursuing her masters in contemporary art and art curation at Columbia University, New York.

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Caroline Nicolas, Cellist

With an eclectic repertory that spans from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, acclaimed cellist/gambist Caroline Nicolas enjoys an active and multifaceted career as one of the outstanding performers in her field. Noted for her “eloquent artistry and rich, vibrant sound” (Gainesville Times), she has been praised for her unique ability to combine emotionally rich interpretations with a historically inquisitive spirit. She regularly appears with leading ensembles as soloist, chamber musician, and music director.

Ensembles she has worked with include the English Concert, Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Mercury Chamber Orchestra, Ars Lyrica Houston, Juilliard Baroque, Harmonia Stellarum, Philharmonia Baroque, Pacific MusicWorks, Kammerorchester Basel, New World Symphony, and Sinfonieorchester Liechtenstein. She recently completed her tenure as music director of New Baroque Orchestra. Festival appearances include the Boston Early Music Festival, Indianapolis Early Music Festival, Bach Festival Leipzig, and Styriarte Festival in Austria. Notable venues include the KKL Luzern, Berliner Philharmonie, Alice Tully Hall, and Benaroya Hall. Her performances have been broadcast on KING FM in Washington, KUHF in Texas, WDIY in Pennsylvania, and CCTV in China. Notable collaborations include such eminent musicians as Andrea Marcon, Amandine Beyer, Kristian Bezuidenhout, Jordi Savall, William Christie, Rachel Podger, Harry Bicket, and Stephen Stubbs.

This season, Caroline is looking forward to performances with Philharmonia Baroque, Tempeste di Mare, the Victoria Symphony, Victoria Baroque, Early Music Access Project, Andersen’s Nightingale, Emerald City Music, Sonnambula, Early Music Society of the Islands, Yale Voxtet, the Sebastians, Teatro Nuovo, Night Music, and Harmonia Stellarum. She will also be touring solo recital programs for the Gotham Early Music Scene, Church of the Holy Trinity, and the Salt Spring Early Music Society. Her recent performance with Emerald City Music was listed in the Seattle Times as a top pick for classical music concerts that season.

Notable distinctions include having been selected as a fellow of The English Concert in America, an award given to young musicians “who appear likely to make significant contributions to the field of early music.” As the winner of The Juilliard School’s Historical Performance concerto competition, she made her solo debut in Alice Tully Hall, New York City.

A passionate educator, Caroline is often invited by early music organizations to lecture on various topics in historical performance practice. She has been a guest teacher at the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Victoria, and at the University of Washington School of Music. As a lecturer, Caroline has led workshops for Pacific Northwest Viols, Cascadia Viols, the Port Townsend Early Music Workshop, and Seattle Historical Arts for Kids. Caroline’s private students have been accepted as music majors to the Royal Academy of Music, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the Indiana Conservatory Jacobs School of Music, and the University of Washington, and have attended such summer festivals as the American Bach Soloists Academy and Oberlin’s Baroque Performance Institute. She has recently been featured in an Early Music America magazine article, discussing historical bowing techniques.

A native of Winnipeg, Canada, Caroline was first introduced to the cello as a young child. Too restless to stick with a single steel strung instrument, she pursued early music studies with Phoebe Carrai at The Juilliard School, and with Christophe Coin and Paolo Pandolfo at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland. Caroline resides in New York City. When not performing, she spends her time devouring books, Star Trek, and her husband’s (lutenist Kevin Payne) cooking. More information at carolinenicolas.com.

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Jakub Polaczyk

Jakub Polaczyk is a Polish-American composer, pianist, music pedagogue and Radio broadcaster living in New York City. Jakub obtained his Artist Diploma in Composition at Carnegie Mellon University (2013) as a full scholarship recipient studying under Dr. Reza Vali. He obtained his Master in Music from the K. Penderecki Academy of Music in Cracow, Poland (2010), and In 2009 he graduated with M.A. and B.A in Musicology from the Jagiellonian University of Cracow. His teachers in Poland were: Irena Rolanowska (piano), Marcel Chyrzynski (composition), Krzysztof Penderecki (orchestration), Marek Chołoniewski (electronic music), Malgorzata Stankiewicz (musicology).

Since 2018 Jakub has been appointed a Director of the International Chopin and Friends Festival in NYC and has been directing the New Vision International Composition Competition. As a composer he got invited to participate in many International composition masterclasses in Europe and Americas. His compositions were performed and premiered all around the world including: Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall in NYC, Recital Hall in Sydney, he also participated at the numerous Music Conferences in the United States. His music was performed by the national Orchestras of: Vietnam, Bulgaria, Brazil, and additionally by: Janacek Symphony Orchestra in Ostava, Blue Waters Orchestra in Cleveland, JACK Quartet, Argus Quartet, Four Corners Ensemble, Moscow Soloists, Palisades Virtuosi, Mise-En and many others. As a pianist he collaborated with many leading NYC artists as: Christine Walevska, Kofi Hayford, Naya Rodriguez and played with: Carnegie Contemporary Ensemble, S.E.M., Mise-En, Centre Stage at Ballet Arts in Pelham, Martha Graham Dance Company and Cracow National Opera. He gave lectures and presentations at: Edvard Grieg House Museum (2023), Washington University in Seattle (2023), Wheaton College in Chicago (2020), Gonzaga University (2021), Iowa Community College in Des Moines (2020), Escola De Música de Brasília (2019), the Kosciuszko Foundation in NY (2018), Sichuan Conservatory of Music (2015), Penderecki Music Academy in Krakow (2014), Carnegie Mellon University (2018, 2013) and different music schools in Poland.

Jakub has won numerous awards in composition and songwriting. The most recent being top prizes for his music on the: Antonio Vivaldi International Competition (2024), Hector Berlioz International Competition (2023), Saint Säens International Competition (2023), Carl Reinecke International Competition (2023), Wolfgang Amadeus in Vienna (2023), the 3rd Place at the SongDoor Songwriting Competition in Nashville (2015) and also winning: American Prize in composition (2020), SIMM International Composition Competition for Harpsichord Solo in Milano (2019), , winning the 2013 Iron Composition Competition held at Cleveland, Ohio and also winning the Polish Composers Society Annual Baird Award in 2013. In 2019 Jakub was nominated for the Global-Local-Great Award in Poland. He also received a well known artistic scholarship from the Minister of Culture of Poland - "Young Poland” in 2013. In 2010 he received a music scholarship from the Major of the City of Krakow. He received the scholarships for artists from the Sapere Auso Foundation in Poland, ASCAP in the USA.

Jakub is a sursynehtetic artist inspired by different cultures and writes his daily imaginary diary that blends varieties of compositional techniques. His works are published by: Donemus(The Netherlands), PWM, Feniks, and Euterpe in Poland, and digitally by Babel Scores(Paris) and Arcomics(UK) and were released by: Albany, Ablaze, Naxos and DUX Records. Jakub is a Steinway & Sons Artist partner, and a member of ASCAP and the Polish Composers Union. He has his own program about classical music on Sundays at the Polish Radio WRKL: NYC/Chicago. Documentary Movie "Conversations with Jakub Polaczyk" directed by Dennis Woytek won bronze at the 44th Telly Awards in NYC (2023). In 2023 Awarded Silver Medal on the Global Music Awards and in 2024 Clouzine Magazine announced Album "Jakub Polaczyk: Union Square" as the best in instrumental music. Artist was also awarded for distinguished contributions the Bronze Medal "Gloria Artis" by the Minister of Culture of Poland.

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Benita Beneitez

was born in Spain in the Basque city of Bilbao. She began to play violin at the age of nine, undertaking her formative studies at the Superior Conservatory of Music in Bilbao and in Barcelona where she won Basque government and Coke-Caja Madrid Scholarships. As the winner of the Caixa Galicia competition, she was enabled to complete her postgraduate Studies in the United Kingdom at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Her teachers have included Alexei Mikhline, Victor Berkovich, Krzysztof Smietana, Mauricio Fuchs, Marina Yashvili, and Felix Ayo, and, in chamber music, Barry Sargent, Susan Collier, and the Takács Quartet. She also has a Master’s Degree in Piano from the Bilbao Conservatory of Music.

Ms. Beneitez has played as soloist with several professional orchestras in Spain, such as the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, and has toured throughout Europe and America as a chamber musician (Germany, Hungary, Italy, the UK, Portugal, France, the US, Panamá, and other countries). She has also performed with orchestras around the world, including the Comunidad de Madrid Orchestra, Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, Real Filharmonia de Galicia, Asturias Symphony Orchestra, the Richmond County Symphony, the Manhattan Symphonie, and many others, performing under the baton of conductors such as Pierre Boulez, Carlo Maria Giulini, Jesús López Cobos, and András Ligeti, at several of the most world-renowed concert halls, such as Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall of London, National Auditorium of Madrid, Merkin Concert Hall, and Zhongshan Music Hall of Beijing. Since 2008, she has lived in New York City, where she pursues an active career as a concert artist and educator.

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Bogna Kicinska

Jazz vocalist, composer and educator, originally from Krasnystaw, Poland. Before coming to the US she was already recognized in Poland as one of the most prolific singers on the modern jazz scene. At that time she won many competitions: Old Jazz Meeting "Gold Washboard" in Ilawa, Poland, International Jazz Competition for Singing Musicians "Voicingers" in Zory, Poland, "Nadzieje Warszawy" in Warsaw. In 2010 she moved to New York to study jazz performance at the Aaron Copland School, CUNY. Living in NYC, Bogna stays very active on the music scene, performing with a variety of bands and projects. In 2012 she started her own quintet which features some of the finest musicians on the New York jazz scene. In 2014 she released her first album, The Maze, which has been nominated for the FRYDERYK 2015 award, the Polish equivalent of a Grammy.

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Alexandra Filipe

She moved to NYC in 2011 and has since then been performing in a multifaceted variety of projects. She sang with Jazz Saxophonist Billy Harper, the One-Eighth Theater Company at the New Ohio Theater, the NY Lyric Opera Company, the Opera Company of Brooklyn, the Footlight Players, and the Lumiphonic Creature Choir Project by Australian Multi-Media Artist Mark Bolotin. She premiered new operas with the International Brazilian Opera Company such as Cries and Whispersand The Seventh Seal. Alexandra also worked with long established repertory companies like Regina Opera Company and Amore Opera of New York. Her creative facet has led her to develop a beautiful collaboration with Artist Liene Bosquê where they mix Liene's sculptures with her vocal compositions and sound healing. They have presented their collaborations – Synthesis and Antithesis - in a few venues in NYC such as the Planthouse Gallery and the well-known Wave Hill Cultural Center.

She has been a Voice Teacher at the New York Conservatory of Music for the past six years and, in the past three years, in partnership with the Marymount Manhattan College. Her approach to vocal teaching is within a holistic framework. Alexandra writes a blog dedicated to vocal technique elements combined with ancient philosophies and her own insights. Some of her earlier students were accepted at renown Music Conservatory in Lisbon, some went on to have successful music careers and most recently one of her students was accepted at the Bachelor’s Program of the Brooklyn Conservatory.

She began her singing and teaching career back in Europe in 2004. In Portugal she developed a now fifteen year running project of concerts for babies at the "Oceanário de Lisboa" giving several interviews for renowned magazines/newspapers and Portuguese T.V. Channels (Diario de Noticias, Visao, Sic, RTP, Sic Mulher and Time-out Magazine). As a Soprano she started her career as a Baroque Singer with the Sintra Opera Studio, performing in several modern premieres of Portuguese Baroque Music in renowned venues and music festivals. She was faculty at the Cascais Music Conservatory in Portugal from 2007 to 2009 where she created the official singing programs, had a studio of 20 students, organized recitals and adjudicated in the conservatory’s exams, before leaving to the USA to pursue a Master’s Degree.

She is a demanding and enthusiastic teacher, works hard and in a creative way when trying to help her students achieve the challenging technical aspects of classical singing. Teaching voice provides her with such a sense of fulfillment and completion. She has a profound love for teaching and also healing. In 2015 Alexandra became a Naam Yoga Therapies Teacher and a certified Harmonyum Healing Practitioner (bio-metaphysical medicine). She works with private clients teaching them yogic tools and applying sound healing.

Alexandra owns a BS in Psychology (University of Lisbon), a BS in Music (Superior Music School of Lisbon) and a MM in Music Performance (Converse College, SC).

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David Bertrand

Since moving to the US from Trinidad and Tobago in 2009, David Bertrand has become an emerging voice on flute in the New York jazz scene. In addition to performing on multiple flutes, clarinet, and bass clarinet, David has created an individual style as a composer, seeking to integrate rhythms of Trinidad’s folkloric musical traditions with modern jazz. His group, the David Bertrand Quartet, is devoted to playing his original music and has performed at several notable venues in NYC including Shapeshifter Lab and the Whynot Jazz Room.

David also plays multiple flutes and clarinets as a sideman alongside jazz musicians such as Antonio De Vivo, Emiliano Valerio, and Leonor Falcon. He has performed with world music, pop and musical theater groups in venues throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan, as well as at jazz festivals in the US, Caribbean and Latin America.

Growing up in Trinidad, David played a wide range of classical and folk music before a chance BBC broadcast catalyzed his defining passion for jazz. As he explored, the underutilization of the flute in jazz and the fundamental bias against it became apparent. The artistry of flutists such as Joe Farrell and Kent Jordan was greatly encouraging and made him determined to champion the flute as a credible jazz instrument, one deserving as much respect as the more historically established horns.

David’s own voice has been deeply influenced by the jazz saxophone world, initially by the iconic figures of John Coltrane and Joe Henderson. Drawn to NYC by the stylistic approach of players on the contemporary scene, his playing has been shaped by the work of saxophonists such as Mark Turner and Chris Bacas. His ongoing love for the bass clarinet, especially the playing of Eric Dolphy, Bob Mintzer, and John Ellis, is a pursuit in its own right and has led to a rich cross-pollination between that instrument and the various flutes in his arsenal.

In addition to performing, David is on the faculty of the “Music Partners” program at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music as well as teaching at the “El Sistema”-inspired Union City Music Project. David holds an MA in Jazz Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College.

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Paweł Ignatowicz

Guitarist, composer, and music producer Paweł Ignatowicz was born December 20, 1980 in Żywiec, Poland. From his earliest years, he was surrounded by a wide variety of musical influences, as his father is a multi-instrumentalist. He grew up in a musical family that played music ranging from the folk music of the highlanders of the Beskid Żywiecki region to New Orleans Dixieland Jazz. At the age of 8, he enrolled at the Polish National Music School to study clarinet. The saxophone soon followed on his list of instruments to master as he continued his search for the one instrument that would best serve him as a means of musical expression. At the age of 10 he found the guitar, which, as the years passed, became the sole focus of his pursuit of musical mastery. After finishing high school, he continued his education at the University of Silesia, where he studied jazz guitar with Prof. Karol Ferfecki. He graduated in 2005 and soon after moved to New York, where he lives to this day.

Paweł's musical sensibilities were inspired by a myriad of influences. Since his childhood he has been fascinated with the compositions of Freddie Mercury and Queen, the virtuosity of Steve Vai, and the music of John Coltrane, which has had a particularly profound impact on Paweł's musical development. It is because of the pure genius of this saxophonist that Paweł became interested in jazz, in which he found his musical identity. The Polish guitarist’s compositions, falling somewhere between straight-ahead jazz and fusion, combine a variety of elements ranging from Jimi Hendrix to the contemporary classical music of Steve Reich and Philip Glass. However, the only reasonable division, as he often says, is into good and bad, and thus he does not fit his music into any particular genre. Remaining open to new influences and trends, he creates musical spaces beyond the boundaries set by classification, placing emphasis on what is best in melody, harmony, and tone.

He has collaborated with many distinguished musicians, such as John Benitez, Richie Cannata, Edward Perez, Richie Barshay, Colin Stranahan, Glenn Zaleski, Carmen Intorre, Benito Gonzalez, Luques Curtis, Dana Hawkins, Julian Shore, Adam Baldych, and Marek Dykta, to name just a few. At the beginning of 2008, Ignatowicz released his first album, entitled Talk To You Later. In 2011, he recorded the music score to a movie by Rafal Janus entitled Double Breath. Apart from these projects, he has made a substantial number of solo recordings which can be found on his website.

Currently Paweł thrives on New York City’s vibrant music scene even as he continues to collaborate in musical projects internationally.

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J.P. McShane

A native of Los Angeles, guitarist J. P. McShane has appeared at venues on both coasts of the United States from Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center to Universal Studios Hollywood. A diverse musician, he has been performing professionally in classical, jazz, rock, and pop ensembles since high school. He holds a Master of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from Mannes College The New School for Music, and a Bachelor of Music degree in both Classical and Jazz from the University of California at Santa Cruz. In 2012 he was named winner of the solo juried guitar recital at the Guitar Foundation of America’s regional symposium in NYC.

J.P. is an experienced educator and maintains teaching studios in New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey. He is also a music therapist and early childhood music teacher who specializes in introducing kids to music through an original curriculum based on listening, singing, improvisation, and playing instruments from countries all over the world.

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Kat Liu

Kat Liu, Taiwanese-American mezzo-soprano, has performed internationally as an operatic and concert soloist. Most recently, she sang in New York City Opera’s world premiere of Stonewall at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Previous performances with New York City Opera include: Pygmalion, La Compana Sommersa, and Candide. Ms. Liu made her Off-Broadway debut as Soon-Yi (Marcellina) in ¡Figaro! (90210), and reprised the role in the Off-Broadway revival.

She has performed with opera companies such as Opera Pomme Rouge, Gramercy Opera, Utopia Opera, along with various ensembles including Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra, New World Baroque Orchestra, Lompoc Master Chorale, and Symphony of the Vines. Role credits include: Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro), Dorabella (Così fan tutte), Hänsel (Hänsel und Gretel), Lucretia (The Rape of Lucretia), Prince Charming (Cendrillon), Proserpina (L'Orfeo), Lisa (The Grand Duke). Kat earned her B.A. in Music Education/Voice from UCLA, and her M.M. in Vocal Performance from The Aaron Copland School of Music, CUNY. She specializes in opera and broadway repertoire.

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Roberto Pitre Vasquez

Prof. Roberto Pitre enjoys a world wide reputation as a performer and professor, with wide ranging experience as an soloist orchestral musician, recitalist and Chamber musician.

Born in Panama, Roberto Pitre studied flute with Eduardo Charpentier (in Panama Conservatory) also with Mainard Niedermayer(Viennese School), Norton Morozowicz pupil of Aurele Nicolet and Celso Woltzenlogel pupil of Jean Pierre Rampal and graduated with a bachelor's degreea in music (flute). He also has post-graduate courses in Composition, Analysis, Ethnomusicology & Master in Music at UFRJ, UPS, UNESP in Brazil.

Roberto Pitre performed regularly in North, Central, & South America. His repertoire is large and embraces various styles, from the Renascence to Contemporary music. He has premiered new compositions some of them written specially for him. He has founded various ensembles, as Canal Zone Windwood quartet, Roque Cordero Quintet, Khulau flute quartet, Damase trio, Villalobos duos, Mozart flute quartet, and has been playing frequently with flute & piano sonatas duo.

Many students from different countries have participate in his flute and theory classes at Panama National University & National Institute of Music, where he was Professor & Chairman of the Music Department. A number of his pupils have a prestigious careers. Roberto Pitre won first prize for the "Nicole-Cuvellier" award in the "Latin-America Flute Competition." 1990 promoted by Jeunnise Musicale International Contests from Belgium.

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Nadya Meykson

A native of Moscow, Nadya Meykson has performed as soloist and chamber musician in venues including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center, Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center, The David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, WMP Concert Hall, David Josefowitz Recital Hall at the Royal Academy of Music in London, The State Kremlin Palace Concert Hall, and All-Union House of Composers in Moscow.

Nadya holds a Master's Degree in Music from the Eastman School of Music, where she served as Teaching Assistant for Mikhail Kopelman. Her other primary teachers include Levon Ambartsumian, Alexander Volobuev, Alvia Vandysheva, Elvira Simonova and Ai-Yi Bao.

As soloist with orchestra, Nadya has appeared with the OSSIA Orchestra, Shoals Symphony Orchestra, Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, and Alabama Youth Symphony Orchestra. Nadya has won various prizes, including Noel Levine Award, First Prize at Ray Dunmyer Youth Concerto Competition, Howard Hanson Scholarship, Charles W. Kennett Scholarship and First Prize at Shoals Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition. In 2006, Nadya was selected to participate in London Master Classes at the Royal Academy of Music in London. She also received a full scholarship three consecutive summers to participate in the National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Music Institute at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Nadya teaches violin at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Williamsburg Music Studio. Her recent performances were in Moscow in collaboration with a harpsichordist Anna Kuchina and ensemble La Villa Baroque.

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Lenka Pellant

Lenka Pellant is a Czech violinist who has performed as guest concertmaster with the West Bohemia Orchestra, the Karlsbad Symphony, worked with the Prague Chamber Orchestra, the Prague Camerata, toured China with the Prague Film Orchestra and toured Japan with the well-known Japanese flutist Shinya Koide.

She serves as the concertmaster of the Lexington Chamber Orchestra, and has appeared as soloist with this orchestra and the Pilsen Philharmonic, among others. She has taught at the Taussigova Music School and the International Conservatory in Prague. Lenka began music studies at age three on the piano, and studied violin at the Deyl Conservatory and the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, where she earned a Master’s degree. She was awarded prizes at the International Competiton in Neerpelt (Belgium), and the National String Competition in Teplice (Czech Republic).

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Andrew McGowan

Andrew McGowan is a pianist from New Orleans, LA now living in Queens, NYC. Andrew graduated from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Jazz Program and received his Bachelor’s of the Arts in Music from Stony Brook University. He has studied with great musicians such as Alvin Batiste, Michael Pellera, and Ray Anderson.

Since Andrew started his professional career as a musician, he has performed around the world at venues such as The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, MusicFest Aberystwyth, Pershore Jazz Festival, Breda Jazz Festival, and others. Andrew has performed at top NYC venues such as The Brooklyn Bowl, The Blue Note, The Fat Cat, Smalls, Drom, Nublu, and Lincoln Center.

Andrew has been teaching piano in New York City since 2016 and is equipped to teach beginners to advanced students with an approach that includes the “why” along with the “how”, including theory along with technique so students can develop their own musical understanding and philosophy along with their pianistic technique.

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Jose F. Solares

José Fernando Solares is a Mexican improviser, saxophonist, composer, and sound artist based in NYC. He explores improvisation beyond listening, delving into the perception of time-space and existing in multiple realities. Trained in Classical Saxophone Performance, José's musicality extends to genres like ska, salsa, timba, jazz, contemporary music, and free improvisation, as well as interdisciplinary projects. José has performed with renowned ensembles such as Wilfrido Terrazas Sea Quintet, Burnt Sugar Arkestra, La Covacha Big Band, and Bucéfalo. His participation in esteemed events includes Heather Kravas and Victoria Haven: solid objects/VOIDS at Walker Art Center (2022), Afrofuturism Festival 2022 at Carnegie Hall, and the Ensenada's New Music Festival (Neofonía FMNE) from 2019 to 2022, among others. Collaborating with notable artists like Zeena Parkins, Tomeka Reid, Wilfrido Terrazas, Jefferson Doyle and James Fei. José's talent earned him the prestigious FONCA-CONACYT scholarship for graduate studies abroad in 2021, and completed his MFA in Music Performance and Literature with a focus on Improvisation at Mills College in 2023. José now curates the Neofonía New Music festival in Ensenada, Mexico.

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Jan Pellant

Jan Pellant , Music Director of the Lexington Chamber Orchestra since 2015, has conducted the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Prague Symphony Orchestra, North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra, Talich Chamber Orchestra, Pavel Haas Chamber Orchestra, Vidin Symphony Orchestra, Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Bethel Park Orchestra, Orchestra Enigmatic as well as orchestras in Thailand, Japan and the United States. He has led performances with the Pilsen Opera and the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre, and in 2007, he led the Prague Karlin Theater Orchestra on an eleven-city tour of Romania. The following year, he led the Berlin Newklassiker Symphony Orchestra on a New Year’s concert tour of China, and the Czech Youth Symphony Orchestra on a tour of France, performing Antonin Dvorak’s Stabat Mater.

A native of the Czech Republic, Jan Pellant studied at the Prague Academy of the Performing Arts, and he holds degrees from the Prague Conservatory and Carnegie Mellon University. He has served on the faculty of the International Conservatory in Prague as conducting instructor and is the Artistic Director of Summer Music Nights at the Bohemian Forest. Jan Pellant is a DMA candidate in orchestra conducting at the University of Kentucky (ABD), where he studied with John Nardolillo and served as a teaching assistant there.

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Jacob Cichocki

Jacob Cichocki is a Polish jazz pianist, composer and educator based in New York City. Over the years he has performed in a variety of contexts in the U.S., Europe and Asia, including festivals such as International Solo Piano Festival (Prague, Czech Republic), The Mafrika Music Festival (NYC), The International Chopin & Friends Festival (NYC), Jarasum International Jazz Festival (Jarasum, South Korea), Nine Gates Jazz Festival (Beijing, China). He studied at the City College of New York and Frederic Chopin Music School in Warsaw (Poland).

Jacob is a rare pianist who has mastered a wide range of jazz piano styles, including ragtime (Scott Joplin), stride piano (James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, Art Tatum), blues and boogie-woogie (Dr. John), swing (Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner, Teddy Wilson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington), bebop (Bud Powell, Phineas Newborn), modal and contemporary (McCoy Tyner, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock), avant-garde (Cecil Taylor, Andrew Hill) funky, and Latin. He teaches the characteristics of each style as well as ways to freely improvise within the style. Besides the jazz subjects such as harmony, theory, improvisation, rhythm, and accompaniment, he covers classical composition (theory, harmony and counterpoint), song-writing, interpretation, and piano technique – thorough approach including Taubman Technique and Alexander Technique.

High level of expertise combined with a pedagogical flexibility allows him to easily communicate and work with students of different levels and ages. Jacob adjusts approach to personal needs of each student and always makes sure there is a balance between work and the fun-part of music-making.

Jacob has a vast experience as an educator: teaching classical music and jazz at East-West Music School (New York, 2014-2018), piano master classes at Chendgu Music Conservatory (Chendgu, China, October 2014), piano and jazz ensemble master classes at WAB Jazz Workshops (Beijing, China, October 2014), International Jazz Workshops in Chodziez (2008-2014) and Pulawy (2007, both Poland).

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Marina Renée Hogue

Marina Renée Hogue, American soprano, has been praised for her elegant warm tone, musicality, and acting ability.

Recently, Ms. Hogue performed the role of Helena in Miami Music Festival’s Midsummer Night’s Dream under the baton of Maestro Christopher Ocasek. Other notable past roles include Musetta ( La Boheme ), Aurore ( Le Portrait de Manon ), Nella ( Gianni Schicchi ), Suor Genovieffa ( Suor Angelica ), and Juliette ( Romeo et Juliette ). Musical theater roles performed include Amalia ( She Loves Me ), Christine Daae ( Phantom of the Opera ), Mary Magdalene( Jesus Christ Superstar) , and Marian ( The Music Man ). Equally at home on the concert stage, Ms. Hogue has performed as the Soprano soloist in Mozart’s Requiem with Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with University of Michigan Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, Ms. Hogue has been a soloist and member of the internationally acclaimed Taylor Festival Choir in Charleston, South Carolina performing in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and Bach Mass in B minor.

An avid lover of art song, Ms. Hogue has performed recitals in Náměšť, Czech Republic and throughout Austria, Italy, and the United States. Ms. Hogue has been a featured soloist with Palm Beach Signature Chamber Series, as well as Opera Doral’s Concert Series. She is an alumna of the Castleton Festival Young Artist program, founded by the late Lorin Maazel, as well as Institute Canadien d’art Vocal and the Bel Canto Institute.

Ms. Hogue completed her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Michigan under Martha Sheil and Master of Music degree from San Francisco Conservatory of Music under Cesar Ulloa. She is a recipient of the Francis B. Furlong scholarship. Ms. Hogue is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian and proficient in French, German, and Czech.

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Pei-Wen Liao

www.peiwenliaoviolin.com

Already boasting sold-out Carnegie Hall recitals, and selected as an honoree in the 2018 Mandarin Leader Magazine, violinist Pei-Wen Liao, a Si-Yo Artist ™, continues to be known as a "compelling" and "deeply passionate" artist. Ms. Liao has performed as a soloist with more than twenty orchestras in twelve countries across three continents. By thirteen, Ms. Liao had already sold-out a recital at Carnegie Weill Hall. She then made her debut in China in 2010, performing as a soloist on a 13-concert tour. Since then, she has been invited back to perform in China for seven consecutive years and has performed in at least 30 cities across China. More recent engagements have included a private solo performance for the President of Honduras and solo performances at the United Nations, Capitol Hill, the Oculus, and Bryant Park.

Ms. Liao has performed as a soloist in countries including Russia, Israel, Canada, Italy, Austria, China, Korea, Japan, Serbia, Thailand, Myanmar, and the United States. She has been featured as a guest soloist in Vienna with The Global Orchestra, at New York’s Alice Tully Hall with the World Civic Orchestra, in Russia with Voronezh State Orchestra and Lieptsk Philharmonic Orchestra, in Israel and Italy with the Jerusalem Academy Orchestra on its tour, at Shanghai Symphony Hall with Shanghai City Symphony Orchestra, and multiple sold-out solo recitals at the Taiwan National Concert Hall.

As an aspiring artist and an advocate for cultural citizenship and interdisciplinary collaborations, Ms. Liao has worked closely with countless indigenous schools in Asia to inspire underserved communities with interactive musical performances. She founded a project "Wawa Music Go" (Wawa being the word for "children" in Aboriginal Taiwanese language) that focuses on bringing exposure of Classical Western Music to aboriginal tribes in Asia. A firm believer in music taking an active leadership role in its potential to effect changes in the world, Ms. Liao has recorded a CD in 2019 that uniquely brings together the sounds of Taiwanese folk music with traditional western instruments, all proceeds of CD go directly to charities that support indigenous children. Currently, Ms. Liao is a faculty member at the Alexander and Buono International Academy and the New York Conservatory of Music.

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Ms. Liao is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at the Manhattan School of Music. She is a graduate of the Yale School of Music and The Juilliard School, where she received Master of Musical Arts, Master of Music, and Bachelor of Music. Her primary teachers include Hyo Kang, Cho-Liang Lin, Joel Smirnoff, Lara Lev, Daniel Phillips, and Stephen Clapp. Ms. Liao plays a 1830 Calot violin kindly loaned from the Chi-Mei Foundation of Taiwan.

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Lívio Almeida

"Top of the line musicality and terrific compositions, Lívio Almeida has that surge of brilliance that makes him make you want to stand up and shout Bravo!" (Grady Harp)

Lívio Almeida is a GRAMMY nominee saxophonist and composer from Brazil, winner of the International Saxophone Competition Victor Assis Brasil in 2015. He got his   Bachelor in Classical Saxophone in Brasilia, Brazil; a second degree at The City College of New York (CUNY) in Jazz Performance and a Master’s Degree in Music Composition at The Brooklyn College of New York (CUNY) and is a music performance PhD candidate at Universidade Estadual de Campinas-Unicamp (Brazil). Mr. Almeida appeared in many important Jazz festivals such as Newport Jazz Festival, Los Angeles Central Ave Jazz Fest, NYC Winter Fest and NYC Carefusion Jazz Fest, and prominent venues like Carnegie Hall, Birdland, The Iridium, Dizzy’s Coca-Cola Club, The Jazz Gallery, Cornelia Street Cafe, Joe’s Pub, Zinc Bar, SOB’s, BAM Cafe and Symphony Space, besides touring internationally. He has shared stage with world class musicians such as Grammy winning ensemble The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Birdland Bigband, Mike Holober, Adam O’Farril, Zack O’Farrill, Arturo O’Farrill, Boris Koslov, Ari Hoenig, Cidinho Teixeira, Helio Alves, Jon Gordon,  Nelson Angelo and more. 

Almeida also has two recorded albums, "Pieces" as a co-leader, and his latest record "Action and Reaction", was released under the production of Arturo O’Farrill, receiving many accolades from the specialized media. He also directs a 10 piece band, a “dectet” dedicated to perform large ensemble Brazilian music, with a regular monthly residency at the traditional Zinc Bar in NYC. Besides his frequent high profile appearances in the New York area and playing internationally, Mr. Almeida is considered a very distinct voice on saxophone today, being fluent in both Jazz and Brazilian musical languages. As a teacher, Livio served in the Saxophone chair at the University of Brasilia, Brazil and now is an Adjunct Lecturer at the Brooklyn College of New York-CUNY. 

instagram.com/livio.sax

youtube.com/livioalmeida1

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Pierre Ferreyra-Mansilla

Pierre was the grand prize winner of the 2011 Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society competition and the Peter Gross grant for performance. Highlights of his recent performances include performances with the New Amsterdam Singers and the Dessoff choirs, the Aspen Opera Company and Festival orchestras, as well as the Philadelphia, New England, Oneonta, and Wall classical guitar society festivals. He is also a frequent performer at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute, the Americas Society, and the Morgan Library in New York City.

As a seasoned teacher, Pierre has had extensive experience working with students of diverse ages and backgrounds. He was a fellowship student at the Aspen Music festival with Sharon Isbin between 2010-1016, where he worked with both public school and private students.

Pierre began his musical studies at the age of nine with the Suzuki method. After years of private and independent study, he finished his Bachelor's degree at Mannes College of Music in 2002, and his Master's degree at the Juilliard school in 2014.

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Zhihua Hu

www.zhihuahu.website

“An Amazing Talent” — The Skope Magazine Born in Shanghai in 1986, Zhihua Hu started to learn piano at the age of 5 and composition at 10. She got her Bachelor Degree and her first Master Degree from Shanghai Conservatory of Music, then she received her second Master Degree from Manhattan School of Music where she studied with composer Reiko Füting and pianist Kayoung An.

Ms. Hu’s music works have been performed in Europe, America and Asia. Her compositions and piano performances were appeared in many important venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Concert Hall, OPERA America, Shanghai Concert Hall, United Nations, United States Capitol, etc.

On July 9th of 2018, Ms. Hu successfully debuted “Music of Zhihua Hu - An Evening of Ensemble and Piano Compositions” with a number of other well-known artists from different countries at Carnegie Hall. Her 8 ensemble and piano compositions were presented in the concert and most works featured her creative composing techniques: Chinese Nine Tone Scale, Compression Rhythm, and Cubism in Music. Her two albums Music of Zhihua Hu (2018) and From China, Asia to the West (2019) both won the Global Music Awards — Silver Metal Outstanding Achievement. In addition, From China, Asia to the West was awarded as “Top Album Fall 2019” by Global Music Awards.

Zhihua Hu has been as the composer in residence and composition committee member of Chinese Ensemble of New York (CMENY) in recent years. In January 2022, as composer & pianist, Zhihua Hu officially joined in Random Access Music (RAM) and Queens New Music Festival (QNMF). She will premiere and perform her new vocal and ensemble works with RAM musicians in two Random Access Music 2022 Spring Concerts and two Queens New Music Festival 2022 Concerts respectively.

As a composer and pianist, Ms. Hu and her music has been interviewed and reported by many major news media, such as Xinhua News Agency, Sohu News, China Daily, Global Times, China Press, World Journal, Skope Magazine, New Music USA, Sino TV, Sino Vision, New York Lounge, Broadway World, I Care if You Listen, New York Chinese Radio Network, and so on.

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Gaga Won

www.gagawon.com

Gaga Won's playing brings forth a rich, warm, and complex sound. Praised for her fearless playing, she uncovers the truest and most expressive spirit of the music.

Ms. Won was born in 1993 in South Korea. She began her musical studies with piano at age 8, and moved to violin as her primary instrument by the age of 10. At 12, she moved to the United States and studied violin with Jose Delgado and Carla Trynchuk. At the renowned Interlochen Arts Summer Festival she was awarded the only full Emerson Scholarship in both 2010 and 2011 and was a finalist in the Annual Concerto Competition. She went on to attend Interlochen Arts Academy with a Merit Scholarship from 2010-2012 where she served as Concertmaster in the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra under the baton of Jung Ho Pak.

Ms. Won holds a Bachelor of Music degree from San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Wei He, receiving the Sergei Barsukov Scholarship for violin in 2015. For her Master's, she studied with Hyo Kang at Yale School of Music, serving as a Teaching Artist, and participating in masterclasses with Bill Vander Sloot, Paul Kantor, Catalyst Quartet, and Annie Chalex Boyle. Ms. Won also loves to play in Art Exhibitions, performing at the Third Annual High School Visual Art Touring Exhibition and Harry Ahn’s Painting Exhibition.

As a soloist and chamber musician, Ms. Won has played a variety of performances internationally. She has given performances in South Korea, Italy, China, and Japan. In Italy, she performed at the Castle of Courmayeur. The following year, she performed with her teacher, Wei He at Li Shui Theater in China.

More recently, she served as Concertmaster of the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra, which toured throughout Japan. Gaga has performed under the baton of Marin Alsop and Valery Gergiev, and led the orchestra for the Hadyn Concerto for Two Horns alongside soloists, Radek Baborak and Sarah Willis. Beyond her experience in concert music, Ms. Won has also played for an Apple Keynote Presentation at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California.

Ms. Won teaches piano and violin, in both Korean and English, to players beginner to professional, and curates online courses for CLASS 101.

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Anna Kolchina

Born in the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan and graduate of the St.Petersburg State University of Cultural Arts, Anna has since performed and recorded with world-class musicians from Russia, Europe, and the USA.

In 2015, Anna's debut album “Street of Dreams” was recorded with the world famous Italian jazz pianist Massimo Farao's trio in Turin, Italy and released by Japan based jazz label, Venus Records.

Venus Records is one of the largest and respected jazz label, which is adored by many audiophiles around the world. Later that year, she performed at Bobby Durham’s Jazz Festival in Isola del Cantone, Italy on stage with Kevin Mahogany, Steve Nelson, Sheila Jordan, Vincent Herring, Paul Bollenback, Mike Baker, Byron Landham, Aldo Zunino, Rodney Bradley, Massimo Farao’ and Pat Bianchi to name a few.

In 2016, Anna released her sophomore record with Venus Records, “Dark Eyes”. On this album, she chooses to be more hands-on and wrote the arrangements for 6 songs which was played by Massimo Farao’s trio featuring Claudio Chiara- alto sax and Fulvio Albano- bari sax. “Dark Eyes” was in the high rotation for weeks Virginia Muse radio in Amsterdam.

“Street Of Dreams” and “Dark Eyes” were released on Vinyl LP and Super Audio CD. In December 2017, Anna released her third album with Venus Records titled "Wild Is The Wind" that was recorded with New York All-Star band featuring John Di Martino on piano, Peter Washington on bass and Willie Jones III on drums.

The same month she appeared on the cover of the jazz magazine "Jazz Perspective".

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Arta Jēkabsone

www.artajekabsone.com

Arta Jēkabsone is a voice that will soothe any pain or suffering. She is the guardian and ambassador of light, love, and peace. Yet, she still can bedazzle you with complex, but not overwhelming lines and melodies, and she freely takes command of harmony and rhythm. Composer and pianists Edgars Cīrulis

New York City-based Latvian singer, composer, and arranger, Arta Jēkabsone is recognized for her velvety tone. Arta engages listeners with an emotional and honest, adventurous, and joyful expression of music. Arta Jekabsone has won the prestigious Montreux Shure Jazz Voice Competition and has finished in the top three in multiple internationally renowned competitions – Mid-Atlantic Jazz Voice Competition 2017, and Ella Fitzgerald Vocal Competition 2019. In 2021 she added 3rd prize at the Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Voice Competition to her long list of achievements. A New York City-based vocalist, her compositions are infused with the folk melodies of her homeland, Latvia. The music on her album, “Light” and “Reflections”, brims with intimacy, warmth, and crystal-clear focus. A vocal artist of the highest order, Arta regularly presents new works at the Jazz Gallery, one of New York City’s premier venues. In fact, she was awarded the Jazz Gallery Residency Commission Grant 2021/2022.

Alongside Jēkabsone’s musical projects, she is collaborating with German vocalist Erik Leuthauser with whom she just released their 2nd studio album BeachFinds. As a supporting singer, Jēkabsone sings backup vocals for Carolina Mama and Grammy-nominated musician Samir LanGus, exploring Gnawa music.

Her educational experiences include teaching jazz voice and technique workshops, jazz ensemble repertoire, and compositional courses. She has taught workshops internationally at Ventspils Groove 2022, JazzKuko Festival 2017, and Liepāja Music 2017. Recently, Arta Jēkabsone and Swedish London-based vocalist Liselotte Ostblom co-founded The Vocal Retreat, which is an online-based vocal workshop focusing on vocal techniques for contemporary singers.

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Svetlana Kalcheva

Svetla Kalcheva has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and an orchestra violinist on stages across Europe, Asia, and the United States including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Bulgarian Concert Hall, Sofia, the Shanghai Grand Theater, the Beijing National Center for Performing Arts, the Shenzhen Concert Hall, and the Royal College of Music, London.

Svetla has won several national and international awards and competitions and has performed in master-classes with Devy Erlh, Mark Peskanov, Nadja-Solerno Sonnenberg, and Walter Verdehr. Former teachers include internationally acclaimed prof. Benny Kim and prof. Stoyka Milanova. Svetla earned her Doctorate in Musical Arts Degree in Violin Performance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and her Bachelors and Masters Degrees at the Pancho Vladigerov National Conservatory of Music, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Svetla has teaching experience from pre-K students to college level students as well as adult beginner students. All levels and ages are welcome in her studio.

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Shu-Wei Tseng

Known for her exceptional technique, musicality, and her programme versatility, Taiwanese-British musician Shu-Wei Tseng has won numerous prizes on both piano and cello. Concert performances have taken her across the UK, Europe, Russia, USA, and the Far East in major concert halls such as London‘s South Bank Purcell Room, Barbican Hall, St. John's Smith's Square, St.Martin-In-the-Fields, St James's Piccadilly, the Wigmore Hall, and the Carnegie Hall in New York City, USA. Recent performances include visits to Australia, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Thailand and Russia.

Besides performing as a soloist, Shu-Wei specialises in Strings and Keyboard-related chamber music, in sonata partnerships, piano trios, piano quartets, and quintets, as either a cellist or pianist.

Her playing has been described as radiating a "passionate, energetic, researched, and committed personality with a powerful, fluid and beyond reproach technique" and producing "characters, colours, dynamics …. seldom heard in concerts".

Shu-Wei arrived in the UK shortly after winning first and second prizes at the National Taiwan competitions on the cello and piano where she received double scholarships to study at the Wells Cathedral School. She went on to London’s Royal Academy of Music to complete her Bachelors and Master’s degree, as well as her Licentiate (LRAM) on both cello and piano. In 2007, Shu-Wei left for America to pursue a fully funded Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder where she held a Research Assistantship and lectureships on the piano and cello, during which she received various performance and research prizes for her research in the ensemble issues between strings and keyboard instruments in sonata partnerships. Upon her DMA completion in 2010, Shu-Wei started teaching in Germany and has joined the faculty of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in the United Kingdom since September 2010.

She has served as a juror member for competitions and given workshops or masterclasses in UK, Central Europe, Russia, America, and the Far East, including the recent 7th International Mozart Competition held in Bangkok, Thailand in Summer 2017. An avid educator, Shu-Wei has held teaching positions at the Royal institutions of the United Kingdom, The Yehudi Menuhin School, City of London School for Girls, Chamber Music course leadership at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Head of Keyboard and Strings, Teacher, and Director of Music positions. She has also held music residencies and fellowships working with beginners up to taught Masters degree, conducting lessons in English, Mandarin, and German. Shu-Wei holds a PGCE in Secondary Music, as well as a MSc. in Psychology alongside her other academic credentials.

Since 2016, Shu-Wei has represented the Taipei Consulate and Taiwan Ministry of Culture in the UK on various occasions, such as being the first featured musician at the Taiwan Cultural Salon music series, as well as the first artist to represent Taiwan for the Embassy and Cultural Institute Series at the St Martin-in-the-Fields in London on both of her instruments. In 2019, Shu-Wei gave an Australian solo debut on her two instruments and opened the 75th D-Day Commemoration Concert at the Notre Dame de Coutances Cathedral.

Early 2023 highlights included solo piano and chamber music appearance at the award-winning New York City Ballet principal Tiler Peck's sold-out European debut week, Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends, at London's Sadlers Wells Theatre in March, followed by performances on her two instruments in the following week in New York at a fundraising concert. In September 2023, she appeared as a guest artist on both instruments at the special event, celebrating Vietnam-UK 50th year diplomatic relationship.

Since relocating from London to New York in late 2023, Shu-Wei has appeared as a solo cellist at the Consulate General of Poland in New York as part of the XXV International Chopin and Friends Festival's Final Promenade, and the National Opera Center as a pianist.

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Sophie Avidane

early education music instructor

Sophie Avidane, a native New Yorker, is a musical soul with a heart for young, developing minds. As a musician, singer, songwriter, and devoted educator, she embodies the essence of creativity and compassion in her work with children. She shares not just musical knowledge, but also the joy and wonder of music.

For over a decade, Sophie has been a cornerstone of music education for young children in NYC. From intimate one-on-one sessions to lively group settings, she creates environments that are not only safe and nurturing but also bursting with excitement and discovery. Holding a degree in psychology from Marymount Manhattan University, Sophie understands the profound impact that music can have on the emotional and cognitive development of young children.

With this knowledge, she infuses her teaching with warmth and empathy, using music as a powerful tool for healing and growth. Sophie's approach to teaching is as dynamic as the children she works with. Through playful exploration, art, movement, and expression, she creates immersive experiences that captivate young imaginations and foster a lifelong love for music.

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Alexandra Andreeva

violist

Alexandra Andreeva is an award-winning concert classical musician, singer-songwriter, and creative director based in New York City.

Alexandra was born in Siberia. At the age of 18, she successfully entered the Moscow State Conservatory. In 2022 Alexandra started her Professional Study Diploma at Mannes School of Music in NYC.

As a violist, Alexandra performed both as a soloist and ensemble/orchestra player in such countries as Spain, France, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Israel, South Korea, China, Columbia, Myanmar, Qatar, Tunisia, Russia, USA.

In 2016 Alexandra got 1 Prize at the International Competition “Young Performers” dedicated to S. Prokofiev in Moscow and at the International Competition “The Pearl of Russia”. Alexandra took masterclasses with such great musicians as Michael Kugel, Yuri Bashmet, Nobuko Imai, Kim Kashkashian, Lewis Kaplan, Viktoria Mullova, Alexander and Albert Markov, and others.

As an educator, she has a lot of experience and a special method of teaching.

On May 8th, 2023 Alexandra played her Carnegie Hall debut performing a New York Premier piece together with violinist Vartan Mailiantz.

In New York City Alexandra performed at such great venues as Merkin Hall, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, John L. Tishman Auditorium, Glassbox Theater, Peter Jay Sharp Theater, Baryshnikov Art Center, and others.

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Vartan Mailiantz

violinist

Vartan Mailiantz is a distinguished and dynamic concert violinist renowned for his exceptional performances that transport audiences to sublime realms. His expertise and artistry have earned him a reputation as a sought-after educator and collaborator with renowned orchestras worldwide. He is regularly invited to perform as a soloist at some of the most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, the J.F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center, the Kauffman Center, The Shed, among others.

Vartan's craft is characterized by innovative solo recitals and chamber music performances that both enchant and challenge audiences. He effortlessly navigates the diverse terrain of classical music, from baroque to avant-garde. His impressive musical education includes studies at the Moscow State Conservatory and The Juilliard School, and he is currently a second-year PDPL student at the Mannes School of Music under the tutelage of Lewis Kaplan. This background has allowed him to assimilate the finest teachings of both Russian and European schools of music.

As an award-winning violinist, Vartan has garnered numerous accolades, including the Grand Prix at the 7th International Violin Competition named after M. Erdenko, the Gold Medal at the Fourth Delphic Games, and the First Prize at the Festival of the Arts "Through The Thorns to The Stars," among others.

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Vivek Menon

violinist

Vivek Menon started playing violin at the age of 3. He has extensive performance experience in several styles of music and has worked with notable artists inside and outside of classical music, including Jennifer Koh, Ray Chen, Graham Haynes, Mario Davidovsky, and members of the Kronos, Emerson, and JACK string quartets. He is a founding member and violinist of free improvised ensemble Dot Iso (with percussionist Orchid McRae and multi-instrumentalist Dylan Delgiudice) as well as a core member of avant-garde quartet orchiddBB (alongside Orchid McRae, bassist Mario Fontes and soprano vocalist Jennifer Sapiro).

He is an accomplished session musician and songwriter, and has written, recorded, and toured on original material with artists such as British electronic musician Iglooghost and renowned electronic musician and SETI Artist in Residence Daedelus. Vivek is an accomplished teacher, and is on faculty at Harlem School of the Arts, Concordia Conservatory, and the New York Conservatory of Music. Vivek holds a master's degree from Mannes School of Music and a bachelor's degree from UNC Chapel Hill. Currently, he is completing his doctorate degree in violin performance at Stony Brook University.

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Preschool Enrichment Program

This is a preschool music enrichment program structured for a 12-week long semester. This program focuses on the interaction between children and music and it is intended for ages 2.5 to 4; it aims to install basic music sensibility and interest in music for children at a young age, which will have lasting effects for their continued interest in music in the future. Each week a well-known fairy tale will be read in small groups, the pianist will improvise music live to the video projections, animations, and/or illustrations. Some short songs will be presented at the end of the lessons based upon the particular fairy tale.

The children will participate in a few simple ways to become part of the performance. For example, at times they will be asked to make drawings according to the improvised music; or they may use simple percussive instruments such as tambourines or clapping to join the music. Furthermore, the children will also learn to create special effects using simple methods that imitate natural environment, such as thunderstorm, rain, snow, or wind blowing.

• The fairy tales for each week include:
• Snow Queen
• Golden Bird
• Sleeping Beauty
• Cinderella
• Beauty and the Beast
• Ugly Ducking
• Lazy Jack
• Peter Pan
• Tree Little Pigs
• Mulan
• Golden Fish
• Magic Mirror

MUSIC TALES – Preschool music enrichment program focused on the interaction between children and live music. Each week a well-known fairy tale will be read to children in small groups while the pianist improvise on the piano to encourage children to participate in creative ways.

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Young Children – Individual Lessons

Individual lessons at the New York Conservatory of Music can start for children as young as three years old. Very young students will have the opportunity not only to gain a knowledge and intuition of music, but also to dramatically enhance their skills and dexterity and build their character.

Our acclaimed teachers treat all of our student like family. This is what makes our school so positively different. Our instructors have a wide range of backgrounds, all of which show success and virtuosity.

Individual lessons have always thrived at the New York Conservatory of Music because the personal attention has been known to support and motivate our students in the best possible way to develop their musical skills.

Lessons are offered in piano (classical, jazz, musical theater), clarinet, flute, guitar (all styles), oboe, saxophone, viola, violin, voice (all styles) and theory/composition. Lessons are 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes.

Students have many opportunities to perform in recitals and competitions organized by the Conservatory and to participate in the many social events held throughout the year.

Our student recitals are held at prestigious concert halls throughout the NYC area, such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Yamaha Artist Services and many more.

HOW TO REGISTER

Before registering for lessons, you will have a chance to meet your teacher and take your trial lesson completely free of charge. At the lesson, you will discuss your musical background and goals. Once the trial lesson is done, you can register at the office or later by phone.

Please call (212) 717-9590/ 9591, visit the office, or send us an email to schedule a free lesson. If you would like to arrange partner lessons with a spouse, another relative, or a friend, we can accommodate you.

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Theory Classes

This is a 12-weeks long comprehensive program on music theory. The program includes ear training, music literacy, and basics of harmony. Students will learn to listen, read, write, improvise, and compose music. The program is structured for 3 main age groups: children, teenagers, and adults. The children program include working with children through music games; for teens there will be more ear training and quizzes for basic music theory; for adults the program is more expanded and includes advanced sight reading, ear training, singing in four parts, and practicing harmony. The program for teens and adults also includes the elements of the pop music notation and chord charts. Each class will take 45 minutes. Teaching material include music notation with explanation of the Italian music terms, acoustics, and musical elements: melody, rhythm, harmony, tempo, articulation, timbre, dynamics, texture, and form. There will be demonstration of examples from music history, and exercises for ear training such as intervals, chords, and music memory. For teens and adults the teaching material will also include practical use of theory on the piano. Pocket Guide of Music Theory:

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Multimedia Presentation on Classical Composers

This is a 12-week long semester program on history of classical music and composers. Each week there will be a multimedia presentation on a famous composer from the classical music, starting from Johann Sebastian Bach and ending on Claude Debussy. The presentation includes unknown facts about the composers, life piano examples, audio and video recordings of the most important pieces. Each class will take 45 minutes. The composers presented in this program include: Bach, Haendel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Debussy.

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Group Lessons

We provide an opportunity for children and teenagers to attend special group lessons in music. Group may consist up to four students.The classes include playing/voice instruction, music theory and ear training. Students are exposed to a variety of music styles from baroque and classical through romantic and impressionist. This is a wonderful way to learn the foundations of music in a friendly yet highly reinforcing and encouraging atmosphere.

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Teens – Individual Lessons

Individual lessons have always thrived at the New York Conservatory of Music because the personal attention has been known to support and motivate our students in the best possible way to develop their musical skills.

All of our highly acclaimed and specialized teachers treat all of our student like family, this is what makes our school so positively different. Our instructors have a wide range of backgrounds, all of which show success and virtuosity.

Individual lessons have always thrived at the New York Conservatory of Music because the personal attention has been known to support and motivate our students in the best possible way to develop their musical skills.

Lessons are offered in piano (classical, jazz, musical theater), clarinet, flute, guitar (all styles), oboe, saxophone, viola, violin, voice (all styles) and theory/composition. Lessons are 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes.

Students have many opportunities to perform in recitals and competitions organized by the Conservatory and to participate in the many social events held throughout the year.

Our student recitals are held at prestigious concert halls throughout the NYC area, such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Yamaha Artist Services and many more.

The New York Conservatory of Music prepares students on an individual level for the RCM

(Royal Conservatory of Music), ABRSM and NYSSMA exams.

HOW TO REGISTER

Before registering for lessons, you will have a chance to meet your teacher and take your trial lesson completely free of charge. At the lesson, you will discuss your musical background and goals. Once the trial lesson is done, you can register at the office or later by phone.

Please call (212) 717-9590/ 9591, visit the office, or send us an email to schedule a free lesson. If you would like to arrange partner lessons with a spouse, another relative, or a friend, we can accommodate you.

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Theory Classes

This is a 12-weeks long comprehensive program on music theory. The program includes ear training, music literacy, and basics of harmony. Students will learn to listen, read, write, improvise, and compose music. The program is structured for 3 main age groups: children, teenagers, and adults. The children program include working with children through music games; for teens there will be more ear training and quizzes for basic music theory; for adults the program is more expanded and includes advanced sight reading, ear training, singing in four parts, and practicing harmony. The program for teens and adults also includes the elements of the pop music notation and chord charts. Each class will take 45 minutes. Teaching material include music notation with explanation of the Italian music terms, acoustics, and musical elements: melody, rhythm, harmony, tempo, articulation, timbre, dynamics, texture, and form. There will be demonstration of examples from music history, and exercises for ear training such as intervals, chords, and music memory. For teens and adults the teaching material will lso include practical use of theory on the piano. Pocket Guide of Music Theory:

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Multimedia Presentation on Classical Composers

This is a 12-week long semester program on history of classical music and composers. Each week there will be a multimedia presentation on a famous composer from the classical music, starting from Johann Sebastian Bach and ending on Claude Debussy. The presentation includes unknown facts about the composers, life piano examples, audio and video recordings of the most important pieces. Each class will take 45 minutes. The composers presented in this program include: Bach, Haendel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Debussy.

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Jazz Program

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Chamber Music

The New York Conservatory of Music offers instruction in chamber music and provides the opportunity to develop musical skills with other musicians. Students may either form an ensemble with fellow students or play a duet with a teacher. Ensembles may consist of two or three musicians. The ensemble may include piano, violin, viola, flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone and guitar. Also vocal ensembles may be formed.

This program is aimed towards students who want to explore their musical skills along with other musicians. It is a challenging and exciting way to better understand music and play chamber pieces. We especially recommend chamber music classes to siblings, couples and friends who through music can strengthen their relationships. Moreover, playing together helps students to be more confident .

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Adults – Individual Lessons

Individual lessons have always thrived at the New York Conservatory of Music. The personal attention supports and motivates our students in the best possible way to develop their musical skills.

All of our highly acclaimed d teachers treat all of our student like family. This is what makes our school so positively different. Our instructors have a wide range of backgrounds, all of which show success and virtuosity.

Lessons are offered in piano (classical, jazz, musical theater), clarinet, flute, guitar (all styles), oboe, saxophone, viola, violin, voice (all styles) and theory/composition. Lessons are 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes.

Students have many opportunities to perform in recitals and competitions organized by the Conservatory and to participate in the many social events held throughout the year.

The Conservatory organizes adult events on a monthly basis. This allows our adults to get to know one another and perform in front of an audience, which motivates and helps them to enjoy performing on their instruments. This has resulted in an amazingly diverse and enthusiastic family of adult students at NYCM.

Our student recitals are held at prestigious concert halls throughout the NYC area, such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Yamaha Artist Services and many more.

INDIVIDUAL PREP

Using special teaching methods, Dr. Jerzy Stryjniak www.stryjniak.com supervises preparations for internationally renowned competitions such as the Van Cliburn Piano Competition, Chopin Competition and piano competition for amateur adult pianists in New York.

The New York Conservatory of Music prepares students on an individual level for exams such as RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music), ABRSM and NYSSMA.

HOW TO REGISTER

Before registering for lessons, you will have a chance to meet your teacher and take your trial lesson completely free of charge. At the lesson, you will discuss your musical background and goals. Once the trial lesson is done, you can register at the office or later by phone.

Please call (212) 717-9590/ 9591, visit the office, or send us an email to schedule a free lesson. If you would like to arrange partner lessons with a spouse, another relative, or a friend, we can accommodate you.

Close

Multimedia Presentation on Classical Composers

This is a 12-week long semester program on history of classical music and composers. Each week there will be a multimedia presentation on a famous composer from the classical music, starting from Johann Sebastian Bach and ending on Claude Debussy. The presentation includes unknown facts about the composers, life piano examples, audio and video recordings of the most important pieces. Each class will take 45 minutes. The composers presented in this program include: Bach, Haendel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Debussy.

Close

Jazz Program

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Chamber Music

The New York Conservatory of Music offers instruction in chamber music and provides the opportunity to develop musical skills with other musicians. Students may either form an ensemble with fellow students or play a duet with a teacher. Ensembles may consist of two or three musicians. The ensemble may include piano, violin, viola, flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone and guitar. Also vocal ensembles may be formed.

This program is aimed towards students who want to explore their musical skills along with other musicians. It is a challenging and exciting way to better understand music and play chamber pieces. We especially recommend chamber music classes to siblings, couples and friends who through music can strengthen their relationships. Moreover, playing together helps students to be more confident .

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