2024 Fellows & Studio Artists - Music Academy of the West (2024)

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Messiah is earning his master’s degree from The Juilliard School, where he studies with Laurie Smucker. He placed first in the Friedlander Concerto Competition and Fuchs Chamber Competition. Additionally, Messiah has performed with the Juilliard Orchestra in Carnegie Hall. and with the PUQI String Quartet at Array Juilliard Crossover.

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Natalie is earning her master’s degree from San Francisco Conservatory, where she studies with Simon James. She won the grand prize at the Utah Symphony Salute to Youth Competition. She is the founder and CEO of the Magari Ensemble and has performed alongside the Utah Symphony.

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Vincent is earning his bachelor’s degree from Park University as a student of Ben Sayevich. Additional instructors have included Shmuel Ashkenasi and Rudolf Koelman. Vincent earned the first-place prize at the 2019 Bryn Athyn Young Artist Competition. He has performed with the Münchner Philharmoniker and ZHdK Strings. In 2021, he attended the Verbier Festival in Switzerland.

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Anthony is currently earning his master’s degree from the Juilliard School, where he studies with Daniel Phillips and Kenneth Renshaw and is a recipient of the of the Morse Teaching Fellowship. He is the winner of the Barbara Robinson Prize in the 2016 New South Wales Secondary Schools Concerto Competition, and the 3rd place winner in the 2014 Wenkart Foundation Violin Competition. He has performed with the Korngold Violin Concerto and the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra. Anthony is a founding member of the Prometheus Quartet, with whom he has performed in Juilliard’s ChamberFest.

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Qian Chang 21, born in Yiyang, Hunan, China, is earning her master’s degree from Rice University Shepherd School of Music in the studio of Cho-Liang Lin. In 2023, she participated in the International Violin Competition. She also placed second in the 2020 Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Concerto Competition.

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Cameron recently completed his degree at The Juilliard School, studying with Joseph Lin and Areta Zhulla. He is the winner of the 2017 Norwalk Symphony Concerto Competition and the 2019 Bridgeport Symphony Concerto Competition. He has made appearances with the Princeton Orchestra and is a member of the the Greenwich Choral Society Orchestra. He has also performed with the String Orchestra of New York City.

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Sumin is earning her master’s degree from the Korea National University of Arts in the studio of Hyunmi Kim. She has performed as first violinist with the Orchester der Deutsche Oper Berlin and with the Korea National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra as part of the Warsawa Beethoven Easter Festival Opening Concert. In 2018, she won the Espoir Prize at the Osaka International Music Competition. Sumin is a member of the Luce Piano Quartet.

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Chieh-Yu is earning a bachelor’s degree at The Juilliard School as a student of Masao Kawasaki. Awards include a gold medal from the 2021 Singapore Raffles International Music Festival and third prize at the Shu-De Li International Violin Competition. As winner of the Bratsche International Music Competition, she was featured in the competition’s winner’s concert. Chieh-Yu has participated in programs such as the Heifetz Virtual Institute, Bard College Summer Music Academy, Aspen Music Festival, and Summa Cum Laude Youth Music Festival.

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Angelina is currently earning her bachelor’s degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Jaime Laredo and Jessica Lee. She won the first prize in the 2019 New Jersey Music Teacher’s Association. Angelina was a principal in the Cleveland Institute of Music’s orchestra, and has performed with the Akron Symphony and the Elysian Quartet.

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Rinat is earning her artist diploma from the University of Colorado, Boulder in the studio of Harumi Rhodes. In 2024, she won the 2024 Bruce Ekstrand Memorial Graduate Competition and the Boulder School of Music Concerto Competition. She was a first violinist with the Boulder Philharmonic in the 2023-2024 season and performed in the 2022-2023 season of the Sarasota Orchestra.

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Miyabi is earning her bachelor’s degree from Rice University Shepherd School of Music in the studio of Paul Kantor. She has placed first in the 2019 Londontowne Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition, the 2019 Peabody Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition and the 2020 Columbia Orchestra Young Artist Competition. Additionally, Miyabi has performed as assistant principal second violin with the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra. In the summer of 2023, she was a fellow and violin teacher with the Aspen Music Festival.

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Miles is earning a master’s degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music as a student of Jaime Laredo and Malcolm Lowe. He is the current Assistant Concertmaster of the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra and former member of the Monterey Symphony and Modesto Symphony. In 2023, he placed third in the Lewisville Lake International Competition for Strings and Harp and Participated in the New York String Institute Seminar. Miles also performed as principal second violin with the 2022 Roundtop Festival Institute.

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Harin earned her master’s degree from the New England Conservatory and studies with Kristopher Tong, Duekwoo Kim, and Choonsoo Chung. Awards for the multi-year Music Academy alum include 1st Prize in the 2019 Hwasung National Music Competition and 2nd place in the 2014 Sung Jung Competition.

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Clara is currently earning her bachelor’s degree at The Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Jaime Laredo and Malcolm Lowe. She was a competitor at the 2022 Louis Spohr International Violin Competition, and a laureate of the 2021 Chicago International Violin Competition. She has performed under the baton of Leonard Slatkin, JoAnn Falletta, and Anthony Parnther during the 2022-2023 season with the CIM Orchestra. She is a member of the Trio Ecclesia, a piano trio.

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Joshua is currently earning his degree from The Juilliard School, studying with Li Lin. In 2020, he was the recipient of a YoungArts Foundation honorable mention. He has performed at Julliard’s graduation recital and Colorado College’s Summer Music Festival.

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Freya is a violin fellow with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She was the winner of Boston University’s 2021 Concerto Competition and was a violin finalist for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She is a returning Music Academy alum.

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Maya is earning her bachelor’s degree from University of Southern California Thornton School of Music in the studio of Lina Bahn. In 2018, she won the Callie D. McGrath Competition. Maya recently attended the 2023 Aspen Music Festival as fellow.

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Julie is currently earning her bachelor’s degree at the Juilliard School, where she studies with Daniel Phillips and is a Pre-College Orchestra Mentor. She is the winner of the Lakewood Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition, and the Broomfield Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition. She performed as the first chair in the New York String Orchestra Seminar under conducter Jaime Laredo, and is associate concertmaster in the Julliard Chamber Orchestra. Julie is a member of the European American Musical Alliance.

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Ilkhom is earning a graduate certificate at Park University in the studio of Ben Sayevich. He is the current concertmaster of the ICM Chamber Orchestra, first violinist of the Park Quintet, and former member of the Heifetz Chamber Seminar Quartet. As a soloist, Ilkhom has been featured alongside the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, ICM Chamber Orchestra, and Mozart Sinfornia Concertante. In 2022, he placed first at the Hellam Young Artist Competition.

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Ruoying is currently earning her doctorate at Stony Brook University, studying with Hagai Shaham and Arnaud Sussmann. In 2020 she won first place in the Marbury Violin Competition. She is a member of the Proust String Quartet and has performed with the Emerson Quartet. She has also taught violin at the Long Island Conservatory.

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Abigail is earning her bachelor’s degree at USC Thornton School of Music where she studies with Lina Bahn and teaches community music classes. Awards include semifinalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (2022-22) and Silver Medalist in the 2022 Saint Paul National String Quartet Competition.

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Daniel is currently earning his bachelor’s degree at Indiana University, studying with Kevork Mardirossian and Cyrus Forough. In 2024, he won first prize at the Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Competition. He is the associate concertmaster of Indiana University’s Chamber Orchestra.

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Julie is currently earning her bachelor’s degree at the Juilliard School, where she studies with Daniel Phillips and is a Pre-College Orchestra Mentor. She is the winner of the Lakewood Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition, and the Broomfield Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition. She performed as the first chair in the New York String Orchestra Seminar under conducter Jaime Laredo, and is associate concertmaster in the Julliard Chamber Orchestra. Julie is a member of the European American Musical Alliance.

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Hanchi is earning her bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School, where she studies with Masao Kawasaki. She performed as concertmaster in The Juilliard School’s Pre-College Orchestra. In 2018, she participated in the Menuhin Competition.

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Returning fellow Steven Song is earning his master’s degree at Yale School of Music where he studies with Tai Murray. 2023 awards include semifinalist in the Lipinski International Violin Competition, and quarterfinalist in the Shanghai Isaac Stern Competition. He appeared as soloist with the Colburn Orchestra.

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Leyang is earning her master’s degree at the University of Arts Berlin, where she studies with Latika Honda Rosenburg and Erika Geldetzer. She placed first in the 2023 Vienna International Music Competition. She also was a semifinalist in the 2024 ARSCLASSICA International Competition, the 2023 Henri Marteau International Competition, and 2023 Mirecourt International Violin Competition. Leyang performed as principal second violinist in the Santander Music Festival Orchestra and has performed in a number of piano quintets, trios, and string quartets.

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Muyan is is currently earning her master’s degree from The Colburn School., studying with Martin Beaver. She was the third prize winner in the 2023 Ysaye International Music Competition, and has also won first prize in the 2022 International Mozart Competition in Vienna. In 2022 she performed at the Keshet Eilon Gala Concert in New York City. She is a Jumpstart Teaching fellow at the Colburn School.

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Jisu recently earned her master’s degree from Indiana University, where she studied with Alexander Kerr. She has performed in the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra as principal second violin, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and New World Symphony Orchestra. In South Korea, she placed first in the 2019 Korea Brahms Competition and second in the 2020 Korea Chamber Orchestra Competition.

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Ellen is earning her bachelor’s degree from the Colburn Conservatory in the studio of Music Academy teaching artist Martin Beaver. She has been featured alongside the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Madison Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, she earned the junior division silver medal at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the gold medal at the St. Paul String Quartet Competition.

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Amelia is earning her bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music as a student of Dana Meyer and Jeffrey Irvine. Orchestra positions include principal violist at the Interlochen Arts Academy, where she worked with Renee Skerik and Leslie Dunner, and substitute violist with The Chattanooga Symphony and the Traverse City Orchestra. She also has performed as principal violist at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival.

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Kenneth is earning his master’s degree from the Peabody Institute of John Hopkins University in the studio of Victoria Chang. A 2023 Music Academy alum, he was the principal violist of the Canton Symphony for their 2022 season. He also performed as substitute violist with the World Symphony and Madison Symphony. In 2022, he was a finalist in the Cleveland Institute of Music Concerto Competition. While in residence at Arcadia University, he was a member of HEXTET. Kenneth is a SphinxConnect fellow.

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Jason is earning his doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. There, he studied with the late Roger Myers and is a teaching assistant in viola. He has also studied wiht Honggang Li and Manchin Zhang. Jason performed with the Austin Civic Orchestra at the 2023 Rising Star Competition and performs freelance for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

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Breanna is earning her graduate diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music as a student of Mark Jackobs and Lynne Ramsey. There, she has performed at the Advanced String Quartet Seminar Gala as a member of the Canore Quartet. She has also performed with Akron Symphony Orchestra as assistant principal violist. In 2018, Breanna placed second in the Florida State Music Teachers Association State Concerto Competition.

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William is earning his bachelor’s degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studies with Peter Slowik. He has performed as violist in the Syracuse Orchestra, conducted by Lawrence Loh.

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Cecile is currently earning her master’s degree at University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, studying with Yura Lee. She was a finalist in the 2024 USC Thornton Bach Solo Competition, and a semi-finalist in New Zealand’s National String Competition. She has performed at the Whakatipu Music Festival and as an orchestral fellow with the Auckland Philharmonia. She is currently a member of the USC Thornton Chamber Virtuosi.

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Clara recently completed her master’s degree at McGill University, studying with André Roy. She has performed with the Pronto Musica Chamber Orchestra and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra as a section soloist. She has formerly worked as a classical programmer and announcer for public radio and has served on the Board of Directors for the Big Ears Festival and Organization. Clara is honored to play on a 2016 Grubaugh and Seifert viola, on generous loan by the Virtu Foundation.

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William is currently earning his bachelor’s degree at The Juilliard School, studying with Carol Rodland. He has performed as a soloist with the Manchester Symphony Orchestra, and as a principal violinist with the Orchestra Without Borders at Juilliard’s Chamberfest.

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Nicolas recently earned his master’s degree from University of Southern California Thornton School of Music in the studio of Yura Lee. A 2023 alum of the Music Academy, he has since performed as inaugural violist with the Thornton Virtuosi Quintet and substituted in the New World Symphony. In 2023, he was a finalist in the Thornton Concerto Competition, received a fellowship from the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and was invited to teach a masterclass at the National University of Columbia. An avid Baroque musician, he has performed with the Fantasmi Baroque Ensemble and the Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra.

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Jiaming is currently earning his doctorate at Boston University, studying with Michelle LaCourse. He was a 2022 competition winner at Boston University’s Bach Competition. He has performed as principal viola with the Boston University Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Yihan recently earned her bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School under the tutelage of Masao Kawasaki and Carol Rodland. There, she worked as a teaching assistant. In 2022, she attended the Aspen Music Festival, where she performed as assistant principal violist.

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Naomi is earning her bachelor’s degree at Northwestern University as a student of Hans Jørgen Jensen and Wei Yu. She has performed with Danish Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra, Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Sinfonia and the female-powered Midtown Strings. At Northwestern University, she has a second major in cognitive science and received an undergraduate research grant in 2023.

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Tim recently completed his master’s degree at The Peabody Institute, studying with Amit Peled and Michael Kannen. He won first place in the 2018 Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, and has performed with the West Coast Symphony and with Mount Vernon Virtuosi. He is a founding member of HEXTET, an ensemble in residence at Arcadia University.

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Amanda recently earned her master’s degree from Yale University where she studied with Paul Watkins. There, she was the principal cello of the Yale Philharmonia. In 2013, she was a winner of the 8th Toronto Sinfonietta Concerto Competition. Amanda also performed with Music Academy alums Frank Huang and Cynthia Phelps at the Taipei Music Academy Festival.

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Reina recently completed her bachelor’s degree at the Juilliard School studying with Darret Adkins. She was a 2018 Youngarts finalist and the winner of the 2017 Spotlight Promise award. She has performed as the principal cellist in Colorado College’s Summer Music Festival orchestra and in Juilliard’s recent performances of Stravinsky’s Firebird at Carnegie Hall and Berlioz’ Symphonie fantastique conducted by Bertrand de Billy.

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Stacey is earning her bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School in the studio of Astrid Schween. There, she is a member of The Juilliard Orchestra. Stacey has also been featured with the Seocho Philharmonic in Carnegie Hall as well as the Seoul Academy Ensemble and Seoul National Orchestra. In 2020, she performed a student solo recital at Colburn Academy She has also won prizes at the Osaka International Music Competition, 2020 YoungArts National Arts Competition, and 2018 Korea Chunchoo Magazine Competition.

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Emma is earning her Graduate Artist Diploma from McGill University, where she studies with Brian Manker. Emma has served as a substitute musician with the L’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. Past teachers include Paul Katz and Hans Jørgen Jensen.

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Shijie is currently earning his master’s degree at the New England Conservatory, studying with Blaise Dejardin. In 2021 he won third prize in the Primuz International Strings Competition, and he was the first prize winner in the 2017 Vienna International Music Competition for chamber music. He has performed as the principal cellist with the New England Conservatory’s New Music Ensemble, and as a guest chamber performer with the Jiangsu Grand Theatre.

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Shengyu is earning her bachelor’s degree at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where she studies with Clive Greensmith. The former principal cellist of the California Young Artist Symphony, she has been featured with the Colburn Orchestra, Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen and Burbank Philharmonic. She placed first in The Burbank Philharmonic’s 2023 Hennings-Fischer Young Artist Competition, was a semifinalist in the 2022 Stulberg International String Competition, and earned honorable mentioned in the 2022 Ronald Sachs International Music Competition.

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Reena is earning her master’s degree from Hochschule für Musik Freiburg in the studio of Elena Cheah. She has performed as principal cellist with the Australian Youth Orchestra and as casual cellist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Opera Australia Orchestra.

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Belle recently completed her degree at the Eastman School of Music, studying with Steven Doane and Rosemary Elliott. In 2018 she was the winner in the Young Professional Division of the Tennessee Cello Workshop Competition, and was a semifinalist in the 2019 Mondavi Young artist competition. She has performed as a soloist with the Allen Philharmonic. She has also performed with the Quartet Java.

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Matthew Wiest is earning his master’s degree at Eastman School of Music, studying with Steven Doane and Rosemary Elliott. The multi-year MAW alum was a member of the Boulder Philharmonic and was a finalist in both the 2023 Eastman School of Music and 2022 University of Colorado Boulder Concerto competitions.

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Phillippe recently completed his master’s degree at the Montreal Conservatory of Music, studying with Joel Quarrington. He is a recipient of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada’s 2020 Award of Excellence. He has performed with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the National Arts Center Orchestra.

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Min Kyung is currently earning her master’s degree at Yale School of Music, studying with Donald Palma. She won first prize in both the 2017 Korea Music Journal Competition and the 2016 Korea Music Association Competition. She has performed with the Yale Philharmonic and was a soloist in the Seongnam Philharmonic.

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Patrick is currently earning his master’s degree at the Yale School of Music, studying with Don Palma. He has performed as both a section and principal bass with the Yale Philharmonia.

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Kevin is currently earning his master’s degree at Rice University, studying with Timothy Pitts. He has performed with the New York String Orchestra Seminar, and has been a Teaching Artist with the Houston Youth Symphony.

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Rémy is earning his bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music as a student of Scott Dixon. He is acting principal bassist of the Akron Symphony Orchestra. Other orchestral positions include section bass for the New York String Orchestra Seminar, assistant principal bass for the Akron Symphony Orchestra, and subsitute for the Canton Symphony Orchestra.He placed first in the 2023 Lousiana Bassfest Orchestra Competition and second in the Louisiana Bassfest Young Artists Solo Competition.

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Wynter recently completed her degree at the Eastman School of Music, studying with James VanDemark. She was awarded the 2023-24 Eastman School of Music Performance Certificate. She has performed as Principal Bass with the Eastman Orchestra and the Eastman Philharmonia, and as Section Bass with the Orchestra of Northern New York.

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Grant is earning his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University- Jacobs School of Music where he studies with Kurt Muroki. There, he took first place in the 2022 Bottesini Competition and served as assistant principal with the IU Philharmonic. He has also appeared with the Mostly Modern Festival Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra.

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Jamie is a returning 2022 Music Academy fellow. She recently earned her master’s degree from The Juilliard School as a student of Carol Wincenc and Jim Walker. In 2023, she was a semifinalist in the Susan Wadsworth International competition and the National Flute Association Young Artist Competition. That same year, she placed second in the New York Flute Club Competition. Julia has performed in the New World Symphony and as principal flute in The Juilliard Orchestra.

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Ann is earning her master’s degree from Colburn Conservatory of Music, where she studies with Jim Walker and Sabina Chiang. She earned first place in both the 2024 Jefferson Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition, and the 2023 Naftzger Young Artists Auditions and Music Awards. She was a fellow in the Sarasota Music Festival.

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Joanna is earning her master’s degree from the Carnegie Mellon School of Music, where she studies with Lorna McGhee. She placed second in the 2020 Flute Center of New York Emerging Artist Competition. Since 2023, she has been an on-trial flutist with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and substitute flutist with the Canton Symphony Orchestra and New World Symphony.

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Anastasia is earning her bachelor’s degree at Curtis Institute of Music, where she studies with Jeffrey Khaner. There, she is the prinipal flutist of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, she placed first in the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia Young Artist Competition. Anastasia has performed as substitute flutists with Symphony in C and Philadelphia Orcehstra.

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Izaiah is earning his bachelor’s degree at Curtis Institute of Music in the studios of Katherine Needleman and Philippe Tondre. In October 2023, he performed Reena Esmail’s Pranayam on NPR’s “From the Top” with Peter Dugan. Competition victories include the 2022 Schubert Club Young Artist Competition and the 2023 Minnesota Orchestra Young People’s Symphony Concert Association Concerto Competition. The latter culminated in performances of the Martinu Oboe Concerto in January 2024. He also has performed with the National Youth Orchestra as co-principal oboist and English horn soloist.

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Elias is earning his performance studies certificate from The Colburn School in the studio of Music Academy teaching artist Eugene Izotov. In 2022-2023, he attended the Tanglewood Music Center as oboe fellow. Elias was principal oboe in the New York String Orchestra Seminar and performed as substitute oboist in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and New World Symphony.

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Evan is currently earning his degree at The Juilliard School, studying with Nathan Hughes. He has performed as a principal with the Juilliard Orchestra, and as a substitute with the Richmond Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra.

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Yang is earning his bachelor’s degree from the Mannes School of Music, where he studies with Elaine Douvas. In 2023, he performed on the National Youth Orchestra of Canada’s Aurora Tour.

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Phoebe is currently earning her master’s at the New England Conservatory, studying with Andrew Sandwick, Michael Wayne, and Jon Manasse. She was a 2024 runner-up in the New England Conservatory’s Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition, and received a Certificate of Achievement in Chamber Music for the Eastman school of Music in 2021. She has performed with the Louisiana Philharmonic and with the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra.

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Michael recently earned his master’s degree from Rice University Shepherd School of Music, where he studies with Richie Hawley and Michael Wayne. He won the grand prize at the 2022 Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition and has performed with the Sarasota Orchestra and Buffalo Philharmonic. In the fall of 2024, Michael plans to join the President’s Own Marine Band.

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Benjamin is a freelancer who has studied with Greg Raden, and Paul Garner. Residing in Richardson, Texas, he has performed as second clarinet in the East Texas Symphony Orchestra. Other orchestral memberships include the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Opera orchestra, Dallas Winds, and Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra. In 2022, he placed first in the International Clarinet Association Orchestra Audition Competition.

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Katia recently earned her master’s degree from The Juilliard School, where she studied with Jon Manasse. In 2021, she was a grantee of the Oberlin Student Success Award. Notable performances include a One-to-One Micro Concert for The Newport String Concert in September 2023 and solo performance with Thresh, an Indian classical dance company, in November 2022. Amanda currently performs as the Sarasota Opera’s acting second clarinet for the 2024 season.

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Jackson is earning his bachelor’s degree from Rice University Shepherd School of Music studying with Music Academy teaching artist Benjamin Kamins. He was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States in 2023, and previously served as principal bassoon of the Capital Wind Symphony.

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Xayvion is earning his bachelor’s degree at Rice University Shepherd School of Music in the studio of Benjamin Kamins. He placed first and was voted Audience Favorite at the 2023 Cynthia Woods Mitchell-Ima-Hogg Concerto Competition. As a result, he was featured as soloist with the Houston Symphony, conducted by Gonzalo Farias.

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Kenny is earning her bachelor’s degree at Eastman School of Music as a student of George Sakakeeny. She has performed as principal bassoonist with the National Symphony Summer Music Institute Orchestra, the Eastman Symphony Orchestra, and the Eastman Philharmonia. She is also a member of the Mousai Wind Quintet.

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Nathan is earning a bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music in the studio of Barrick Stees. They won the 2024 YoungArts National Arts Competition with distinction as well as the President’s Own Marine Band 2023 Concerto Competition. Outside of performance, Nathan works as a freelance audio engineer and logo and brand designer.

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Kristin is earning her master’s degree from Curtis Institute of Music as a student of Jeffrey Lang and Jennifer Montone. In 2022 and 2023, she was an Associate Member in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Festival fellowships include the Aspen Music Festival (2022, 2023) and the RoundTop Festival Institute (2019). She has also performed as substitute musician with the Reading Symphony Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Symphony in C, and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Layan recently completed her master’s degree at Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Nathaniel Silberschlag and Richard King. She won second prize in the 2021 Northwest Horn Symposium Solo Competition. She has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra and has been a horn teacher for their Youth Orchestra. She has also performed as a guest artist with Seraph Brass.

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Susannah is earning her doctorate at University of Colorado, Boulder and studies with Michael Thornton. She has recently performed with the Colorado Symphony and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Susannah has held fellowships with the National Symphony Orchestra, where she won the 2017 Stephens Brewster Award, the American Youth Symphony, the Colorado College Summer Music Festival, the Bowdoin Music Festival, and the New York String Orchestra Seminar.

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Sean completed his bachelor’s degree at the Berklee School of Music, studying with Jeb Wallace and Jenny Kim. He currently holds a position with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed with the Wichita Grand Opera and Ballet Wichita.

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Paige recently completed her bachelor’s degree at the Juilliard School, studying with Erik Ralske. She was a 2023 Juilliard Concerto Competition Winner and has performed with the Juilliard Orchestra and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.

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Aaron is currently earning his bachelor’s degree from the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, studying with Christopher Gongos, Gabriel Kovach, and Karen Houghton. He has performed with the New York String Orchestra and the Royal Conservatory Orchestra.

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Filip is earning his master’s degree at San Francisco Conservatory of Music studying with Adam Luftman. He has performed with the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, and the California Symphony. He served as second trumpet with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra (2022-2023 season).

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Zachary is earning his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in the studio of David Bilger. He is principal trumpet of the Nortwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble and has performed with the Lake County Symphony Orchestra.

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Francisco is earning his master’s degree from the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid in the studio of Javier Alcaraz Leon. After passing a public examination in 2019, he has performed in several military bands in Spain. He has been a member of the Music Unit of the Spanish Royal Guard since 2023.. He is a former member of the Young Orchestra of Extremadura brass section.

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Jesdelson is earning his master’s degree from Rice University Shepherd School of Music as a student of Barbara Butler. He is a member of Times Square Brass Quintet and has performed with the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra and Louisville Orchestra. In 2022, he attended the Aspen Music Festival as a fellow. He has also served as Substitute Teaching Artist for the New York Pops.

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Alex recently completed his master’s degree at Northwestern University, studying with Michael Mulcahy, R. Douglas Wright, and Randy Hawes. He is a 2022 DePaul University Concerto Competition winner. He is a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and has also performed with the Chicago Symphony and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He also appears with the Talos Brass Quintet.

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Jonathan is earning his bachelor’s degree at Colburn Conservatory of Music in the studio of David Rejano. With the Colburn Orchestra, he has performed in such places as the Walt Disney Concert Hall. He substituted with the Macao Orchestra and placed first in Category C of the 2020 Hungarian Trombone International Competition.

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Zachary recently completed his degree at Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Randall Hawes and Peter Sullivan. He currently performs with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.

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Andrew is currently earning his degree at The Juilliard School, studying with Joseph Alessi and Mark Scott. He has been a finalist in two International Trombone Association competitions: the Lewis Van Haney Competition in 2024 and the Gilberto Gagliardi Competition in 2022. He has performed with the Utah Symphony.

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Benjamin is currently earning his master’s degree from the University of Miami, studying with Aaron Tindall and Alan Baer. He was a semi-finalist in the Leonard Falcone solo competition. He has performed as principal tuba with the Florida Orchestra and the Naples Philharmonic.

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Jacob Hord recently earned his master’s degree at San Francisco Conservatory in the studio of Jacob Nissly. He also studied at the Southern Methodist University as a student of George Nickson and Brian Jones. Jacob regularly performs as principal timpanist with the Dallas Wind Symphony and Springfield Symphony and as organist for the Northridge Presbyterian Church. As timpanist, he has appeared with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and New Mexico Philharmonic. When not performing, he teaches at the Dallas Academy of Music and Performing Arts.

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Yoon Jun is earning her master’s degree from The Juilliard School as a student of Dan Druckman, Greg Zuber, and Markus Rhoten. There, she performs in The Juilliard Orchestra, conducted by David Robertson. She attended the 2023 Pacific MusicFestival and Lucern Contemporary Orchestra Festival. Yoon Jun also performs as substitute percussionist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

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Brandon is earning his graduate certificate from University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, where he studies with Joseph Pereira and James Babor. He is the principal percussionist with the Boise Philharmonic. Brandon has also served as substitute percussionist for performances by the New World Symphony and Houston Symphony. In 2015, he was the runner-up in the Houston Symphony League Concerto Competition.

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Paul is a returning 2023 Music Academy fellow and has studied with Matthew Strauss. He is assistant principal percussion with the Omaha Symphony and has substituted in the Kansas City Symphony. In 2019, he placed first in the Modern Snare Drum Competition.

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Dominik is earning his master’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studies with Marc Damoulakis and Paul Yancich. In 2022, he won first place prizes in the Aspen Music Festival Solo Percussion and Black Swamp Collegiate Snare Drum Competitions. He also placed first in the 2021 Modern Snare Drum Competition. Currently residing in Cleveland, Ohio, Dominik is a member of the Ashland Symphony.

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Chai recently earned his master’s degree at Yale School of Music studying with Nancy Allen and June Han. He has appeared with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Buffalo Symphony, and the United Nations Chamber Music Society. He also took first prize in the 26th Soka International Harp Competition in 2014.

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Po Han is currently earning his master’s degree at the Yale School of Music, studying with Boris slu*tsky. He was a semi-finalist in the 2022 International Paderewski Piano Competition in Los Angeles. He has performed solo recitals at Yale and teaches undergraduate lessons there.

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Henry is earning his bachelor’s degree from The Royal Conservatory of Music as a student of John O’Conor. He won the Tabor Foundation Award at the Verbier Festival Academy and the Orford Music Award from Orford Musique. He has been featured alongside the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Royal Conservatory Orchestra. Henry has also performed as member of the Morningside Trio and Savyon Trio.

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Iskandar is currently earning his bachelor’s degree from Oberlin University, studying with Stanislav Ioudenitch. He is the winner of the 2023 Peter Takács Beethoven Prize in Piano, as well as the 2017 Ann & Charles Eisemann International Young Artists Competition. He has performed with the National Uzbek Symphony Orchestra.

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Sol is earning her graduate diploma at Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana as a student of Alexander Kobrin. In 2022, she was a winner in the Young Artist Piano Performance Competition and placed second in the Stecher and Horowitz Two-Piano Competition, both held by the Music Teachers National Association. She placed first in the 2018 Topeka Symphony Young Artist Competition. Sol has attended Pianofest in the Hamptons and participated in several masterclass taught by renowned artists such as Music Academy Faculty Emeritus Jerome Lowenthal. Other notable performances have been with the TIMM Ensemble, Heritage Philharmonic and Busan Neo Philharmonic Orchestra (at eleven years old!).

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Kevin recently earned his master’s degree from the New England Conservatory in the studio of Wha Kyung Byun. He also studied with Matti Raekallio and Orli Shaham at The Juilliard School. In 2021, he was a finalist in the National Federation of Music Clubs Young Artists Audition.

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Alice is currently earning her bachelor’s degree at The Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Antonio Pompa-Baldi. She was a finalist in the 2023 Coltman Chamber Music Competition, and won 2nd prize in the 2021 Chopin Avenue International Piano Competition. She has performed as the principal keyboardist in the 2023 season at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and has also performed with the Schwob Philharmonic.

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Ming-Li is currently earning her degree in piano performance at University of Cincinnatti’s Conservatory of Music, studying with Daniel Shapiro and Ran Dank. She won the 2019 Wideman International Piano Competition, as well as the Special Award at the 2023 CCM Concerto Competition. She has performed as a soloist in CCM’s Orchestra Series and is the Collaborative Piano Coordinator at Ascent Music Festival.

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Immanuel completed his bachelor’s degree at Oberlin Conservatory studying with Peter Takacs. He has performed with the Oberlin Contemporary Ensemble, Bang on a Can Long Play Festival, the Oberlin Arts & Sciences Orchestra, and the Prague Summer Nights Festival.

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Itsuki is earning a doctorate from Indiana University in the studio of Futaba Niekawa. There, she is an Associate Instructor in the Chamber and Collaborative Music Department. She has participated in the Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival, Montecito International Music Festival, and Musicfest Perugia. She also studied in the 2022 Castleman Quartet Program.

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Noah is a piano fellow with New World Symphony and studies with Anton Nel. Awards include second place in the 2022 Sidney Wright Accompanying Competition, and first place in the 2018 Indiana University Concerto Competition. He has also appeared with the National Repertory Orchestra.

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Yoshino recently completed his performer’s diploma at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, studying with Dr. Futaba Niekawa.

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Timothy is currently earning a master’s degree at the University of Southern California, studying with Margo Garrett, Jean Barr, and Alan Smith. He is the winner of both the 2018 Osaka International Music Competition and the 2017 Hong Kong Youth Music Open Competition. He has performed solo in concerts organized by the The University of Hong Kong and at Britain’s Loughborough Emmanuel Church.

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Yifang is earning her graduate diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music as a student of Anita Pontremoli. She was collaborative pianist for the 2022 Art Song Festival. Other performances include the 2023 Intensive Duo Concert and Cleveland Cello Society Scholarship Winner’s Recital. She currently collaborates with the Beaumont School Chorus.

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Ya-Ting is currently earning her doctorate at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she is also a teaching assistant. She studies with Margaret McDonald and Alexandra Nguyen. Some of her recent performances include Brahms “Sonata for cello and piano no.1 in F major,” and Clarke’s “Sonata for viola and piano.”

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Jiwoo is currently earning her degree at The Juilliard School, studying with Jonathan Feldman. She won 1st prize in the chamber music category in the 2020 online edition of the International Music Competition, as well as Best Duo Ensemble and Audience Favorite at the 1st Vietnam International Music Competition for Violin and Chamber Music in 2019. She has performed as part of a duo at Juilliard and is a member of the piano duo “Comme Toi.”

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Julia earned her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University as a student of Irini Kyriakidou-Hymel. She has continued to reside and work in New Orleans, Louisiana since graduating. There, she has served as cantor for the St. Francis of Assisi Church since 2020. In 2024, she won the New Orleans District Winner at the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition and the second-place prize at the FAVA Grand Concours French Opera and Art Song Competition. Julia has appeared with the Lousiana Philharmonic and performed as Lia in Debussy’s L’enfant prodigue, Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and Countess Almaviva in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro.

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Alexandra recently earned her doctorate at the Eastman School of Music in the studio of Anthony Dean Griffey. In 2024, she won third place in the National Opera Association Competition and Carolyn Baily Argento Vocal Competition. At Eastman, she performed the titular role in Handel’s Alcina. She has also participated as Voice Fellow with the Mostly Modern Festival and the Cincinatti Song Initiative’s Fellowship of the Song. Alexandra currently resides in Irvine, California.

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Emily recently earned her Artist Diploma from the Academy of Vocal Arts, where she studied with Sally Wolf and Nicole Cabell. She won District Winner in the 2024 Met Opera Laffont Competition and placed second at the 2021 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition. Notable roles include Tatyana in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, whom she has played for both Opera Baltimore and Heartbeat Opera, and Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

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Ruoxi recently earned her Graduate Diploma from the New England Conservatory in the studio of MaryAnn McCormick. In 2024, she won District Winner and Encouragement awards at the Laffont Competition. Recent roles include Diana in Cavalli’s La Calisto, and Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte.

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Kayla is earning her master’s degree at The Juilliard School, where she studies with Darrell Babidge. She was a finalist in the 22nd Friends of Eastman Opera Competition. She has performed as Dr. Nora Lear, Anthony Davis’s titular character in his opera, Lear on the 2nd Floor. Along with the AXIOM Ensemble, she sang as the soprano soloist in Knussen’s Requiem: Songs for Sue.

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Megan is earning her master’s degree from Rice University Shepherd School of Music in the studio of Robin Rice. She placed first in the 2023 Jessie Kneisler Lieder Competition and earned the Houston District Encouragement Award at the 2024 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. Megan has recently covered Bianca and Lucretia in Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, Filipyevna in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, and Ruggiero in Handel’s Alcina. In Houston, she also sings with St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.

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Lydia earned her bachelor’s degree at University of Southern California Thornton School of Music in the studio of Rod Gilfry. She also has studied with Melena Kitíc. Lydia won the 2019 grand prize in The Music Center’s Spotlight Awards and was a finalist in the 2021 Opera Viva! Roberto de Simone Memorial Aria Competition. She has recently performed in Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance as a cover for Ruth, as the Stewardess in Jonathan Dove’s Flight, and as Dorabella in Mozart’s Cosí fan tutte. Residing in Los Angeles, she has also sung with the Pacific Opera Project and with workshops for Beth Morrison Projects.

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Mariam is a recent Resident Artist of the Shreveport Opera. She studied with Melanie Sonnenburg at the University of Houston. She placed first at the 2023 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Competition and the 2022 La Jolla Symphony and Chorus Young Artist Competition. Notable roles with the Shreveport Opera include Dorabella in Mozart’s Cosí fan tutte and Musetta in Puccini’s La bohème. With the Moores Opera Center, Mariam has performed as Federico García Lorca in Golijov’s Ainadamar.

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Hope recently earned her Artist’s Diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in the studio of Roslyn Jones. She was the San Francisco district winner in the 2023 Metropolitan Opera Louffant Competition. Notable roles include Fox in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen, Liza Elliot in Kurt Weill’s Lady in the Dark, and Sesto in Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito.

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Maggie is earning her Artist’s Diploma at The Juilliard School, where she studies with Elizabeth Bishop, Stephen Wadsworth, and Adam Nielsen. She has performed as Baba the Turk Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, Venus in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, and Olga in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. Recent awards include the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Grand Finalist Award and the Igor Gorin Memorial Award. She has also collaborated with the Santa Fe and Des Moines Metro Operas.

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Jackson is earning his professional studies certificate from Curtis Institute of Music, where he studies with Jack Li Vigni. He has also studied with Rhoslyn Jones. He has recently performed roles such as Rechtor in Leoš Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen, Nika Magadoff in Menotti’s The Consul, and Tito in Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito.

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Matthew earned his master’s degree at the Mannes School of Music as a student of Arthur Levy. Currently, he studies with Jonathan Beyer. He recently performed in Puccini’s Turandot as Pong and debuted his own cabaret show, An Evening with Matthew Cerillo. He has participated in several opera productions including Bizet’s Carmen, where he performed as El Remendado and covered Don Jose, Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte as Tamino, Le nozze di Figaro as Don Basilio, Purcell’s The Fairy-Queen as Demitrius, and John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera in the roles of Dianna Trapes, Filch, and Ben Budge. Matthew has also performed in international events such as Ukranian Artists Music, Music in the Alps, and the Oyster Bay Music Festival. With the St. Petersburg Opera and Portland Opera, he acted as Resident Artist in 2024 and 2022, respectively. He has performed in and collaborated with Missy Mazzoli in workshops for her new opera, The Listeners.

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Cole is a returning 2023 Music Academy Alum who is earning a Performance Diploma from the Southern Methodist University in the studio of Clifton Forbis. Notable roles include Parpignol in the Music Academy’s 2023 production of La bohème, Rinuccio in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, and Sam Polk in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah. He was also a winner in the Meadows Concerto Competition and Naftzger Concerto Competition. Cole currently resides in Dallas, Texas.

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Xuyue is earning his doctoral degree at the Eastman School of Music in the studio of Anthony Dean Griffey. He performed as the Chevalier de la Force in Dialogues des Carmélites by Francis Poulenc. There, he serves as a graduate teaching assistant. At the 2019 S. Livingston Mather Scholarship Competition, he won the Albert Rees Davis Award. He also won first prizes at the 2019 National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition (Ohio Chapter).

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Jack is earning his bachelor’s degree in Performance from Pacific Lutheran University under the instruction of Holly Boaz, James Brown, and Barry Johnson. He won first place prizes in the 2023 Angela Meade Competition and National Association for Teachers in Singing National Student Audition (Upper Classical, TBB). With the Vashon Opera, he has performed as Paris in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette with the Vashon Opera. Jack’s roles with the Pacific Lutheran University Opera include Sam in Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, and Dr. Dulcamara in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. He currently resides in Gig Harbor, Washington and serves as Choral Scholar at the Christ Episcopal Church in Tacoma, Washington.

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Paul is earning his master’s degree from Yale University, where he studies with Adriana Zabala. There, he has played roles such as Marcello in Puccini’s La bohème, Nick Shadow in A Rake’s Progress by Stravinsky, and the titular role in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.

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Teo earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He placed third in the 2015 Classical Singer National Competition. Notable roles include the titular role in Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Morales in Bizet’s Carmen.

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Michael earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University Fullerton, where he studied with Kerry Jennings, Mark Goodrich, and Aram Barsamian. With the local Opera Santa Barbara, he has performed the roles of the King in Xavier Montsalvatge’s El gato con botas and Moralés in Bizet’s Carmen. Michael played the role of Dr. Falke in Opera San Luis Obispo’s production of Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus. He has also collaborated with the Pacific Chorale, San Diego Opera, Lyric Opera of Orange County, and the Pacific Symphony. Currently, Michael resides in Menifee, California.

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Dongwei is earning his Artist’s Diploma from The Juilliard School, where he studies with Elizabeth Bishop and Leah Crocetto. He recently completed his DMA at the University of Texas at Austin, where he performed roles in Ullmann’s Der Kaiser von Atlantis and Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. He also recently performed in Cavalli’s Erismena at the Joye in Aiken Festival.

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Wanchun is earning his performance diploma at Boston University under James Demler, William Lumpkin, and Matthew Larson. He earned a master’s degree at the New England Conservatory in the studio of Michael Meraw. Recent performances include Massenet’s Cendrillon and Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito.

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Eric is earning his master’s degree in collaborative piano from the University of Michigan, where he studies with Martin Katz. He won the Rosholt Distinction in Accompanying Prize in 2021 and 2022 and was a Luther College Concerto Competition winner in 2021. Recent performances include Puccini’s La bohème and Gianni Schicchi as well as in Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus. From 2017-2021, he was the Summer Theater Music Director for the Fairmount Opera House.

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Jeongmin is currently earning her master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studies with Andrew Harley. She has collaborated in performances of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos, and Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites.

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Jerome is a pianist-coach at the Opéra de Montréal and works with Les Grands Ballets and Ballet Divertimento. He has studied with Jennifer Szeto, Olivier Godin, and Esther Gonthier. As part of the Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier Lyrique residency program, he served as repétitéur on Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea and Verdi’s La traviata. Jerome has also collaborated as pianist and coach with Orchestra Drummondvill on Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. Still active in Montréal, Jerome also has been a ballet pianist for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens.

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Deven recently earned his master’s degree from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in the studio of Kevin Murphy. There, he served as a teaching assistant in collaborative piano. He has collaborated on numerous operas such as Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette with the Tel Aviv Summer Opera Program and Cedar Rapids Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca. With the Indiana University Opera Theater, he collaborated in productions of Roméo et Juliette, Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, and the world premiere of Shulamit Ran’s Anne Frank. Deven currently resides in Erie, Pennsylvania.

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Tony recently earned his doctorate from the Université de Montréal, where he studied with Francis Perron. He has served as rehearsal pianist for Massanet’s Cendrillon and Anna Pidgorna’s Plaything at McGill University. At the Université de Montréal, he also was a rehearsal pianist for Bizet’s Carmen.

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Tzu Kuang is a returning 2022 Music Academy alum who is earning a doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin in the studio of Tamar Sanikidze. He was named winner of the 2022 Marilyn Horne Song Competition alongside Joanne Evans, whom he still performs with. In 2023, he participated in Carnegie Hall’s Song Studio and Cincinatti Song Institute’s Fellowship of Song. He has also served as coach for University of Texas productions of Tan Dan’s Tea: A Mirror of Souls and Poulenc’s La voix humaine.

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Paige earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and opera and a certificate in musical theatre from Northwestern University. They have remained active in Chicago, Illinois, having served as Teaching Artist with the Lyric Opera and Associate Director with the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company. With the Ouroboros Opera, they have directed notable operas such as Bluebeard’s Castle by Bartók and the Chicago premiere La Femme Bohème, the latter of which is a reimagining of Puccini’s La bohème with the Valkyrie Orchestra. Most recently, they associate directed Ruddigore with the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company and directed Okoye’s Wet Dirt with the Thompson Street Opera Company. This summer, Paige will be assistant directing the Music Academy’s productions of Bizet’s Carmen (with Ken Cazan) and Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges (with Mary Birnbaum).

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Katelyn is earning her master’s degree from the University of Michigan as a student of Amanda Majeski. There, she performed the role of Aveline in Kevin Puts’s Elizabeth Cree. Other roles include Adele in Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus and Despina in Mozart’s Cosí fan tutte, both with the University of North Florida. She also placed first the 2022-2023 University of North Florida Aria Competition.

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Sophia recently earned her bachelor’s degree at the New England Conservatory, where she studied with Carole Haber, JJ Penna, and Luke Housner. There, she has played notable roles such as Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Cosí fan tutte and Rosalinde in Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus. She has also performed as Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni and reprised her role in Die Fledermaus with the Lyric Opera Weinmar. Currently, Sophia resides in Boston, Massachussetts.

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Jamie is earning his bachelor’s degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studies with Salvatore Champagne. He won a gold prize at the 2022 YoungArts Competition and was a finalist in the 2023 Schmidt Vocal Competition; he returned to the latter to win an Encouragement Award in 2024. Jamie has played Supt. Budd in Britten’s Albert Herring. Jamie currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

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Derek recently earned his master’s degree from Florida State University, where he studied with David Okerlund. There, he performed roles such as Bartolo in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Basilio in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Jezevec and Farář in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen. He also served as a graduate teaching assistant. In 2022, he won the first place prize in the National Association for Teachers of Singing Competition’s Upper Classical TBB division.

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Xi is earning her doctorate from the Eastman School of Music in the studio of Andrew Harley. She was a winner of the 2017 Changjiang Piano Scholarship. In 2023, she was a piano fellow at the Toronto Summer Music Festival, where she collaborated in a reimagined performance of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. she also holds the Brook Smith Fellowship at the Eastman School of Music.

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Brett is earning his bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston, where he studies with Saundra DeAthos and Harold Meers. He has performed as Alfred in Johann Strauss’s Die Fledermaus, Raoul de Chagny in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, and Marius Pontmercy in Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Les Misérables.

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Collin is earning his master’s degree from Rice University Shepherd School of Music where he studies with Nova Thomas and Thomas Jaber. He placed second in the National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS) National Student Auditions. Notable roles include Billy Bigelow in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel and the titular role in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. While earning his bachelor’s at the Abilene Christian University, he also performed solo roles in Faure’s Requiem and a capella choir concerts.

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Anastasia is earning her bachelor’s degree from the Tbilisi State Conservatoire, where she studies with Tamar Iveri, Levan Jagaev, and Temur Eliava. While there, she has performed notable roles in two Mozart operas: as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro and Dorabella in Cosí fan tutte.

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Kayla recently earned her bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Joshua Conyers. She has also studied with Kathleen Cowdrick and Ruth Hennessy. She was a finalist in the 2024 Schmidt Vocal Undergraduate Competition and winner of the 2023 Mary E. Singletary Vocal Arts Competition. She performed numerous roles with the Eastman Opera Theater, such as Anne in Heggie’s To Hell and Back, Oberto (cover) in Handel’s Alcina, and Paula in Catán’s Florencina en el Amazonas. Kayla also performed as a back-up singer for Jon Batiste in the American Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

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