Progressive Musicians Laureate Gala
$89-$109
- Bayberry String Quartet
- New Jersey Guitar Orchestra
- Jayson Martinez, conductor
- The Castanets of Madrid
- Teresa Laiz, conductor
- New York Chamber Players
- Lehner String Quartet
- Jessica Thompson, soprano
- Christina Ebersohl-Van Scyoc, viola
- Giovanna Yaqi Yang, soprano
- Mǎdǎlina-Claudia Dǎnilǎ, piano
- Sophie Dunér, mezzo-soprano
- Jennifer Savage, piano
Ahmed Karam — Selected works (Andromache (II. Do You Know?))
Jana Skarecky — Australian Images (performed by Lehner String Quartet)
Joel Feigin — Selected works (Mosaic in Two Panels)
Tatiana Mikova — Selected works (String Quartet "In Modo Lidico")
William Kanengiser — Selected works (Mbira)
Matthew Halper — Selected works (Autumnal)
Andrew York — Selected works (Catwalk; Spin)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — Selected works (Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K. 331)
Gioachino Rossini — Selected works (‘Non si dà follia maggiore’, from ‘Il Turco in Italia’)
Progressive Musicians, Sound Espressivo, and Price Attractions present their 6th Laureate Gala, where selected laureates perform in their final gala of the season.
This program will feature musicians from numerous countries who have won our 2023-2024 Laureate's Auditions. Featured ensembles include the Bayberry String Quartet, the Lehner String Quartet, the New Jersey Guitar Ensemble under Maestro Jayson Martinez, and The Castanets of Madrid under Maestra Teresa Laiz.
Composers will also be present in the audience.
About Bayberry String Quartet
The Bayberry String Quartet is emerging onto the concert scene with a recent appearance at Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society's CMS Kids, and inaugurating a new concert series in Pelham, New York. Other recent concerts include performances at the White Lake Chamber Music Festival, Music in the Meadows, Chamber Music @ AEIVA, and Fairlane Music Guild, among others. They have enjoyed residencies at the STEP Birmingham Chamber Music Workshop, Peaks to Plains Institute in Colorado, and PhoenixPhest in Michigan.
https://bayberrystringquartet.com/About Jayson Martinez, conductor
About Teresa Laiz, conductor
About Lehner String Quartet
The Lehner String Quartet is composed of violinists Vladimir and Yevgeniy Dyo, violist Joseph Kauffman, and cellist Igor Zubkovsky. Each are accomplished performers in their own right, they have a history of performing together to bring music to audiences around the world.
About Jessica Thompson, soprano
New York City-based operatic soprano Jessica Thompson is “spirited” and “a dynamic actress” (The Baltimore Sun). Her love for opera began in elementary school when her father would play it in the car on the way to school. One day her teacher asked, “Are you listening to your Dad’s music today?” Jessica responded, “No! It’s MY music!” She officially began studying classical voice at the age of 14 with Metropolitan Opera Soprano Marjorie Gordon and never turned back. Her lush and full lyric voice has performed numerous leading roles including Violetta (Verdi's La Traviata), Manon (Massenet's Manon), Vixen (Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen), and Snow White (Luigi Zaninelli’s Snow White).
She received a bachelor of music degree in Voice Performance and a minor in Music History from Syracuse University where she studied with Jennifer Kay. The university awarded her the Joanna & Roger Moore Award for Vocal Excellence in Opera in 2007. Her master of music and graduate performance diploma in Voice Performance were awarded to her from Peabody Conservatory where she studied with Ah Young Hong. There she performed several roles with the opera department including “Manon” and the “Vixen”, and was a two-time winner of the George Castelle Memorial Award in Voice.
Also in Baltimore, Miss Thompson was active in the contemporary music scene premiering a short opera by Alex Gil-Marca and performing a recital at various venues of exclusively modern compositions including Judith Weir’s Scotch Minstrelsy and Libby Larsen’s Try Me Good King: Words from the Wives of Henry VIII. She has followed her love for contemporary music to New York City where she has joined the Center for Contemporary Opera as Company Manager, Stage Manager, and performer. This past summer, she successfully multi-tasked all three of these jobs during CCO’s New Opera Week’s atelier performances of Jiří Kadeřábek’s Kafka’s Women and Todd Goodman’s Night of the Living Dead. She has also performed the roles of Speaker/Antonio/Billy in Susan Kander’s new opera, News from Poems, and Rosa/Journalist in Eric Salzman's Big Jim and the Small Time Investors.
Miss Thompson has studied and performed in St. Andrews, Scotland, and Graz, Austria, with the Oxenfoord International Summer School and the American Institute of Musical Studies, respectively. She has worked with artists such as Edoardo Müller, Malcolm Martineau, Gabrielle Lechner, John Shirley-Quirk, and Richard McKee.
In New York City, Miss Thompson is currently in the studio of Beth Roberts, and coaches with Ira Siff and Leesa Dahl. Most recently, she made her debut with New York Opera Exchange as Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata this past May, and traveled to Los Angeles to join the SongFest Professional Program this past June where she will be performed works by Cathy Berberian, Elliott Carter, Benjamin Britten, and Libby Larsen. In her free time, she enjoys running, archery and various types of embroidery.
https://jessicathompsonsopra.wixsite.com/jessicathompsonsopAbout Christina Ebersohl-Van Scyoc, viola
Violist Christina Ebersohl-Van Scyoc is widely recognized for performances that combine fearless imagination and warm maturity. Joël Belgique, principal violist of the Oregon Symphony, has praised Christina as a new generation of musician: “her talent alone is not enough…. she’s inspiring.”
Christina made her solo debut after her Honorable Discharge from the US Army, where she served as an Arabic Linguist. Since her return to the classical world, she has embarked on a multifaceted career, seamlessly transitioning between solo performances, charismatic advocacy, and cultural diplomacy. Her expressive playing and profound understanding of the viola repertoire has garnered critical acclaim, establishing her as a sought-after artist on both national and international stages. Christina’s ability to infuse emotion and depth into her performances has resonated with audiences, creating a lasting impact on the world of classical music.
In addition to her solo career, Christina is a passionate advocate, mentoring students and educating institutions on music education for those with disabilities. Inspired by her own experiences as a blind musician, she has spoken at the New Music Gathering, the Music Library Association, the College Music Society National Conference, and the 14th International Vision Conference—to name a few—on accessibility and opening doors for musicians with disabilities.
Christina’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians is as notable as her performance career. She has dedicated time to teaching masterclasses and workshops as a Licensed Body Mapping Educator, sharing her expertise and passion with aspiring violists. Working directly with students, she guides musicians towards developing healthy movement practices, preventing injuries, and promoting long, sustainable careers.
Throughout her career, Christina has received numerous awards for her contributions to the world of classical music, solidifying her place as a leading concert violist, scholar, and advocate, including the Gilman International Study Scholarship, the National Federation of Music Clubs Scholarship, the National Federation of the Blind Pearson Scholarship, and in 2022, she was named a Pat Tillman Scholar for her continuing service to the music community. Beyond the stage, she remains deeply involved in philanthropic endeavors, supporting initiatives that aim to make classical music accessible to diverse audiences.
Christina’s dedication and exceptional skill led her to study under the mentorship of esteemed violists Joel Belgique, Kenji Bunch, and Basil Vendryes. Currently, she is completing her Doctorate in Viola Performance and Literature as an Illinois Distinguished Fellow at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with Liz Freivogel of the Jupiter Quartet and is the Editor for the Journal of the American Viola Society. She continues to captivate audiences with her soul-stirring performances while contributing to the cultural tapestry of classical music.
https://www.christinaebersohl.com/About Giovanna Yaqi Yang, soprano
Dr. Giovanna Yaqi Yang, based in Miami and NYC, is an up-and-coming opera singer known for her bell-like expressive voice. Giovanna received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in voice performance at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami. Opera Wire described her as “exceedingly charming” and “exuberant and soaring.” She was honored to receive praise from South Florida Classical Review for her performance as Angelica, where she displayed a larger-than-life stage persona and a gleaming high register.
In the past few years, Giovanna had the honor of singing the leading role in the world premiere opera “The Leopard” by Michael Dellaira, the album was officially released by the world’s leading classical music label Naxos Records this year. Additionally, she was seen as Lucy in Menotti’s The Telephone, the leading role of Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, soprano soloist in Carmina Burana, Pamina in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Frasquita in Carmen. She has been selected to sing in masterclasses led by Heidi Grant Murphy, Lisette Oropesa, Nadine Sierra, Quinn Kelsey, Tom Cipullo, Toni Maria Palmertree, and Leonardo Marzagalia. Giovanna has also appeared in opera scenes portraying Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor in the title role, Norina from Don Pasquale, Susanna from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, and Miles from Britten’s The Turn of the Screw. She has shown great enthusiasm for the Bel Canto repertoire, particularly compositions by Donizetti, Rossini, and Bellini.
https://yaqiyangsoprano.com/home/About Mǎdǎlina-Claudia Dǎnilǎ, piano
Mădălina-Claudia Dănilă, a Romanian-born concert pianist, has earned international acclaim for her exceptional skill and artistic depth. Her performances are celebrated for their profound artistry and technical mastery, captivating audiences around the globe. Mădălina has distinguished herself in prestigious competitions, notably winning the Best Performance prize at the International Piano Competition in Vigo, Spain, and securing multiple first-place awards at the Charleston 20th Century Music Competition in 2023.
Mădălina made her debut at the Ruhr Klavierfestival in Germany, one of Europe's most prestigious piano festivals, at the invitation of renowned violinist Anne Sophie Mutter. This performance marked a significant milestone in her career, showcasing her talent on an esteemed international platform.
As an integral part of the ‘Mada & Hugh’ Piano Duo with Hugh Sung, Mădălina has enchanted audiences across the United States and Europe. Their duo, known for its exceptional musicality, claimed first prizes in the 2023 Charleston International Competition and the 2024 London International Competition. They have garnered a wide following through their engaging weekly video/audio podcast.
Mădălina is also a key member of Trio Casals, featuring violinist Timothy Schwarz and cellist Ovidiu Marinescu. This ensemble is celebrated for its dynamic performances and innovative programming.
In addition to her performance career, Mădălina is deeply committed to her academic pursuits. She is currently engaged in doctoral studies at Temple University under the tutelage of renowned professors Lambert Orkis and Sara Davis Buechner. Her doctoral research focuses on the works of composer George Crumb, with a particular emphasis on his series for solo amplified piano, "Makrokosmos." This research reflects her passion for exploring new realms in classical piano music and contributes significantly to the understanding and appreciation of contemporary compositions.
Mădălina also dedicates herself to nurturing emerging talent in her role as a piano teacher at Cunningham Music School. Here, she imparts her extensive knowledge and experience to aspiring pianists, fostering a new generation of musicians.
Her musical journey began in Braila, Romania, and was further refined under the guidance of esteemed mentors, leading to her becoming a pianist of extraordinary caliber. Her successes in competitions such as the George Enescu Competition and the Mihail Jora International Competition are a testament to her performance prowess. As a champion of Romanian and contemporary music, Mădălina has been a featured performer at the International “Meridian” Festival in Bucharest.
Mădălina-Claudia Dănilă is not just a world-class concert pianist but also a visionary artist and educator, whose contributions extend beyond the stage to the realms of academic research and music education.
https://www.madalinadanila.com/About Sophie Dunér, mezzo-soprano
Sophie Dunér is a singer and composer with roots in jazz. Originally from Sweden, she travels and performs internationally as her blend of jazz, world, and contemporary classical writing receives demand worldwide – from the infamous CBGBs in NYC to Buenos Aires Festival de Música Contemporánea La Plata to Festival O/Modernt in Sweden.
http://www.sophieduner.com/About Jennifer Savage, piano
Jennifer Savage received her Master Manhattan School of Music, New York, studying piano performance with Arkady Aronov and Efrem Briskin under the Elva van Gelder Memorial and Constance Keene piano scholarship, previously studying at the MSM Precollege with Dr. Anna Ouspenskaya at the Levine School of Music. An avid performer, Jennifer has appeared as a soloist with the Virtuosi Brunensis Orchestra and at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, Kaufman Center’s Merkin Hall, historical Palazzo dei Priori in Perugia Italy, the DiCapo Opera Theater in New York, and the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Jennifer has won numerous competitions, both in solo and chamber music, performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center in NY, Palazzo dei Priori in Italy, DiCapo Opera Theater in New York, Embassy of Italy, Mexican Cultural Institute, Lyceum in Alexandria, featured on Cable TV: A Holiday Recital, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Netherlands Embassy, Alden Theater Music Friends Concert, and the Kimmel Center in PA as well as giving a lecture-concert in Wuhan, China.
https://www.progressivemusicians.com/jennifer-savage