One of the most sought-after soloists and chamber music collaborators of his generation, Orion Weiss is widely regarded as a “brilliant pianist” (The New York Times) with “powerful technique and exceptional insight” (The Washington Post). With a warmth to his playing that outwardly reflects his engaging personality, Weiss has dazzled audiences with his passionate, lush sound and performed with dozens of orchestras in North America including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic.
Violinist Jennifer Frautschi is a two-time Grammy Award nominee and an Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient. She’s garnered worldwide acclaim as a deeply expressive and musically adventurous violinist with impeccable technique and a wide-ranging repertoire. She’s equally at home playing contemporary and classic repertoire, and recent seasons have featured performances and recordings of works by composers ranging from Robert Schumann and Lili Boulanger to Arnold Schoenberg and Barbara White. Frautschi has also had the privilege of premiering several works written for her by prominent composers of today.
In 2019, Ida Kavafian completed her 35-year tenure as artistic director of the Music from Angel Fire chamber music festival in New Mexico. A frequent artist of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center for more than 40 years and former violinist of the renowned Beaux Arts Trio, Kavafian currently performs as a soloist; in recital with her sister, violinist Ani Kavafian; as a guest with distinguished ensembles; and as a faculty member at the Curtis Institute of Music. She’s premiered many new works, toured and recorded with fiddler/composer Mark O’Connor and with jazz greats Chick Corea and Wynton Marsalis, and had a solo feature onCBS Sunday Morning. She premiered and recorded Michael Daugherty’s violin concertoFire and Bloodwith the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and, as a violist, toured and recorded with the Guarneri Quartet and performed with the Orion, Shanghai, and American string quartets.
Benny Kim is first violinist for the Miami String Quartet and is known for his versatility as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. Engagements include recital appearances at the 92nd Street Y in New York City and The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC; festival appearances in Santa Fe, Savannah, and Angel Fire; and concertos with the Chicago, Boston, and St. Louis symphony orchestras. Kim is an associate professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, and he appears on several recordings.
Toby Appel has appeared in recital and concerto performances throughout North and South America, Europe, and the Far East. He’s been a member of such renowned ensembles as TASHI and the Lenox and Audubon quartets; a guest artist with the Vermeer, Manhattan, Alexander, and Dover quartets; and a frequent guest with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and jazz artists Chick Corea and Gary Burton. His festival appearances include Mostly Mozart; Chamber Music Northwest; the Seattle Chamber Music Society; Music from Angel Fire; the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival; the Marlboro, Manchester, Colorado College Summer, and Bravo! Vail music festivals; and festivals in England, France, Korea, Germany, Italy, Finland, and Greece.
Scott Lee has established himself as one of the most exciting and unique violists. His exceptional musicality and virtuosic playing distinguish him as one of this generation’s quintessential artists.
The New York Times described his playing as “flawless technical resources combines them with an assured sense of musicianship, a remarkable and auspicious talent. ” Also, hailed as “the superstar of his generation” by the String Magazine.
Felix Fan’s versatility has made him one of the most sought-after cellists of his generation. As a chamber musician, he’s performed with cellists Yo-Yo Ma and János Starker and violinist Gil Shaham, and he’s appeared in such venues as Carnegie Hall in New York City, The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the Musikverein in Vienna, and the Royal Festival Hall in London. Fan’s recent solo engagements include the San Diego Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Macau Orchestra, and Munich Chamber Orchestra. In 2006, Fan and violinist Cho-Liang Lin recorded Gordon Chin’s Double Concerto for Violin and Cello with the Kansas City Symphony, led by Music Director Michael Stern, on the Naxos label.
Cellist Keith Robinson is a founding member of the Miami String Quartet and has been active as a chamber musician, recitalist, and soloist since his graduation from the Curtis Institute of Music. He has had numerous solo appearances with orchestras including the New World Symphony, the American Sinfonietta, and the Miami Chamber Symphony, and in 1989 won the P.A.C.E. “Classical Artist of the Year” Award. His most recent recording released on Blue Griffin Records features the complete works of Mendelssohn for cello and piano with his colleague Donna Lee. In 1992 the Miami String Quartet became the first string quartet in a decade to win First Prize of the Concert Artists Guild New York Competition.
Robert Ingliss is principal oboe of the New Jersey Symphony and The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. He’s premiered solo and chamber music works by numerous composers, including Milton Babbitt, Elliott Carter, Marc-André Dalbavie, Henri Dutilleux, and Charles Wuorinen. He’s performed in more than 30 countries on five continents, and, as a soloist, his engagements have included the American Symphony Orchestra, Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, League of Composers/ISCM Chamber Players, New Jersey Symphony, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Santa Fe Pro Musica, and the Washington Square Music Festival, among others. Ingliss has taught at Columbia University, Sarah Lawrence College, SUNY Purchase, and the University of Connecticut.
Principal Oboe of the New Mexico Philharmonic, Dr. Kevin Vigneau is also Professor of Oboe at UNM and has enjoyed an international career as an orchestral player, soloist, teacher, and chamber musician.
Julia DeRosa is principal oboe of the New York City Ballet Orchestra and second oboe and English horn of The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. An accomplished freelancer in New York City, she regularly performs with the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, American Ballet Theater, Orpheus Chamber, and Saint Paul Chamber orchestras; the Orchestra of St. Luke’s; and the Baltimore, American, and New Jersey symphony orchestras. DeRosa is a faculty member at the Mannes School of Music and for The Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program. She attended Juilliard, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the studio of Elaine Douvas, with additional instruction from Richard Dallessio, Pedro Díaz, Nathan Hughes, and Linda Strommen.
