Past Shows
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SIRI HOWARD (actress/singer)
Siri recently performed in Sweeney Todd at Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic, starring Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel. It will be broadcast on PBS on September 26th. On Broadway Siri has appeared in Les Misérables and The Sound of Music, understudying and performing the role of Liesl. National Tours include: Parade (Iola Stover), Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Production, in which Siri understudied and performed the role of Cosette, and The Sound of Music, starring Richard Chamberlain. Other performances include South Pacific (Nellie Forbush), A Little Night Music 25th Anniversary Production with the Philadelphia Orchestra (Fredrika), and the beloved Mozart opera Le Nozze di Figaro (Susanna). Siri performs with her sisters Joanna and Jessica in their jazz trio The Howard Sisters, and was a member of the USO Show Troupe, performing worldwide for active duty military and veterans. Her greatest joy is being fiancé to actor Max Quinlan. For more information please visit Siri’s website at: www.sirihoward.com
Siri recently performed in Sweeney Todd at Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic, starring Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel. It will be broadcast on PBS on September 26th. On Broadway Siri has appeared in Les Misérables and The Sound of Music, understudying and performing the role of Liesl. National Tours include: Parade (Iola Stover), Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Production, in which Siri understudied and performed the role of Cosette, and The Sound of Music, starring Richard Chamberlain. Other performances include South Pacific (Nellie Forbush), A Little Night Music 25th Anniversary Production with the Philadelphia Orchestra (Fredrika), and the beloved Mozart opera Le Nozze di Figaro (Susanna). Siri performs with her sisters Joanna and Jessica in their jazz trio The Howard Sisters, and was a member of the USO Show Troupe, performing worldwide for active duty military and veterans. Her greatest joy is being fiancé to actor Max Quinlan. For more information please visit Siri’s website at: www.sirihoward.com
MAX QUINLAN (actor/singer)
Max can be seen making his BROADWAY Debut in the Revival of LES MISERABLES. Recently, Max has been seen performing with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Fresno Grand Opera Company, Maine State Music Theatre, The Marriott Theatre in Chicago, and as a singer with USO Show Troupe performing at various venues throughout the U.S. For the better part of 2 years, Max was seen in the 25th Anniversary National Tour of LES MISERABLE as Marius (San Francisco 2012 Broadway World Award Winner for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Touring). His performance as Fabrizio Naccarelli in the Marriott Theatre's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA garnered him the coveted 2009 Equity Jeff Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. Max also received the 2010 Broadway World Chicago Award for Best Actor in a Musical along with a Jeff Award Nomination for his performance as Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Theatre At The Center in Indiana. In New York City, Max originated the roles of Jack in WOULDA, COULDA, SHOULDA at Off-Broadway's York Theatre Company and Paulucci in THE BOWERY BOYS with NAMT.
Max was born in New Jersey and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. Growing up, he heavily pursued both theatre and sports. Max is a Gold and Silver USA Junior Olympic Champion in Judo. He made his professional stage debut at the age of 12 in the National Touring Chicago Sit-Down production of RAGTIME as The Little Boy, directed by Frank Galati. Max made his Television debut as a Guest Star on the CBS drama EARLY EDITION. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music (CCM) with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. During his time at CCM, Max portrayed The Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in ASSASSINS, Laurie in LITTLE WOMEN, Goat in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM and Willy in FLORA, THE RED MENACE among others. He received the Acclaim Rising Star Award for his body of work at school. Soon after graduation, Max moved to New York City and made his Off-Broadway debut at the York Theatre Company with the musical GRIND and was chosen to be a featured singer in Scott Alan's Monday Nights, New Voices Concert Series.
Max has had the pleasure of being a featured Guest Soloist throughout much of North America. He has had the honor of singing with late Maestro Erich Kunzel, Paul Gemignani, James Levine, Michael Krajewski and Jack Everly. He has sung with the Utah, Indianapolis, Chicago, Omaha, Florida, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestras.
Other theatre credits include Younger Brother in RAGTIME (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Mordred in CAMELOT starring George Hearn, Sylvia McNair and Rod Gilfry (Ravinia Festival), Joseph in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, Freddy in MY FAIR LADY, Troy in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, Dean in ALL SHOOK UP (The Marriott Theatre), and shows with the St. Louis MUNY. Max has been a proud member of the Actor's Equity Association (AEA) since 1998.
http://www.maxquinlan.net/
Max can be seen making his BROADWAY Debut in the Revival of LES MISERABLES. Recently, Max has been seen performing with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Fresno Grand Opera Company, Maine State Music Theatre, The Marriott Theatre in Chicago, and as a singer with USO Show Troupe performing at various venues throughout the U.S. For the better part of 2 years, Max was seen in the 25th Anniversary National Tour of LES MISERABLE as Marius (San Francisco 2012 Broadway World Award Winner for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Touring). His performance as Fabrizio Naccarelli in the Marriott Theatre's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA garnered him the coveted 2009 Equity Jeff Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. Max also received the 2010 Broadway World Chicago Award for Best Actor in a Musical along with a Jeff Award Nomination for his performance as Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Theatre At The Center in Indiana. In New York City, Max originated the roles of Jack in WOULDA, COULDA, SHOULDA at Off-Broadway's York Theatre Company and Paulucci in THE BOWERY BOYS with NAMT.
Max was born in New Jersey and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. Growing up, he heavily pursued both theatre and sports. Max is a Gold and Silver USA Junior Olympic Champion in Judo. He made his professional stage debut at the age of 12 in the National Touring Chicago Sit-Down production of RAGTIME as The Little Boy, directed by Frank Galati. Max made his Television debut as a Guest Star on the CBS drama EARLY EDITION. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music (CCM) with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. During his time at CCM, Max portrayed The Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in ASSASSINS, Laurie in LITTLE WOMEN, Goat in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM and Willy in FLORA, THE RED MENACE among others. He received the Acclaim Rising Star Award for his body of work at school. Soon after graduation, Max moved to New York City and made his Off-Broadway debut at the York Theatre Company with the musical GRIND and was chosen to be a featured singer in Scott Alan's Monday Nights, New Voices Concert Series.
Max has had the pleasure of being a featured Guest Soloist throughout much of North America. He has had the honor of singing with late Maestro Erich Kunzel, Paul Gemignani, James Levine, Michael Krajewski and Jack Everly. He has sung with the Utah, Indianapolis, Chicago, Omaha, Florida, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestras.
Other theatre credits include Younger Brother in RAGTIME (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Mordred in CAMELOT starring George Hearn, Sylvia McNair and Rod Gilfry (Ravinia Festival), Joseph in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, Freddy in MY FAIR LADY, Troy in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, Dean in ALL SHOOK UP (The Marriott Theatre), and shows with the St. Louis MUNY. Max has been a proud member of the Actor's Equity Association (AEA) since 1998.
http://www.maxquinlan.net/
JOANNA HOWARD (theater/film/TV actress)
Joanna Howard hails from a musical family and has been singing classical, standard, musical theater, and sacred music from the age of 5. She proudly represents 1/3 of the Howard Sisters trio who began singing together 25 years ago under the direction of their mother. Joanna is currently enjoying a professional career in NYC, both in theatrical and musical venues. Joanna received an education from the University of Maryland, where she studied both dramatic theater and classical voice. More information can be found on www.joannahoward.com.
Joanna Howard hails from a musical family and has been singing classical, standard, musical theater, and sacred music from the age of 5. She proudly represents 1/3 of the Howard Sisters trio who began singing together 25 years ago under the direction of their mother. Joanna is currently enjoying a professional career in NYC, both in theatrical and musical venues. Joanna received an education from the University of Maryland, where she studied both dramatic theater and classical voice. More information can be found on www.joannahoward.com.
NORIKO SUNAMOTO (piano)
Noriko Sunamoto is a music director, composer, arranger and pianist from Tokyo, Japan. While her foundation is in classical music, she draws inspiration from Rock, Pop, Latin, Jazz, Gospel, and R&B. She received a B.A. in Music Performance (Keyboard Instruments) at Kunitachi College of Music and an M.A. in Music Education (Composition) at Tokyo Gakugei University. Upon graduation, she received the Takeoka Prize, and has won multiple electric organ andcomposition competitions. She studied Jazz Piano and Arrangement at Berklee College of Music, Voice at HB Studio, Orchestration and Voice at Mannes College The New School for Music, Film Scoring at New York University's Steinhardt School, and Musical Theatre Writing at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Sunamoto has performed with Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Takarazuka Theatre Co., and numerous Disney Productions. Her original musicals have been produced in amusement parks in Tokyo. Sunamoto made her jazz/latin band debut in New York in April 2013 and musical theatre debut at Off Broadway in January 2014.
Noriko Sunamoto is a music director, composer, arranger and pianist from Tokyo, Japan. While her foundation is in classical music, she draws inspiration from Rock, Pop, Latin, Jazz, Gospel, and R&B. She received a B.A. in Music Performance (Keyboard Instruments) at Kunitachi College of Music and an M.A. in Music Education (Composition) at Tokyo Gakugei University. Upon graduation, she received the Takeoka Prize, and has won multiple electric organ andcomposition competitions. She studied Jazz Piano and Arrangement at Berklee College of Music, Voice at HB Studio, Orchestration and Voice at Mannes College The New School for Music, Film Scoring at New York University's Steinhardt School, and Musical Theatre Writing at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Sunamoto has performed with Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Takarazuka Theatre Co., and numerous Disney Productions. Her original musicals have been produced in amusement parks in Tokyo. Sunamoto made her jazz/latin band debut in New York in April 2013 and musical theatre debut at Off Broadway in January 2014.
HILARY CASTLE (violin)
Violinist Hilary Castle maintains an active schedule as an ensemble musician, soloist, and teacher. Her music interests span a wide range, from classical to contemporary, and she enjoys equally performing as a member of an orchestral team and connecting with audiences in solo performance. “The electric energy behind Hilary’s playing is indescribable … She breathes life into the music and personifies it in a way that would shame those who thought this music could ever be boring.”
Hilary has played with a diversity of groups, from the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Arcos Orchestra, CIRCE duo and New Retro Strings to performances and recordings with American violinist and composer Mark O'Connor, award-winning jazz vocalist Allan Harris, Danish singer/songwriter Oh Land and Bonobo. Recent performances have taken her to The United Nations, Iridium Jazz Club, The Town Hall, Zinc Bar, Bargemusic and Smoke Jazz Club. Performances and projects have been featured in TimeOut New York, the New York Times, New York Daily News, BUST magazine, The Day, Westerly Sun, on Sirius Radio’s Linked with Peter Cummings, and on MNN Television’s Minding Your Business hosted by June Middleton.
Hilary earned a B.M. from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, and a M.M. from Mannes College, studying with Lucie Robert. For three seasons she served as concertmaster of the Mannes Opera Orchestra under the direction of Metropolitan Opera conductor Joseph Colaneri. Other orchestral experiences have taken her to Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully and Avery Fisher Halls, Symphony Hall in Boston, Sydney Opera House, the Rudofinum/Dvorak Hall in Prague, and Pesti Vigado in Budapest. Hilary also has appeared in chamber and solo recitals at the Morgan Library in New York City, New York Historical Society, New York Public Library, U.N. German Consulate General, Ukrainian Institute of America, Bargemusic, Nabi Gallery, and the Colony Club. Summer music festivals have included MusicAlp in Courchevel, France, Casalmaggiore in Italy, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Tanglewood Institute, and the Texas Music Festival where she served multiple seasons as concertmaster under the direction of conductors Christoph Campestri and Stefan Sanderling
Hilary is a member of the strings faculty at Turtle Bay Music School and the Nightingale-Bamford School in New York City.
She plays an 1815 Giovanni Baptista Ceruti violin, on loan from a generous benefactor.
http://hilarycastle.com
Violinist Hilary Castle maintains an active schedule as an ensemble musician, soloist, and teacher. Her music interests span a wide range, from classical to contemporary, and she enjoys equally performing as a member of an orchestral team and connecting with audiences in solo performance. “The electric energy behind Hilary’s playing is indescribable … She breathes life into the music and personifies it in a way that would shame those who thought this music could ever be boring.”
Hilary has played with a diversity of groups, from the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Arcos Orchestra, CIRCE duo and New Retro Strings to performances and recordings with American violinist and composer Mark O'Connor, award-winning jazz vocalist Allan Harris, Danish singer/songwriter Oh Land and Bonobo. Recent performances have taken her to The United Nations, Iridium Jazz Club, The Town Hall, Zinc Bar, Bargemusic and Smoke Jazz Club. Performances and projects have been featured in TimeOut New York, the New York Times, New York Daily News, BUST magazine, The Day, Westerly Sun, on Sirius Radio’s Linked with Peter Cummings, and on MNN Television’s Minding Your Business hosted by June Middleton.
Hilary earned a B.M. from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, and a M.M. from Mannes College, studying with Lucie Robert. For three seasons she served as concertmaster of the Mannes Opera Orchestra under the direction of Metropolitan Opera conductor Joseph Colaneri. Other orchestral experiences have taken her to Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully and Avery Fisher Halls, Symphony Hall in Boston, Sydney Opera House, the Rudofinum/Dvorak Hall in Prague, and Pesti Vigado in Budapest. Hilary also has appeared in chamber and solo recitals at the Morgan Library in New York City, New York Historical Society, New York Public Library, U.N. German Consulate General, Ukrainian Institute of America, Bargemusic, Nabi Gallery, and the Colony Club. Summer music festivals have included MusicAlp in Courchevel, France, Casalmaggiore in Italy, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Tanglewood Institute, and the Texas Music Festival where she served multiple seasons as concertmaster under the direction of conductors Christoph Campestri and Stefan Sanderling
Hilary is a member of the strings faculty at Turtle Bay Music School and the Nightingale-Bamford School in New York City.
She plays an 1815 Giovanni Baptista Ceruti violin, on loan from a generous benefactor.
http://hilarycastle.com
LAURA METCALF (cello)
Cellist Laura Metcalf, lauded for her “sensitive, melodic touch” (BlogCritics Magazine) enjoys an active career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral musician, and teacher. She is the cellist of acclaimed string quintet Sybarite5 who won the 2011 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, and has performed sold-out concerts at the Library of Congress, Lincoln Center and many other venues worldwide. Sybarite5 made its Carnegie Hall debut at Zankel Hall in 2012, and their album “Disturb the Silence” recently reached the Top Ten on the Billboard Charts. Laura also performs regularly as a solo recitalist, most recently as a guest artist of the inaugural season of the New England Chamber Music Festival. She was featured as a soloist with the One World Symphony playing an arrangement of Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time for cello and orchestra and has also been a soloist with the Laredo Philharmonic, the Ensemble 212 Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfonica Sinaloa.
In 2011 Laura was appointed to the cello-percussion quartet Break of Reality, with whom she has performed in venues in New York, New Jersey, Alaska, California, Minnesota, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, Michigan , Wisconsin , Ohio and Missouri, most recently being presented by the Eastman School of Music at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, NY. Their albums routinely sell in the tens of thousands worldwide, and they premiered an original concerto featuring the group as soloists with the Laredo Philharmonic in 2013. Laura was appointed to the conductorless string ensemble Salome Chamber Orchestra, with whom she appears in Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Laura performs regularly as a duo with renowned classical guitarist Rupert Boyd, with whom she toured Australia in 2013, performing recitals throughout the country. As a member of Ten O'Clock Classics, a four-piece collective of soloists committed to performance and outreach, she toured to 27 cities nationwide in 2010. She is also a member of the Tarab Cello Ensemble, a group of 8 cellists with whom she has performed in the U.S. and Mexico. She has appeared on the Festival Chamber Music series at Weill and Merkin Concert Halls, and with the Elysium Chamber Ensemble at the Tenri Institute, collaborating with members of the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Currently she enjoys a regular collaboration with pianist David Oei and violinist Eriko Sato as the LED trio. With acclaimed cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton she performed at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC and in the French Institute:Alliance Francaise 2008 Fall Festival. She has also performed chamber music in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium, the Chateau de Fontainebleau in France, the French Consulate of New York, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Bruno Walter Auditorium, and many other venues.
In 2009 Laura formed the Ansonia Trio, who won the Grand Prize in the 2009 Rutenberg Competition at the University of South Florida The trio was praised for its "tremendous musical range" and "consummate skill." Prior to the Ansonia Trio she was a member of the Stella Piano Trio, who were the top-ranked North American Ensemble in the 2007 ARD Munich Competition and won the Artists International auditions.
Laura is a regular visitor to the IMS Prussia Cove in Cornwall, England, where she is routinely invited to take part in the Open Chamber Music Seminar. Other festival appearances include the Aspen, Taos and Sarasota Music Festivals, the London Masterclasses, and the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau (France). She has performed in masterclasses for Bernard Greenhouse, Ralph Kirshbaum, Colin Carr, Pamela Frank, Paul Katz, and many others.
Outside of the classical realm, Laura has appeared on the David Letterman Show, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the Today Show and The View with such artists as John Legend, Donna Summer, Clay Aiken, Chromeo and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics. She has performed numerous times at the South by Southwest Rock Festival and the US Open Tennis Tournament, has performed at and recorded music for New York Fashion Week, and performed with DJ Spooky , most recently at the 2011 international conference of The Economist magazine hosted by Alec Baldwin. She appeares regularlywith acclaimed Irish singer and composer Julie Feeney , both playing cello and singing backup vocals.
Laura received her Master of Music degree in May 2006 from the Mannes College of Music, where she studied with Timothy Eddy and was awarded the James E. Hughes award for excellence in performance. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boston University's College of Fine Arts, where, as recipient of the prestigious Trustee Scholarship, she won the 2003 Solo Bach Competition.
A devoted educator, Laura has given career-guidance presentations at the Eastman School of Music, the Hartt School of Music and Oklahoma State University. She served on the faculty of Opus 118 Harlem School of Music from 2006-2011, through which she also founded the first-ever cello program in New York’s Public School 129, and is currently a private cello teacher and chamber music coach for students of all ages as well as a faculty member of the New York Summer Music Festival.
http://laurametcalf.com/
Cellist Laura Metcalf, lauded for her “sensitive, melodic touch” (BlogCritics Magazine) enjoys an active career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral musician, and teacher. She is the cellist of acclaimed string quintet Sybarite5 who won the 2011 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, and has performed sold-out concerts at the Library of Congress, Lincoln Center and many other venues worldwide. Sybarite5 made its Carnegie Hall debut at Zankel Hall in 2012, and their album “Disturb the Silence” recently reached the Top Ten on the Billboard Charts. Laura also performs regularly as a solo recitalist, most recently as a guest artist of the inaugural season of the New England Chamber Music Festival. She was featured as a soloist with the One World Symphony playing an arrangement of Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time for cello and orchestra and has also been a soloist with the Laredo Philharmonic, the Ensemble 212 Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfonica Sinaloa.
In 2011 Laura was appointed to the cello-percussion quartet Break of Reality, with whom she has performed in venues in New York, New Jersey, Alaska, California, Minnesota, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, Michigan , Wisconsin , Ohio and Missouri, most recently being presented by the Eastman School of Music at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, NY. Their albums routinely sell in the tens of thousands worldwide, and they premiered an original concerto featuring the group as soloists with the Laredo Philharmonic in 2013. Laura was appointed to the conductorless string ensemble Salome Chamber Orchestra, with whom she appears in Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Laura performs regularly as a duo with renowned classical guitarist Rupert Boyd, with whom she toured Australia in 2013, performing recitals throughout the country. As a member of Ten O'Clock Classics, a four-piece collective of soloists committed to performance and outreach, she toured to 27 cities nationwide in 2010. She is also a member of the Tarab Cello Ensemble, a group of 8 cellists with whom she has performed in the U.S. and Mexico. She has appeared on the Festival Chamber Music series at Weill and Merkin Concert Halls, and with the Elysium Chamber Ensemble at the Tenri Institute, collaborating with members of the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Currently she enjoys a regular collaboration with pianist David Oei and violinist Eriko Sato as the LED trio. With acclaimed cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton she performed at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC and in the French Institute:Alliance Francaise 2008 Fall Festival. She has also performed chamber music in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium, the Chateau de Fontainebleau in France, the French Consulate of New York, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Bruno Walter Auditorium, and many other venues.
In 2009 Laura formed the Ansonia Trio, who won the Grand Prize in the 2009 Rutenberg Competition at the University of South Florida The trio was praised for its "tremendous musical range" and "consummate skill." Prior to the Ansonia Trio she was a member of the Stella Piano Trio, who were the top-ranked North American Ensemble in the 2007 ARD Munich Competition and won the Artists International auditions.
Laura is a regular visitor to the IMS Prussia Cove in Cornwall, England, where she is routinely invited to take part in the Open Chamber Music Seminar. Other festival appearances include the Aspen, Taos and Sarasota Music Festivals, the London Masterclasses, and the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau (France). She has performed in masterclasses for Bernard Greenhouse, Ralph Kirshbaum, Colin Carr, Pamela Frank, Paul Katz, and many others.
Outside of the classical realm, Laura has appeared on the David Letterman Show, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the Today Show and The View with such artists as John Legend, Donna Summer, Clay Aiken, Chromeo and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics. She has performed numerous times at the South by Southwest Rock Festival and the US Open Tennis Tournament, has performed at and recorded music for New York Fashion Week, and performed with DJ Spooky , most recently at the 2011 international conference of The Economist magazine hosted by Alec Baldwin. She appeares regularlywith acclaimed Irish singer and composer Julie Feeney , both playing cello and singing backup vocals.
Laura received her Master of Music degree in May 2006 from the Mannes College of Music, where she studied with Timothy Eddy and was awarded the James E. Hughes award for excellence in performance. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Boston University's College of Fine Arts, where, as recipient of the prestigious Trustee Scholarship, she won the 2003 Solo Bach Competition.
A devoted educator, Laura has given career-guidance presentations at the Eastman School of Music, the Hartt School of Music and Oklahoma State University. She served on the faculty of Opus 118 Harlem School of Music from 2006-2011, through which she also founded the first-ever cello program in New York’s Public School 129, and is currently a private cello teacher and chamber music coach for students of all ages as well as a faculty member of the New York Summer Music Festival.
http://laurametcalf.com/
BELA HORVATH (violin)
Bela Horvath, violinist, was born in Hungary. At age of four he began playing the violin with his grandfather. Bela continued his violin studies with the well-known Hungarian violin teacher Valeria Baranyai. In 1996 he entered the Béla Bartók Conservatory where he studied with Istvan Kertesz, first violinist of the Festetics String Quartet. In 1998 Bela won the National Janos Koncz Violin Competition in Hungary. The following year, he was the youngest finalist at the 9th International Carl Flesch Violin Competition and ultimately the fourth prize winner of the competition that year, as well as the recipient of a special prize for the best interpretation of a modern piece specifically composed for the competition by Hungarian composer Miklos Csemicky.
Continuing his violin studies, Bela attended the Franz Liszt University of Music where he studied with Hungarian concert violinist Miklos Szenthelyi. In 2002 he began his studies at the Manhattan School of Music with the world renowned violinist and violist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman and his associate Patinka Kopec. In addition, Bela has worked with some of the world’s leading violinists and pedagogues which include Zakhar Bron, Jaime Laredo, Gyorgy Pauk, Aaron Rosand, Joseph Silverstein and Ruggiero Ricci.
Bela maintains an active performance calendar as a soloist and recitalist. In 2003 Bela made his New York City debut recital in Carnegie Hall, Weill Hall. He has performed in many countries throughout the world, some of which include Austria, Germany, France, England, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, the United States and Canada. Other notable performances include a February 2008 concert in Carnegie Hall, Zankel Hall, with Pinchas Zukerman and an upcoming solo performance in Carnegie Hall, Isaac Stern Auditorium, in June 2008.
In addition to his solo career, Bela has performed a great deal of chamber music. He has coached with internationally recognized chamber musicians and teachers, Sylvia Rosenberg, Steven Dann, Michael Tree, Timothy Eddy, Joseph Kalichstein, Daniel Avshalomov, David Soyer, Eugene Drucker, Robert Mann and Lawrence Dutton. In October 2006 he returned to Weill Hall to play a chamber music concert as a member of his piano quartet, Amity Players, who recently recorded two piano quartets by Johannes Brahms for a Canadian label named Marquis Music.
Bela Horvath, violinist, was born in Hungary. At age of four he began playing the violin with his grandfather. Bela continued his violin studies with the well-known Hungarian violin teacher Valeria Baranyai. In 1996 he entered the Béla Bartók Conservatory where he studied with Istvan Kertesz, first violinist of the Festetics String Quartet. In 1998 Bela won the National Janos Koncz Violin Competition in Hungary. The following year, he was the youngest finalist at the 9th International Carl Flesch Violin Competition and ultimately the fourth prize winner of the competition that year, as well as the recipient of a special prize for the best interpretation of a modern piece specifically composed for the competition by Hungarian composer Miklos Csemicky.
Continuing his violin studies, Bela attended the Franz Liszt University of Music where he studied with Hungarian concert violinist Miklos Szenthelyi. In 2002 he began his studies at the Manhattan School of Music with the world renowned violinist and violist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman and his associate Patinka Kopec. In addition, Bela has worked with some of the world’s leading violinists and pedagogues which include Zakhar Bron, Jaime Laredo, Gyorgy Pauk, Aaron Rosand, Joseph Silverstein and Ruggiero Ricci.
Bela maintains an active performance calendar as a soloist and recitalist. In 2003 Bela made his New York City debut recital in Carnegie Hall, Weill Hall. He has performed in many countries throughout the world, some of which include Austria, Germany, France, England, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, the United States and Canada. Other notable performances include a February 2008 concert in Carnegie Hall, Zankel Hall, with Pinchas Zukerman and an upcoming solo performance in Carnegie Hall, Isaac Stern Auditorium, in June 2008.
In addition to his solo career, Bela has performed a great deal of chamber music. He has coached with internationally recognized chamber musicians and teachers, Sylvia Rosenberg, Steven Dann, Michael Tree, Timothy Eddy, Joseph Kalichstein, Daniel Avshalomov, David Soyer, Eugene Drucker, Robert Mann and Lawrence Dutton. In October 2006 he returned to Weill Hall to play a chamber music concert as a member of his piano quartet, Amity Players, who recently recorded two piano quartets by Johannes Brahms for a Canadian label named Marquis Music.
RUPERT BOYD (guitar)
Australian guitarist Rupert Boyd is acclaimed as one of the most talented guitarists of his generation. He has been described by The Washington Post as “truly evocative,” and by Classical Guitar Magazine as “a player who deserves to be heard.” His performances have taken him across four continents, from New York’s Carnegie Hall, to the Barcelona Guitar Festival in Spain, Strings-139 Festival in China, Festival de Musique Classique in France, and every state and territory in mainland Australia.
In addition to his recent Carnegie Hall debut as part of the D’Addario Music Foundation’s “International Competition Winners in Concert” Series, Rupert Boyd has performed at the most prestigious concert halls in New York City, including the 92nd Street Y, Merkin Concert Hall, Bargemusic, the New York City Classical Guitar Society and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (the world’s largest Gothic cathedral). He has worked with a diversity of groups such as New York Festival of Song and Moving Theater Dance Company, and has given solo recitals for the Boston Guitar Society, the Marlow Guitar Series in Washington, D.C. and the Newport Music Festival in Rhode Island.
Rupert Boyd’s debut recording Valses Poéticos received the following review in the UK magazine Classical Guitar: “The performances that Boyd gives here are first-rate... Even the Bach is one of the best of its kind.” Soundboard, the Guitar Foundation of America’s quarterly publication, gave the CD the following review: “Boyd’s playing is beautifully refined, with gorgeous tone… musically and technically flawless… the album is first-rate.” Soundboard also described the eponymous work by Granados as “one of the best recorded performances of this work on guitar.”
A love of chamber music led Rupert Boyd to form the Australian Guitar Duo with guitarist Jacob Cordover. The duo has performed throughout the world, including appearances in the United States, France, Spain, China, the Philippines and all throughout Australia. The duo was a prizewinner of the Chamber Music section of the Australian Guitar Competition, and their debut CD Songs from the Forest was released in March 2012 and was described as “wonderfully entertaining” by Classical Guitar Magazine, and “very impressive” by Soundboard Magazine.
In addition to winning the Andrés Segovia award from the Manhattan School of Music, Rupert Boyd was a winner of the Lillian Fuchs Chamber Music Competition and winner of the Eisenberg-Fried Concerto Competition, the latter of which resulted in a performance of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with orchestra.
Rupert Boyd holds a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) from the Australian National University School of Music, a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music and an Artist Diploma from the Yale University School of Music. His major teachers have been Timothy Kain, David Leisner and Benjamin Verdery.
Rupert Boyd currently resides in New York City. He is represented in North America by Dan McDaniel, LLC and exclusively plays
D’Addario strings.
http://rupertboyd.com/home.html
Australian guitarist Rupert Boyd is acclaimed as one of the most talented guitarists of his generation. He has been described by The Washington Post as “truly evocative,” and by Classical Guitar Magazine as “a player who deserves to be heard.” His performances have taken him across four continents, from New York’s Carnegie Hall, to the Barcelona Guitar Festival in Spain, Strings-139 Festival in China, Festival de Musique Classique in France, and every state and territory in mainland Australia.
In addition to his recent Carnegie Hall debut as part of the D’Addario Music Foundation’s “International Competition Winners in Concert” Series, Rupert Boyd has performed at the most prestigious concert halls in New York City, including the 92nd Street Y, Merkin Concert Hall, Bargemusic, the New York City Classical Guitar Society and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (the world’s largest Gothic cathedral). He has worked with a diversity of groups such as New York Festival of Song and Moving Theater Dance Company, and has given solo recitals for the Boston Guitar Society, the Marlow Guitar Series in Washington, D.C. and the Newport Music Festival in Rhode Island.
Rupert Boyd’s debut recording Valses Poéticos received the following review in the UK magazine Classical Guitar: “The performances that Boyd gives here are first-rate... Even the Bach is one of the best of its kind.” Soundboard, the Guitar Foundation of America’s quarterly publication, gave the CD the following review: “Boyd’s playing is beautifully refined, with gorgeous tone… musically and technically flawless… the album is first-rate.” Soundboard also described the eponymous work by Granados as “one of the best recorded performances of this work on guitar.”
A love of chamber music led Rupert Boyd to form the Australian Guitar Duo with guitarist Jacob Cordover. The duo has performed throughout the world, including appearances in the United States, France, Spain, China, the Philippines and all throughout Australia. The duo was a prizewinner of the Chamber Music section of the Australian Guitar Competition, and their debut CD Songs from the Forest was released in March 2012 and was described as “wonderfully entertaining” by Classical Guitar Magazine, and “very impressive” by Soundboard Magazine.
In addition to winning the Andrés Segovia award from the Manhattan School of Music, Rupert Boyd was a winner of the Lillian Fuchs Chamber Music Competition and winner of the Eisenberg-Fried Concerto Competition, the latter of which resulted in a performance of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with orchestra.
Rupert Boyd holds a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) from the Australian National University School of Music, a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music and an Artist Diploma from the Yale University School of Music. His major teachers have been Timothy Kain, David Leisner and Benjamin Verdery.
Rupert Boyd currently resides in New York City. He is represented in North America by Dan McDaniel, LLC and exclusively plays
D’Addario strings.
http://rupertboyd.com/home.html
Megumi Saruhashi (violin)
Megumi is a violinist and composer. She plays jazz, gospel, pop, argentinian tango, and arabic music. With her diverse musical background, she has developed an alchemical ability in music. With the strong cosmic force of the universe, she found her way to new york city in 2007. Megumi has performed extensively in United States and Japan. She has is a member of the New York Arabic Orchestra, Spirit of the Khana, and her groups Music from the Hidden Realm, Music Soul Studio. Megumi is one of the pioneers of bringing spirituality into modern music and express divinity through her music. Megumi's intention is to express the joy of each moment and embrace the oneness of all beings and transcend all separation in the world.
Megumi is a violinist and composer. She plays jazz, gospel, pop, argentinian tango, and arabic music. With her diverse musical background, she has developed an alchemical ability in music. With the strong cosmic force of the universe, she found her way to new york city in 2007. Megumi has performed extensively in United States and Japan. She has is a member of the New York Arabic Orchestra, Spirit of the Khana, and her groups Music from the Hidden Realm, Music Soul Studio. Megumi is one of the pioneers of bringing spirituality into modern music and express divinity through her music. Megumi's intention is to express the joy of each moment and embrace the oneness of all beings and transcend all separation in the world.
Horacio Martinez (guitar)
Horacio is a Musician, Composer, Producer and Arranger originally from Jujuy, Argentina. He’s spent most of his life in Mendoza, where he got a Music Degree in Guitar in Universidad Nacional de Cuyo.
During the 90’s he toured all around the country with several Choirs, performing in some of the most prestigious Theaters and Auditoriums such as Teatro Colon, Teatro Cervantes, Teatro San Martin, etc.
In the year 2000 he toured through Bolivia, Brasil, Venezuela and Argentina with the project directed by Susana Moreau with whom he recorded three albums (as a Singer, Composer and Arranger).
He produced music for films and several artists at his studio “La cueva del rio”. He also worked as a teacher in several Schools and Cultural centers of the city of Mendoza. He played for some of the most prestigious musicians in Mendoza and in 2004 he co-created the group called “Traful” with the flutist Diego Cortez (Cordoba) and the percussionist Matias Garcia Calcumil (Rio Negro). With this group he recorded an album “Confluencia de Rios”. They toured all over the country –including a special performance for Gustavo Santaolalla, Mercedes Sosa- and won the “Pre-Cosquin” festival in Mendoza.
In 2009 he joined the Legendary and Multi-Award winner group “Markama” and they recorded an album called “Ama al mundo” (Nominated in 2011 for “Carlos Gardel” Award in Argentina.) They toured all over the country performing for audiences of more of 30,000 in the festivals of Cosquin, Jesus Maria, amongst others. He had opportunities to play in the live band for the ¨Festival Nacional de la Vendimia¨ 2011 and 2012 with 800 artists on stage.
He also played with some of the most prestigious Symphonic Orchestras in Argentina and with the project “Markama Sinfonico”. He was part of the group until 2012. In the same year he started recording his first solo Album called “Machao”. This album features 15 top musicians of Mendoza and two Videoclips.
In 2013, he moved to New York where he was hired as a Musician in the prestigious St Peter’s Church where he plays every Wednesday and Sunday. The Choir Maestro and Director, Guillermo Vaisman, also hired Mr. Martinez as a Musician for the United Nations Choir. He is also currently working as a guitarist for Malbec House Tango Show.
Horacio is a Musician, Composer, Producer and Arranger originally from Jujuy, Argentina. He’s spent most of his life in Mendoza, where he got a Music Degree in Guitar in Universidad Nacional de Cuyo.
During the 90’s he toured all around the country with several Choirs, performing in some of the most prestigious Theaters and Auditoriums such as Teatro Colon, Teatro Cervantes, Teatro San Martin, etc.
In the year 2000 he toured through Bolivia, Brasil, Venezuela and Argentina with the project directed by Susana Moreau with whom he recorded three albums (as a Singer, Composer and Arranger).
He produced music for films and several artists at his studio “La cueva del rio”. He also worked as a teacher in several Schools and Cultural centers of the city of Mendoza. He played for some of the most prestigious musicians in Mendoza and in 2004 he co-created the group called “Traful” with the flutist Diego Cortez (Cordoba) and the percussionist Matias Garcia Calcumil (Rio Negro). With this group he recorded an album “Confluencia de Rios”. They toured all over the country –including a special performance for Gustavo Santaolalla, Mercedes Sosa- and won the “Pre-Cosquin” festival in Mendoza.
In 2009 he joined the Legendary and Multi-Award winner group “Markama” and they recorded an album called “Ama al mundo” (Nominated in 2011 for “Carlos Gardel” Award in Argentina.) They toured all over the country performing for audiences of more of 30,000 in the festivals of Cosquin, Jesus Maria, amongst others. He had opportunities to play in the live band for the ¨Festival Nacional de la Vendimia¨ 2011 and 2012 with 800 artists on stage.
He also played with some of the most prestigious Symphonic Orchestras in Argentina and with the project “Markama Sinfonico”. He was part of the group until 2012. In the same year he started recording his first solo Album called “Machao”. This album features 15 top musicians of Mendoza and two Videoclips.
In 2013, he moved to New York where he was hired as a Musician in the prestigious St Peter’s Church where he plays every Wednesday and Sunday. The Choir Maestro and Director, Guillermo Vaisman, also hired Mr. Martinez as a Musician for the United Nations Choir. He is also currently working as a guitarist for Malbec House Tango Show.
NORA FOX (vocal)
Nora Fox is a genre-bending musician, songwriter, choreographer, and educator. Her writing and repertoire draw from traditions of soul, classical, folk, and blues. A New England native, she began performing at the Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Opera House, Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, and in the Broadway revival of The Sound of Music. Fox holds a degree in Literary Arts from Brown University, and has participated in cultural diplomacy and community health projects in West Africa. She recently toured the Unites States and Canada, South America, the Mediterranean, and has performed at Judson Memorial Church, Bowery Ballroom, Brooklyn Bowl, City Winery, Highline Ballroom, McKittrick Hotel, NY Musical Festival, Women Center Festival, and American Dance Festival. Fox has performed for President Jimmy Carter, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Billy Joel, and has shared the stage with M.I.A., Richard Chamberlain, Jonathan Batiste, and CDZA. Fox is currently working on her debut album, which is due to release this year. http://www.nora-fox.com
Nora Fox is a genre-bending musician, songwriter, choreographer, and educator. Her writing and repertoire draw from traditions of soul, classical, folk, and blues. A New England native, she began performing at the Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Opera House, Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, and in the Broadway revival of The Sound of Music. Fox holds a degree in Literary Arts from Brown University, and has participated in cultural diplomacy and community health projects in West Africa. She recently toured the Unites States and Canada, South America, the Mediterranean, and has performed at Judson Memorial Church, Bowery Ballroom, Brooklyn Bowl, City Winery, Highline Ballroom, McKittrick Hotel, NY Musical Festival, Women Center Festival, and American Dance Festival. Fox has performed for President Jimmy Carter, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Billy Joel, and has shared the stage with M.I.A., Richard Chamberlain, Jonathan Batiste, and CDZA. Fox is currently working on her debut album, which is due to release this year. http://www.nora-fox.com
HILARY CASTLE (violin)
Quickly establishing herself as a sought after performer and teacher, violinist Hilary Castle leads an active recital career in and around the NYC area. She has appeared with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and has served as concertmaster of the Mannes Opera Orchestra under the direction of Metropolitan Opera Conductor Joseph Colaneri for three consecutive seasons. Performing internationally, collaboration with luminaries include Jaime Laredo, Roberto Diaz, Bernard Haitink, Joel Smirnoff, Edwin Outwater, Joanne Falletta, Pamela Frank, Ani Kavafian and Mark O’Connor. Hilary has appeared on MNN Television in “Minding Your Business” with June Middleton as well as performances and projects being featured in TimeOut NYC, The New York Times, New York Daily News, Bust Magazine, Sirius Radio’s ‘Linked” with Peter Cummings, The New London Day, Westerly Sun and the Mystic Chamber of Commerce.
A graduate of Boston University College of Fine Arts (B.M. ’06), including studies at the Royal College of Music in London and a graduate of Mannes College of Music (M.M. ’08, P.S.D. ’10), Hilary studied with leading teachers Peter Zazofsky, Jan Repko, Itshak Rashkovsky, Lucy (Stoltzman) Chapman, Lucie Robert and Burton Kaplan. In addition to her own studies, Hilary is a member of the strings faculty at the Nightingale-Bamford School and Turtle Bay Music School in New York City. Currently based in New York City, Hilary plays on an 1815 Giovanni Baptista Ceruti violin which has been generously loaned to her by a benefactor. http://hilarycastle.com
Quickly establishing herself as a sought after performer and teacher, violinist Hilary Castle leads an active recital career in and around the NYC area. She has appeared with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and has served as concertmaster of the Mannes Opera Orchestra under the direction of Metropolitan Opera Conductor Joseph Colaneri for three consecutive seasons. Performing internationally, collaboration with luminaries include Jaime Laredo, Roberto Diaz, Bernard Haitink, Joel Smirnoff, Edwin Outwater, Joanne Falletta, Pamela Frank, Ani Kavafian and Mark O’Connor. Hilary has appeared on MNN Television in “Minding Your Business” with June Middleton as well as performances and projects being featured in TimeOut NYC, The New York Times, New York Daily News, Bust Magazine, Sirius Radio’s ‘Linked” with Peter Cummings, The New London Day, Westerly Sun and the Mystic Chamber of Commerce.
A graduate of Boston University College of Fine Arts (B.M. ’06), including studies at the Royal College of Music in London and a graduate of Mannes College of Music (M.M. ’08, P.S.D. ’10), Hilary studied with leading teachers Peter Zazofsky, Jan Repko, Itshak Rashkovsky, Lucy (Stoltzman) Chapman, Lucie Robert and Burton Kaplan. In addition to her own studies, Hilary is a member of the strings faculty at the Nightingale-Bamford School and Turtle Bay Music School in New York City. Currently based in New York City, Hilary plays on an 1815 Giovanni Baptista Ceruti violin which has been generously loaned to her by a benefactor. http://hilarycastle.com
NORIKO SUNAMOTO (piano)
Noriko Sunamoto is a music director, composer, arranger and pianist from Tokyo, Japan. While her foundation is in classical music, she draws inspiration from Rock, Pop, Latin, Jazz, Gospel, and R&B. She received a B.A. in Music Performance (Keyboard Instruments) at Kunitachi College of Music and an M.A. in Music Education (Composition) at Tokyo Gakugei University. Upon graduation, she received the Takeoka Prize, and has won multiple electric organ and composition competitions. She studied Jazz Piano and Arrangement at Berklee College of Music, Orchestration and Voice at Mannes College The New School for Music,and Film Scoring at New York University's Steinhardt School. Sunamoto has performed with Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Takarazuka Theatre Co., and numerous Disney Productions. Her original musicals have been produced in amusement parks in Tokyo. Sunamoto made her jazz/latin band debut in New York in April 2013 and musical theatre debut at Off Broadway in January 2014.
Noriko Sunamoto is a music director, composer, arranger and pianist from Tokyo, Japan. While her foundation is in classical music, she draws inspiration from Rock, Pop, Latin, Jazz, Gospel, and R&B. She received a B.A. in Music Performance (Keyboard Instruments) at Kunitachi College of Music and an M.A. in Music Education (Composition) at Tokyo Gakugei University. Upon graduation, she received the Takeoka Prize, and has won multiple electric organ and composition competitions. She studied Jazz Piano and Arrangement at Berklee College of Music, Orchestration and Voice at Mannes College The New School for Music,and Film Scoring at New York University's Steinhardt School. Sunamoto has performed with Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Takarazuka Theatre Co., and numerous Disney Productions. Her original musicals have been produced in amusement parks in Tokyo. Sunamoto made her jazz/latin band debut in New York in April 2013 and musical theatre debut at Off Broadway in January 2014.
