Applauded for “some of the most spirited, stylish, and nuanced playing” (Chicago Classical Review) as well as her “invigoratingly fresh and perky interpretation” (Bachtrack), Leighann Daihl Ragusa, is an accomplished musician, performing on both historical and modern flutes. She has concertized throughout central Europe as well as the United States both as a soloist and as a collaborator […]
Jennifer’s commitment to engaging audiences through the performance of 21stcentury chamber music, sends her to world-renowned venues across the country including Bennet Gordon Hall at Ravinia, Chicago’s Pritzker Pavilion, the San Francisco Center for New Music, National Sawdust and Miller Theatre in New York. A solo competition prize winner of the Chicago Musicians’ Club of […]
Heike Burghart Rice is the Director of Music Ministries at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hinsdale, Illinois. An ardent advocate for new music, Dr. Burghart Rice has performed solo organ works by Marilyn Shrude, William Bolcom, Steven Rice, and works for organ and electronics by Matthew McCabe, Huw Morgan, and Daniel Pinkham. She has performed P.P.S., […]
Described as “evocative” (Resonance) and “surreal” music “to bewilder, amuse, and provoke” (Epoch Times), the works of composer Steven Rice have won great acclaim and inspired intense debate. His music has been championed internationally by soloists and ensembles such as the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra (Marin Alsop, director), the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Brave New Works, the […]
Roger Zare has been praised for his “enviable grasp of orchestration” (New York Times) and for writing music with “formal clarity and an alluringly mercurial surface.” His music often takes inspiration from science, nature, mathematics, and mythology. Currently based in Chicago, he was born in Sarasota, Florida, and began playing piano at age 5 and […]
Since spring of 2017, Marianne has collaborated with the Crossing Borders Music Collective and The Society for the Research and Diffusion of Haitian Music to present solo recitals featuring remotely known Haitian classical works for piano. Most recently, Marianne performed this program at the Ignatian Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida. Previous performances have been […]
Joey Brink is the sixth University Carillonneur at the University of Chicago, where he performs on the 72-bell Rockefeller Memorial Carillon and directs a carillon studio of twenty students. He serves on the board of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America and co-chairs the Johan Franco composition committee to promote new works for carillon. […]
Dr. Marie Alatalo has appeared in concerts throughout the United States and Japan, capturing attention with a repertoire embracing both classical and contemporary literature. She has been heard in such popular Chicago venues as the Chicago Cultural Center, Mayne Stage, Pianoforte, Music Institute of Chicago, WFMT radio, Pick Staiger Concert Hall, Mostly Music Chicago concert series, Driehaus Museum, […]
Renèe Baker has been at the extreme forefront of creative/avant garde music whiledeveloping this unique ensemble since 1991. Utilizing some of the finest musicians that cross the classical world as well as jazz greates, she has crafted a group of the best traditionalists and married them to dedicated improvisors. A true genre bending experience- her […]
Amos Gillespie’s music has been heard on WFMT in Chicago, WQXR in New York City and PBS. His music spans a wide range of genres including chamber and orchestra concert music, jazz, as well as music for film, theater and dance. His music has been commissioned and performed by the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Atlantic […]
As a specialist in contemporary performance practice and techniques, flutist Shanna Gutierrez is dedicated to promoting and advancing contemporary music in cultural life today through innovative performances and educational projects. She appears throughout the United States and abroad as a soloist, teacher, clinician, and in various chamber collaborations, including Collect/Project and Sonic Hedgehog. She has […]
Janice Misurell-Mitchell is a composer, flutist and vocal artist who lives and works in Chicago; she teaches about music and politics and contemporary music at the School of the Art Institute. In addition to her teaching she presents lecture-recitals and workshops related to her compositions, extended techniques for the flute, and the relation of text […]
The music of Augusta Read Thomas (b. 1964 in New York) is nuanced, majestic, elegant, capricious, lyrical, and colorful — “it is boldly considered music that celebrates the sound of the instruments and reaffirms the vitality of orchestral music.” (Philadelphia Inquirer) In February 2015, music critic Edward Reichel wrote, “Augusta Read Thomas has secured for […]
Violinist Andrew Williams has established himself as an extraordinary chamber musician, soloist, and teacher throughout America. As a former member of the critically acclaimed Fifth House Ensemble, he has performed at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre on their Composer Portrait series and on Rush Hour’s yearly summer music series. Considered a champion of new music, Williams […]
Pianist and composer Amy Wurtz was born in California, and began studying piano at the age of six. She started writing her own music at age sixteen, and went on to study Piano Performance and Creative Writing at the University of Redlands before completing dual Master’s degrees in Musical Composition and Piano Performance at the […]