Winners announced for 2022 Music Academy / London Symphony Orchestra Keston MAX program, Solo Piano, Duo, and Song Competitions, and the Fast Pitch Awards 

 

The Academy sends 10 2022 winners to London this November alongside previous awardees to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra in Keston MAX (Music Academy Exchange)

 

Performance Competition winners return for a recital series at the Music Academy's 2023 Summer Festival

 

"The Music Academy is committed to offering career-advancing pathways to our fellows. In this milestone 75th anniversary season, we celebrate the success of our awardees and are honored to help propel a new generation of performers and innovators forward."
– Scott Reed, Music Academy President & CEO

 

About the Competitions

The Music Academy's Solo Piano, Duo, Marilyn Horne Song, and Fast Pitch Awards offered fellows opportunities to showcase their performance and entrepreneurial talents.

Each of the six winners received a cash award of $5,000. The winners of the Solo Piano, Duo, and Marilyn Horne Song Competitions will also have a work from a composer commissioned on their behalf. For 2022, those commissioned artists are Stewart Goodyear, Christopher Cerrone, and Tom Cipullo, respectively (pictured). The winners will premiere the commissions in recital in the Music Academy's Hahn Hall at the opening of the 2023 Summer Festival as a series. 

For each recital, the winners may utilize a $1,000 stipend to produce and present their performances in new ways. Additionally, they are encouraged to use Hahn Hall's recently enhanced audio, lighting, and projection capabilities to craft innovative performances. 

The Duo Competition is generously endowed by Leslie and Philip Bernstein.

"Each fellows' commitment to addressing challenges, both in the music industry and beyond, was impressive. These entrepreneurs and their innovative ideas – ranging from musical projects addressing climate change and social justice to new technologies and approaches to presenting performances – all have the potential for significant impact in our industry."
– Patrick Spence, Music Academy Board Member, Fast Pitch Awards adjudicator

 

Watch Angie Zhang's winning pitch for MusicBesties: https://youtu.be/U_5_bF_35VY

Ten finalists shared ideas for new ventures in the Fast Pitch Awards, and one fellow - Angie Zhang - was named the winner to encourage her innovation and creativity. Angie's pitch was MusicBesties: an app to "turn strangers into besties" by providing a direct line of communication between musicians and audience members. With the scan of a QR code on a musician's program or website, one is linked to their favorite artist's profile on the app with options to listen, watch, attend upcoming performances, book them for concerts or lessons, or even host them when they're in town.

 

2022 Competition Winners

"While each pitch focused on unique ways to propel classical music forward, I was struck by the common thread of innovation to foster connection to the music. I am excited to see what these fellows will do with their talent and creativity, especially as they develop their dynamic projects and bring them to market."
– Joyce Kwon, Fast Pitch Awards adjudicator

 

Solo Piano Competition: Adria Ye solo piano

 

Duo Competition (pictured): Joshua Williams tuba, Yu-Ting Peng collaborative piano

 

Marilyn Horne Song Competition: Joanne Evans mezzo-soprano, Tzu-Kuang Tan vocal piano

 

Fast Pitch Awards: Angie Zhang MusicBesties, solo piano

 

2022 Competition Adjudicators

"The level of talent, skill, and artistry of both the singers and pianists was most impressive and moving. The repertoire choices were rich and varied, showcasing every individual's strengths, and expressed interpretations that resonated with the judging panel and the audience for their beauty and authenticity. The competition gave strong proof that the art song is very much alive and will only continue to flourish."
– Ana María Martínez, Marilyn Horne Song Competition adjudicator

 

Solo Piano Competition: Michelle Cann, Stewart Goodyear, Natasha Kislenko

 

Duo Competition: Mariam Adam, Sarah Gibson, Jennifer Koh

 

Marilyn Horne Song Competition: Sasha Cooke, Martin Katz, Ana María Martínez

 

Fast Pitch Awards: Joyce Kwon, Francisco J. Núñez, Patrick Spence

 

 

About Keston MAX

Instrumental fellows were welcome to audition for the 2022 Keston MAX (Music Academy Exchange) with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO). Five LSO guest musicians Sarah Quinn, Rebecca Gilliver, Daniel Jemison, Angela Barnes, and Neil Percy worked with the fellows in person this summer and adjudicated the audition, selecting ten winners.

The Music Academy will send the 2022 winners to London this November to train and perform alongside previous winners from 2019, 2020, and 2021 under LSO Principal Guest Conductor Gianandrea Noseda.

 

 

2022 Keston MAX Fellows

Kenneth Chauby trumpet
Nicholas Gallitano viola
Gene Hotta viola
Orion Miller double bass
Katelyn Poetker clarinet
Gracie Potter trombone
Matthew A. West percussion
Melody Yuan violin
Hanna Zhdan violin

 

 

These winners each receive a $1,500 award, plus travel, housing, and meals, and will spend 10 days participating in the following incredible opportunities:

• Nov 17: Fellows will perform Symphonic Jazz with Jess Gillam at Barbican Hall, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda
• Nov 20: Fellows will join the LSO for a performance of Beethoven and Berlioz at LSO St Luke's led by Gianandrea Noseda
• Nov 24: Fellows will perform Shostakovich: The Year 1905 in Barbican Hall, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda
• Other activities include lessons, coachings, rehearsals, and additional performance opportunities with LSO musicians

The lead sponsors of the London Symphony Orchestra partnership are Linda and Michael Keston and Mary Lynn and Warren Staley. Additional support has been provided in remembrance of Léni Fé Bland.

 

About the 2022 Music Academy Awardees

 

About the 2022 LSO Keston MAX Winners

 

Kenneth Chauby

trumpet

• Kenneth is currently a trumpet fellow in the New World Symphony, and studies with Kevin Cobb, Allan Dean, and Ethan Bensdorf;
• He was named Semi-Finalist, American Brass Quintet Award, in the 2020 Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition; 
• He serves as a substitute musician with The Florida Orchestra, and was guest principal trumpet with the Sarasota Orchestra for their 2021-2022 season.

 

Jordan Farber

bassoon

• Jordan is earning a bachelor's degree at Colburn Conservatory studying with Richard Beene;
• Jordan won both the 2017 Las Vegas Philharmonic Concerto Competition and 2019 Texas Lyricism Competition;
• He has appeared with the Ojai Music Festival as principal bassoon under John Adams and as a substitute musician with Fort Worth Symphony under Robert Spano;
• Jordan also teaches bassoon at Through The Staff and Colburn Community School.

 

Nicholas Gallitano

viola

• Nicholas earned his master's degree at The Juilliard School studying with Roger Tapping;
• Nicholas has served as Principal Viola in both the Juilliard and Oberlin orchestras, and in the viola section of the Akron Symphony Orchestra;
• Awards include First Prize in the 2019 Ohio Viola Society (College Division) and Finalist in the 2021 Juilliard Walton Viola Concerto Competition.

 

Gene Hotta

viola

• Gene is earning his master's degree at McGill University Schulich School of Music studying under Andre Roy;
• He has served as Principal Viola in both the McGill Symphony Orchestra and the University Symphony Orchestra at University of Michigan;
• Gene was a Finalist in the University of Michigan Concerto Competition.

 

Orion Miller

double bass

• Orion is earning a bachelor's degree at Rice University Shepherd School of Music studying with Timothy Pitts;
• Orion appeared as a soloist with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony under conductor David Bernard and has performed with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Daniel Harding;
• Awards include the Lynn Harrell Concerto Competition (Second Place 2021) and the International Society of Bassists (Third Place 15-18 division, 2021).

 

Katelyn Poetker

clarinet

• Katelyn is pursuing a bachelor's degree in clarinet performance at Oberlin Conservatory of Music under the direction of Richard Hawkins;
• In the 2021-2022 season, Katelyn also serves as a frequent substitute clarinet with the Akron Symphony Orchestra.

 

Gracie Potter

trombone

• Gracie is a bachelor's degree student at Colburn Conservatory, where she studies with David Rejano-Cantero;
•  Gracie appeared with the New World Symphony this year, and was named winner of the 2021 Aspen Music Festival Concerto Competition and the 2022 Phoenix Brass Collective Competition, College Division;
• She has performed under the batons of Molly Turner, Ross Collins, Carlos Miguel Prieto, and Chad Goodman.

 

Matthew A. West

percussion

• Matthew recently earned his master's degree at The Juilliard School studying with Gregory Zuber and Markus Rhoten;
• Matthew has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Juilliard, Columbus Philharmonic, and Terre Haute Symphony orchestras;
• He was also the winner of the 2021 percussion audition for The Orchestra Now;
• In 2018, he was an Indiana University's Performer Certificate Recipient for "recognition of outstanding musical performance in percussion."

 

Melody Yuan

violin

• Melody is earning a master's degree at Colburn Conservatory studying with Martin Beaver;
• Melody has performed numerous times as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and was named one of “Canada's 30 hot classical musicians under 30" in 2020;
• Awards include the 2009 Yankelevitch International Violin Competition First Prize, the 22nd Annual Bjorn & Lori Hareid Competition First Prize, and the 2008 Canadian Music Competition Third Prize.

 

Hanna Zhdan

violin

• Hanna is earning a Professional Studies Certificate at Colburn Conservatory studying with Martin Beaver;
• This fall, Hanna joins the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra;
• Hanna has performed with the Santa Barbara and San Diego symphonies and was the 2019 winner of the Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy Concerto Competition. She also won the 2018 Hellam Young Artists’ Competition.

About the 2022 Competition Winners

Solo Piano Competition

Adria Ye

• Adria Ye recently earned her master's degree from The Juilliard School studying with Julian Martin;
• Adria was named a National YoungArts Foundation Finalist in 2016;
• While at Juilliard, she performed the Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 (arranged for string quintet) with Juilliard string musicians.

 

Duo Competition

Joshua Williams tuba

• Joshua Williams received a bachelor's degree at The Juilliard School studying with Alan Baer, Michael Moore, and Joseph Alessi;
• The 2017 National Young Arts Finalist recently performed the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, and was a featured artist with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra;
• Joshua performs for the Soulful Symphony and is an Ear Training Teaching Fellow.

Yu-Ting Peng collaborative piano

• Yu-Ting Peng is a doctoral candidate at University of Southern California Thornton School of Music studying with Bernadene Blaha and Kevin Fitz-Gerald;
• She has recently performed in chamber recital and as the winner of the Concerto Competition at California State University, Northridge, performed the Barber Piano Concerto with orchestra;
• She also serves as a Teaching Assistant for USC Dornsife East Asian Language Studies Department.

 

Marilyn Horne Song Competition

Joanne Evans mezzo-soprano

• Joanne Evans completed a master's degree at Bard College Conservatory studying with Edith Bers;
•  The 2022 Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Boston District is also a Resident Artist with Opera Colorado for the 2022-2023 Season;
• Appearances include Meg Page in Falstaff with the Berkshire Opera Festival, Alto soloist in Mahler's Symphony No. 2, and Madame Flora in The Medium, both at Bard College Conservatory, and Cherubino in I Due Figaro with Manhattan School of Music. 

Tzu-Kuang Tan vocal piano

• Tzu-Kuang Tan is a graduate student at the University of Michigan, studying with Amy I-Lin Cheng and Martin Katz, and where he often serves as an Assistant Coach and Rehearsal Pianist;
• He was named winner of both the 2021 Jacqueline Avent Concerto Competition and 2018 Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Concerto Competition;
• Tzu Kuang was an Opera Piano Fellow at Sewanee Summer Music Festival in 2021.

 

Fast Pitch Awards: MusicBesties

Angie Zhang solo piano

• Angie is earning her doctorate at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, studying with Logan Skelton;
• Angie has performed at Bravo! Vail Festival, Sarasota Music Festival, and with orchestras including the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic and Juilliard Orchestra;
• Awards include the Peter Mennin Award for Outstanding Achievement and Leadership in Music and Grand Prize Winner in the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition. 

 

About the Music Academy

Music Academy is a performance-based training center and incubator that empowers musicians to impact society positively. The Academy welcomes everyone from across all generations, cultures and backgrounds to experience the transformative power of music. Based in Santa Barbara, California, the Academy presents the preeminent full-scholarship Summer School and Festival for classically trained fellows ages 18 to 34. The fellows study and perform with more than 50 exceptional faculty and teaching artists, while forging close connections with the local community. The Academy's commitment to long-term collaborations and exchanges with leading orchestras and opera companies results in unparalleled mentorship and career-advancing prospects. The Innovation Institute spearheads entrepreneurial training and ventures through seminars, residencies and the Alumni Enterprise Awards, substantial grants given annually for a wide range of creative projects. Launched in 2018, Sing! – a free, after-school choral program for local elementary students – inspires personal growth and expression.