Sphinx Organization Announces 2024-2025 Highlights and Awardees of the 2025 Sphinx Medals of Excellence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Katy Salomon | Primo Artists | VP, Public Relations 
katy@primoartists.com | 212.837.8466 

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 Sphinx Organization Announces 2024-2025 Highlights

2025 Sphinx Medals of Excellence, Accompanied by a $50K Career Grant,
Awarded to Soprano Gabriella Reyes, Pianist Clayton Stephenson, 
and Violinist/Composer Curtis Stewart

Sphinx Virtuosi Tour American Form/s Program Nationwide,
Feat. Curtis Stewart as Composer-in-Residence
and Return to Carnegie Hall in October 2024

2025 SphinxConnect: Ignite! and 2025 Sphinx Competition 
Return to Detroit from January 22 to 25, 2025

“With a burst of new attention to phrases like diversity, equity and inclusion over 
the past two years, Sphinx’s steady, patient work has come to seem prescient.”
– The New York Times

www.sphinxmusic.org 

New York, NY (August 27, 2024) – The Sphinx Organization, the leading non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the arts, announces its 2024-2025 season highlights, which include the announcement of the awardees of the 2025 Medals of Excellence; national tour dates by the self-conducted string orchestra Sphinx Virtuosi, highlighted by a return to Carnegie Hall in October 2024; and the 28th annual Sphinx Competition and SphinxConnect: Ignite! in Detroit in January 2025. Focused on increasing representation in classical music and celebrating excellence, Sphinx programs serve beginner students, seasoned classical music professionals, cultural entrepreneurs, and administrators.

Today, Sphinx Organization announces that soprano Gabriella Reyes, pianist Clayton Stephenson, and violinist and composer Curtis Stewart have each been honored with a Sphinx Medal of Excellence, the highest honor bestowed by the Sphinx Organization, which comes with a $50,000 career grant. The medal recognizes extraordinary leaders in the classical music field who are transforming lives while addressing the systemic obstacles within Black and Latino communities. Recipients are artists who, early in their career, demonstrate artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, and an ongoing commitment to leadership and their communities. Learn more about the artists here.

The Sphinx Virtuosi – described as "top-notch...more essential at this moment than ever" (The New York Times) and having "immeasurable power, unwavering command, and soulful beauty" (The Washington Post) – embarks on an exciting 2024-2025 season centered around a program titled American Form/s. 

Four-time GRAMMY®-nominated violinist and composer Curtis Stewart serves as Sphinx Virtuosi’s 2024-2025 Composer-in-Residence, with compositions featured on tour nationwide, including the world premiere of his Drill, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall and New World Symphony. Returning to Carnegie Hall for the fourth consecutive year on October 16, 2024, Sphinx Virtuosi are presented in multiple New York premieres co-commissioned by Sphinx Organization and Carnegie Hall for American Form/s.

A musical tapestry depicting the many sounds of American classical music, including classically-framed infusions of soul, bluegrass, jazz, blues, and elements of rag, American Form/s opens with a riveting movement by 19th-century pianist, composer, singer, and conductor Teresa Carreño. Additional concepts of American music are explored in Derrick Skye’s multifaceted and optimistic American Mirror, Part One; renowned violinist-composer Curtis Stewart’s Drill, whose work for prepared drumset and strings is his “summer music,” “hunter’s call,” and “field recording”; the Overture from Treemonisha, written by foundational ragtime composer Scott Joplin and newly arranged by Jannina Norpoth; and an imaginative nod to Joplin by celebrated film composer, educator and advocate Levi Taylor that is meant to embody the bold, ambitious, and authentic expression in Joplin’s music. The American Form/s tour will also include Juantio Becenti’s Hané for String Quartet and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Novelletten for strings.

The Sphinx Virtuosi tour includes appearances at the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra on October 9, 2024; Brevard Music Center on October 11, 2024; Philadelphia Chamber Music Society on October 18, 2024; The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in cooperation with the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts, presented by Washington Performing Arts, on October 19, 2024; WVU College of Creative Arts and Media in Morgantown, WV on October 23, 2024; and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston on October 27, 2024.

In Spring 2025, Sphinx Virtuosi tour to venues including Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing, MI on February 22, 2025; Chicago’s Symphony Center on February 25, 2025; Edmonds Center for the Arts in Washington on February 27, 2025; Columbia Basin Allied Arts in Moses Lake, WA on March 1, 2025; Tacoma Arts Live on March 2, 2025; Daytona Beach Symphony Society on March 26, 2025; University of Tampa on March 28, 2025; and Music Worcester on March 30, 2025. 

From January 22-25, 2025 in Detroit, MI, Sphinx will host the 28th Annual Sphinx Competition, a national competition for string musicians that transforms lives by celebrating artistic talent, providing career advancement opportunities, and addressing systemic obstacles within Black and Latino communities. Finalists in both divisions have the opportunity to perform with the professional Sphinx Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Lina Gonzalez-Granados (Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient and resident conductor for LA Opera) comprised of top professionals from around the country and compete for a total of more than $100,000 in prizes, including the top Robert Frederick Smith Prize. All semi-finalists and finalists have access to scholarships and fine instruments through the Sphinx Music Assistance Fund.

From January 23-25, 2025, Sphinx brings back the largest and longest-standing global convening dedicated to excellence and inclusion in classical music, SphinxConnect: Ignite! This convening brings together musicians, educators, arts entrepreneurs, advocates, administrators, funders, and students for an enriching experience. With over 30 dynamic sessions designed to inspire, ignite action, and foster collaboration, attendees will hear from more than 90 distinguished speakers, including keynote addresses by industry luminaries and trailblazers. 

To reduce barriers to access, SphinxConnect 2025 will offer both in-person and virtual attendance options, with sessions being streamed, recorded, and uploaded to YouTube following the convening (unless noted otherwise in the schedule). SphinxConnect will take place at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. This year’s conference will feature plenary appearances by GRAMMY®-winning composer Jessie Montgomery and celebrated poet, author, and producer Kwame Alexander.

Sphinx Virtuosi 2024-2025 Season Calendar

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 8:00pm
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
Belk Theater | Charlotte, NC
Link: www.charlottesymphony.org/events/7f296006-df66-4ae9-b410-b9e2a0211284/

Friday, October 11, 2024 at 7:30pm
Brevard Music Center Presents Sphinx Virtuosi 
Parker Concert Hall | Brevard, NC
Link: www.secured.brevardmusic.org/1571 

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 7:00pm
Carnegie Hall Presents Sphinx Virtuosi 
Stern Auditorium | New York, NY
Link: www.carnegiehall.org/calendar/2024/10/16/sphinx-virtuosi-0700pm 

Friday, October 18, 2024 at 7:30pm
Philadelphia Chamber Music Society Presents Sphinx Virtuosi with Britton-René Collins
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center | Philadelphia, PA
Link: www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/sphinx-virtuosi-collins/ 

Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 3:00pm
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in cooperation with the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
Terrace Theater | Washington, DC
Link: www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/fortas/2024-2025/sphinx-virtuosi/ 

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 7:30pm
West Virginia University College of Creative Arts and Media Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV
Link: Available after September 1 

Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 1:30pm
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Presents Sphinx Virtuosi with Britton-René Collins
Calderwood Hall | Boston, MA
Link: www.gardnermuseum.org/calendar/weekend-concert-series-10.27.24 

Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 7:30pm
Wharton Center for Performing Arts Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
Cobb Great Hall  | East Lansing, MI 
Link: www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/sphinx-virtuosi 

Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 4:00pm
Goshen College Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
Sauder Concert Hall | Goshen, IN
Link: www.gcmusiccenter.org/event/sphinx-virtuosi/ 

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 7:30pm
Symphony Center Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
Symphony Center | Chicago, IL
Link: www.cso.org/performances/24-25/scp-featured-concerts/sphinx-virtuosi/ 

Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 7:30pm
Edmonds Center for the Arts Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
Edmonds Center for the Arts | Edmonds, WA
Link: www.ci.ovationtix.com/35655/performance/11478118 

Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 7:00pm
Columbia Basin Allied Arts Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
Wallenstien Theater | Moses Lake, WA
Link: www.cba-arts.org/premiere/ 

Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 3:00pm
Tacoma Arts Live Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
Rialto Theater | Tacoma, WA
Link: www.tacomaartslive.org/events/sphinx-virtuosi/ 

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 7:00pm
New World Symphony Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
New World Center | Miami Beach, FL
Link: https://www.nws.edu/ 

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 7:00pm
Daytona Beach Symphony Society Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
Daytona Beach Symphony | Daytona, FL
Link: www.dbss.org/concerts_73/ 

Friday, March 28, 2025 at 7:30pm
University of Tampa Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
TBD | Tampa, FL
Link: www.ut.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-letters/department-of-music/music-concerts-and-events 

Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 4:00pm
Music Worcester Presents Sphinx Virtuosi
Luth Concert Hall | Worcester, MA
Link: www.priorperformingartscenter.holycross.edu/event/sphinx-virtuosi-american-forms/ 

2025 SphinxConnect and Sphinx Competition Calendar

SphinxConnect 2025: Ignite! 
Thursday, January 23, 2025 - Saturday, January 25, 2025
Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center | Detroit, MI
Information: www.sphinxconnect.org/ 

28th Annual Sphinx Competition 
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - Saturday, January 25, 2025
Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall | Detroit, MI
Information: www.sphinxmusic.org/sphinx-competition 

About the Sphinx Virtuosi
The Sphinx Virtuosi is a dynamic and inspiring professional self-conducted chamber orchestra and serves as the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization – the leading social justice non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. Comprised of 18 accomplished Black and Latino artists who reflect the highest level of musicianship in America, a critical aim of the Sphinx Virtuosi is to evolve the breadth and impact of classical music through artistic excellence, pioneering programming, and impassioned community engagement. Its members serve as cultural ambassadors for audiences and communities around the United States and abroad.

Since 2004, the Sphinx Virtuosi's concerts have been presented by leading arts organizations, including annual return visits to Carnegie Hall as an established highlight of the fall season. Frequently selling out venues, the ensemble has garnered effusive accolades, including from The New York Times, which has described the group as "top-notch...more essential at this moment than ever...a vibrant, assured performance," and The Washington Post, which wrote "true to their name, the Sphinx Virtuosi call up the vision of an iconic mythological feline with its immeasurable power, unwavering command, and soulful beauty." Their debut album, Songs for Our Times, was released on Deutsche Grammophon in July 2023 and represents the rich history of the Sphinx Organization and the vibrant future of classical music by centering the artistry of extraordinary composers and artistic visionaries. 

Their 2024-25 season includes performances for Washington Performing Arts and the John F. Kennedy Center, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Symphony Center Presents in Chicago, IL, and a return performance at the New World Symphony in Miami.

Heralded for its kaleidoscopically varied repertoire and bold thematic programming, Sphinx Virtuosi concerts give prominence to historically excluded composers such as Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Alberto Ginastera, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, Florence Price, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and George Walker. In an effort to expand its repertoire and engage new audiences, the ensemble commissions new works annually. Commissions have included major new works from Michael Abels, Terence Blanchard, Valerie Coleman, Xavier Foley, Ricardo Herz, Jimmy Lopez, Jessie Montgomery, Daniel Bernard Roumain, and Carlos Simon. 

Members of the Sphinx Virtuosi have performed as soloists with major American orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Cleveland, Detroit, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras. Members also hold professional orchestral and academic positions. The Sphinx Virtuosi’s community engagement initiatives regularly extend beyond masterclasses and workshops to members leading community empowerment initiatives within arts organizations and connecting with other Sphinx programming to further the mission of achieving excellence through inclusive programming. As a bilingual ensemble, these artist-citizens frequently break down existing barriers empowering the artform to connect with the broader community. During the pandemic, the ensemble found creative ways to connect with audiences and communities virtually through performances, panel discussions, masterclasses, Q&A sessions, and more reaching over 30,000 people across 20 organizations.

The Sphinx Virtuosi has collaborated with major artists such as Terence Blanchard, Denyce Graves, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Damien Sneed, Will Liverman, J'Nai Bridges, and Davóne Tines, among others. Outside of the classical realm, its musicians have also worked with leading international artists such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z and made high-profile appearances, including on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and the broadcast of the 2022 GRAMMY Awards. 

Sphinx Virtuosi Tours are made possible through the support of Robert F. Smith, JPMorgan Chase, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Learn more at www.sphinxmusic.org/sphinx-virtuosi. 

About the Sphinx Organization
The Sphinx Organization is dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the arts and has reached more than 100 million people worldwide. Focused on increasing representation in classical music and celebrating excellence, Sphinx programs serve beginner students, seasoned classical music professionals, cultural entrepreneurs, and artistic administrators by addressing the systemic lack of access within Black and Latino communities. 

Based in Detroit, Michigan, with global reach, Sphinx envisions a day in which our art form reflects our greater society, where every young person has the opportunity to express themselves and learn classical music, where audiences reflect the breadth of our community, and where leadership – on stage and off – includes all deserving voices. 

Read more about Sphinx’s programs at www.sphinxmusic.org. 

View the “Sphinx Organization: A 25-year Journey” timeline here.

*Photo Credit: Scott Jackson

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