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Time:

Date:

Uniting America Concert I:

Delaware to Michigan

A Celebration and

Benefit Concert

State Performer Name Order

Delaware Larry Stomberg 1

Pennsylvania Martina Smith 2

New Jersey Erika Hallenbeck 3

Georgia Steven Lester 4

Connecticut Candy O'Terry 5

Massachusetts Ryan O'Connell, Hayden Adams 6

Maryland YaoGuang Zhai 7

South Carolina Noelani Perry 8

New Hampshire Seth Lampert 9

Virginia Andrew Shield, Esther Tien 10

New York Alison Fierst 11

North Carolina Jesse Krebs 12

Rhode Island Chris Janson 13

Vermont Sarah Brady 14

Washington D.C. Emily Nazario 15

Kentucky Emily Durocher 16

Tennessee Alabama

Madeline Cawley, Abigail Workman

17

Ohio Austin Motley 18

Louisiana Alanna Benoit 19

Indiana Keslie Pharis, Arthur Tang 20

Mississippi Nicholas Perna, Tyler Kemp 21

Maine Hunter McKay 22

Missouri Illinois

Donald Rabin, Nancy Hueber

23

Arkansas Kaitlin Jones 24

Michigan Joseph Gascho 25

Uniting America Concert I

Lawrence Stomberg, Delaware

In the End We All Just Dance it Out, Alisa Rose & Mazz Swift

Lawrence Stomberg enjoys a varied career of performance as soloist and chamber

musician, pedagogue, and in community outreach through music. He performs annually at

the Techne Music Festival, and served thirteen years as the cellist of the acclaimed Serafin

String Quartet. Currently, he is a member of the Philadelphia-based Halcyon Consort. Stom-

berg recently presented performances of the six Cello Suites of Bach and the complete Cel-

lo and Piano works of Beethoven, as well as international premiers of works by American

and British composers. He has performed across four continents, and has recorded for the

Centaur, VAI, Ravello, Naxos, and Albany labels.

A recipient of the 2018 Delaware Division of the Arts Established Artist Fellowship,

Stomberg offers musical outreach and community engagement through Bach in Wilming-

ton, a project presenting music of Bach and Swift-Rose. The project continues with work in

the community, and a forthcoming set of video performances.

Stomberg is currently Professor of Cello and Associate Director for Performance

Studies at the University of Delaware School of Music, and is a frequent master class teach-

er at schools across the United States and abroad.

Hornist Martina Smith is currently a student of the Curtis Institute of Mu-

sic, studying under Jeffrey Lang and Jennifer Montone. Martina also studied with

Jeffrey Lang at Temple University where she received her Bachelor of Music in

Horn Performance. Martina is a freelancer in the Philadelphia area playing with

various chamber groups and orchestras. She has played with Symphony in C and

was a substitute player in the Curtis Symphony Orchestra while still a student at

Temple University. Martina has worked and taught at the Philadelphia Internation-

al Music Festival the past several summers as the Assistant Orchestra Director,

chamber coach, and private practice coach. She has also attended other summer

festivals such as the Atlantic Brass Quintet Seminar, Imani Woodwind Quintet Mu-

sic Festival, Curtis Summerfest, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute’s

Horn Workshop. While in high school she was the principal horn of the All-City Phil-

adelphia Orchestra’s Italy tour. She will be attending the AIMS festival in Graz, Aus-

tria in the summer of 2021. Martina teaches privately in the Philadelphia area.

Martina Smith, Pennsylvania

Tanguito, Dante Yenque

Erika Hallenbeck, New Jersey

It Could Have Been You & This Don’t Feel Like Love, Erika Hallenbeck

Erika Hallenbeck is a New Jersey singer songwriter who just com-

pleted the first year of her masters degree at The New England Conserva-

tory of Music. She recently released her EP, “Growing Pains” on all

streaming platforms, and hopes to record a full album soon. Not bound

by genre, Hallenbeck hopes her music can combine the elements of pop,

soul, and jazz to reach new audiences, and stretch the idea of what is

deemed “mainstream music”.

Steven Lester, Georgia

Deep Blue, Ian Clarke

Steven Lester is from Warner Robins, GA, and is a Senior at Liberty

University studying Flute Performance under the instruction of Alycia Hugo.

Steven has played the flute for eleven years and is currently in the Liberty

University Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Woodwind Quintet, and

various other chamber ensembles. Steven has also served as piccolo section

leader of the Liberty University Marching Band for three consecutive years.

In the Summers of 2019 and 2020, Steven attended the orchestra/chamber

and flute intensive music program at the Masterworks Festival, studying un-

der renowned flutists Bonita Boyd, Anne Harrow, and Paula Kasica. He has

also played in opera pit orchestras and traveled on tour with the Liberty

Wind Symphony. Steven hopes to continue his studies in Flute Performance

upon the completion of his undergraduate degree.

Candy O’Terry, Connecticut

Amazing Grace, Traditional

Candy O’Terry is an award-winning broadcaster and podcaster who has spent her career

talking to women on the radio and providing a platform for them to share their stories. Known as Can-

dy O for 25 years on Magic 106.7/WMJX, Boston, she is the founder of My Dove Productions and the

Candy O Radio Network. A prolific content creator, Candy’s weekly programs The Story Behind Her

Success podcast and radio series, The Speaker Coach, 16 Life Lessons, and the new Nashville-based

podcastseries Country Music Success Stories.

Born in New York City and raised in Norwalk and Newington, Connecticut, Candy is proud to

represent the Nutmeg state at the Uniting America Concert. Her CD Dream Come True includes 5

tracks that have received worldwide airplay including The Gift and Valentine with Grammy nominee

Jim Brickman, You Are the Only One with rocker Charlie Farren, Silent Night with Grace Kelly and Has-

ten Down the Wind with Livingston Taylor.

Chosen by her peers as the 2015 Massachusetts Broadcaster of the Year, Candy is the winner

of 50 local and national awards for excellence in women’s programming. To date, she has interviewed

over 700 women from every walk of life.

A devoted mentor to women in her field, Candy is the Co-Founder of Boston Women in Me-

dia & Entertainment and is an inspiring performer, public speaker and voice over talent who never met

a microphone she didn’t love!

Ryan O’Connell, Massachusetts

Sunny Side of the Street, Jimmy McHugh

A native of Western Massachusetts, Ryan O'Connell is a second-year

master’s student at the New England Conservatory and a recent graduate of

the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. While at UMass, he earned a BM

in Trumpet Performance and a BM in Music Education. Ryan has performed

with various ensembles across the state including the Berkshire Symphony,

New England Conservatory Philharmonia, and Panopera Music Company. In

addition to these ensembles, Ryan has performed at some of the country's

leading performing venues including: Boston Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall,

and the Grand Ole Opry. A versatile musician, Ryan is classically trained but

has strong experience playing in the jazz and funk idioms as well. His prima-

ry teachers include Eric Berlin, Ben Wright, Thomas Hooten, and Phil Smith.

Hayden Adams, Massachusetts

Sunny Side of the Street, Jimmy McHugh

Trombonist Hayden Adams is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Trombone Perfor-

mance from the Boston Conservatory of Music where he studies with Norman Bolter, former

trombonist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Hayden earned his Bachelor’s Degree in

Trombone Performance from Temple University where he studied with Matthew Vaughn, co

-principal trombone of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

A native of Monson, Massachusetts, Hayden began his musical studies in the 5th grade

studying privately with Christopher Glanville. In 2012, Hayden continued his studies at the

New England Conservatory Preparatory School in Boston, where he studied with Norman

Bolter from 2012-2015.

Hayden has played in numerous masterclasses and lessons with world-renowned trom-

bonists such as Nitzan Haroz, Colin Williams, Blair Bollinger, John Rojak, and Scott Hartman.

Hayden has also participated in numerous music festivals across the country such as the

Blackburn Music Academy- Festival Napa Valley, Atlantic Brass Quintet Seminar, Eastman

Summer Trombone Institute, NAFME All-National, All-Eastern, and MMEA All-State festivals.

Hayden currently maintains an active performing and teaching schedule in the Greater Bos-

ton area.

YaoGuang Zhai, Maryland

Mu Ge (Pastoral Song)

YaoGuang Zhai is currently principal clarinet of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He was

appointed by Maestra Marin Alsop in 2016 and is the first Chinese-born clarinetist ever to hold such a

position in a major North American symphony orchestra. A native of TaiYuan, China, YaoGuang began

his musical career at the age of three as a violinist, switching to the clarinet seven years later. In 1999

he entered the China Central Conservatory and then came to the United States in 2003, attending the

Idyllwild Arts Academy as a full scholarship student. He continued study at the Curtis Institute of Mu-

sic and graduated

YaoGuang was Associate Principal Clarinet of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for five

years appointed by Maestro Peter Oundjian, and served as

Principal Clarinet of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra for two years under Chinese con-

ductor Maestro Long Yu. In 2015, he also won the Associate Principal Clarinet position with the Pitts-

burgh Symphony Orchestra, appointed by Maestro Manfred Honeck. While performing in Toronto

the Globe and Mail described his performance as !the most beautiful lyrical playing of the evening”

and the Toronto Star spoke of YaoGuang as having played with mesmerizing grace.”

YaoGuang Zhai serves as a clarinet faculty member at the Interlochen Summer Music Camp,

the Curtis Institute Summer Music Camp, Master-Players Summer Music Festival and National Youth

Orchestra of China. YaoGuang is a Buffet Crampon and Vandoren artists.

Noelani Perry, South Carolina

Waltz-Scherzo for Violin and Piano, Op. 43, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Noelani Perry is a graduating senior Violin Performance major at Bel-

haven University. Beginning her violin adventure at the age of 4, Noelani has

since then accumulated a wide variety of experience from the 16+ years

spent as both a performer and professional musician while having simultane-

ously cultivated a growing passion as a violinist and to use her gift to minister

to others. Some of her accomplishments include: performing internationally

in Russia, performing alongside the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, soloing

with the Piedmomt Chamber Orchestra, and opening her own music studio.

Noelani currently studies with Mr. Song Xie at Belhaven University.

Seth Lampert, New Hampshire

Stop Speaking, Andy Akiho

Seth Lampert is an active educator, performer, and percussion arranger based in Amherst,

Massachusetts. He received his bachelor's degree in Percussion Performance at the University of

Massachusetts, Amherst and is currently pursuing his masters degree in Music Education. He holds a

teaching assistantship under Professor Thom Hannum and teaches the UMass Marching Band.

Seth was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Discovering his passion for music at an early

age he began learning to play the drum set when he was six. Continuing throughout high school, he

was involved in the music program in the Portsmouth School District, studying under percussion in-

structor, Steve Cirillo, medaling several times and earning a WGI Scholastic Concert Open Class cham-

pionship in 2011 with the high school’s Percussion Ensemble. He continues to teach and arrange after

graduating from PHS in 2015.

During his time at UMass, Seth had the opportunity to teach, arrange, and perform with the

world renowned Umass percussion section, the Umass Marimba Bands/Ensembles and several other

ensembles offered at the university. To expand upon his classical training he was selected by studio

professor, Ayano Kataoka, to perform in the McCormick Marimba Festival at the University of South

Florida in January of 2019. Seth also began participating in Drum Corps in 2014 with the Spartans

Drum and Bugle Corps. He then spent four seasons playing quads with The Cadets Drum and Bugle

Corps. Seth is currently in his second year teaching the Cadets quadline.

Andrew Shield, Virginia

What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong

Andrew Shield dazzles the ears of his listeners with the sweet tones of

his guitar." (Adams) He is currently a student at the New England Conservato-

ry of Music, and is greatly involved in musical theater composition and or-

chestration as well as studying jazz performance on guitar. Andrew has stud-

ied with a multitude of world renowned teachers and is currently studying

composition with Ken Schaphorst. Andrew is known for being a wild and cra-

zy guy and is excited to embark on the next steps of his journey.

Andrew Shield, Virginia

What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong

Esther Yi-An Tien, Soprano, was born and raised in Tainan City, Taiwan. Ms. Tien is a per-

former and educator based in the Greater Boston Area. She is a recent graduate of New England Con-

servatory of Music, having majored in Voice Performance under the instruction of Dr. Ian Howell,

Director of Vocal Pedagogy, where she was a recipient of the Dean's Scholarship. She earned her

Bachelor's degree with Ah Young Hong at The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, and

graduated with the George Woodhead Prize in Voice.

Esther was given the Mayoral Award of Excellence in Arts by the Taiwanese Government,

and she has been a finalist in the Japan Classical Music Competition. In the summer of 2016, she had

her National Concert Hall of Taiwan debut as a young artist under contract with NewArt Inc, setting a

record as the youngest singer to ever perform at the concert hall solo. In Fall 2018, Esther was invited

by the Taiwanese Embassy to perform at the world-renowned Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City for

a summit of the two countries. In the summer of 2019, she was one of 13 singers selected from all

over the world to attend Sumi Jo’s two-week-long Masterclass in Salzburg, Austria. In March of 2020,

Esther Tien was invited to sing the National Anthems of Taiwan (R.O.C) and the U.S.A at the Rhode

Island State House for a diplomatic event.

Esther has sung many roles including Papagena and Second Lady from The Magic Flute,

Edka from Out of Darkness, Satirino from La Calisto, and Grandma from Little Red Riding Hood. She

has also appeared in scene performances as Susanna from Le Nozze di Figaro, Ormindo from

L’ormindo, and Zulma from L’italiana in Algeri. This past season, Esther performed Linfea and Il Desti-

no from Cavalli’s La Calisto with the NEC Opera at the Huntington Theater.

Alison Fierst, New York

Beau Soir, Claude Debussy

Alison Fierst has established herself as a flutist who effortlessly blends brilliant tech-

nical ability with a mesmerizing tone. In September of 2019, she joined the New York Phil-

harmonic as Associate Principal Flute. Alison previously held the position of second flute in

the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Following her appointment in New York City, Alison

discovered an enthusiasm for music education. In the Fall of 2020, she was invited to join the

faculty of The Consummate Flutist Masterclass, a series hosted by her alma mater, the Car-

negie Mellon University School of Music. In addition, Alison has given lectures at multiple

institutions throughout North America, South America, and Asia. Alison maintains a private

flute studio in New York City and online. Highlights from Alison’s position in the orchestra

include touring the world and performing with renowned conductors including Gustavo

Dudamel, Jaap van Zweden, and Esa-Pekka Salonen, among others. She particularly enjoyed

performing in collaboration between the New York Philharmonic and Lizzo for YouTube’s

‘Dear Class of 2020’. You can hear Alison on the soundtrack for Steven Speilberg’s upcoming

remake of the classic movie, ‘West Side Story’. Alison has been a fellowship recipient at the

Aspen Music Festival and School, where she performed with the Aspen Festival Orchestra

and studied with Nadine Asin, Mark Sparks, and Demarre McGill. Alison completed her Bach-

elor of Fine Arts in Flute Performance at Carnegie Mellon University in 2018. Her teachers

include Alberto Almarza, former New York Philharmonic Principal Flute Jeanne Baxtresser,

and Philharmonic Principal Flute Robert Langevin.

Jesse Krebs, North Carolina

Three Etudes on Themes of Gershwin: I Got Rhythm, Summertime, It Ain’t Necessarily So, Paul Harvey

Growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina, Dr. Jesse Krebs has performed guest recit-

als in Costa Rica, England, Thailand, Ireland, and throughout the United States. He is now

professor of music at Truman State University (Kirksville, MO), where he teaches clarinet,

and courses on jazz history and music and political protest. He frequently performs as a

substitute with the Kansas City Symphony and has been featured as a concerto soloist with

the North Carolina, Central Florida, and Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestras. He has also

played with the Tallahassee, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Quincy and Missouri Symphony Or-

chestras, and with the new music ensemble Alarm Will Sound. In 2002, he was one of

three American semifinalists selected for the International Clarinet Association Young Artist

Competition and competed in Stockholm, Sweden. He received a Doctor of Music in clari-

net performance from the Florida State University, a Master of Music from the University

of North Texas, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Carolina at Greensbo-

ro. Dr. Krebs performed on recitals at the International ClarinetFest Conferences in Os-

tend, Belgium (2018), Lincoln, NE (2012), Austin, TX (2010) and Kansas City, MO (2008), and

he presented a lecture on the clarinet soloists of the John Philip Sousa Band at the 2006

ClarinetFest in Atlanta, GA. He is both thrilled and honored to be participating such a won-

derful benefit concert.

Chris Janson, Rhode Island

Postcards for Posta Mvt. I & III by David Heyes

Christopher Janson is a proud, new Rhode Island resident. They are a

graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and they have performed

with groups including the Ambient Orchestra, New Bedford Symphony Or-

chestra, Metropolitan Wind Symphony, and Catlit Quartet. In their spare

time, they enjoy curling up on the couch with a good language textbook.

Sarah Brady, Vermont

Caprice #24 by Niccolo Paganini

Contemporary Flutist Sarah Brady called “enchanting” (Boston Globe) and “clairvoyantly sen-

sitive” (New Music Connoisseur), is principal flute with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and per-

forms with the Firebird Ensemble, Boston Musica Viva, Brave New Works, Collage New Music and the

Radius Ensemble. She has premiered music from hundreds of composers and has recently premiered

and recorded the music of Andrew Norman, Lisa Bielawa, Eric Moe, Marcos Balter, Lei Liang, Elena

Ruehr, Jonathan Bailey Holland and Yu- Hui Chang.

Equally comfortable in the world of orchestral playing, Sarah often performs with the Boston

Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops, the Boston Ballet and is Principal Flute of Odyssey Opera. A

prizewinner in the Pappoutsakis Flute Competition and the National Flute Association’s Young Artist

Competition, Sarah now serves as the Chair of the National Flute Association’s New Music Advisory

Committee which commissions two solo flute works each year for the annual convention.

An extensive recording musician, Sarah has recorded numerous albums of solo, chamber,

orchestral music and to date has performed on over 70 recordings of contemporary music. As principal

flute with BMOP, Sarah has performed on seven Grammy nominated albums and 2020 was the first

Grammy awarded to BMOP in the category of Best Opera Recording. A devoted teacher, Sarah is Head

of the Classical Contemporary Music Program at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and enjoys work-

ing with a thriving studio of flute students who inspire her on a daily basis.

Emily Nazario, Washington D.C.

8 Etudes de Salon: I: Elegie, Johannes Donjon

Ms. Nazario is a freelance flutist based in the DC Metro area and also teaches private flute

lessons. Emily holds a Master of Music degree in Flute Performance from the University of Wyoming

(2018) where she held a Graduate Assistantship, and completed her undergraduate studies from Ithaca

College (2015) where she earned a Bachelor of Music Performance. Emily was a member of the Univer-

sity of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony, and the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble,

with whom she performed at Alice Tully Hall in the spring of 2015. Additionally, Emily spent the Fall

2014 semester of her Bachelor's degree living in The Netherlands, where she studied flute at Conserva-

torium van Amsterdam.

Emily was awarded first prize at both the Oklahoma Flute Society's Collegiate Competition

and the CedarLuke Young Artist Competition, and was named runner up at the 2017 Wyoming Sympho-

ny Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition. She has attended numerous summer festivals and

workshops, including the Brevard Music Center, Marrowstone Music Festival and Domaine Forget Inter-

national Music and Dance Academy.

Dedicated to teaching, Ms. Nazario teaches private flute lessons in Maryland and also through

Skype. While living in rural Wyoming, she began teaching flute lessons through platforms such as Skype

and has since developed her presentation "The Virtual Flute: 'Skyping' Your Way to a Successful Studio"

which she has presented at the Mid-South Flute Society Fair and the Montana Flute Festival. Additional-

ly, Emily has proficient knowledge and skill when it comes to the Baroque flute and plays her own

traverso in her spare time. When she's not playing the flute, Emily can be found hiking in the moun-

tains, cozying up with a good book, traveling in Europe, or simply enjoying coffee with good friends.

Emily Durocher, Kentucky

Pulsar for Solo Snare, Drum & Audio, Francisco Perez

Emily Durocher, an active performer and educator, is a percussionist originally

from Houston, TX. She is an active alumnae member of Sigma Alpha Iota, and a member of

the PAS Diversity Alliance. She has performed with the award winning UK Percussion En-

semble at the 2014 PASIC and as a member of the Crossmen Front Ensemble from 2013-

2015. As a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, she has been awarded the Sword of Honor and the

Ruby Sword of Honor. Her compositions for snare drum can be found in The Blue Book Vol.

2 and 3, published by Tapspace Publications. Emily has been involved in teaching the

Marching Arts in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina and contin-

ues to do so as the Drumline Instructor for the Wildcat Marching Band at the University of

Kentucky.

Emily ranges in performance styles from classical to contemporary and strives to

program music that has been a foundation in the percussion literature as well as living and

diverse voices. She has been an active performer at Chosen Vale Percussion Seminar and

SoSi Percussion Seminar, as well as being a part of the several performances of Inuksuit as

part of the Dartmouth SHIFT (2019) festival and Caramore Festival for the Arts (2018). Emily

is currently pursuing her Doctorate degree in the Musical Arts at the University of Kentucky

where she is a Teaching Assistant to UK Bands and the Percussion Studio. She currently re-

sides in Lexington, KY.

Madeline Cawley, Tennessee

Sicilienne, Op. 78, Gabriel Faure

Founder of Harvest Arts, LLC, Madeline Cawley is passionate about creating

beautiful artistic works and experiences for the increased flourishing of her commu-

nity for the glory of God. She paints galleries of original pieces and presents cham-

ber music concerts, in addition to organizing the events that marry the two art

forms into one multidimensional experience. She also works as a freelance musician

and paints commission work.

Madeline earned degrees from the University of Alabama and the New Eng-

land Conservatory. In 2019, she was a winner of the NEC Concerto Competition and

had the opportunity to perform the Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp with Harp-

ist Hannah Johnson and the NEC Symphonia in Jordan Hall. She has been a prizewin-

ner of other competitions, including the Florida Flute Association College Young

Artist, National Society of Arts and Letters, National Federation of Music Clubs, and

University of Alabama Concerto Competitions. When she is not playing flute or

painting, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, cooking, and playing

with her pet cat Kitty.

Abigail Workman, Alabama

Sicilienne, Op. 78, Gabriel Faure

Abigail Workman is a harpist born and raised in Alabama. She has

studied under the Alabama Symphony’s principal harpist, Judy Hicks, for

13 years. She received her Bachelor’s in Music Education from Samford

University, and a Masters of Music in harp performance from the Univer-

sity of Alabama. She performs as principal and second harpist with many

local symphonies and chamber groups and teaches in her private studio,

as well as local colleges.

Austin Motley, Ohio

Elegy for Mippy II for Trombone Alone, Leonard Bernstein

Austin Motley is a classical and jazz trombonist, arranger, and conductor based in

Cincinnati, Ohio who has a passion for performing and educating the next generation of low

brass musicians. He has performed with many notable ensembles, including the Cincinnati

Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, the

Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra, the Richmond (IN) Symphony Orchestra, the Kentucky

Symphony Orchestra, and the Flying Circus Big Band. Also, a number of students in Austin’s

low brass private studio have had success at the All-State and All-District levels. He currently

holds the position of Principal Trombone in the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra, and Sec-

ond Trombone in the Richmond (IN) Symphony Orchestra. His primary teachers are Cristian

Ganicenco (Principal Trombone of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops

Orchestra), Tim Anderson (Principal Trombone of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra), and

Dr. Jay Bulen (Trombone Professor at Truman State University). Austin currently resides in

the greater Cincinnati area with his wife, Kirsten, as he works toward a Doctor of Musical

Arts degree in trombone performance at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory

of Music.

Alanna Benoit, Louisiana

Capriccio for Solo Clarinet in A, Heinrich Sutermeister

Alanna Benoit has recently completed her Master’s degree in clarinet perfor-

mance at Truman State University (Kirksville, Missouri), where she studied with Dr. Jesse

Krebs, taught applied clarinet lessons, and conducted the clarinet choir as a clarinet

Graduate Teaching Assistant. She is originally from Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana and

received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches,

Louisiana, where she studied with Dr. Malena McLaren. She performed a guest recital

and taught a masterclass in Cartagena, Colombia, and performed throughout the states

of Louisiana and Missouri. Ms. Benoit’s accomplishments include Best Woodwind Jury

Performance at Northwestern State University, Second Place in the graduate division of

the Missouri Music Teachers Association Competition, a finalist in the Delta Symphony

Orchestra Concerto Competition in Arkansas, and she was selected as one of the win-

ners of Truman’s Wind Symphony Concerto Competition. She has performed as a princi-

pal substitute with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra and had an article pub-

lished in The Clarinet journal and the Clarinet and Saxophone journal.

Keslie Pharis/Arthur Tang, Indiana

Canzonetta for Oboe and Strings, Op. 48 by Samuel Barber

Keslie Pharis, a native of Amarillo, Texas, is currently a senior at Indiana University studying

Oboe Performance with Linda Strommen. A recipient of the Jacobs School of Music Premiere Young

Artist Award, she has performed with many of the nation’s top student ensembles including the IU

Chamber Orchestra, IU Symphony Orchestra, IU New Music Ensemble, IU Wind Ensemble, New Voices

Opera, Interlochen World Youth Symphony Orchestra, MasterWorks Festival Orchestra, and Texas 6A

All-State Symphony Orchestra. She has also served as a substitute with the Amarillo and Plainview sym-

phonies and frequently plays for church services.

Her playing has been described as “elegant” and “genuine,” “creative and expressive,” and is

strongly influenced by her extensive background with ballet. An active chamber musician, she has per-

formed with the Primavera Quintet, IU New Music Ensemble chamber groups, and an oboe, viola, and

piano trio. Her other teachers include Robert Krause, Alice Cooke, Roger Roe, Meg Owens, Martin

Schuring, Reid Messich, Dwight Parry, Mary Lynch, Jared Hauser, Doris DeLoach, and Daniel Stolper.

At the Jacobs School, she also serves as a Project Jumpstart Student Affiliate and as the Presi-

dent of Classical Connections, organizing and performing outreach concerts and facilitating mentorship

of local middle school and high school musicians. This year, she also sang as a soprano with the IU Afri-

can American Choral Ensemble and the Southwest Church of Christ praise team. She is a native of Ama-

rillo, Texas, and her other interests include piano, board games, social dance, and spending time with

family and friends.

Nicholas Perna, Mississippi

King of the World from Songs for a New World, Jason Robert Brown

Dr. Nicholas Perna is Associate Professor of Voice and Voice Pedagogy at Mississippi Col-

lege. He is a Presser Music Foundation awardee and currently a voice research associate at the Uni-

versity of Mississippi Medical Center. His primary research areas are Laryngeal Manipulation and Sing-

ing Voice Acoustics. Perna has presented research on three continents at notable events such as the

International Congress of Voice Teachers, the Voice Foundation’s Annual Symposium on the Care of

the Professional Voice, and the NATS National Conference. Publications include articles in Journal of

Singing, Journal of Voice, and VOICEPrints. He served on the 2019 and 2020 faculty of the Singing

Voice Science Workshop, and he will join the faculty of the Acoustic Vocal Pedagogy Workshop at

New England Conservatory in 2020.

Perna was a 2019-2020 finalist for the American Prize for men in opera. He has appeared

multiple times in recent seasons with Mississippi Opera in leading roles in The Mikado and Turandot.

Perna was twice selected as a Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Artist singer. Additional Operatic credits

include Rodolfo, The Duke, Nemorino, Alfred, & Tamino. Symphonic appearances include Mahler’s

Das Lied von der Erde, Beethoven's Symphony no. 9, Messiah, & Carmina Burana. Along with Dr. Man-

dy Spivak, they created The Comprehensive Britten Song Database. brittensongdatabase.com. An

open source guide to Britten’s song output. Perna holds graduate degrees from the University of Mi-

ami & the University of Houston. He is the creator and co-host of the VocalFri Podcast,

www.vocalfri.com. Your weekly dash of voice science, pedagogy, and nerd pop culture.

Tyler Kemp, Mississippi

King of the World from Songs for a New World, Jason Robert Brown

An accomplished pianist and collaborator, Tyler Kemp joined the fac-

ulty of Mississippi College in 2014 as Instructor of Collaborative Piano. He

performs recitals regularly with students, faculty, and guest artists, and

serves as music director for the Opera Theatre and Musical Theatre.

Hunter McKay, Maine

Saccarappa Falls, Hunter McKay

Boston-based saxophonist and composer, Hunter McKay, aims to bridge the gap

between various styles such as rock, jazz, contemporary classical, and experimental music,

with a clockwork-like approach to rhythm, serpentine harmonies, and a focus on improvi-

sation.

Hunter is a co-founder of NYC-based nonet, Abacus. He and his co-founder, Skyler

Hagner were recently awarded a Jazz Road grant through South Arts to take the ensemble

on a two week tour of New England from July 27th through August 7th, 2021. Hunter also

leads the newly founded virtual iteration of the Social Animals Big Band and is a member

of Boston-based experimental quartet, AHHA. As a sideman, Hunter has performed with

jazz artists such as Jeff Coffin and Graham Breedlove; and popular artists such as

Godsmack lead singer, Sully Erna, and America's Got Talent Winner, Landau Eugene Mur-

phy Jr.

An aspiring professor, Hunter is employed as a teaching fellow at the New Eng-

land Conservatory of Music where he is working toward his Doctor of Musical Arts in jazz

composition. He earned his master’s in jazz arranging at William Paterson University, and

his bachelor’s in jazz saxophone performance from the University of Southern Maine.

Donald Rabin, Missouri

Prelude and Scherzo, Op. 35 by Henri Busser

Otherwise known as the man who lost his flute on the Blue Line Train in Chicago, Donald Rabin

is a professional musician in the Boston area who is dedicated, determined, and passionate. As the 2020

Tessa-Koster Scholar and 2018 Presser Scholar, Donald values the importance of education and its im-

pact on students. Currently, he runs an 18-student private studio and is on faculty with Noteworthy-

Experiences Studio and the Prodigy-Program. He is also a Graduate Assistant of Music History at the

Boston Conservatory at Berklee. He aspires to help students grow to be better musicians, scholars, and

people.

To develop his musicianship, Donald has performed with the Brookline Symphony Orchestra,

the New England Philharmonic Orchestra, and subs with local Boston orchestras. His performance en-

deavors have led him to success in competitions such as: National Finalist and First Prize St. Louis Winner

of the National Society of Arts and Letters Competition, First Prize The Art of Winds and Percussion In-

ternational Competition, Alternate State Representative for the Missouri MTNA competition, and others.

Organizer of the “Uniting America Concert”, Donald Rabin’s goal is to encourage musicians

across the world by promoting unity, community, and love. He strives to be the best person he can be

every day. Without his family, friends, mentors, and guidance from Sarah Brady, Mark Sparks, and Dr.

Julianna Moore, he would not be who he is today. “The world is your oyster. You must work hard to

accomplish and achieve your dreams.”

Nancy Hueber, Illinois

Prelude and Scherzo, Op. 35 by Henri Busser

Having fallen in love with musical collaboration at the Juilliard

Pre-College and Tanglewood Music Festival through her high school

years, Nancy Hueber, pianist, went on to pursue further adventures in

collaborating over many decades. She accompanied and toured with the

Wheaton College Men’s Glee Club through her college years while study-

ing piano performance, received a Master’s Degree in chamber music

and vocal accompanying, and a Specialist Degree in Vocal Coaching with

Martin Katz and Eckhart Sellheim at the University of Michigan. Hueber,

a fellowship vocal coach at the Aspen Opera Theater and pianist for

choir and musical theater programs at Interlochen, has also collaborated

with choirs and soloists across the Midwest and is blessed to be a wife,

mom, and now grandmother while living her best life as a brain tumor

survivor. She resides in the Chicago area with her husband, Tom, a voice

professor at Wheaton College Conservatory of Music.

Kaitlin Jones, Arkansas

Danse de la Chévre, Arthur Honegger

Originally from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Kaitlin Jones is professional

flutist and full time private lessons teacher currently residing in Arlington,

Texas. Ms. Jones received her Master of Music in Flute Performance from the

University of Michigan and her Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University

of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Her primary teachers include Amy Porter, Ginny

Hudson, and Dilshad Posnock.

Joseph Gascho, Michigan

Aus meinen lieben Gott, BuxWV 179, Dietrich Buxtehude

Harpsichordist and conductor Joseph Gascho has performed across the world, from Carne-

gie Hall and the Kennedy Canter to Paris, Tokyo and Taipei. Recent performing highlights include per-

formances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and a solo

recital and masterclass for the Japan Harpsichord Society.

At the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, he teaches harpsichord,

basso continuo, chamber music, improvisation and ornamentation, and co-directs the Baroque Cham-

ber Orchestra with violinist Aaron Berofsky. He was recently appointed Director of the Stearns Collec-

tion of Musical Instruments and has enjoyed recent collaborations with the Hatcher Graduate Library

and the Biosciences Ideas Lab Project.

He has guest-conducted and performed concerti with Apollo's Fire, and served as conductor

with Opera Vivente, the Maryland Opera Studio and the Peabody Institute. He recently conducted

four all-Bach concerts for Apollo's Fire, "leading with energy, authority and a conducting technique

that inspired the musicians he led to perform at their highest level. Gascho's interpretations of the

cantatas found the heart of each piece from the outset, realizing fully the drama and emotion that, in

lesser hands, can often be lost in their rigid format (The Cleveland Plain Dealer)."

Since 2008, he has taught and mentored students at the Baroque Performance Institute at

Oberlin College, where he teaches basso continuo, coaches chamber music and conducts the student

orchestra. Gascho holds masters and doctoral degrees in harpsichord from the Peabody Conservatory

and the University of Maryland.

Thank You!

Thank you!

Please join us for the

Uniting America Concert II

featuring the states of

Florida to Hawaii

March 13th, 2021

7PM EST

www.UnitingAmericaConcert.com

Please do not forget to send your

donation to one of our charities.

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Special Thanks

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Boston Conservatory at Berklee Matthew Marsit, Video Coordinator

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