• Gregory Brown
  Theory, Composition, Choral Literature

  Assistant Director of Choral Activities and Lecturer, Smith College, Northampton, MA

  (Please note: Dr. Brown's course will not be activated)

• James Clanton
  Percussions, Vibraphone, Artistic Director Assistant
  Instructor of Percussions, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS

• Andrea Ceccomori
  Flute
  Concert Artist
• Simone Conti
  Guitar
  Preparatory and Middle School Faculty, Parma, Italy
• Enrico Elisi
  Piano
  Assistant Professor of Piano, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
• Paolo André Gualdi
  Piano and Jazz Piano
  Assistant Professor of Music, Francis Marion University, Florence, SC
• Denine Leblanc
  Preparatory Piano, Accompanying
  Teacher at Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary School, Louisville, KY
  Instructor of Piano, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
• Giuseppe Lupis
  Piano, Artistic Director
  Assistant Professor of Piano / Artist Performer, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
• Hyunjung "Rachel" Chung
  Piano
  Assistant Professor of Piano, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
• Roberto Marchionni
  Clarinet
  Professor of Clarinet, Istituto Musicale Pergolesi, Ancona, Italy
• Filippo Lattanzi
  Percussions
  Professor, Conservatory of Music, Bari, Italy
• Paola Mongelli
  Voice
  Voice Instructor, Centro Studi Musicali Zuccaro, Grumo Appula, Italy
• Milton Masciadri
  Double Bass
  Professor of Double Bass, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
• Kye Ryung (Karen) Park
  Composition
  Composer
• Malgorzata Staszewska
  Violin
  Concert Artist

Gregory Brown - Theory, Composition, Choral Literature

Dr. Gregory Brown recently completed a year as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at The College of Wooster where he conducted the Wooster Chorus and taught composition and music technology. Brown is currently Assistant Director of Choral Activities and Lecturer at Smith College. Brown received his Doctor in Musical Arts degree in 2006 from the  Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia, where he studied with Allen Crowell. He received his Master in Music in 2001 from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, where he studied with Joseph Flummerfelt, Andrew Megill, and James Jordan.

Brown has taught various subjects and conducted at Amherst College, The University of Georgia, and The Putney School. In January of 2004, Dr. Brown was one of 6 conductors chosen from an international pool to take part in the 24th National Conductor's Symposium with Jon Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir. Brown's experiences as a choral singer include concerts with the New York Philharmonic (including world premieres of works by Thomas Ades, Stephen Paulus, and Kaija Saariaho), the Philadelphia Orchestra (Beethoven's Missa Solemnis), and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (Grammy-award winning recording of Dvorak's Requiem).

In 2006, Brown was invited to present a paper at an international symposium in Coimbra, Portugal, on the music of composer Fernando Lopes-Graca. Brown was chosen to present his analysis of Brahms's Gesang der Parzen at a poster session at the 2007 ACDA National Convention in Miami, FL. Brown is an avid composer, having studied with 2000 Pulitzer Prize Winner M. Lewis Spratlan, David Reck, Stefan Young, Adrian Childs, and Leonard V. ("Chic") Ball; and participated in master classes with Eric Ewazen, Simone Fontanelli, and many others. His works have been performed throughout the United States and Europe and have been aired via X/M Satellite Radio and various Public Radio stations.

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James Clanton - Vibraphone and Percussions

James Clanton is the percussion instructor on the faculty of Pittsburg State University, where he teaches percussion majors and non-majors, directs the PSU Pride of the Plains Drumline, and directs and conducts the PSU percussion ensemble. As a performer, he has appeared with several orchestras, including the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet Orchestra, Liberty Symphony, St. Joseph Symphony, Springfield Symphony (MO), and the Northland Symphony Orchestra of Kansas City, where he served as principal timpanist for 7 seasons.

An active member of the Percussive Arts Society, James recently hosted and presented at the 2008 Kansas Day of Percussion. James received a Bachelor's degree in music education from Oklahoma City University. He holds a Master's degree in percussion performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, where he is currently completing a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in percussion performance. James is an educational endorser/clinician for Sabian and Pearl/Adams percussion.   

James Clanton è docente di percussioni alla Pittsburg State University. Come esecutore, egli è apparso con numerose orchestre, tra cui l’Orchestra Sinfonica di Kansas City, l’orchestra del Kansas City Ballet, l’Orchestra Sinfonica di Liberty, l’Orchestra Sinfonica di S. Joseph, l’Orchestra Sinfonica di Springfield, e l'Orchestra Sinfonica di Northland (Kansas City), dove ha servito come timpanista principale per sette stagioni.

Membro attivo della Percussive Arts Society, James ha ospitato di recente e presentato la Giornata delle Percussioni in Kansas. James ha una laurea in educazione musicale presso l’Oklahoma City University. Ha conseguito un Master in percussioni presso il Conservatorio di Musica della University of Missouri-Kansas City, dove sta attualmente completando il dottorato in Arti Musicali in percussioni. James è artista Sabian e Pearl/Adams.

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Andrea Ceccomori - Flute

Andrea Ceccomori is dedicated to new music repertoire and collaborates with contemporary artists throughout the world. Mr. Ceccomori has inspired many works for flute of which he has given world premieres. Mr. Ceccomori has performed in Europe, Canada, United States, South America, and Africa. CD's are published in his name and he also appears in collaborative recordings, solo recordings, television and radio broadcasts. Mr. Ceccomori regularly gives masterclasses and his articles are published in newspapers and magazines such as Amadeus, Falaut, and Syrinx. RaiTrade and ISCM Cemat support Mr. Ceccomori's efforts in the dissemination of contemporary music.

Andrea Ceccomori si dedica alla nuova musica contemporanea collaborando con artisti in tutto il mondo e con varia estrazione musicale e artistica. Dedicatario di molte opere per flauto ha curato molte prime esecuzioni ed ha suonato, oltre che in Italia, in Europa, Canada e Stati Uniti, Sudamerica e Africa . Ha pubblicato cd sia a suo nome ed altre collaborazioni discografiche, con registrazioni solistiche televisive(RAI) e radiofoniche. Tiene masterclasses ed è recensito da quotidiani e riviste specializzate come Amadeus, Falaut, Syrinx .Collabora con Raitrade, SIMC e Cemat per la diffusione della musica contemporanea.

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Simone Conti - Chitarra

Born in Parma, Simone Conti began his studies under the guidance of Claudio Piastra. His interpretations have been appreciated in various competitions and guitar festivals. In 1997 he won the 4th Guitar Festival in Voghera, and the 11th annual national competition Nei Giardini Dell'Aulos. In 1999 he won the 5th Guitar Festival in the guitar duo category. In 2000 he placed fourth in the 7th International Lario Competition in Music leaving an excellent impression on the judges of the competition; and three years later he won the first annual Luigi Zanuccoli Musical Competition.

Simone Conti graduated in classical guitar from the Conservatory of Music in Parma, under Walter Pezzali and Perpaolo Maurizzi. He performed in master classes with internationally acclaimed musicians such as A. Diaz, V. Mikulka, G. Gil, V. Saldarelli, and O. Ghiglia. Starting in 2005, he pursued specialization courses with Maurizio Colonna and in 2008 he received a degree in music education from the Orazio Vecchi Music Institute of Modena. Simone Conti was the first Italian guitarist to be offered a scholarship to study at the University of Georgia School of Music in the United States.

Simone Conti has given various master classes at the Federal University of Paraìba in Brazil, and currently teaches in secondary schools and other musical institutions. He has recorded a CD of Argentine tangos as the first international release for the Symphonia Records label and a CD in collaboration with Il Continuo ensemble for the the Tawa International label. Since his 1998 debut in South America and in Northern Brazil, Simone Conti has been maintaining a busy concert schedule.

Nato nel 1979 a  Parma, Simone Conti ha iniziato i suoi studi giovanissimo sotto la guida del Maestro Claudio Piastra. Le sue interpretazioni sono state apprezzate in diversi concorsi e festival chitarristici. Nel 1997 vince al “IV Festival Chitarristico Città di Voghera”, nello stesso anno vince all’undicesimo concorso nazionale “Nei Giardini Dell’AULOS”. Nel 1998 ottiene la possibilità di far apprezzare la sua abilità interpretativa in Sud America, nel nord del Brasile. Nel 1999 vince, nella sezione duo di chitarra, al “V Festival Chitarristico Città di Voghera”. Nel 2000 ottiene il quarto posto al “VII Concorso Internazionale Lario in Musica” destando un’ottima impressione nei confronti della giuria.

Nel giugno 2000, sotto la guida del Maestro Walter Pezzali, si è diplomato in chitarra classica presso il Conservatorio di musica A. Boito di Parma dove ha inoltre seguito il corso di musica da camera diretto dal Maestro Pierpaolo Maurizzi. Segue inoltre numerosi master class con concertisti di fama internazionale fra cui A. Diaz, V. Mikulka, G. Gil, V. Saldarelli, O. Ghiglia . Nel 2003 vince al “Primo Concorso Musicale Luigi Zanuccoli”. Nel 2004 risulta essere il primo chitarrista italiano a vincere una borsa di studio presso la prestigiosa “University of Georgia - School of Music” negli Stati Uniti. Nello stesso anno incide un cd di tanghi argentini in prima esecuzione mondiale per l’etichetta “Symphonia records” e un cd in collaborazione col gruppo vocale e strumentale “Il Continuo” per l’etichetta “Tawa International”.

Dal 2005 segue i corsi di perfezionamento del maestro Maurizio Colonna e tiene, in qualità di docente, alcuni master class presso la “Universidade Federal Da Paraìba” in Brasile. Nel 2008 si diploma in didattica della musica presso l’Istituto musicale O. Vecchi di Modena. Attualmente Simone Conti svolge attività didattica nella scuola secondaria di primo grado e presso diversi istituti musicali. Partecipa inoltre a diversi progetti riguardanti la musica da camera.

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Enrico Elisi - Piano

Pianist Enrico Elisi regularly performs in Europe, America, and Asia.  Recent North American engagements included recitals in Canada, at the Banff Centre for the Arts, a TV broadcast for WPSU, a radio show for KGCS, performances at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, as well as in various other venues in the USA.  In Asia, he performed and taught master classes in South Korea (Seoul, Busan, Daegu), Taiwan (Taipei), and China (Hangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Fouzhou).  He also returned to Europe for recitals in Germany and Italy.

 Elisi has appeared as a soloist with several orchestras, including the Florence Symphony, Italy; Orchestra Classica do Porto, Portugal; Bay Atlantic Symphony, New Jersey; Greeley Philharmonic, Colorado; Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra and Penn State Philharmonic, Pennsylvania; UNLV Chamber Orchestra, Nevada; and Johns Hopkins Symphony Orchestra, Maryland.  In the summer of 2007, Elisi debuted as soloist/conductor, performing Mozart piano concerto K. 414, with the Green Valley Festival Chamber Orchestra. 

In 2008, Via Classica (TIDE 96.0), a German radio station, hosted a two-and-a-half-hour program about Elisi, offering a broadcast of his latest recital in Hamburg (recorded live), as well as an extensive interview.  He was also featured as a recitalist in radio broadcasts in Italy, and the USA respectively, including Radio Montebeni, WCLV Cleveland, UNC, KCNV Nevada Public Radio.

In Italy, Elisi has won a number of first prizes in several competitions.  With his versatility he has garnered top awards at such diverse venues as the Venice Competition—which brought him a performance at the famous La Fenice theatre, in Italy—and the Oporto International Competition—which led to a broadcast with the Orchestra Classica de Porto for Portuguese national television.

An active chamber musician, Elisi has collaborated with many renowned artists, including principal players from major US orchestras.  He has also taken part in and performed at the Taos and Ravinia Festivals, and has performed duo recitals in China with violinist Qian Zhou, as well as trio recitals with various ensembles, including the Cerberus, Sialia, and Chihara trios.

Elisi’s repertoire encompasses standard works and less frequently performed compositions.  He is also a champion of new music and enjoys collaborating with composers from whom he has commissioned and premiered several works at debut recitals in France; Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, as a recipient of the La Gesse Foundation Fellowship; as well as other U.S. venues.  Elisi was invited to perform music by Wolfgang Rihm, in Germany and during the past five years, he has presented several premieres of composers from different nationalities: Ukranian-born, American Virko Baley (UNLV); Peruvian Jorge Grossmann and Celso G. Lecca (4th International Festival of Contemporary Music in Lima, Peru); and Korean Kye Ryung Park (Nevada Encounters of New Music, Penn State, PA).  Elisi also paid tribute to renowned composer, award-winner, Paul Chihara, by performing a complete program of chamber works in his honor, including a newly commissioned trio.

In Italy, the press lauded Elisi’s debut praising the “enduring respect in his approach to the great masters."   The prophetic words of this critic—about Elisi's humility and respect for the work and its composer—foresaw the development of a stylistic path that legendary pianist and conductor Leon Fleisher further nurtured. Fleisher recognized "an awareness of those elements that distinguish the great artist from the pedestrian performer," in the young pianist and invited him to study at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University on a full scholarship, where he earned both a master’s and doctoral degrees.  The learning experience gained with the renown Artur Schnabel disciple (who traced his teaching lineage to Beethoven) represented a powerful, stimulating adventure for Elisi.  Prior to coming to the USA, Elisi studied in Bologna, and Florence, Italy and gathered diplomas from the Conservatory of Florence and the world-renowned “Incontri col Maestro” International Piano Academy of Imola.  In Imola, he worked extensively with Alexander Goldenweiser’s disciple, Lazar Berman, Boris Petrushansky, one of the last pupils of Heinrich Neuhaus, and with German pianist Alexander Lonquich.  Elisi had also the opportunity to perform in several master classes for many well-known musicians, including Jörg Demus and Murray Perahia.

Elisi is on the piano faculty at Penn State University after having formerly served at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  He is a frequent guest teacher at the Accademia delle Marche, in Italy, and has often traveled to China were he taught at the China Academy of Arts, in Hangzhou.  He has given master classes and presented performances in many universities in the USA, and, internationally, at the University of British Columbia, Canada; National Conservatory of Lima, Peru; Taipei National University of the Arts, Taiwan; Pusan National, Kyungsung, Catholic University of Daegu, South Korea. In 2007 Elisi was a featured soloist at the World Piano Pedagogy Conference, performing a joint program with Leon Fleisher.

Elisi directed the Piano Institute of the Las Vegas Music Festival and he is the founder and former director of the Green Valley Chamber Music Festival, also in Nevada.  His vision on behalf of contemporary music resulted in the creation of an international composition competition—Arioso Musica Domani 2010—which obtained the support of composers such as Richard Danielpour and Paul Chihara, and will present several premieres in the near future.  In addition, he is active as an adjudicator of piano competitions in Canada (Tremplin International, and Concours de Musique du Canada) and the U.S. (Iowa Piano Competition, VMTA).

Enrico Elisi was born and raised in the charming city of the world’s oldest university—Bologna, Italy.  He has lived in the United States since 1996, and now divides his time between his home in Pennsylvania and his residence in Italy. 

Enrico Elisi tiene regolarmente concerti in Europa, America e Asia ed ha ottenuto brillanti affermazioni in vari concorsi nazionali ed internazionali, tra cui il Premio Venezia (Teatro la Fenice) e quello di Oporto, (Portogallo). Nel 2009, l’attività in Nord America lo ha portato a dare concerti in USA (Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Missouri), ad effettuare una registrazione TV per WPSU e un broadcast radiofonico per KGCS. In Canada, Elisi ha tenuto due recitals al prestigioso Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, dove ha anche registrato un CD con musiche di Mozart. Sempre nello stesso anno ha dato concerti e master classes nella Corea del sud (Seul, Busan, Daegu), a Taiwan (Taipei), e in Europa (Germania e Italia). Recentemente è stato anche ospite di varie istituzioni musicali in Francia (Tolosa), Spagna (Festival Internazionale New Millennium, Asturias), e Cina (Shanghai). 

Elisi ha registrato il primo concerto di Brahms per la televisione nazionale portoghese con l’Orchestra Classica di Porto, ed ha tenuto concerti con l’Orchestra Sinfonica di Firenze, la Greeley Philharmonic (Colorado), la Johns Hopkins Symphony (Maryland), la University of Nevada Orchestra, e la Bay Atlantic Symphony (New Jersey), per citarne alcune. Nel 2007 ha debuttato come solista e direttore con l’orchestra da camera del Green Valley Festival con il Concerto K. 414 di Mozart. Nella stagione 2009/10, Elisi ha eseguito concerti con la Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra e la Penn State Philharmonic.

Elisi ha inoltre dato concerti in diretta e ha registrato per varie emittenti radiofoniche tra cui WCLV (Cleveland), Radio Montebeni (Firenze), UNC radio (University of Northern Colorado),  KCNV Nevada Public Radio.  Nel 2008, una radio tedesca, Via Classica, ha trasmesso un programma dedicato ad Elisi, con un concerto dal vivo effettuato ad Amburgo e un’intervista.

Elisi si dedica intensamente all’attività cameristica ed é stato ospite di prestigiosi festivals americani quali il Taos Chamber Music Festival, in New Mexico, ed il Ravinia Festival nell’Illinois. Nel 2009 ha fondato il Trio Chihara (dal nome del famoso compositore americano Paul Chihara) che debutterà alla Carnegie Recital Hall di New York nel 2010, con un programma comprendente due prime assolute, tra cui una composizione di Chihara stesso. Elisi ha collaborato coi complessi cameristici Cerberus e Sialia, e con le prime parti della Sinfonica di Chicago e di Baltimora. Nel 2004 ha inoltre effettuato una tournée in Cina con la violinista Qian Zhou.

Il repertorio eclettico di Elisi spazia da Bach alla musica del XX secolo ed include pagine desuete e, in particolare, composizioni dell’avanguardia contemporanea che propone con pervicacia e fede. Ha collaborato con vari compositori ed ha eseguito prime assolute in Francia e Stati Uniti. Per il suo debutto in qualità di solista alla Carnegie Recital Hall di New York, come ricevente di una fellowship della Fondazione La Gesse, Elisi ha commissionato due notturni dedicati alla commemorazione dell’11 Settembre 2001. Dal 2005 al 2008 ha eseguito composizioni di autori di varie nazionalità, tra cui pezzi e prime assolute dell’americano di origine ucraina V. Baley, dei peruviani J, V. Grossmann e G. Lecca (IV Festival Internazionale di Musica Contemporanea di Lima, Perù), della compositrice coreana K. R. Park (Nevada Encounters of New Music e Penn State University), ed ha eseguito musiche di W. Rihm in Germania. Nel 2009, Elisi ha commissionato un nuovo trio di K. R. Park per il Chihara Trio e ha creato il “Chihara Project” – un programma cameristico in onore del grande compositore Americano.

Enrico Elisi ha ricevuto consensi unanimi dalla critica internazionale. Nel 2005 Tim Smith del “Baltimore Sun” ha scritto di lui: “Elisi ha presentato un recital di prima classe che ha rivelato immaginazione, sensibilità e smalto. Bach si é distinto per la chiarezza di dettagli, Mozart per il tono eloquente e Chopin per il fraseggio di  rara elasticità ritmica e la raffinata poesia del contenuto”. In Italia la stampa lodò la sua “ricca musicalità” la “solida tecnica”,  il “tocco preciso” e il “sensibile rispetto per il compositore“. Le parole profetiche espresse da quel critico, la filosofia che pone l’interprete in una condizione d’umiltà nei confronti della pagina musicale, precedettero una linea di evoluzione stilistica che il leggendario pianista e direttore americano Leon Fleisher, discepolo di Arthur Schnabel, riconobbe in Elisi e continuò ad incoraggiare e sviluppare. Fleisher ha scritto del giovane pianista italiano: “egli possiede tutte le qualità del grande musicista che si distingue dai pianisti comuni”. Selezionato per una speciale borsa di studio, Elisi è divenuto assistente di Fleisher al Peabody Conservatory dell’Università Johns Hopkins di Baltimora, ed ha continuato a perfezionarsi ottenendo due lauree: il Masters of Music ed il Doctorate of Musical Arts. Prima della sua partenza per gli Stati Uniti, si è diplomato al Conservatorio di Firenze con Giuseppe Fricelli ed ha continuato i suoi studi con Lazar Berman, Alexander Lonquich e Boris Petrushansky all’Accademia Pianistica di Imola. Ha anche partecipato in alcuni master classes con rinomati musicisti tra cui Jörg Demus e Murray Perahia.

Enrico Elisi si dedica con passione all’insegnamento: dal 2008 é titolare della cattedra di pianoforte a Penn State University, in Pennsylvania, avendo insegnato precedentemente all’Università del Nevada. É regolarmente invitato a tenere master classes e concerti in USA (dove é stato ospite di decine di istituzioni), in Cina (Xiamen, Fuzhou, Hangzhou), Taiwan (Taipei, Tainan), Canada (University of British Columbia, Vancouver), Sud Corea (Seul, Daegu, Busan), e all’Accademia delle Marche, di Recanati. Nel 2007 si é alternato a Leon Fleisher e ad altri interpreti in un programma per il World Piano Pedagogy Conference.

Già membro di giuria in vari concorsi internazionali (Iowa Piano Competition, e Virginia MTA, USA – Concours de musique du Canada), Enrico Elisi continua a dedicarsi anche alla direzione artistica di alcuni festivals tra cui il festival pianistico di Las Vegas (2004-2006) e il festival di musica da camera di Green Valley, da lui fondato nel 2006. Elisi ha anche creato (e presiede) un concorso di composizione  (Arioso Musica Domani) per dar spazio ai giovani compositori (con Richard Danielpour e Paul Chihara nel comitato artistico), ha dato vita al Penn State Piano Ensemble e sta contribuendo al primo Festival di Daegu, in Sud Corea (2011).

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Paolo André Gualdi - Piano and Jazz Piano

Paolo André Gualdi began studying piano with his father at the age of five, and continued at the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy. He earned his Piano Diploma with highest honors at the Conservatory Arrigo Boito in Parma, under the tutelage of Roberto Cappello, and in 2002 he obtained a Masters Degree in Piano Performance at Carnegie Mellon University, under the guidance of Enrique Graf. He participated in master classes with György Sandor, Earl Wild, Menahem Pressler, Sergio Perticaroli, and had several years of private studies with Carlo Maria Dominici.

Maestro Gualdi has won the top prize in numerous piano competitions, including the European Competition of Ostuni, the Altruda National Competition of Vasto and the Françoise Grimaldi National Competition of San Polo. Winning the “De Martino Award” at the Ibla International Piano Competition enabled him to study at Elon University with Dr. Victoria Fischer. During this period he won the First Prize in the Southeastern Piano Competition of Whiteville, North Carolina, and the 15th Bartók-Kabalevsky International Competition in Virginia.

Thanks to these achievements, Maestro Gualdi has played recitals in Italy and the United States, both as a soloist and chamber musician. He has been a featured soloist with the Atlanta Philharmonic, Georgia Philharmonic, Ludwig Symphony, Parma Wind Orchestra, Warren Civic Orchestra, and the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra.  In Italy he has given recitals for the A.Gi.Mus., Accademia Ori, Accademia Amadeus and others. He has also performed for the International Piano Series of Charleston, American Liszt Society, Piccolo Spoleto Festival USA, Cincinnati Conservatory, and Eastman School of Music in Rochester.

Maestro Gualdi is presently pursuing a Doctorate in Piano Performance at the University of Georgia with Evgeny Rivkin. He has served on the faculties of Elon University, Emmanuel College, Oxford College of Emory University, and is currently Assistant Professor of Piano at Francis Marion University.

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Filippo Lattanzi - Percussions

(photo coming soon)

Filippo Lattanzi è stato definito, dalla più autorevole rivista specializzata Americana Percussive Notes, uno dei massimi interpreti ed esponenti del panorama mondiale della marimba e delle percussioni. Ha iniziato lo studio degli Strumenti a Percussione all’età di 6 anni. Giovanissimo ha conseguito a Bari, sooto la guida di Beniamino Forestiere, il diploma in Strumenti a Percussione con il massimo dei voti e la lode. Si è perfezionato a Parigi ove ha ottenuto per ben quattro anni consecutivi, la medaglia d’oro e il Premier Prix de la musique à l'unanimité et félicitations. Nel 1998, gli è stato conferito per la prima volta, all'unanimità della commissione il Prix Spécial de Virtuosité en Marimba. Contemporaneamente si è perfezionato con Robert Van Sice (Royal Conservatory di Rotterdam), con Michael Rosen (Oberlin College of Music di Oberlin), e con Leigh Howard Stevens (Royal Academy of Music di Londra).

L’attività artistica annovera centinaia di concerti in Italia, Canada, Francia, Germania, Grecia, Polonia, Turchia e Stati Uniti, alternando ad essa l'attività cameristica in formazioni di rilievo quali il NexTime Ensemble e l'Arnold Schoenberg Choir di Vienna, collaborando con personalità della levatura di Accardo, Argherich, Berio, Boulez, Fasolis, Globokar, Lombard, Gardiner, Maazel, Maisky, Pletnev.

Si esibisce in qualità di solista, in alcune delle sale più prestigiose del panorama internazionale, quali la Musikalle di Amburgo, l’Accademia Chopin di Varsavia, l’Accademia Concertistica di Praga, il Teatro Comunale di Bologna, l'Auditorium della RAI di Torino, il Teatro Comunale di Ferrara, il Teatro Comunale di Firenze, il Teatro Valli di Reggio Emilia, il Teatro Politeama di Palermo, l’Auditorium Giuseppe Verdi di Milano, la Victory Hall di Cleveland, la Konzertsaal KKL di Lucerna.

L’Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna, l’Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia, l’Orchestra Filarmonica G. Enescu di Bucarest, L’Orchestra Arturo Toscanini di Parma, l’Orchestra della Radio e Televisione Svizzera Italiana, l’Orchestra Milano Classica, Las Cruces Philharmonic Orchestra (USA), Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra (USA), Roanoke Symphony (USA), Adana Symphony Orchestra (Turkey), sono solo alcune realtà per le quali Filippo Lattanzi spende la sua professionalità.

Ha effettuato tournée con il NexTime Ensemble e la Compagnia di Danza Aterballetto, in Italia e Grecia, in alcuni dei più celebri teatri del panorama internazionale, inaugurando per diversi anni alcuni dei Festivals più prestigiosi del panorama Nazionale di Musica Contemporanea, quali Di Nuovo Musica (Teatro Valli di Reggio Emilia), Ferrara Musica (Teatro Comunale di Ferrara) e la Biennale di Venezia, eseguendo musiche di Xenakis, Reich e Cage.

Ha al suo attivo innumerevoli prime registrazioni assolute ed esecuzioni italiane e mondiali, di brani per marimba sola e Concerti per Marimba, Percussione e Orchestra - di autori quali Richard Rodney Bennett, Luciano Berio, Federico Biscione, Franco Donatoni, Jean Pierre Drouet, Ivan Fedele, Vinko Globokar, Gerard Grisey, Kaija Saariaho, Joseph Schwantner, Emmanuel Sejournée, Toru Takemitsu, Andrew Thomas, James Wood - per le etichette discografiche Koch-Schwann-Aulos, NAXOS, FORLANE, Radio e Televisione della Svizzera Italiana, per la RAI Radio Televisione Italiana e - in veste di solista - con la DAD RECORDS con cui annovera una decina di CD’s monografici di autori quali Bach, Bennett, Caldini, Jolivet, Reich e Schwantner.

Tiene corsi d'alto perfezionamento promossi dalla Comunità Europea, dalla Fondazione Arturo Toscanini di Parma, dall'Associazione Percussionisti Italiani, dalla International Music Teachers Association di Los Angeles, dal Oberlin College Of Music (USA), dal Cleveland Institute of Technology, dal Michigan Institute, dalla Akron University, dalla Indiana State University, dalla New Mexico State University (Las Cruces - USA), dal Percussive Arts Society (USA), dal PerKumania Percussion Festival di Parigi e dai Conservatori Statali di Musica di Bari, Trento, Cesena e Cosenza.

Ha fatto parte parte della giuria al International Marimba Competition - Parigi 2009, assieme ad alcuni dei più importanti esperti della marimba quali: Anders Åstrand (Svezia), Ivana Bilic (Croazia), Michael Burritt (Stati Uniti), Momoko Kamiya (Giappone), Marta Klimasara (Germania), Eric Sammut (Francia), Klaus Tresselt (Germania), She-e Wu (Taiwan), Nancy Zeltsman (Stati Uniti).

Filippo Lattanzi suona esclusivamente su strumenti a percussione ADAMS e piatti SABIAN, con cui si esibisce in tutto il mondo in veste di Endorser.

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Denine Leblanc - Preparatory Piano, Accompanying

Denine LeBlanc is instructor of Piano in the Preparatory Department of the University of Louisville, School of Music, and the Arts and Humanities teacher at Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary School in Louisville.  This past summer, Dr. LeBlanc toured France and Italy playing concerts featuring traditional repertoire and new music by Kentucky composers from her compact disc, entitled “The Sun Shines Bright.”  In June 2006, she was invited by the Cultural Ambassador of Macon, France to perform a solo recital of pieces exclusively from this CD.  Encouraged by the international interest in music of Kentucky composers and the success of her first solo disc, Denine LeBlanc is currently working on a new recording of recently composed works entitle, “Weep No More.”
                                     
Dr. LeBlanc has taught and performed at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan and has worked as a collaborative pianist for the Advanced Vocal Institute at the famed Interlochen Arts Camp.  She has given many lectures, including a presentation at the 1998 Music Teachers National convention based on her research in the Isidore Philipp Archives of the University of Louisville.  In addition, she has articles on Isidore Philipp published in the American Music Teacher and Clavier.

In collaboration with Rachel Grimes, a Louisville composer and pianist, Dr. LeBlanc is a co-recipient of grants from the University of Louisville Women’s Center, the Kentucky Foundation for Women, and the Kentucky Arts Council.  Denine LeBlanc is Past President of the Greater Louisville Music Teachers Association and of the Kentucky Music Teachers Association.

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Giuseppe Lupis - Piano

Giuseppe Lupis is Assistant Professor of Piano, Artist-Performer at Grand Valley State University. His interests range from Baroque to contemporary styles and from jazz to his own arrangements of popular music. As soloist Lupis has appeared in the US, South America, and Europe, and also with the Lviv, Latvian, and Bari Symphonies, the GVSU and UGA Symphony and the Ascoli Chamber Orchestra. Performance venues include among others Temple Square Concert Series, Salt Lake City, Utah; Serate Musicali, Verdi Conservatory Hall, Milan, Italy; Municipality Hall, Varna, Bulgaria; Guido Miranda Theatre, Resistencia, Argentina; Treze de Majo Theatre, Santa Maria, Brazil; Neuwied, Germany; Contemporary Music Society, Krakow, Poland; and Volyn State University, Lutsk, Ukraine.

Giuseppe Lupis performed for the American Liszt Society Festival; the Peabody Award Banquet at the Governor’s Mansion in Atlanta, Georgia; and the ACDA convention at The Clay Center in Charleston, West Virginia. He has also performed with percussionist and composer Ney Rosauro, and his live DVD recording with guitar player Scotty Anderson was released in September 2008. His compact disc of Gershwin's solo works (Phoenix label, 2000) was declared exceptional by musicologist Alberto Cantù in Il Giornale (Milan, Italy).

Previous teaching positions include the Bari and Campobasso Italian state conservatories, the G.B. Pergolesi Music Institute in Ancona, Italy, Wesleyan College, Georgia Southern University, Pittsburg State University, and Missouri Southern State University. As a pedagogue, Lupis has given masterclasses, including Chopin Music Lyceum (Krakow, Poland), Volyn State University (Lutsk, Ukraine), Pennsylvania State University, Valdosta State University, and University of Southern Mississippi; and has taught also at Blue Lakes Fine Arts Camp (Michigan), the Ascoli Piceno Festival (Italy), and the Vale Veneto Festival (Brazil).

A former pupil of renowned concert pianist Aldo Ciccolini, Lupis holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts in piano performance at the University of Georgia, under the tutelage of Richard Zimdars, and a piano performance degree earned with highest honors at the Bari Conservatory, Italy, with Pierluigi Camicia. In addition, he studied with jazz pianist Enrico Pieranunzi, and at La Scala Theatre Academy in Milan. He is a recipient of the 2005 Franz Liszt Award and the 2003 Concerto Competiton Award at the University of Georgia, and second prize winner of the 1989 Italian National Béla Bartók piano competition.

For his research on Keith Emerson's music, currently referenced in Wikipedia, and other websites, Lupis received a 2007 Excellence in Research Award from the University of Georgia. Music Sales Corporation/G. Schirmer, New York, granted him worldwide non-exclusive rights to "arrange, print, publish, and sell" Emerson's suite Tarkus. Lupis is currently writing the biography of Italian pianist Luciano Sangiorgi (1921-1992) and has recently given presentations on his work in Italy including the UNAR Hall in Rome.

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Roberto Marchionni - Clarinet

Roberto Marchionni si è diplomato brillantemente in Clarinetto presso il Conservatorio Statale di Musica “G. Rossini”di Pesaro nel 1989.
Ha continuato gli studi all’Accademia Chigiana di Siena con il M° G. Garbarino, per poi proseguire la sua formazione con il M° G. Sisillo già primo clarinetto al Teatro San Carlo di Napoli e con il M° I. Capicchioni già primo clarinetto al Teatro alla Scala.
Superata la selezione nel 1989 e nel 1991, ha frequentato il corso di formazione per professori d’orchestra promosso dalla Comunità Europea presso il Teatro di Budrio (BO), prendendo parte a produzioni presso il Teatro Comunale di Bologna ed il Festival internazionale G. Mahler di Dobbiaco.
Ha conseguito l’idoneità per l’insegnamento di Clarinetto superando le prove previste dal Concorso  Ministeriale per posti a cattedre nei Conservatori di Musica indetto con D.M. 18/7/1990.
E’ risultato idoneo alle audizioni per l’Orchestra Giovanile Italiana e per l’Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana.
Ha vinto primi e secondi premi in diversi Concorsi Internazionali quali Stresa, Capri, Moncalieri, F. Schubert di Tagliolo Monferrato, Taranto e altri, in duo con pianoforte e in quartetto di clarinetti.
Come primo clarinetto ha collaborato con l’Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana, Orchestra da Camera di Cesena, Orchestra Filarmonica di Teramo, Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia e con l’Orchestra del Rossini Opera Festival. Con quest’ultima ha effettuando registrazioni radiofoniche di alcune opere rossiniane per la RAI e la registrazione dell’opera “La Gazzetta” di G. Rossini per l’etichetta discografica Bongiovanni.
Dal 1995 come primo clarinetto nell’Orchestra Pro Arte Marche ha collaborato con artisti come G. Khun, M. De Bernard, G. Meditz, M. Nyman, R. Filippini, A. Bocelli, C. Antonacci, C. Gasdia, R. Kabainwaska, R. Bruson, D. Flores, P. Ballo, L. Bacalov e altri, in produzioni sinfoniche e liriche presso teatri come il Rossini di Pesaro, il Masini di Faenza, il Bonci di Cesena, il Ventidio Basso di Ascoli, il Lauro Rossi di Macerata, il Regio di Parma e di Piacenza.
Con la medesima orchestra ha effettuato registrazioni per la RAI e per le case discografiche BMG Classic e Dongiovanni, incidendo in prima assoluta, le opere “Il Paria” di G. Donizetti e “Paolo e Francesca” di L. Mancinelli.
Ha svolto attività concertistica in prestigiosi festival in duo con il pianoforte, con la fisarmonica, in quintetto e ottetto di fiati.
Nel Marzo del 2007 ha conseguito, con la votazione di 110 e lode, il Diploma Accademico di II livello di clarinetto con percorso solistico.
Nel Settembre del 2007 si è classificato secondo  al Concorso Internazionale dell’Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma, con la quale ha collaborato in importanti produzioni lirico-sinfoniche presso l’Auditorium della Conciliazione di Roma ed il Teatro Philharmonie di Berlino, sede della prestigiosa Orchestra Berliner Philharmoniker.
Attualmente è docente di ruolo nella classe di Clarinetto presso l’Istituto Musicale pareggiato G. B. Pergolesi di Ancona.

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Hyunjung "Rachel" Chung - Piano

Born in South Korea, pianist Hyunjung "Rachel" Chung has actively performed as recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician in France, Thailand, Canada, Korea and throughout the U.S.  She is a winner of several competitions, including the 27th Artist International New York Debut Audition, Rutgers Concerto Competition, Mannes Piano Concerto Competition and South Orange Orchestra Concerto Competition, as well as a finalist in many international piano competitions.

After presenting her New York recital debut at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall in 1996, Chung has appeared in various venues including the Bibloteque Polonaise in Paris, Church of Christ in Thailand, Symphony Space, New York University, Fisk University, Yurim Art Hall in Seoul, Korea, University of Montevallo, University of North Texas, University of Central Arkansas, and Oklahoma State University, and invited to perform in the Blue Lake Summer Arts Festival in Michigan, Hawaii International Conference for Arts and Humanities, National College Music Society Conference in Quebec City, Canada, Heber Springs Chamber Music Society, TCU/ Van Cliburn Teacher's Institute, Arkansas Music Teachers' Association (ASMTA), and Oval Art Gallery as a part of Arkansas Summer Music Series to name a few.

She has collaborated with many established instrumentalists, and served as an accompanist and orchestra pianist for the Delaware Valley Opera Company and Hudson Opera Theater in New York. As an active music educator, she has adjudicated numerous competitions such as 2008 World Pianovision Competition in Dallas, ACT-SO, UCA Annual Piano Competition, MTA/CA Sonata/Sonatine Festival, and National Federation of Music Club Audition, and served as a faculty in Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. She was also on the 2005-2007 Arkansas Arts on Tour program. From 2002 to 2006 she taught piano, aural skills, and music theory at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, AR., and currently she is Assistant Professor at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA since 2006.

Chung holds her Bachelor of Arts degree in Piano Performance from Seoul National University, her Master of Music degree and Professional Study Diploma from the Mannes College of Music in New York, and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from Rutgers - the State University of New Jersey. During her residency at Rutgers she received the Saldarini Scholarship for an outstanding piano student. Her principal teachers include Dr. Arkady Aronov, Theodore Lettvin, and Susan Starr.

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Paola Mongelli - Voice

Paola Mongelli studied piano and voice, and graduated with honors from the Conservatorio di Musica "N. Piccinni "in Bari. Mrs. Mongelli attended numerous courses, workshops and masterclasses, including: Festival della Valle d'Itria, Martina Franca, International Seminar of Music Montefiascone (Vt), Laboratorio Lirico di Spello, Master Class Julia Hamar Friends of Music of Florence; International Course for Young Opera Singers, Florence; Katia Ricciarelli Voice Academy; N. Rogers Baroque Voice Academy.

Mrs. Mongelli interpreted main roles in Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi and Boheme; the Serva Padrona by G.B. Pergolesi; Dirindina by D. Scarlatti, Il Palazzo di Atlante Incantato by L. Rossi, Elisir d'amore by G. Donizetti, Don Giovanni by W. A. Mozart.

Paola Mongelli regularly performs in concert and is involved in educational activities.

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Milton Masciadri - Double Bass

Milton Masciadri has delighted audiences in three continents with a combination of virtuosism and lyric interpretations on the double bass.

The third generation of double bass players, Born in Montevideo - Uruguay he began his studies with his father. By the age 17, he was already Co-principal Bassist with the Porto Alegre Symphony in Brazil , and at the age of 19, he was already on the faculty at the Federal University ( Brazil ). He completed his Masters and Doctorate Degrees with work under Gary Karr, Julius Levine and Lawrence Wolfe.

As a frequent recitalist and soloist with major symphony orchestras, Europe, Asia, North, Central and South America . During the summers he teaches at several international music festivals and double bass conventions in the United States, South America and Europe.

He has performed chamber music and in duo with such artists as George Bolet, Robert Mc Duffie, Aldo Parisot, Sidney Harth, Gary Karr, Francesco Petracchi, and appears in collaborations around the world with United Nations musical ambassadors.

Masciadri's enthusiasm for enlarging the repertoire of the double bass has led him to publish and premiere works of many contemporary American and South American composers including works commissioned for him by institutions like UNESCO and Funarte and others as well as making contributions of his own with numerous transcriptions and arrangements.

As well as maintaining an active schedule of concerts and master classes, Milton Masciadri is currently on the faculty of the University of Georgia , and is a "Academico" of the Philharmonic Academy of Bologna - Italy, oldest music school in Europe .

Masciadri has presented master classes in Musical institutions such as Juilliard School , Manhattan School of Music, Paris Conservatory, Guilhald School of Music in London, Moscow Conservatory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo Conservatory, Buenos Aires National Conservatory, Milan Conservatory among others.

Some of 2010 Masciadri's solo performances included renowned theaters such Municipal Theater of Sao Paulo, Castro Alves Opera House in Salvador Bahia and New York Lincoln Center “La Fenice” Opera House in Venice. Other performances in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta, Austria, Italy, Germany, Romania, Greece, Servia, Russia, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Spain, Korea, Japan, France, Costa Rica and Argentina. Masciadri will appear as major judge in several International competitions in Europe, USA and South America.

Milton Masciadri performs on a 300 year old Testore double bass; appears in the International Who's Who in Music and solo recordings on DMR, ACA & Fondazione labels. In 1998 he was designated "Unesco Artis for Peace" and holds the Medal of Honor for Academic Achievements and services to the people of Brazil awarded by the Federal System of Universities in Brazil.

REVIEWS

'.....Surpasses the limitations of the double bass...his refinement of execution, profound lyricism, perfect command of structure, and splendid vitality lead us to esteem him an exemplary musician...he reaffirmed his international fame."
El Dia, Montevideo, Uruguay

Masciadri is a double bass soloist in the true sense of the word."
Journale di Genova, Genova, Italy

"he is an unusually natural talent who plays with a flair and temperament that excites his listeners. His sound and vibrato on the double bass is rich and delightfully lyrical in all registers, a quality that distinguishes him among bassists."
Gary Karr, World Renowned Solo Bassist

'He plays with exceptional sonority, exceptional musicality."
La Nacion Buenos Aires, Argentina

When the Double Bass sings!!!.... Amazing lyrical performance of double bassist Milton Masciadri
Giornale the Voghera, Italy

Masciadri provoked admiration for his virtuosity as well as his ability to have fun.
He was the Star from beginning to end, stealing the heart of the audience.
The South Carolina News and Chronicle, Charleston

Masciadri's double bass sound was clear, sure and often claimed territories extending not only to the cello, but that of the violin. Masciadri had boldness and audacity to interpret most difficult works even for a violinist, as Paganini's.
Eleftherotipia, Athens, Greece

Grand Triumph of the Double Bass in Meersburg. ... Milton Masciadri knew how to bring bravos and encores to the audience
The Sudkurier, Germany

Masciadri was able to extract from his Testore Double Bass sounds and effects that only great artists know how.... Impeccable execution permeated of great musicality and filled with the highest sensibility, all this evidence also of great technique and elegant phrasing
IL Citadino, Monza , Milano

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Kye Ryung (Karen) Park - Composition

As a resident of both Asia and the United States, composer Kye Ryung (Karen) Park has worked to integrate many aspects of multi-cultural musical elements into her own artistic identity.  She is an accomplished pianist as well as an active Kayagum player.  Kye Ryung is recognized for her compositions for solo, small and large ensembles. 

Her music compositions have been played at numerous music festivals and conferences including the International Festival of Women Composers, Nevada Encounters of New Music, Pan Music Festival, June in Buffalo and College Music Society's Regional and National Conferences.  Recently her piano suite Reminiscences (2008) was broadcast on KGCS radio in Missouri.  Future premieres of her music also include performances in Egypt, Taiwan, and Korea in 2010.  Kye Ryung’s music has been published in the United States and Asia.

Kye Ryung earned her PhD and master's degrees in music composition and theory from UCLA after also completing her bachelor's degree in music composition at Seoul National University.  She has studied with renowned composers Ian Krouse, Paul Chihara, Roger Bourland, Paul Reale, and Byung Dong Paik.

Kye Ryung's expert research involves the music of Benjamin Britten and stylistic pluralism.  Her paper was presented at the College Music Society's International Conference in Thailand.  Her current interdisciplinary research and performance project, Asian Women in Comfort deals with incorporating Western elements into Asian music and dance.  Kye Ryung Park has served on the faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and California State University, Fresno teaching composition and theory. 

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Malgorzata Staszewska - Violin

Malgorzata Staszewska holds a Doctorate in violin performance with a minor in viola performance from the University of Georgia Athens (United States) and a Masters Degree in violin performance from the Cracow Music Conservatory (Poland). During the years of her professional experience she enjoyed performing as a recital soloist and chamber musician, as well as a concertmaster and a member of orchestral ensembles, such as Capella Cracoviensis, Cracow Radio and Television Symphony, Ocmulgee Symphony, Macon Symphony, and Heidelberger Sinfoniker. The main focus of Dr. Staszewska’s professional career is sharing her passion for music by teaching violin and viola in public and private schools and maintaining an active private studio.

As a faculty of the music schools in the Atlanta area, Dr. Staszewska enjoyed the continuous success of her pupils in All-State Auditions, Georgia Talent Competition, and Athens Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. She was also serving as a chamber music instructor and a violin teacher at the UGA Summer Music Camp and gave Master Classes at the Gardner Violin Academy in Winder, Georgia. Recently her teaching and performing activities moved to Koblenz, Germany. Ten years of international teaching experience with contagious enthusiasm for music allow her students to learn quickly, achieve success, and grow up musically into fine artists.

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