amazing artists

Born in Ekaterinburg, Russia, Natasha Bazhanov began playing violin at the age of five. After winning several regional youth competitions, she made her solo debut with Ural State Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of nine and later was invited to Moscow Central Music School to join the class of professor Belenky.

Winston Choi’s residency has been made possible by the generosity of Jim Johnson.

Winner of the 2002 Orléans Concours International and Laureate of the 2003 Honens International Piano Competition, Canadian pianist Winston Choi is an inquisitive performer whose fresh approach to standard repertory, and masterful understanding, performance and commitment to works by living composers, make him one of today’s most dynamic young concert artists.

Timothy Christie’s residency has been made possible by the generosity of an Anonymous donor.

Violinist and violist Timothy Christie enjoys a multifaceted career as performer, teacher, public speaker and recording artist. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival (WWCMF), a nonprofit organization in southeastern Washington presenting more than 40 public chamber music events annually.

Andy Clausen is a New York-based composer, trombonist, bandleader, and graduate of The Juilliard School. Hailing from Seattle, Clausen relocated to NYC in 2010 where he enjoys a diverse schedule collaborating with filmmakers, folk and blues artists, classical composers, as well as New York's jazz elite.

Flutist Tracy Doyle is the Director of the School of Music at the University of Puget Sound. Previously, Tracy spent fifteen years at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado, where she taught applied flute and courses in music education. Advocacy, equity, and community engagement are at the heart of Tracy’s work as a musician, educator, and leader.

Russian-born pianist Oksana Ejokina appears frequently as guest recitalist and chamber musician in concert series across the United States and abroad. She has soloed with the Seattle Symphony, St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic, and Tacoma Symphony, and performed in Washington DC, Seattle, Olympia, San Francisco, and Turkey.

Finnish-born cellist Katri Ervamaa, DMA, is a versatile performer, who specializes in chamber music, new music and creative improvisation. She has performed and given master classes throughout North America, Europe and Taiwan.

Born in Riga, Latvia, into a family of violinists, Artur Girsky began playing violin at age five. He studied with Maya Glezarova at the Moscow Central Music School and with Felix Andrievsky at the Royal College of Music in London.

Soprano Jennifer Goltz-Taylor specializes in new chamber music, opera, and cabaret. Her reputation for interpretive sensitivity, vocal virtuosity, musical precision, and creativity as a performer has inspired Michael Daugherty, Robert Morris, Andrew Mead, Evan Chambers, Forrest Pierce, Stephen Rush, and many others to compose for her.

Matthew Johnson is an American saxophonist and educator whose work spans solo, chamber, orchestral, and educational settings. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University.

Haven Kahn is an American classical saxophonist recognized for his work as both a soloist and chamber musician. He earned his Bachelor of Music in performance from James Madison University, where he studied with David Pope, and is currently pursuing a Master of Music at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University under Taimur Sullivan.

Philip Kleutgens is an emerging artist and educator based in Chicago, IL. A versatile and accomplished saxophonist, he has earned top prizes at prestigious competitions such as the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, MTNA National Competitions, NASA Collegiate Competitions, and the Chesapeake National Chamber Music Competition.

Norbert Lewandowski’s residency has been made possible by the generosity of Jamie Guerin & Ingrid Heintzberger-Vu.

Norbert Lewandowski was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and began cello studies at the age of 13. He holds a Master's degree in performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music and currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina, where he is the principal cellist of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

Addison Maye-Saxon is a trombone player and educator based in New York City. Born in Simi Valley, California, Addison embarked on a cross-country journey to immerse himself in classical music and discovered a deep passion for contemporary music along the way. He is an alumnus of The Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Yale School of Music.

Violinist Christina McGann has been a featured performer as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician at the Kennedy Center, the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, New York City’s Merkin Hall, Symphony Space, and Bargemusic, and at various venues throughout the US, Korea, El Salvador, and Europe.

Praised for his “sweet, luxurious” sound (Fanfare), and the “thoughtfulness and seriousness” (Nashville Scene) of his interpretations, violinist Stephen Miahky serves as the Joseph Joachim Professor of Violin and First Violin of the Blair String Quartet at Vanderbilt University.

Clarinetist Rane Moore is acclaimed for her insightful and compelling interpretations across a wide spectrum of repertoire, from the classical canon to cutting-edge contemporary works to jazz. Known for her artistry, versatility, and deep commitment to community, she is the co-Artistic Director of Winsor Music, a beloved Boston-area chamber music series and community outreach organization.

Riley Mulherkar has been recognized as a “smart young trumpet player” by The New York Times, praised by The Wall Street Journal as a “youngster to keep an eye on,” and is a 2020 recipient of Lincoln Center’s Emerging Artist Award for his work as “an original bandleader, composer, arranger, educator, community activist and advocate for jazz and the arts.”

Hudson O’Reilly is a rising saxophonist based in Evanston, IL. Hudson has found success in a variety of competitions, including first prize at the 2025 Vandoren Emerging Artists Competition.

Violinist/violist Philip Payton is a member of the American Symphony, American Modern Ensemble, Furiant Trio, and Vital String Quartet. He also performs in Alarm Will Sound, American Ballet Theater, Colour of Music, Harlem Chamber Players, New Jersey Symphony, Nu Deco Ensemble, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Santa Fe Opera, Sarasota Orchestra, and several others.

A consistently exciting artist, renowned globally for her spectacular technique, sumptuous sound, deeply probing musicianship, and“irresistible panache” (Chicago Tribune), violinist Rachel Lee Priday has appeared as soloist with major international orchestras.

John Popham, “a very fine artist” (Fanfare), is a critically acclaimed cellist and educator based in Brooklyn, NY.  A versatile and dynamic performer, he has collaborated with a wide-range of composers, musicians, and performing artists both within the United States and abroad.

With “a special ability to present touching interpretations” (El Norte), Brazilian pianist Ronaldo Rolim is a prominent figure among the newest generation of outstanding musicians.

Chloe Rowlands is a Brooklyn-based trumpet player, composer, arranger, and music educator. Born in Seattle and raised in Phoenix, she moved to NYC in 2010 to study at The New School College of Performing Arts, where she now holds a faculty position teaching private trumpet lessons, jazz ensembles, and improvisation.

Maria Sampen, Professor of Violin at University of Puget Sound, enjoys a vibrant career as concerto soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and teacher. Equally at home with repertoire ranging from classical to avant-garde to popular styles, Dr. Sampen has delighted audiences with her eclectic programs, her passionate performance style, and her highly expressive playing.

Josh Skinner is the Manager of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho. He has served as an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth and professor of Double Bass and Jazz Studies at Utah State University and BYU-Idaho. Skinner has been involved with planning every aspect of jazz festivals for over ten years, including the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, the UNC-Greeley Jazz Festival, and the Head of the Lakes Jazz Festival.

Synchrony Quartet is a Chicago-based saxophone quartet dedicated to the performance of contemporary music and to fostering meaningful collaboration between performers, composers, and local arts communities.

The Westerlies are a New York based brass quartet comprised of four childhood friends from Seattle, Washington: Riley Mulherkar and Zubin Hensler on trumpet, and Andy Clausen and Willem de Koch on trombone.

Formed in 2011, the self-described “accidental brass quartet” take their name from the prevailing winds from the West to the East.

A multi-faceted performer with unique communicative abilities, MingHuan Xu has delighted audiences with her passion, effortless technique, sensitivity and charisma. Her versatility allows her to perform an eclectic mix of musical styles ranging from the standard works to avant-garde contemporary repertoire.

Xiaohui Yang’s residency has been made possible by the generosity of The Estate of Bryan Ford.

Chinese pianist Xiaohui Yang, a winner of the 2017 Naumburg International Piano Competition has been hailed by the press as a "tastefully polished musician" (Haaretz, Israel)  and “a magician of sound and virtuosity” (La Libre, Belgium).