ANIMUS

ANIMUS, a dynamic Eastern Mediterranean World Fusion Instrumental Music Ensemble based in Philadelphia, blends Greek, Turkish, Middle Eastern, Latin and contemporary global musical traditions. Led by multi-instrumentalist Bill Koutsouros, the group creates immersive live experiences with soaring melodies, intricate rhythms, and a vibrant mix of traditional and modern instrumentation. www.animusmusic.com

Videos:

Kārlis Bukovskis

Kārlis Bukovskis, 22 year old pianist from Latvia, entered Curtis Institute of Music in 2022, and studies with professor Robert McDonald. Kārlis is John J. Medveckis Fellow.He has participated in concerts and festivals in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, France, Georgia, United States, Russia, Uzbekistan, and performed with various orchestras - Pskov and Kaunas Symphony Orchestras, and Lithuanian and Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestras. Kārlis is a winner of many international competitions and awarded with Ministry of Culture of Latvia prize in 2014 and 2016. Summer of 2023 he was a student at Fontainebleau Schools Of Music And Fine Arts and won the first prize at Prix Ravel. He also has participated in prestigious masterclasses, such as masterclass with Yuja Wang, Jonathan Biss, Leif Ove Andsnes, Robert Levine, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Eliso Virsaladze and Sir András Schiff.

Website: https://karlisbukovskis.com/
Instagram: @KarlisBukovskis

Video:

Bijoux Saxophone Duo: Aiwen Zhang and Valentin Kovalev with Maria Dell’Orefice, piano 

The Paris Conservatory was where saxophonists Aiwen Zhang and Valentin Kovalev first began their artistic journey. As the only two saxophonists admitted to this world-renowned institution in 2018, they quickly forged a partnership built on shared vision and musical excellence. In 2020, they moved from France to the United States to continue their studies at the University of Michigan. Since 2022, they have been based in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square, where they live with their two daughters and a lively household of three cats and one dog.  They will perform Shostakovich’s Shostakovich’s Five Pieces for Two Violins (arr. for soprano and alto saxophones) and Piano:

· I. Prelude (Moderato)
· II. Gavotte (Tranquillo, animato)
· III. Elegy (Andantino)
· IV. Waltz (Tempo di valzer)
· V. Polka (Allegretto)

https://www.valentinkovalev.com/
Aiwen Zhang

Maria Dell’Orefice, a classical pianist and avid violinist, has played in the Philadelphia Orchestra and shared the stage with a multitude of performers including Chris Botti, Alexander Markov, Francesca DePasquale and Justin Guarini. While Maria frequently presents solo and collaborative performances in the Philadelphia area, she has also performed solo piano in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and performed with multiple orchestras on the Marian Anderson Hall stage at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Maria has been musical director for the Delaware Valley Opera Company and Wilmington Concert Opera and she made her debut in the Walnut Street Theatre pit orchestra with their production of Elf the Musical. Maria is the pianist for the Haverford College choirs, Staff Pianist Artist in Residence at Temple University and Staff Pianist at the University of Delaware as well as an Executive Board Member of Local 77-274, Philadelphia’s Musicians’ Union. Maria has studied under Charles Abramovic, Lambert Orkis, Jane Abbott-Kirk, and Sheila Paige and is an advocate of the Taubman technique. She earned her B.M. in Piano Performance from Baylor University in Waco, TX and a double M.M. in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

facebook.com/mariadelloreficemusic
https://www.youtube.com/@mariadelloreficemusic/playlists
mariadellorefice.com

Videos:

Two Wings, Two Biscuits Jazz Quartet featuring Tony Miceli, vibraphone, Diane Monroe, violin, Tom Kraines, cello and Nimrod Speaks, bass

Internationally renowned jazz vibraphonist Tony Miceli has established himself as one of the primary voices on the mallet instrument, winning hearts and minds wherever he plays.  His achievements, however, go much further beyond.  A sought-after recording artist, Miceli is an inspired educator who delivers vibraphone master classes the world over, enriching the students of Ireland, Germany, South Korea, Italy, for example, with an accompanying concert finale.  Miceli promotes the instrument through his brainchild, vibesworkshop.com, a virtual meeting place and teaching tool for some 4000 student and professional members.  He is also the co-creator of the World Vibes Congress, a formal gathering of players who share the desire to bring public awareness to the vibraphone.  It is worth noting that Miceli is part of Team Omega, an elite group of vibes players that includes only three others, headliners David Friedman, Joe Locke, and Stefon Harris.  At All About Jazz, Victor Schermer describes him as 

“... a vibraphonist of astonishing virtuosity, musical resilience, and inventiveness. His vibes playing is nothing short of phenomenal.”  

www.tonymiceli.com/twtb

Diane Monroe, with firm piano and folk guitarist/singer-songwriter beginnings, became accomplished as both a classical violinist/chamber artist, and jazzimproviser/composer. Her jazz memberships include Max RoachDouble Quartet, Uptown String Quartet, String Trio of New York, with recordings on the Philips, Black Saint, and Koch and Innova records. Monroe won the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage Fellowship and Project Grants, the Phila Clef Club’s Jazz Legacy Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Musical Fund Society of Phila. She has performed string quartets withYo-Yo Ma and as a jazz soloistwith Jon Faddis’ Big Band, Cincinnati Pops, and with John Blake Jr., Odean Pope. Bobby Zankel, Tom Lawton, Uri Caine, Tony Miceli and many others. Venues include Carnegie Hall, Switzerland’ Tonhalle, and the Kennedy Center.

Thomas Kraines, a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School, has gained renown as a versatile cellist, composer, and teacher. He performs around the world as the cellist of the Daedalus Quartet, and as a member of a duo with his wife, violinist Juliette Kang, as well as with the Network for New Music, the Arcana Ensemble, and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. Kraines’ solo cello and chamber compositions have been heard around the country. He has performed his own works in collaboration with artists such as Awadagin Pratt, Mimi Stillman, Maria Jette, and Ilana Davidson. He frequently performs as a cross-genre improviser, and has shared the stage with distinguished performers such as Marshall Allen, Diane Monroe, John Butcher, Dan Blacksberg, and Isabelle Duthoit, among many others. As a member of the Daedalus Quartet, Kraines has recorded the music of Joan Tower, Brian Buch, Anna Weesner, Vivian Fung, Fred Lerdahl, and George Perle, among others. He can also be heard on the recordings of music by Lori Laitman and Bernard Rands, both for Albany Records; John Musto, with Music from Copland House; and Shulamit Ran, with the Peabody Trio.  

Born in Philadelphia, Pa, Nimrod Speaks is a well-trained bassist, composer and educator both on electric and double bass. He began playing at the age of 16 on an electric fender bass while in high school under the tutorship of Ricardo Jackson. He later was introduced to the double bass during his first semester in college. He brings his individual soulful tone to many styles of music. Much of his musical studies in classical and jazz concentration include training with Ben Blazer, Ralph Bowen, Douglas Mapp, Conrad Hewig, Maria Cadieux, Scott Lee, Kevin Kjos, Mike Richmond, Victor Lewis, Vic Juris, and Stanley Cowell. While obtaining a B.A in Music Education from Kutztown University and a Masters in Jazz Studies from Rutgers University, these schools landed him opportunities to play with renowned artist of today. Some include Boostie Barnes, Ronnie Burrage, Doc Gibbs, Hannible Lokumbe including performance at premier jazz venues such as the Blue Note in NYC and the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.

Video:

Mimi Stillman

Mimi Stillman, one of the foremost flutists of her generation, captivates audiences with her technical prowess, insightful interpretation, and compelling artistry. Praised by The New York Times as “not only a consummate and charismatic performer, but also a scholar, whose programs tend to activate ear, heart, and brain.” She has performed as soloist with major orchestras including The Philadelphia Orchestra, The President’s Own Marine Chamber Orchestra, Bach Collegium Stuttgart, and at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center, La Jolla Chamber Music Society, Verbier Festival (Switzerland), and Kol HaMusica (Israel). She is founding Artistic Director of the renowned Dolce Suono Ensemble (DSE), a Philadelphia-based chamber music group whose projects include repertoire from Baroque to new music with 73 world premières in 21 seasons. A Spanish speaker, Stillman is passionate about Dolce Suono Ensemble’s Música en tus Manos (Music in Your Hands) engagement initiative with Philadelphia’s Latino communities, featuring chamber and popular music by Latino and Latin American composers. She is a highly effective educator who has taught masterclasses for the National Flute Association, Eastman School of Music, École Normale de Musique de Paris, and universities and conservatories throughout the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Mimi is faculty Artist-in-Residence at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance and Instructor in Music and Art at the celebrated Barnes Foundation. She holds a BM from the Curtis Institute of Music, where at age 12 she was the youngest wind player ever admitted, and an MA in history from the University of Pennsylvania. She integrates her extensive scholarship in her recording projects, published writings, speaking engagements, and media appearances, and is a powerful ambassador for her art form. 

mimistillman.com 
dolcesuono.com

Videos:

Küf Knotz and Christine Elise

Küf Knotz (Producer/MC) and Christine Elise (Harpist/Vocalist) have brought their unique blend of hip-hop, soul and classical traditions to various communities across the country. The unlikely pair connected and built a musical bond with a similar vision to creating positive, forward thinking music fusing boom bap era and lo-fi inspired beats supported by the harp. Their performance takes you on an era fusing, genre blending journey. And, you can dance to it. The duo has been featured on Sugarshack Sessions & NPR Music.

Links:

Instagram: @christineeliseharp | @kufknotz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kufknotzchristineelise
Venmo:  https://venmo.com/u/highergrounds

www.kufknotz.com

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Hun Hazy

Hun Hazy is a Chicago-based Mongolian fusion duo founded by Tamir Hargana and Naizal Hargana. Known for their innovative blend of tradition and modernity, they combine the sounds of the Morin Khuur (horse-head fiddle) and Tovshuur (Mongolian lute) with Khoomei, the ancient art of throat singing. Their music creates a rich, textured sonic experience that bridges centuries-old Mongolian nomadic traditions with contemporary and global influences. Tamir is a multi-instrumentalist who has won numerous throat-singing competitions across Mongolia, Russia, Tuva, and China. Naizal is a master of the Morin Khuur and former leading soloist of the Inner Mongolian Youth Choir's Morin Khuur Ensemble. Together, they offer audiences a captivating glimpse into Mongolia's vibrant musical heritage.

Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamirhargana/?hl=en
Support/Donations (Venmo/Zelle): tamier.fnu@gmail.com

Videos:

Noëlle Streuber-Eden

Fresh off a whirlwind European tour with the National Youth Orchestra--passport stamped, bow rosined, jet lag conquered--Noëlle Streuber-Eden is delighted to return to the Szalon for its 40th anniversary alongside her favorite partner-in-keys, Maria Dell'Orefice. Since her 2021 debut in the Greater Chicago area, Noëlle has enchanted audiences with virtuosic, inspired performances whose maturity belie her age. A YoungArts winner, second-place laureate of the 2026 Opus National Competition, and inaugural winner of the Pennsylvania German Society's Platinum Award for Outstanding Musician at this year's Boesendorfer Competition, she has graced renowned stages including Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center, the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and Iceland's Harpa, and has performed in master classes for some of today's most celebrated violinists. She is a soloist and rotating concertmaster for Temple University Music Prep's Youth Chamber Orchestra and the violinist of the Myer Schwartz Trio, a 2026 Fischoff semifinalist, and her trophy shelf groans under first prizes from concerto and solo competitions across the country and beyond. When not making strings sing, Noëlle balances her passion for music with neuroscience, biology, and the discerning supervision of her two feline companions, Maxim (Vengerov) and Jascha (Heifetz).

Links:
Website: http://noelleviolin.art/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@noelleviolin

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The Primavera Fund

The Primavera Fund, founded in 2014, is dedicated to mentoring and financially sustaining the musical ambitions of young, promising Philadelphians. As Philadelphia’s premiere merit-based program for aspiring musicians, we remove significant financial barriers by fully funding all musical activities, including private lessons, ensemble programs, and high-quality instrument loans. Our Directors, who possess a combined 45 years of professional performing and educational experience, provide personalized mentorship and guidance to each Primavera Artist. This individualized, comprehensive approach has yielded unparalleled success: our graduates have a 100% acceptance rate to top conservatories and universities, including prestigious institutions such as The Juilliard School, Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, and Princeton University. Our alumni are now shaping the future of music as professional performers, teachers, composers, and recording artists. 

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