COMMUNITY CONCERTS
DACAMERA presents dozens of community concerts each season. For details on these events visit the Free Events page.
A LITTLE DAY MUSIC
A Little Day Music is a series of free concerts presented at noon on the first Wednesday of the month, October thorugh May, in the Wortham Theater Center’s Grand Foyer. Each concert is designed to deliver DACAMERA’s signature programming to an audience including senior citizens, downtown professionals, and homeschooled students. The series features a variety of chamber music and jazz, presented in an accessible one-hour concert format. Audiences are invited to enjoy their lunch while listening to the music. Click here for the events calendar.
STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN!
Stop, Look and Listen! is a series of free chamber music and jazz concerts presented in one of Houston’s most inspiring and stimulating environments, the world-renowned Menil Collection. These museum concerts feature unconventional, interactive concert formats and fun, adventurous musical selections. The programs are often designed to celebrate specific artwork on display in the museum. Click here for the free events calendar.
JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH
Celebrate Jazz in Houston during April, The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM).
DACAMERA JAM at Discovery Green is a series of free concerts presented in April at Discovery Green in downtown Houston featuring jazz vocalists and instrumentalists from the Greater Houston area. The series is presented by Discovery Green and DACAMERA with guest artistic advisor Robert “Doc” Morgan, a retired jazz educator from Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts who has taught some of today’s great jazz performers. Recent performers have included Sammy Miller and the Congregation, Mwenso and the Shakes, and Red Baraat.
DACAMERA YOUNG ARTISTS AT THE MFAH
Several times each season, DACAMERA Young Artists perform in concerts in conjunction with exhibitions at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Recent performances were inspired by Vincent Van Gogh: His Life in Art and Peacock in the Desert: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
MUSIC ENCOUNTERS
Music Encounters is a DACAMERA initiative that brings classical music and jazz into students’ core-curricular classrooms throughout Houston. The mission of the program is to establish creative learning environments that support the Texas Essential Knowledge Skills (TEKS) by promoting collaboration between artists, students and classroom teachers.
Learn more about Music Encounters including sample lessons and videos. DACAMERA’s Music Encounters and DACAMERA’s program at Travis Elementary’s TREK program and The Hub are supported by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Arts Respond.
DACAMERA YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM
The DACAMERA Young Artist Program is a chamber music fellowship program for emerging professional instrumentalists, singers and composers. This program is designed to achieve two goals:
1) Provide career-expanding experiences and training to the next generation of artists, encouraging them to create music for the community throughout their careers .
2) Offer young students and neglected audiences exposure to great music and talented performers, using music as a vehicle for scholastic exploration and inspiration.
MENTORS IN MUSIC
Mentors in Music is a series of master classes in which Houston’s most talented student musicians have an opportunity to work directly with DACAMERA guest artists. Most master classes are open to the public although some are exclusive to certain school partners.
DACAMERA has presented master classes by soprano Dawn Upshaw, violinist Geoff Nuttall of the St. Lawrence Quartet (pictured above with a DACAMERA Young Artist), the Brentano String Quartet and many more.
JASON MORAN: HOMECOMING RESIDENCY
From 2014 to 2017, DACAMERA hosted “Homecoming,” a multi-year residency with jazz pianist/composer and Houston native Jason Moran, presented in partnership with the University of Houston’s Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. Jason Moran lead activities engaging Houston’s historic Third and Fourth Ward communities and presented public programs such as the world premiere of Holed Up. Moran’s residency featured in-school and community programs with his ensemble The Bandwagon, focusing on an exploration of the interconnected relationships between jazz, neighborhood, community and visual art. Visit the residency page. The Homecoming residency inspired additional residency activities in subsequent seasons with Houston native artists Robert Glasper, Kendrick Scott and Helen Sung.
FINDING HOME – ENCONTRANDO HOGAR
Finding Home is a residency that explores folk music and chamber music through discussions of the meaning of the music as it relates to immigration and the student’s family history of immigration. Throughout the 2020-21 academic year, DACAMERA Young Artist collaborated with schoolchildren at Wharton Dual Language Academy, Briarmeadow Charter School and Ortiz Middle School to create interactive performances featuring folk music that is important to each community. Students researched folk music from their community while reflecting on their family history. A DACAMERA Young Artist composer then arranged some of those pieces chosen by students, for string quartet or solo harp.
Encontrando Hogar es una programa que explora la música folklórica y música de cámara a través discusiones de la significancia de la música en imigracion y la historia de las familias de los estudiantes. Durante los años académicos 2020 a 2021, los Artistas Jóvenes de DACAMERA se colaboraron con estudiantes en Wharton Academia de Lenguajes Dual, Escuela Chárter de Briarmeadow y La Escuela Intermedia Ortiz a crear actuaciones interactivos que incluyen la música más importante en cada comunidad. Los estudiantes investigaron las músicas folklóricas de sus comunidades y reflejaron en las historias de sus familias. Entonces, un compositor de DACAMERA arregló esas canciones que fueron elegidas por los estudiantes para el cuarteto de cuerdas o el arpa.
EXPLORE THESE RESIDENCIES FOR YOURSELF
These Finding Home residencies were generously funded in part by the Edaren Foundation and The Powell Foundation.
If you are interested in hosting a Finding Home residency at your school, please contact Ellie Parker, Director of Education and Community Initiatives | eparker@dacamera.com
HOMECOMING RESIDENCY
In the fall of 2014, DACAMERA launched the Jason Moran Homecoming Residency, a multi-year residency with the jazz pianist/composer and Houston native, presented in partnership with the University of Houston’s Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. Jason Moran is leading activities engaging Houston’s historic Third and Fourth Ward communities. Moran’s residency features in-school and community programs with his ensemble The Bandwagon, focusing on an exploration of the interconnected relationships between jazz, neighborhood, community and visual art.
The Jason Moran Homecoming Residency is organized in partnership with the University of Houston Mitchell Center for the Arts and has been made possible by support from the Lynne Murray, Sr. Educational Foundation and Chamber Music America through its Residency Endowment Fund.
Jason Moran Homecoming Residency – Year 3
Year three of the Jason Moran Homecoming residency kicked off with a public performance on DACAMERA’s jazz series of Jason Mason Presents In My Mind: Monk at Town Hall, 1959 at Wortham Theater Center. Moran has continued to lead activities engaging Houston students and communities.
In January, Jason Moran led workshops and a jam session with student musicians at artist Tierney Malone’s installation at Project Row Houses, The Jazz Church of Houston. These activities were organized by the Mitchell Center.
In April, Jason Moran returns to Discovery Green for a free Jazz Appreciation Month performance, in a trio with bass player Chris Walker and drummer Denardo Coleman.
Jason Moran Homecoming Residency – Year 2
Year two of the residency featured Moran leading activities engaging Houston students and communities. Moran’s residency features in-school and community programs, focusing on an exploration of the interconnected relationships between music, neighborhood, community and visual art.
In February, Moran conducted a master class with HSPVA jazz combo and lead a workshop of the new pieces created in a collaborative storytelling project involving students from the the HSPVA Creative Writing department and the Jazz combo. At MacGregor Elementary, he performed alongside students at this alma mater in a Black History Month performance and returned to Gregory Lincoln Education Center. On February 24, Jason Moran presented the annual Artist Talk at the Contemporary Art Museum Houston. In collaboration with the University of Houston Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts and DACAMERA, CAMH welcomed Moran in conjunction with Jennie C. Jones: Compilation. Moran examined Jones’s use of experimental jazz to inform her aesthetic and conceptual approaches to art making.
The public highlight of year 2 was Meet Me at MacGregor, presented by the University of Houston Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts as part of CounterCurrent 2016.
“Using the basketball court as our stage and having the music fill the park…of and for the community of Houston. ” – Jason Moran
The trailblazing pianist, Jason Moran, creates a musical event in the park where he spent so many Sundays growing up in Houston. Originally conceived as an outdoor day of live music, the event was moved indoors to the Shrine of the Black Madonna. It featured, as befits a homecoming, musical guests flowing in and out of the band. Jason Moran’s trio the Bandwagon performed, and were later joined for a set by legendary Houston vocalist Horace Grigsby. DJ Cypher played tracks between sets. The final set featured Moran in a duo setting with Houston native drummer Chris Dave.
The Residency – Year 1
Jason Moran made his first visit to Houston in September 2014, with visits to MacGregor Elementary, Gregory Lincoln Middle School and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Jason also visited with Da Camera Young Artists, who will continue to visit the schools involved in the residency and work with the students on year-long projects.
Holed Up Premiere
The first year of the Jason Moran Homecoming Residency included the creation and world premiere of The Rauschenberg Project–Holed Up, an exploration of the work of visual artist Robert Rauschenberg, commissioned by Da Camera. Moran collaborated with celebrated Houston-based visual artist Robert Pruitt, a member of the provocative collective Otabenga Jones & Associates. Rauschenberg, a fellow Texan, has been a major influence on Moran’s work. For this multimedia project, Jason Moran collaborated with Pruitt and expanded his celebrated trio, The Bandwagon, to include a special guest from Houston’s jazz scene, vocalist Horace Grigsby, and guitarist Marvin Sewell.
Holed Up images by Pin Lim/Forest Photography.
Jazz Appreciation Month performance at Discovery Green
On April 30, Da Camera celebrated the conclusion of year one of the Homecoming Residency at Da Camera JAM at Discovery Green. Jason Moran performed with students from the HSPVA Jazz department to a crowd of over 1,500. Da Camera celebrate Jazz in Houston during April, The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) (smithsonianjazz.org). The series is organized by Discovery Green and Da Camera with guest artistic advisor Robert “Doc” Morgan, a retired jazz educator from Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) who has taught some of today’s great jazz performers. Morgan was honored by his former students at Discovery Green’s very first concert in 2008.
DACAMERA YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM
The DACAMERA Young Artist program is a fellowship program for emerging professional instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers. The goal of the program is to encourage musicians to develop the skills necessary to become passionate, forward-thinking and community-focused “citizen artists;” that is, artists who reimagine the traditional notions of their music-making and embrace the role of contributing to society through the transformative power of their art and proactive social engagement. DACAMERA Young Artists participate in an exciting variety of performances, workshops and school visits. Young Artists perform at the Wortham Center; The Menil Collection; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; and area hospitals and libraries. They are also the principal teaching artists for DACAMERA’s innovative Music Encounters program.
The 2022/2023 Young Artists are: Jeongwon An, violin; Jalen Baker, vibraphone; Andrea Benabent, piano; David Dietz, cello; Chris Ellis, cello; Arthur Gilligan, percussion; Hanna Hrybkova, violin; Jillian Krempasky, mezzo-soprano; Ariel Lee, violin; Daniel Leibovic, composer; Weilan Li, viola; Jonathan Mak, piano; Pablo Martinez, piano; James McAloon Jr., trumpet; Gavin Moolchan, drums; Shannon Murray, soprano; Keeheon Nam, clarinet; Hunter O’Brien, flute; Lauren Ross, viola; Kelsey Sham, harp; Ethan Soledad, composer; Teresa Wang, violin
Click below the photo to learn more about each DACAMERA Young Artist. Look for upcoming performances by the Young Artists on our Free Events page.
Current DACAMERA Young Artists can click here to access the Young Artist Resources Page.
Jeongwon An
Violin
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DACAMERA Young Artist violinist Jeongwon An currently studies at the Shepherd School of Music with Paul Kantor, and graduated from the Eastman School of Music under Oleh Krysa. She has performed at international festivals including Mozarteum Sommerakademie, IMS Prussia Cove, and Aspen Music Festival, and worked with Pierre Amoyal, Donald Weilerstein, and Anthony Marwood. Additionally, she performed the U.S. premiere of Yevhen Stankovych’s “Almost Serenade” for Two Violins in recital with Oleh Krysa. As an avid chamber musician, she has performed at the Kennedy Center and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and received the Peter Salaff Prize in Chamber Music from Eastman. Jeongwon is currently playing on a 1703 G.B. Rogeri violin, generously on loan from the Maestro Foundation.
La violinista Jóven Artista de DACAMERA Jeongwon An estudia en la Shepherd School of Music con Paul Kantor, y se graduó en Eastman School of Music con Oleh Krysa. Ha interpretado en festivales. internacionales incluyendo Mozarteum Sommerakademie, IMS Prussia Cove y Aspen Music Festival, y ha trabajado con Pierre Amoyal, Donald Weilerstein y Anthony Marwood.
Adicionalmente, ha interpretado en el estreno estadounidense de “Almost Serenade” para Dos Violines de Yevhen Stankovych en recital con Oleh Krysa. Como ávido intérprete de música de cámara, ha interpretado en el Kennedy Center y el Walt Disney Concert Hall, y ha recibido el Premio Peter Salaff en Música de Cámara en Eastman. Jeongwon toca un violín G. B. Rogeri de 1703, generosamente prestado por la Maestro Foundation.
Jalen Baker
Vibraphone
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Jalen Baker is a vibraphonist and composer born in Washington, DC. and raised in Houston, TX. He received a BA in Jazz Studies from Columbia College Chicago and a MM in Jazz Studies from Florida State University. Jalen distinguished himself at both and was a Next Gen All Star and Ravinia Jazz Fellow. An active musician while matriculating, he led his own band and played with various quartets, most recently with Ulysses Owens Jr. and Jeremy Pelt. A recipient of the Jazz Roads touring grant, he has also been featured with several organizations such as the Savannah Jazz Orchestra and DACAMERA of Houston. In June 2021, Jalen released his debut album “This is me This is Us” on Outside in Music.
Jalen Baker es un vibrafonista y compositor nacido en Washington, DC. y criado en Houston, TX. Recibió su licenciatura en Estudios de Jazz en Columbia College Chicago y una maestría en Estudios de Jazz en Florida State University. Jalen se distinguió en ambos y fue un Next Gen All Star y miembro de Ravinia Jazz. Siendo un músico activo mientras estaba matriculado, lideró su propia banda e interpretó con varios cuartetos, más recientemente con Ulysses Owens Jr. y Jeremy Pelt. Galardonado con el Jazz Roads, ha aparecido con diferentes organizaciones como la Savannah Jazz Orchestra y DACAMERA of Houston. En Junio de 2021, Jalen presentó su álbum debut “This is me This is Us” en Outside in Music.
Andrea Benabent Follana
Piano
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Andrea Benabent Follana, a prizewinner of numerous national and international piano competitions, is currently pursuing her DMA in Piano Performance at University of Houston under the guidance of concert pianists Dr. Andrew Staupe and Dr. Tali Morgulis. Andrea holds degrees from the Royal Higher Conservatory of Madrid and Sam Houston State University. Since 2020, Andrea is the Founder and Artistic Director of the concert series “Elkins Lake Performing Arts Series” in Huntsville, Texas, and is a member of the DACAMERA Young Artist Program, Texas New Music Ensemble, Archer Piano Quintet, and the Levante Piano Duo, the latter of which promotes the musical heritage of Spain. She is also passionate about flamenco music and explores the genre in her own compositions.
Andrea Benabent Follana, ganadora de numerosos concursos nacionales e internacionales de piano, está cursando su Doctorado en Interpretación Pianística por la University of Houston bajo la tutela de los concertistas de piano Dr. Andrew Staupe y Dr. Tali Morgulis. Andrea posee títulos del Real Conservatorio Superior de Madrid y de Sam Houston State University. Desde 2020, Andrea es la fundadora y directora artística de la serie de conciertos “Elkins Lake Performing Arts Series” en Huntsville, Texas y es miembro del Programa de Jóvenes Artistas de DACAMERA, Texas New Music Ensemble, Archer Piano Quintet y Levante Piano Dúo, promocionando este último la herencia musical de España. Andrea es una apasionada del flamenco y explora dicho género en sus propias composiciones.
David Dietz
Cello
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Cellist David Dietz has performed across the US and Europe and is experienced in a variety of settings as both a performer and a teacher. He currently resides in Houston, Texas. David received his bachelor’s degree and Performer Diploma at Indiana University and recently completed his master’s degree at Rice University in 2022. This summer he was a teaching fellow at the Encore Chamber Music Festival in Cleveland, Ohio where he performed chamber music alongside the Verona Quartet and Sibbi Bernhardsson. In the 2022-2023 season, David will make appearances with MUSIQA; Monarch Chamber Players; Classical C.A.R.M.A.; the Klangspuren Festival in Innsbruck, Austria; DACAMERA Young Artists; Houston Grand Opera Orchestra; and the Houston Cello Quartet.
El chelista David Dietz ha interpretado a lo largo de los Estados Unidos y Europa y tiene experiencia en una variedad de escenarios tanto como intérprete como profesor. Actualmente reside en Houston, Texas. David recibió su licenciatura y Diplóma de Intérprete en Indiana University y recientemente completó su maestría en Rice University en 2022.
Este verano, fue profesor en Encore Chamber Music Festival en Cleveland, Ohio, donde interpretó música de cámara con el Verona Quartet y Sibbi Bernhardsson. En la temporada 2022-2023, David colaborará con MUSIWA; Monarch Chamber Players; Classical C.A.R.M.A.; el Klangspuren Festival en Innsbruck, Austria; Jóvenes Artistas DACAMERA; Houston Grand Opera Orchestra; Houston Cello Quartet.
Chris Ellis
Cello
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DACAMERA Young Artist Christopher Ellis has been described as “a rapidly rising cello star” (The Irish Times). Christopher grew up in Ireland and attended the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Aisling Drury Byrne before continuing his studies at the Conservatoire Nationale Supérieur de Musique et Danse Paris studying with Marc Coppey, graduating with the highest honors of a ‘Premier Prix’. Recent highlights include his debut as soloist with the Irish Chamber Orchestra at the Cellissimo Festival in Galway, Ireland. In 2021 Christopher was awarded a music bursary from the Arts Council of Ireland, which he will use to commission new works for solo cello by Irish composers. Christopher is currently studying with Brinton Smith at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
La Jóven Artista DACAMERA Christopher Ellis ha sido descrita como “una estrella del chelo de rápido crecimiento” (The Irish Times). Christopher creció en Irlanda y estudio en la Royal Irish Academy of Music con Aisling Drury Byrne antes de continuar sus estudios en el Conservatoire Nationale Supérieur de Musique et Danse Paris, estudiando con Marc Coppey, graduándose con los más altos honores del “Premier Prix.” Entre sus eventos recientes más destacados se encuentra su debut como solista con la Irish Chamber Orchestra en el Festival Cellissimo en Galway, Irlanda. En 2021, Christopher fue galardonado con una beca musical del Concilio de Artes de Irlanda, la cual utilizó para encargar obras nuevas para cello solo de compositores irlandeses. Christopher estudia con Brinton Smith en Rice University en Houston, Texas.
Arthur Gilligan
Percussion
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Arthur Gilligan grew up in Rio de Janiero, Brazil where he attended the Villa-Lobos School of Music. In 2015, Mr. Gilligan relocated to Houston and received an Associate of Arts degree from San Jacinto College and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree at the Moores School with a Teaching Assistantship. Mr. Gilligan was part of the TCCBDA All-State Jazz Ensemble in 2017, received the Clara Freshour Nelson Scholarship, and was a section leader for the Moores School Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. He teaches at the Vivace School of Music and performs at The Music Box Theater and as a DACAMERA Young Artist.
Arthur Gilligan creció en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, donde estudió en la Escuela de Música Villa-Lobos. En 2015, Gilligan se trasladó a Houston y recibió el título de Associate of Arts en San Jacinto College y una licenciatura en Educación Musical en University of Houston Moores School of Music. Actualmente, está cursando su Maestría en Moores School con una posición de Profesor Assistente. Gilligan fue parte del TCCBDA All-State Jaaz Ensemble en 2017, recibió la beca Clara Freshour Nelson. y fue líder de sección en el Wind Ensemble y la Symphony Orchestra. de Moores School. Es profesor en la Vivace School of Music e interpreta en la Music Box Theater como Jóven Artista DACAMERA.
Hanna Hrybkova
Violin
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Violinist Hanna Hrybkova, a first-year DACAMERA Young Artist, has emerged as a world class young artist who has a beautiful sound full of color and temperament suited to the vernacular of composers. Hanna has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Belarus, Russia, Europe, and the United States. She has been a prize winner of international competitions, among which are the Manhattan International Competition, the Rudolf Barshai International Competition, Samuel Fordis Young Artists Concerto competition, Schwob School of Music Concerto Competition, and UCLA “All-Star” Concerto competition. She has recently appeared with the UCLA Philharmonic performing on the legendary “Duke of Alcantara” Stadivarius violin and has also recorded two world premieres on the CD with the VEM ensemble.
La violinista Hanna Hrybkova, Jóven Artista de DACAMERA por primer año, emerge como una jóven artista de clase mundial con un bello sonido lleno de color y temperamento que se adapta a los compositores más típicos. Hanna ha interpretado como solista y músico de cámara en Bielorrusia, Rusia, Europe y los Estados Unidos. Ha sido galardonada en concursos internacionales como el Manhattan International Competition, Rudolf Barshai International Competition, Samuel Fordis Young Artists Concerto Competition, Schwob School of Music Concerto Competition y UCLA “All-Star” Concerto Competition. Reciente, ha comparecido con la UCLA Philharmonic interpretando con el legendario violín Stradivarius “Duque de Alcantara” y ha grabado dos estrenos mundiales en un CD con el conjunto VEM.
Jillian Krempasky
Mezzo-soprano
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Jillian Krempasky is a lyric mezzo-soprano based in Houston, Texas. She received her Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from Rice University, and her Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College. Her recent career highlights include the role of Zerlina in Mozart’s Don Giovanni (Shepherd School Opera). Earlier this year, Ms. Krempasky performed in the U.S. premiere of Sam Wu’s Songs Across the Aeons. She also premiered and recorded J.A. Kawarsky’s Dancing In the Palm of God’s Hand with the Zagreb Festival Orchestra and PARMA Recordings. This season, Ms. Krempasky will be collaborating as a DACAMERA Young Artist, competing in the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition, and premiering new works by Sam Wu and Ryne Siesky with Musiqa.
Jillian Krempasky es una mezzo-soprano lírica establecida en Houston, Texas. Recibió su Maestría en Música en Interpretación de Canto en Rice University y su licenciatura de música en Westminster Choir College. Entre sus más recientes y destacadas interpretaciones, destaca el rol de Zerlina en el Don Giovanni de Mozart (Shepherd School Opera). A principios de 2022, la señorita Krempasky interpretó en el estreno en Estados Unidos de Songs Across the Aeons de Sam Wu. También ha estrenado y grabado Dancing In the Palm of God’s Hand de J.A. Kawarsky con la Orquesta del Festival de Zagreb y PARMA Recording. Esta temporada, la señorita Krempasky colaborará como Jóven Artista DACAMERA, competirá en la competición Metropolitan Opera’s Laffront y estrenará nuevas obras de Sam Wu y Ryne Siesky con Musiqa.
Ariel Lee
Violin
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Ariel Seung Hyun Lee, 25, a native of Seoul, South Korea, is currently pursuing the degree of Doctoral of Musical Arts in Violin Performance at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, under the tutelage of Kathleen Winkler. She has received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Juilliard School. An avid chamber and orchestral musician, Ariel has participated in the Verbier Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, and the Aspen Music Festival, and is a first-year DACAMERA Young Artist. In her orchestral career, she has served principal positions in the Juilliard Orchestra and the Verbier Festival Orchestra, and worked as a fellow of the APEX ensemble.
Ariel Seung Hyun Lee, 25, nativa de Seúl, Corea del Sur, se encuentra cursando su Doctorado en Artes Musicales en Interpretación de Violín en Rice University SHepherd School of Music, bajo la tutela de Kathleen Winkler. Recibió su licenciatura y maestría en Juilliard School. Ávida intérprete de música de cámara y orquestal, Ariel ha participado en el Verbier Music Festival, Music Academy of the West y el Aspen Music Festival, y está en su primer año como Jóven Artista DACAMERA. En su trayectoria orquestal, ha sido concertino en la Juilliard Orchestra y la Verbier Festival Orchestra, y ha sido miembro del grupo APEX.
Daniel Leibovic
Composer
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Daniel Leibovic is a composer, pianist, and singer. His current works explore voices, lyrics, chamber pop, and non-western musical materials. He is particularly drawn toward Indonesian and Jewish musics of his heritage. In 2022, he received the ASCAP Foundation’s Morton Gould Young Composer Award. From 2021 to 2023 he is a Young Artist with DACAMERA. He received a B.S. degree in Computer Science from Yale University in 2017, worked as a product manager at Microsoft and Palantir Technologies, and is now pursuing a Master of Music degree in Composition at Rice University.
Daniel Leibovic es un compositor, pianista y cantante. Sus obras más recientes exploran voces, letras, pop de cámara y materiales musicales no occidentales. Daniel está particularmente inclinado hacia musica indonesia y judía como parte de su herencia cultural. En 2022, recibió el premio ASCAP Foundation’s Morton Gould Young Composer Award. De 2021 a 2023, Daniel es un Jóven Artista DACAMERA. Completó una licenciatura en ciencias informáticas en Yale University en 2017, trabajó como director de producción en Microsoft y Palantir Technologies y ahora está cursando su Maestría en composición en Rice University.
Weilan Li
Viola
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DACAMERA Young Artist violist Weilan Li, from Shenzhen, China, is currently pursuing a graduate degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, studying viola with Ivo-Jan van der Werff. She received bachelor’s degrees in viola performance and cultural anthropology at Bard College. Weilan has participated in many summer music festivals including the Sarasota Music Festival and Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. In 2017, Weilan was the principal viola for the National Youth Orchestra of China tour and Carnegie Hall concert with Yuja Wang, and was also a fellow and principal violist at National Orchestral Institute in June 2019. Weilan was a second prize winner in the Viola Category in the Hong Kong International String Competition in 2014.
La violista Jóven Artista de DACAMERA Weilan Li, de Shenzhen, China, se encuentra cursando un título de posgrado en Rice Univeristy Shepherd School of Music, estudiando viola con Ivo-Jan van der Werff. Recibió licenciaturas en interpretación de viola y antropología cultural en Bard College.
Weilan ha participado en numerosos festivales de música, incluyendo el Sarasota Music Festival y Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. En 2017, Weilan fue primer viola para un tour con la National Youth Orchestra de China y un concierto en Carnegie Hall con Yuja Wang, y también ha sido miembro y primer viola para el National Orchestral Institute en junio de 2019. Weilan obtuvo el segundo premio en la Categoría de Viola en el Hong Kong International String Competition en 2014.
Jonathan Mak
Piano
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Jonathan Mak is from Toronto, Canada, and began studying piano at the age of three. A year later, he made his orchestra debut with the Canadian Sinfonietta. Mr. Mak is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at Rice University with Jon Kimura Parker and is a first-year DACAMERA Young Artist. He recently completed his master’s degree at the Yale School of Music and bachelor’s degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music, minoring in viola and German. Mr. Mak’s accomplishments include the Canada Council for the Arts-Michael Measures award and the 2021 Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award. An avid chamber musician, he has been invited to perform at festivals including the Festival of the Sound, Ottawa Chamberfest, and Edinburgh International Festival.
Jonathan Mak es de Toronto, Canadá y comenzó a estudiar piano cuando tenía tres años. Un año más tarde, hizo su debut orquestal con la Canadian Sinfonietta. Mak está cursando su Doctorado en Artes Musicales en Rice University con Jon Kimura Parker y es su primer año como Jóven Artista DACAMERA. Recientemente, completó su Maestría en Yale School of Music y su licenciatura en el Cleveland Institute of Music, especializándose además en viola y alemán como disciplinas secundarias. Algunos de los éxitos de Mak. incluyen el premio. Canada Council for the Arts-Michael Measures y el premio 2021 Sylva Gelber Music Foundation. Ávido intérprete de música de cámara, ha sido invitado a participar en festivales incluyendo el Festival of the Sound, Ottawa Chamberfest y Edinburgh International Festival.
Pablo Martínez Martínez
Piano
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Described as “sensitive and thoughtful” (Volksstimme), Spanish pianist Pablo Martínez Martínez has performed in venues including the National Auditorium of Madrid, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and Mozarteum Wiener Saal in Salzburg. Pablo is an international piano competition laureate, including the Neue Sterne Piano Competition in Germany and the Concurso Internacional de Piano de Campillos in Málaga, Spain. Besides performing, Pablo executes intense pedagogical work at San Jacinto College, the International Music Academy, and as Spanish music director at Saint John Vianney Catholic Church, where he teaches music fundamentals to a vibrant Hispanic community. Pablo is a second-year DACAMERA Young Artist and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Houston.
Elogiado por su “sensibilidad y profundidad” (Volksstimme), el pianista español Pablo Martínez Martínez ha interpretado en salas como el Auditorio Nacional de Madrid, el Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts en Washington D.C. y la Mozarteum Wiener Saal en Salzburgo. Pablo es ganador de concursos de piano internacionales, incluyendo el Neue Sterne Piano Competition en Alemania y el Concurso Internacional de Piano de Campillos en Málaga, España. Además de su actividad concertística, Pablo ejecuta una intensa labor pedagógica en San Jacinto College, the International Music Academy y como director del coro hispano en Saint John Vianney Catholic Church, donde da clases de música a una vibrante comunidad hispana. Pablo es un Joven Artista de DACAMERA por segundo año consecutivo y tiene un Doctorado en Artes Musicales en Interpretación Pianística por la University of Houston.
James McAloon, Jr.
Trumpet
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DACAMERA Young Artist trumpeter James McAloon Jr. enjoys an active career performing and teaching. Recent highlights include performances with prestigious ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Houston Grand Opera. Mr. McAloon has received Distinctions in Research and Creative Work from Rice University while being a Teacher’s Assistant. While completing his bachelor’s degree at the Hartt School of Music, Mr. McAloon participated in an outreach tour with his Honors Brass Quintet. Mr. McAloon enjoys devoting time to teaching privately as well as at local schools throughout Houston. McAloon is a recent graduate of the Shepherd School of Music, where he completed his master’s degree under the tutelage of Charles Geyer and Barbara Butler.
El trompetista Jóven artista de DACAMERA James McAloon Jr. disfruta de una carrera activa interpretando y enseñando. Algunas de sus más destacadas interpretaciones recientes han sido con grupos prestigiosos como la London Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra y la Houston Grand Opera. El señor McAloon ha recibido Distinciones en Investigación y Trabajo Creativo en Rice University siendo Profesor Asistente. Mientras cursaba su licenciatura en Hartt School of Music, el señor McAloon participó en un tour con su Honors Brass Quintet. McAloon disfruta dedicando parte de su tiempo comoprofesor privado y en escuelas locales a lo largo de Houston. McAloon recibió recientemente su Maestría en la Shepherd School of Music bajo la tutela de Charles Geyer y Barbara Butler.
Gavin Moolchan
Drums
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Drummer Gavin Moolchan was born and raised in Houston, Texas. After graduating high school, Gavin studied with Sebastian Whittaker and Daniel Dufour, two of the most notable drummers in the area. He also began his career working as a freelance musician and private instructor covering a wide range of genres. While living in Houston, he has had the opportunity to perform and tour both nationally and internationally with some of Houston’s most respected musicians and groups such as David Caceres, Jalen Baker, Diunna Greenleaf, Stratus, Paul Cornish, and many others. Gavin is in his second year of the DACAMERA Young Artist Program.
El percusionista Gavin Moolchan nació y se crió en Houston, Texas. Después de terminar el instituto, Galvin estudió con Sebastian Whittaker y Daniel Dufour, dos de los más notables percusionistas en la zona. También comenzó a trabajar como un músico autónomo e instructor privado cubriendo una amplia variedad de géneros. Al vivir en Houston, ha tenido la oportunidad de interpretar y hacer tours nacionales e internacionales con algunos de los músicos más respetados de Houston, como David Caceres, Jalen Baker, Diunna Greenleaf, Stratus, Paul Cornish y muchos otros. Gavin está en su segundo año como Jóven Artista DACAMERA.
Shannon Murray
Soprano
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Soprano Shannon Murray is an emerging artist specializing in contemporary music. Her most recent work includes the creation of “A Voice of One’s Own” (2022), an opera for four voices and electronics with music by Martikainen, as librettist and artistic director, and for which she premiered the role of Aurora. Other world premieres include Voces Fantasmas (2021), by J.E. Hernández, and Laura Schwendiger’s opera,“Cabaret of Shadows” (2022). Her work as a soloist and collaborator has also been featured by distinguished organizations such as the Kennedy Center for the Arts, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, and the Moody Center of the Arts. Murray is a returning DACAMERA Young Artist, is also a first year Teaching Artist with Houston Grand Opera.
La soprano Shannon Murray es una artista emergente especializada en música contemporánea. Su obra más reciente incluye la creación de “A Voice of One’s Own” (2022), una ópera para cuatro voces y electrónica con música de Martikainen en la cual Shannon interpretó el rol de Aurora además de ser la libretista y directora artística. Otros estrenos mundiales incluyen Voces Fantasmas (2021), de J.E. Hernández y la ópera “Cabaret of Shadows” (2022) de Laura Schwendiger. Su trabajo como solista y colaboradora ha sido presentado por organizaciones distinguidas, como el Kennedy Center for the Arts, el Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Houston y el Moody Center of the Arts. Murray es una Jóven Artista DACAMERA recurrente, además de ser su primer año como Artista Profesora con la Houston Grand Opera.
Keeheon Nam
Clarinet
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Korean-American clarinetist Keeheon Nam cooks up his musical appetite as an innovative performer and teacher. His performances have taken him from dive bars in Minnesota to improvising in Carnegie Hall. While not performing on stage, he is a passionate teacher and was previously a chamber music coach at Vanderbilt’s Blair Academy and a Juilliard Morse Teaching Fellow, as well as a third-year DACAMERA Young Artist. Keeheon previously attended the Shepherd School of Music, The Juilliard School and the Blair School of Music, where he was a Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar, and his principal teachers include Richie Hawley, Jon Manasse, and Bil Jackson. Keeheon is an avid home cook, and is, unexpectedly, a ServSafe certified food safety manager.
El clarinetista coreano-american Keeheon Nam cocina su apetito musical como un intérprete y profesor innovador. Sus interpretaciones le han llevado desde en bares informales en Minnesota hasta a improvisar en Carnegie Hall. Cuando no se encuentra interpretando en el escenario, es un profesor apasionado y fue anteriormente profesor de música de cámara en la Vanderbilt’s Blair Academy y miembro de Julliard Morse Teaching, así como un Jóven Artista de DACAMERA por tercer año.
Keeheon estudió en la Shepherd School of Music, The Juilliard School y Blair School of Music, donde fue un Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar, y sus principales profesores incluyen a Richie Hawley, Jon Manasse y Bil Jackson. Keeheon es un ávido cocinero casero y tiene, sorprendentemente, la certificación ServSafe de dirección de seguridad alimentaria.
Hunter O’Brien
Flute
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Hunter O’Brien’s passionate musical approach has garnered him top prizes in the James Pappoutsakis, International Friedrich Kuhlau, Ervin Monroe, Yamaha Young Performing Artists, and New York Flute Club competitions. He currently engages an array of Houston communities as a music educator, DACAMERA Young Artist, and flutist with the Houston-based Kodan Quintet. Hunter began his flute studies with Dr. Joanna Cowan White of Central Michigan University. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music as a Presidential Scholarship student of Paula Robison and a Master of Music degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music as a student of Leone Buyse.
El enfoque musical apasionado de Hunter O’Brien le ha proporcionado altos premios en las competiciones James Pappoutsakis, Friedrich Kuhlau, Ervin Monroe, Yamaha Young Performing Artists y New York Flute Club Competitions. Hunter conecta con una variedad de comunidades en Houston como profesor de música, Jóven Artista DACAMERA y flautista con el Kodan Quintet afincado en Houston. Hunter comenzó sus estudios de flauta con la Dr. Joanna Cowan White en Central Michigan University. Tiene una licenciatura en música por el New England Conservatory of Music como Becado Presidencial alumno de Paula Robison y una Maestría de Música por Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music como alumno de Leone Buyse.
Lauren Ross
Viola
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Twenty-two year old violist Lauren Ross recently graduated with a dual degree in Viola Performance and Religion from Rice University. While in school, she studied under Professor Ivo Jan-van der Werff and sat principal for Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Rice’s first opera staged in Brockman Hall. Passionate about sharing music with her community, Lauren performs frequently around Houston as violist of the Dorrington String Quartet. Lauren has played across the world – most recently, she spent July in Fontainebleau, France at the Conservatoire Américain, where she premiered new works. When she is not performing with DACAMERA, Lauren loves to shine the spotlight on other musicians, which she does as Marketing Coordinator at Ars Lyrica Houston, a Grammy-nominated ensemble specializing in Baroque music.
La violista de veintidós años Lauren Ross se graduó recientemente de una doble licenciatura en Interpretación de Viola y Religión en Rice University. Durante su etapa universitaria, estudió con el Profesor Ivo Jan-van der Werff y fue primera viola en Don Giovanni de Mozart, la primera ópera en Rice representada en Brockman Hall.
Apasionada por compartir música en su comunidad, Lauren interpreta frecuentemente en Houston como violista del Dorrington String Quartet. Lauren ha actuado alrededor del mundo – recientemente, pasó el mes de julio en Fontainebleau, Francia, en el Conservatoire Américain, donde estrenó nuevas composiciones. Cuando no está actuando con DACAMERA, Lauren ama hacer brillar a otros músicos como Coordinadora de Marketing en Ars Lyrica Houston, un conjunto especializado en música barroca y nominado a un Grammy.
Kelsey Sham
Harp
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Harpist Kelsey Sham completed her Bachelor of Harp Performance degree at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and earned her Master of Music in Harp Performance at Rice University. A dedicated orchestral musician, Ms. Sham has performed with ensembles across the United States, and often performs with her flute, harp, and viola trio, the Elysian Trio. As a DACAMERA Young Artist, she has programmed recitals for historically underserved communities, introduced music and culture to neurodiverse students, and frequently engages in arts outreach. Ms. Sham also manages a private studio, serves as the Secretary for the Greater Houston Chapter of the American Harp Society, and manages communications for Houston-based AAPI nonprofits through Houston in Action.
La arpista Kelsey Sham finalizó su Licenciatura en Interpretación de Arpa en el Oberlin Conservatory of Music y completó su maestría de Música en Interpretación de Arpa en Rice University. Una dedicada músico orquestal, la Srta. Sham ha interpretado en grupos a lo largo de los Estados Unidos y a menudo interpreta con su Trío Elysian de flauta, arpa y viola.
Como una DACAMERA Joven Artista, ha programado recitales para comunidades históricamente infrarrepresentadas, presentando música y cultura a alumnos de diversidad neuronal y colabora frecuentemente en actividades para expandir las artes. La Srta. Sham también dirige un estudio privado, sirve como secretaria del Greater Houston Chapter of the American Harp Society y dirige comunicaciones para organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro Asiáticas/Pacífico/Americanas a través de Houston in Action.
Ethan Soledad
Composer
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Bold, dramatic, and with an exquisite attention to detail, DACAMERA Young Artist Ethan Soledad (b. 1999) is a Filipino-American composer whose work aims to express emotions in their most raw form. His musical style is marked by unapologetic expression, dynamic extremes, and the ability to do more with less but never shying away from doing more with more. His music has been performed and recognized by ensembles including New York Youth Symphony (First Music Commission Honorable Mention), Fifth House Ensemble, Bent Frequency, the East Coast Contemporary Ensemble, and Fear No Music. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Music at Florida State University and is currently pursuing his Master of Music in Composition at Rice University studying under Karim Al-Zand.
Intrépido, dramático y con una exquisita atención al detalle, el Jóven Artista DACAMERA Ethan Soledad (nacido en 1999) es un compositor filipino-americano cuyas obras tratan de expresar emociones de la forma más pura. Su estilo musical está marcado por una expresión sin disculpas, extremos dinámicos y la habilidad de hacer más con menos, aunque sin privarse de hacer más con más. Su música ha sido reconocida e interpretada por grupos como New York Youth Symphony (Mención Honorable al Primer Estreno Musical), Fifth House Ensemble, Bent Frequency, East Coast Contemporary Ensemble y Fear No Music. Se graduó de su Licenciatura en Artes en Florida State University y actualmente está cursando su Maestría en Composición en Rice University con Karim Al-Zand.
Teresa Wang
Violin
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Canadian violinist Teresa Wang is a passionate and versatile musician who strongly believes in the power of art to educate, connect, and affect change. As an active member of the Houston community, Teresa is dedicated to making a positive impact in the area. She is currently performing as a contracted violinist with the Houston Symphony and as a member of the DACAMERA Young Artist Program, where her work focuses on proactive social engagement in the city of Houston. Teresa has garnered many awards throughout her career including Jeunesses Musicales Canada’s Peter Mendell Award and top prizes at the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and Academy Chamber Orchestra concerto competitions. Her primary mentors include Marie Berard, Paul Kantor, Felicia Moye, and Axel Strauss.
La violinista canadiense Teresa Wang es una músico apasionada y versátil con una fuerte creencia en el poder del arte para educar, conectar y producir cambios. Como miembro activo de la comunidad de Houston, Teresa está comprometida a crear un impacto positivo en su área. En estos momentos, está empleada e interpreta en la Houston Symphony y como miembro del programa de Jóvenes Artistas de DACAMERA, donde se centra en compromisos sociales proactivos en la ciudad de Houston. Teresa ha recibido numerosos premios a lo largo de su carrera, como el Jeunesses Musicales Canada’s Peter Mendell Award, Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra y Academy Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competitions. Sus principales mentores incluyen a Marie Berard, Paul Kantor, Felicia Moye y Axel Strauss.
