Artist Biographies
Carter Brey, Cello
Carter Brey was appointed Principal Cellist of the New York Philharmonic in 1996, and made his subscription debut as soloist with the Orchestra in May 1997, performing Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations led by then-Music Director Kurt Masur. He has performed as soloist in subsequent seasons in the Elgar Cello Concerto with André Previn conducting; in William Schuman's A Song of Orpheus with Christian Thielemann; in the Barber Concerto with conductor Alan Gilbert; in Richard Strauss's Don Quixote with Music Director Lorin Maazel and with former Music Director Zubin Mehta; and in the Brahms Double Concerto with Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow and conductor Christoph Eschenbach, as well as with Lorin Maazel on the orchestra's 2007 tour of Europe. The Brahms was also performed at the Tanglewood Music Center in the summer of 2002 as part of Kurt Masur's final concerts as Philharmonic Music Director. Mr. Brey most recently performed Boccherini's Cello Concerto in D with Riccardo Muti conducting in April of 2010.
David Chan, Violin
David Chan is the concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and an active soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. Mr. Chan made his Carnegie Hall debut during the 2002-2003 season, performing the Brahms Double Concerto with cellist Rafael Figueroa and the Met Orchestra under the baton of James Levine. In addition, he was a featured soloist in the Met Chamber Ensemble's performance of Alban Berg's Chamber Concerto for Piano, Violin and 13 Winds at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall, also with Maestro Levine.
Anne Crumb, Narrator
An internationally known singer and actress, Ann has performed classical and jazz concerts throughout the USA and Europe, having appeared in Austria at the Salzburg Festival, in Holland for the Nederlandse Programma Stichting, in Germany with the Bochumer Symphoniker and in Italy with the Lirico Sinfonica Petruzelli e Teatri di Bari. Recent US appearances include performances at Carnegie Hall and Philadelphia's Kimmel Center.
Jon Deak, Composer
Jon Deak was born in Hammond, Indiana, on April 27, 1943. He was educated at Oberlin College, the Juilliard School of Music, the University of Illinois, and, as a Fulbright Scholar, at the Conservatorio de Santa Cecilia, in Rome.
Simone Dinnerstein, Piano
American pianist Simone Dinnerstein has been called "a throwback to such high priestesses of music as Wanda Landowska and Myra Hess," by Slate magazine, and praised by TIME for her "arresting freshness and subtlety." The New York-based pianist gained an international following because of the remarkable success of her recording of Bach's Goldberg Variations, which she raised the funds to record. Released in 2007 on Telarc, it ranked No. 1 on the US Billboard Classical Chart in its first week of sales and was named to many "Best of 2007" lists including those of The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The New Yorker.
Daniel Dorff, Composer
Daniel Dorff's music has been performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, commissioned five times by the Philadelphia Orchestra's education department resulting in over 20 performances, and commissioned twice by the Minnesota Orchestra's Kinder Konzert series which has performed his music over 200 times.
Rafael Figueroa, Cello
Mr. Figueroa occupies the prestigious position of principal cellist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra under James Levine in addition to his participation in many of the chamber music series in the New York area including The Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York, The Met Chamber Ensemble with James Levine, The New Jersey Chamber Music Society, The Morgan Library Chamber Music Series and Bargemusic.
Richard Fredrickson, Double Bass
Hailed as a "...virtuoso..." by Donal Henahan of The New York Times, "...an extraordinary musician..." by The Washington Post and "...stupefying..." by L'Est Vaudois (Switzerland), Richard Fredrickson made his Carnegie Recital Hall debut at the age of 24 after winning the Concert Artists Guild award. This marked the first time the award had ever been presented to a double bassist.
Michelle Gott, Harp
Michelle Gott, a native of Las Vegas, is a versatile performing artist dedicated to the artistic presentation of traditional repertoire and the creation of new works in collaboration with emerging composers.Ms. Gott began her studies at the age of four under the leadership of her mother and harpist, Caryn Wunderlich Gott, and immediately took to the stage in the performance of solo and chamber works. As a featured soloist, Ms. Gott has performed concertos with the ART Symphony Orchestra, the String Orchestra of Brooklyn, the Nevada Chamber Symphony, and the Henry Mancini Institute.
Warren Jones, Piano
WARREN JONES has recently been named as "Collaborative Pianist of the Year" for 2010 by the publication Musical America. He performs with many of today's best-known artists, including Stephanie Blythe, Denyce Graves, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Matthew Polenzani, Ruth Ann Swenson, Bo Skovhus, Samuel Ramey, James Morris, John Relyea, Joseph Alessi, and Richard "Yongjae" O'Neill-and is Principal Pianist for the exciting California-based chamber music group Camerata Pacifica.
Michelle Kim, Violin
Violinist Michelle Kim has been Assistant Concertmaster (The William Petschek Family Chair) of the New York Philharmonic since 2001. She has performed as soloist with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, New Jersey Philharmonic, Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, and Pacific Symphony.
David Krauss, Trumpet
David Krauss has been Principal Trumpet of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2001 and is the holder of the The Beth W. and Gary A. Glynn Chair. A native of New York, at the age of 10 he sang in the Metropolitan Opera Children's chorus appearing in many performances.
Yoon Kwon, Violin
Described by Dorothy DeLay as a violinist with "staggering imagination" and "one of the most expressive tones I've ever heard", violinist Yoon Kwon's compelling musicianship and dynamic stage presence have won the hearts of audiences around the world. Her performances have earned her critical acclaim across four continents, garnering remarks such as "magic that transcends mere pyrotechnical flash", "infinitely beautiful sound... holding an audience spellbound", and "utterly assured and carefree...a talent that kept us enchanted throughout".
Kate Lindsey, Mezzo-Soprano
Last season, rising star mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey returned to the Metropolitan Opera as Nicklausse in the new production of Les Contes d'Hoffmann and made her debut at the Bayerische Staatsoper as Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro. She also created the title role in the world premiere of Amelia at the Seattle Opera. During the past summer, she returned to the Santa Fe Opera for Les Contes d'Hoffmann and Albert Herring, and this season she returns to both the Metropolitan Opera for Les Contes d'Hoffmann and the Seattle Opera as Rosina in Il Barbiere si Siviglia, makes her debut at the Los Angeles Opera as Zaida in Il Turco in Italia , and appears at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées as Idamante in Idomeneo.
Jon Manasse, Clarinet
Among the most distinguished classical artists of his generation, clarinetist Jon Manasse is internationally recognized for his inspiring artistry, uniquely glorious sound and charismatic performing style.
Joel Noyes, Cello
Cellist Joel Noyes joined the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 2002. An avid chamber musician, Joel has frequently appeared throughout the United States at such prestigious venues as Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Bargemusic, Ltd. During recent summers, he has performed at festivals including Marlboro Music, La Jolla Summerfest, Sarasota, Taos, and Music from Angel Fire. He has collaborated with many of the world's leading chamber musicians, including Gilbert Kalish, Kim Kashkashian, Ida Kavafian, David Soyer, Steven Tenenbom, and Peter Wiley.
Jeewon Park, Piano
Hailed for her "deeply reflective" playing (Indianapolis Star), pianist Jeewon Park is rapidly garnering the attention of audiences for her dazzling technique and poetic lyricism.
Cynthia Phelps, Viola
"Not only does Cynthia Phelps produce one of the richest, deepest viola timbres in the world, she is a superb musician" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer). Principal Violist of the New York Philharmonic, Ms. Phelps has distinguished herself both here and abroad as one of the leading instrumentalists of our time.
Matthew Polenzani, Tenor
One of the most gifted and distinguished lyric tenors of his generation, Matthew Polenzani has been praised for the artistic versatility and fresh lyricism that he brings to concert and operatic appearances on leading international stages.
Catherine Ro, Violin
Catherine Ro, violinist in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, has established herself as an active chamber musician, soloist, and recitalist.
Mark Romatz, Bassoon
Mark L. Romatz, bassoon, is currently Second Bassoon and Contrabassoon the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Prior to that appointment, the University of Michigan graduate held positions with the Montreal, Jacksonville, Savannah, Duluth, and Flint Symphonies. He has been a member of the Bellingham, Grand Teton, Grant Park, Colorado, Spoleto, Lancaster, Sunflower, and Buzzard Bay Music Festivals. Mr. Romatz has been a faculty member at McGill University in Montreal, the University of Florida, St. Olaf College, and the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He as served as Acting Second Bassoon with the Minnesota Orchestra and has performed with the Chicago and Detroit Symphony Orchestras and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He studies with L. Hugh Cooper and John Miller.
Dov Scheindlin, Viola
Acclaimed by the New York Times as an "extraordinary violist of immense flair," Dov Scheindlin has been violist of the Arditti, Penderecki and Chester String Quartets. Mr. Scheindlin has recorded extensively for EMI, Teldec, Auvidis, Col Legno, and Mode, and won the Gramophone Award in 2002 for the Arditti Quartet's recording of Sir Harrison Birtwistle's Pulse Shadows.
Weston Sprott, Trombone
Weston Sprott was appointed to the position of second trombone of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in the spring of 2005. He began his musical training in his hometown of Spring, TX. Mr. Sprott attended Indiana University before completing his Bachelor of Music degree at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. His primary teachers include Michael Warny (Houston Grand Opera and Ballet Orchestras), Carl Lenthe (former Principal Trombone, Bavarian State Opera and Bamberg Symphony) and Nitzan Haroz (Principal Trombone-Philadelphia Orchestra).
Sheryl Staples, Violin
Violinist Sheryl Staples joined the New York Philharmonic as Principal Associate Concertmaster in September 1998. She has performed as soloist with more than 40 orchestras nationwide, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Albany Symphony, and Louisiana Philharmonic. She made her solo debut with Kurt Masur and the New York Philharmonic in 1999, performing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, and has since performed concertos of Mendelssohn, Mozart and Haydn.Scott Stevens, Percussion
Scott Stevens has been a percussionist and timpanist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 1977. He received his degrees from The Juilliard School where he studied with Saul Goodman and Elden "Buster" Bailey. In the summers, Mr. Stevens is a member of the percussion faculty at the Interlochen Arts Camp, Interlochen, Michigan.
Richard Stoltzman, Clarinet
Richard Stoltzman's virtuosity, musicianship and sheer personal magnetism have made him one of today's most sought-after concert artists. As soloist with more than a hundred orchestras, as a captivating recitalist and chamber music performer, as an innovative jazz artist, and as a prolific recording artist, two-time Grammy® Award winner Stoltzman has defied categorization, dazzling critics and audiences alike throughout many musical genres.
Shai Wosner, Piano
Shai Wosner continues to attract international recognition for his exceptional artistry, musical integrity and creative insight. With imaginative programming that communicates his intellectual curiosity, Wosner performs a wide-ranging repertoire from Mozart and Beethoven to Ligeti and composers of his own generation. Hailed by the Financial Times as "an artist to follow keenly", Wosner's virtuosity and perceptiveness have made him a favorite among audiences and critics alike.