LEWIS
KAPLAN
Director, Violin and Conductor
A multi-talented, extraordinary musician, teacher, conductor and visionary. These words best describe Lewis Kaplan, who has contributed a significant amount to the Classical music landscape for over 50 years. Considered a leading interpreter of the music of Bach, in particular the Six Solo Sonatas and Partitas, Lewis Kaplan founded and is the Director of the Bach Virtuosi Festival in Portland, Maine. His titles are many. He currently serves as Senior Professor of Violin and Chamber Music at The Juilliard School.
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ARIADNE
DASKALAKIS
Violin
Ariadne Daskalakis is a unique performer of both baroque and modern violin. The American violinist of Greek descent studied in Germany, where she currently resides. She has concertized in major venues around the world, appearing as soloist with ensembles including the Dortmund Philharmonic, the Akademie for Ancient Music Berlin, the Norwegian Baroque Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Prague Chamber Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Munich, the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, the Brünn Philharmonic and the Athens National State Orchestra.
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RENÉE JOLLES
Violin
Renée Jolles, violinist, enjoys an eclectic career as soloist and chamber artist specializing in a wide variety of styles from the Baroque to the contemporary. Hailed as a “real star” by The New York Times for her New York concerto debut in Alice Tully Hall, she has premiered hundreds of works, including the American premiere of Schnittke’s Violin Concerto No. 2. Her concerto engagements have included orchestras such as Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey, the Cape May Festival Orchestra, and the Salisbury Symphony.
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YIBIN LI
Violin
Yibin Li was born in China in a small city near the Gobi Desert and began studying the violin at age five with her father. She was admitted to the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory at age 12 where upon graduation she was named to the Violin Faculty. After teaching at the Shanghai Conservatory for six years as a tenured violin professor, she felt the need to continue her studies in New York. She was admitted to The Juilliard School and gained her graduate diploma. Ms. Li earned a second Masters of Music degree from Mannes School of Music.
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ADRIANE POST
Violin
Adriane Post’s baroque violin playing has been described as “exquisite” by The New York Times. A founding member of ACRONYM Ensemble and Diderot String Quartet, she is sought after as leader, collaborator and soloist in ensembles across the United States. Concertmaster of the Washington National Cathedral Orchestra, co-concertmaster of Apollo's Fire, soloist and collaborator with Four Nations Ensemble, Post appears as guest leader with groups such as Seraphic Fire and NY Baroque Inc.
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PAUL DWYER
Cello
Cellist Paul Dwyer was born in Munster, Indiana, but spent the most formative years of his life (according to Freud) in Vienna, where he decided to play the double bass, but was told he’s too small. At age eight his family moved to Munich, where Paul spent most of his time playing soccer, running subversive school newspapers and transcribing Metallica songs for a heavy metal cello quartet he formed with his best friends. In 12th grade, he made his opera debut singing the role of Polyphemus in Handel’s Acis and Galatea.
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BEILIANG ZHU
Cello
Beiliang Zhu won the 1st prize and the Audience Award at the XVIII International Bach Competition in Leipzig 2012 (Violoncello/Baroque Violoncello) as the first string player to have received this honor on a baroque instrument. She received her Master of Music from the Juilliard School in Historical Performance with Phoebe Carrai (Baroque cello) and Sarah Cunningham (Viola da Gamba), Bachelor of Music Degree and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music...
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KURT MUROKI
Bass
Former Artist Member with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Professor Kurt Muroki began his musical studies on the violin at the age of six and subsequently performed concerti with the Honolulu Symphony and the Maui Symphony. Mr. Muroki went on to study the Double bass at the age of 13 and entered the Juilliard School of Music at 17 studying with his teacher / mentor Homer R. Mensch. At the age of 21 Kurt began performing with the internationally renowned Sejong Soloists under ICM Management.
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ARTHUR HAAS
Harpsichord
Arthur Haas is one of the most sought after performers and teachers of Baroque music in the United States today. He received the top prize in the Paris International Harpsichord Competition in 1975 and then stayed in France for a number of years as an active member of the growing European early music scene. While in Paris, he joined the Five Centuries Ensemble, a group acclaimed for its performances and recordings of Baroque and contemporary music.
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GABRIEL SHUFORD
Harpsichord
Gabriel Shuford is the recipient of the 2011 Baron Prize from Stony Brook University, and top prize at the 2007 Mae and Irving Jurow International Harpsichord Competition. He is a member of Repast Baroque Ensemble and has performed with A Far Cry, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Dorian Baroque, Antioch Chamber Ensemble, Speculum Musicae, and The St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic.
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EMI FERGUSON
Flute
Hailed by critics for her “tonal bloom” and “hauntingly beautiful performances,” English-American performer and composer Emi Ferguson can be heard playing modern and baroque flutes live in concerts and festivals around the world as well as at home in New York City where she is a member of the New York New Music Ensemble, NYBI, Argento Ensemble, and New Vintage Baroque.
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JOHN THIESSEN
Trumpet
Described by the New York Times as “the gold standard of Baroque trumpet playing in this country,” John Thiessen’s performances combine beauty of sound with brilliance and virtuosity for 17th-19th century clarino repertoire. He appears regularly as soloist and principal trumpet with North America’s foremost early music ensembles, including American Bach Soloists, Tafelmusik, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Juilliard Baroque, Trinity Baroque Orchestra, the Boston Early Music Festival, and Early Music Vancouver.
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JOHN FERRILLO
Oboe
John Ferrillo joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra as principal oboe at the start of the 2001 Tanglewood season, having appeared with the orchestra several times as a guest performer in previous seasons. From 1986 to 2001 he was principal oboe of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Mr. Ferrillo grew up in Bedford, Massachusetts, and played in the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra.
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AMANDA HARDY
Oboe
Amanda Hardy, oboe, joined the Portland (Maine) Symphony Orchestra as principal oboe in November 2013 where she occupies the Clinton Graffam Chair. As a recipient of the the Gillet Scholarship and Tourjée Alumni Scholarship Award, Amanda studied with BSO principal oboist John Ferrillo at the New England Conservatory (NEC).
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CATHERINE WEINFIELD-ZELL
Oboe
Described as an "arresting" (Boston Globe) and "strikingly beautiful" (Miami Herald) musician, Catherine Weinfield-Zell served as second Oboe and English Horn with the Florida Grand Opera in Miami, FL from 2012-2016. From 2009 - 2013, Ms. Weinfield held the position of both Assistant Principal Oboe and principal English Hornist with the Honolulu (now Hawaii) Symphony and the Hawaii Opera Theater.
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HENRY KRAMER
Piano
The winner of the Second Prize at the 2016 Queen Elisabeth Competition and the 2015 William Petschek Recital Debut Award from The Juilliard School, pianist Henry Kramer is establishing himself as one of the most exciting American musicians of his generation. His performances have been praised by critics as “triumphant” and “thrilling” (The New York Times), and “technically effortless” (La Presse, Montreal). A Maine native, Mr. Kramer has also earned top prizes in the 2015 Honens International Piano Competition, the 2011 Montreal International Music Competition, and the 6th China Shanghai International Piano Competition.
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KATELYN EMERSON
Organ
Organist Katelyn Emerson performs throughout North America and Europe, showcasing repertoire from the 14th-21st centuries with “impressive technical facility and musicianship” in performances that are “thrilling from beginning to end” (Cleveland Classical). Upcoming and past recital venues include such illustrious locations as Walt Disney Hall (Los Angeles, California), Hallgrímskirkja (Reykjavík, Iceland), Cathédrale Saint-Omer (France), Kurhaus Wiesbaden (Germany), the Riverside Church (New York, New York) ....
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JOHN TANZER
Timpani
Portland Symphony Orchestra Principal Timpanist, John Tanzer, joined the orchestra in the Fall of 1999. Originally from New York City, he grew up in Bedford, MA. He attended the New England Conservatory of Music and graduated with honors in performance. His teachers include Everett Beale, Everett Firth and William Hudgins.
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Vocalists
SHEREZADE PANTHAKI
Soprano
Soprano Sherezade Panthaki’s international success has been fueled by superbly honed musicianship; “astonishing coloratura with radiant top notes” (Calgary Herald); “a full, luxuriously toned upper range” (The Los Angeles Times), a vocal color “combining brilliance with a dark, plumlike tone” (The Wall Street Journal), and passionately informed interpretations, “mining deep emotion from the subtle shaping of the lines” (The New York Times).
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JAY CARTER
Countertenor
American countertenor Jay Carter has gained recognition as one of the nation’s finest. A frequent collaborator with period and modern ensembles, Carter is recognized as a leading interpreter of late Baroque repertoire and has been lauded for his luminous tone, stylish interpretations, and clarion delivery.
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BRIAN GIEBLER
Tenor
Garnering praise for his “most impressive… bright, clear tone and lively personality” (New York Times), American tenor Brian Giebler is a “faultless high tenor” (Seattle Times) with “great elegance of tone and phrasing” (Baltimore Sun). From Evangelist in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with the GRAMMY®-nominated Choir of Trinity Wall Street under Julian Wachner to Stravinsky with The Cleveland Orchestra under Franz Welser-Möst, Mr. Giebler’s “lovely tone and deep expressivity” (New York Times) and "expressive and elegant phrasing" (Cleveland Classical) is well-suited to a variety of music.
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JONATHAN WOODY
Baritone
Bass-baritone Jonathan Woody is a sought-after performer of early and new music in New York and across North America. In increasing demand as a soloist, Jonathan has made appearances in recent seasons with historically-informed orchestras such as Boston Early Music Festival, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Bach Collegium San Diego, Portland Baroque Orchestra and New York Baroque Incorporated.
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Festival Choral Ensemble
ELISABETH MARSHALL
Soprano
Soprano Elisabeth Marshall has been praised for her “admirably flexible, gilt-edged voice” of “resonance and beauty” and “radiant sheen”, particularly in the works of Bach, Handel, Haydn, and Mozart. A 2016 finalist in The American Prize Friedrich and Victoria Schorr Award in Art Song and Oratorio, she was awarded their Special Citation for “Outstanding Performance in Music before 1800”.
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DOUG DODSON
Countertenor
Possessing a “beautiful, ringing, and agile countertenor” (Boston Classical Review), Doug Dodson brings sensitive musicality and strong dramatic instincts to repertoire ranging from the baroque to the contemporary. Praised as a “vivid countertenor” by the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Dodson’s current and upcoming seasons feature a wide variety of exciting engagements throughout the United States.
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STEVEN CALDICOTT WILSON
Tenor
Tenor Steven Caldicott Wilson is a member of the male classical a cappella quartet New York Polyphony, and he regularly appears with the Handel + Haydn chorus in Boston and Trinity Wall Street choir in NYC. He has been praised for his "steadiness and sensitivity…impassioned without ever straining” (NY Times, December 2015) and “powerful, polished and moving Evangelist" (NY Times, April 2011).
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JOSEPH CHARLES BEUTEL
Bass-Baritone
“An imposing bass-baritone,” as reviewed by Opera News, Joseph Beutel, is often praised for his “deep, well-rounded tone” and versatility on stage. Making his career across the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America, Beutel enjoys performing operas in the classic cannon and originating roles in cutting edge new works. Most recently, he appeared as the father or “sir” in Mila, a story about a Hong Kong family and their domestic helper, commissioned by Asia Society Hong Kong and shedding light on social issues facing Asia today.
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Associates
AGNES TSE
Violin
Violinist Agnes Tse recently completed her Master of Music degree at The Juilliard School as a student of Lewis Kaplan and Joel Smirnoff. Within one remarkable two-week span, she worked with the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle and was offered a position with the Baltimore Symphony under Marin Alsop – all while completing a full-time Master of Music degree program at the Juilliard School.
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HARRIET LANGLEY
Violin
Born in Sydney, Australia, Harriet began violin studies in Korea at age 4. She continued her studies in Tokyo, Japan with Asako Iwasawa at the Toho Gakuin Music School, and then in New York with Patinka Kopec and Pinchas Zukerman at the Manhattan School of Music. She then studied with Josef Rissin at the Karlsruhe Hochschule fur Musik in Germany and with Augustin Dumay at the Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth of Belgium.
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SERGIO I. MUÑOZ LEIVA
Viola
Chilean violist Sergio Muñoz is an advocate for dialogue and collaboration, which he realizes in music through his love for chamber music and education. His long term dream is to create an organization that will provide chamber music education to young Chilean musicians and will revitalize the chamber music scene in Chile.
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LEERONE HAKAMI
Violin
Israeli-American violinist, Leerone Hakami, embarked on a campaign of begging her parents to play the violin at age two. It took three years, but by age five, she stood proudly with her 1/8th sized violin that could barely make a sound. This proved to be the right decision on her parents’ part, as she was recently heard from Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, to Lincoln Center, to Israel, to New Mexico’s Navajo Reservation.
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THAPELO MASITA
Cello
Thapelo Masita uses his music to help further the arts in his home country of South Africa. He earned a Bachelor of Music in cello performance from the Eastman School of Music in Spring 2017 and is currently in a Master of Music degree program at the Juilliard School in New York City. His passion for the community has led him to a fellowship in the Music Advancement Program, a community engagement initiative run by the Juilliard School.
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SAM DECAPRIO
Cello
Currently a C.V. Starr Doctoral Fellow at The Juilliard School, cellist Samuel DeCaprio is quickly establishing himself as one of today's most creative artists and collaborators. Winner of the 2018 Aldo Parisot Prize from the Yale School of Music, he has won numerous top prizes including the Arlington, Eastern Connecticut Symphony, National Federation of Music Clubs, and William C. Byrd competitions, as well as the prestigious Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music...
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