In Conversation with Gary
Agnes Manley has been a good friend of mine since those long-ago days when she was one of Dorothy’s adult students and I was the accompanist for Dorothy’s teaching studio. She has been such a good friend for so long, and done so much for me (as most people who know her can also say), that when she asked me to do this article, the only possible response was “Yes, of course.” So, though this sort of self-talk is wildly outside my comfort zone, here’s a Q & A we might have had over coffee, in...
Skill Builder Workshop
Robert Jesselson is Emeritus Carolina Distinguished Professor at the University of South Carolina, where he teaches cello and plays in the American Arts Trio and the Jesselson/Fugo Duo. In 2013 he was named as the Governor’s Professor of the Year by the Governor and the SC Commission on Higher Education. Dr. Jesselson has performed in recital and with orchestras in Europe, Asia, South America, and the United States, and has participated in the Music Festivals at Nice (France), Granada (Spain), Santiago (Spain), Aspen (CO), Spoleto (SC), the Grand Tetons (WY), and the Festival...
Both Weeks
Kenneth Law enjoys a diverse career as performer, teacher and author. In addition to being a founding member of the Main Street Music Studios and the Main Street Chamber Players in Fairfax, VA, he is also a member of the Ritz Chamber Players and the Polaris Piano Trio. He has performed internationally as soloist and recitalist, including appearances at the Arts Club ofWashington, the German Embassy and the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater in Washington,D.C., and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Jazz at Lincoln Center Concert Series, and Alice Tully Hall in New York...
Skill Builder Workshop
Devree Lewis is a freelance cellist, producer, and music arranger based in Washington, D.C. A founding member of Trifilio Tango Trio, she arranged and recorded three albums of original music with the group in addition to producing and playing their frequent performances. Her arrangements have also been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, the South Carolina Philharmonic, the DC Youth Orchestra, and members of the NSO. Devree maintains a studio of 30 private students and performs with various D.C. area orchestras. She has appeared in small ensemble and as soloist in Vienna, Beirut, Havana, Lima, Buenos Aires, and across the U.S.
Ensemble Workshop
In the Washington DC area, Lauren has performed in the National Philharmonic, Maryland Lyric Opera, American Pops, Annapolis Symphony and others. Lauren has performed in the Kennedy Center, Strathmore, Capital One Arena and the National Cathedral. Previously Lauren resided for nearly a decade in New York City, and as a longtime member of the New York Symphonic Ensemble, made eight tours in Japan. Lauren has performed throughout the United States, as well as Europe and Asia. In New York, she performed in Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Madison Square Garden, and others. She made her solo...
Ensemble Week
Katlyn DeGraw is an inspired performer and teacher. An active orchestral musician, Ms. DeGraw is the Associate Principal Cellist with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and appears frequently with the Richmond and Annapolis Symphonies. Her passion for orchestral playing has also led to performances with the Baltimore and Charleston Symphonies and the National Philharmonic. Aside from performing, Ms. DeGraw is a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher, maintaining a private studio of successful and engaged students. Ms. DeGraw has served on the faculty at the Hochstein School of Music & Dance, the Waldorf School of Baltimore, and the University...
Both Workshops
Irina Tikhonova began playing the cello at the age of six. Her mother, Lydia, loved to sing and selected the instrument for Irina originally because the range of the cello is essentially the same as the range of the singing voice. The choice was obviously a good one as Irina went on to study at the Tchaikovsky Music Conservatory under Vladimir Panteleev. She graduated with her Bachelor of Music degree from the Music College in Kiev, USSR in 1981 and a Master of Music degree from the State Conservatory of Music in Kiev, USSR in 1986....
Both Workshops
Daniel Shomper is an active performer and teacher in the Washington DC/Baltimore/Annapolis area. The Baltimore Sun praised his ‘virtuoso playing’ and complimented his ‘masterful performance’ and ‘lyrical expression.’ He is a member of the Annapolis and Alexandria Symphony Orchestras, and has also performed with the National Philharmonic and Fairfax Symphony. In addition to his work as an orchestral performer, he is an active chamber musician and recitalist. He has performed at venues such as the Kennedy Center, the National Art Gallery, and the Washington Arts Club, among others. Additionally, he has performed concerts and in prestigious music festivals...
Ensemble Workshop
Camilo Pérez-Mejía earned a Bachelor of Music from the Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia. At Shenandoah University he earned a Master of Music in Cello Performance, an Artist Diploma in String Quartet Studies and completed all courses in the Doctoral program. He received soloist awards from the Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia, Universidad Javeriana and Shenandoah Conservatory. He has performed as a member of diverse ensembles in Colombia, Italy, Mexico, and Brazil; and throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. He teaches cello and strings at Saint James School, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, Ellsworth Music and is...