Making Waves
The Curtis Institute of Music produces top prizewinners of international competitions, soloists with major ensembles, and today’s most promising artists. Each year 175 students come to Curtis, drawn by a tuition-free, performance-inspired learning culture. In this intimate environment, they are nurtured by a celebrated faculty and inspired by the school’s distinctive “learn by doing” approach, offering more than 200 concerts each year in Philadelphia as well as performances around the world through Curtis on Tour. They go on to make waves throughout the music world, winning major competitions, appointments, and honors.
Enjoy musical selections from the 2017–18 season at Curtis, demonstrating the unparalleled music-making created by our students before they go on to make waves on stages around the world.
David Cooper (Horn ’04)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Principal Horn
Weston Sprott (Trombone ’06)
The Juilliard School Preparatory Division, Dean
Nozomi Imamura (Community Artist Fellow ’19)
Generocity Immigrant Leader, Nominee (Photo: Kristen Balderas)
Siena Licht Miller, opera student
Musical America, New Artist of the Month
Christina Naughton (Piano ’11) and Michelle Naughton (Piano ’11)
Avery Fisher Career Grant, Recipients
Kevin Cobb (Trumpet ’93)
Yale School of Music, Professor of Trumpet (beginning Fall 2019)
Adé Williams, violin student
(pictured second from right) 2019 Sphinx Competition, Second Prize (Photo: Violinist.com)
Addison Maye-Saxon, trombone student
Performance Today, Young Artist in Residence (Photo: Nate Ryan)
Jonathan Biss (Piano ’01), faculty member
Co-Artistic Director, Marlboro Music School and Festival (Photo: Pete Checchia/Marlboro Music)
Yuwon Kim, conducting fellow
Princess Astrid International Music Competition, First Prize
Aizuri Quartet (String Quartet in Residence, 2014-16)
M-Prize Chamber Music Competition, Grand Prize; Grammy Nomination, Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance (Photo: Shervin Lainez)
Timothy Chooi (Violin ’17)
Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition, First Prize; Verbier Festival Paternot Award (Photo: Den Sweeney)
Michael Casimir (Viola ’18)
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Section Viola
Joseph Conyers (Double Bass ’04)
Sphinx Medal of Excellence, Musical America 30 Professionals of the Year
Jun-Ching Lin (Violin ’85)
Kalamazoo Symphony, Concertmaster
Hae Sue Lee, viola student
Primrose International Viola Competition, First Prize
Chang-Yong Shin (Piano ’16)
Gina Bachauer International Artists Competition, Gold Medal
Stay up to date on the latest achievements by Curtis students and alumni:
July 2019: University of California, Berkeley School of Music, Piano Faculty
Jenny Q Chai (Piano ’04)
Musical America: Pianist Jenny Q Chai Appointed to the Piano Faculty of the University of California, Berkeley
June 2019: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Principal Horn
David Cooper (Horn ’04)
CSO Sounds and Stories: The CSO appoints David Cooper as its principal horn
June 2019: Sendai International Music Competition Violin Section, Second Prize
Shannon Lee (Violin ’16)
The Violin Channel: No 1st Prize Awarded at Japan’s Sendai International Violin Competition
June 2019: Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition, Second Prize
Bryan Anderson (Organ ’15)
Chadds Ford Live: Sebastian Heindl wins Longwood Gardens Organ Competition
June 2019: BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, Song Prize
Mingjie Lei (Opera ’15)
OperaWire: Mingjie Lei Wins BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2019 Song Prize
June 2019: Generocity Immigrant Leader, Nominee
Nozomi Imamura (Community Artist Fellow ’19)
Generocity.org: City of hopes and dreams: These are the ‘Immigrant Leaders’ you nominated
June 2019: Michael Hill International Violin Competition, First, Second, and Fourth Prizes
First Prize: Anna Do Gyung Im, violin student; Second Prize: Eric Tsai, violin student; Fourth Prize: Angela Sin Ying Chan, violin student
The Strad: Anna Im wins Michael Hill International Violin Competition
June 2019: Leopold Mozart International Violin Competition, Second Prize
Karisa Chiu, violin student
The Strad: Leopold Mozart Violin Competition reaches final three
June 2019: Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition, Competitors
Semi-finalist and Audience Award: Avery Gagliano, piano student; Quarter-finalist: Xiaoxuan Li, piano student; Competitor: Ray Ushikubo, piano and violin student
Philadelphia Magazine: A Lower Merion Teen Is Competing Against the World’s Greatest Young Pianists
June 2019: Buffalo Philharmonic, Concertmaster
Nikki Chooi (Violin ’12)
The Violin Channel: VC Artist Nikki Chooi Appointed New Buffalo Philharmonic Concertmaster
June 2019: Musical America, New Artist of the Month
Gabriella Smith (Composition ’13)
Musical America: New Artist of the Month: Composer Gabriella Smith
May 2019: Concours musical international de Montréal ‘Mini Violini’ Showcase, Audience Prize
Hannah Tam, violin student
The Strad: 13-year-old Hannah Tam wins Montreal's ‘Mini Violini’
May 2019: Deer Valley Music Festival, Principal Conductor
Conner Gray Covington (Conducting ’17)
USUO.org: Conner Gray Covington Named Principal Conductor of Utah Symphony’s Deer Valley® Music Festival
May 2019: Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition, Top Prizes
Second Prize: Timothy Chooi (Violin ’17); Third Prize: Stephen Kim (Violin ’18); Fourth Prize: Shannon Lee (Violin ’16)
The Violin Channel: Stella Chen Awarded 1st Prize at Brussel’s Queen Elisabeth Competition
May 2019: Vienna Classic Strings International Competition (Viola), First Prize
Luosha Fang (Violin ’14)
The Strad: Luosha Fang wins viola section of Vienna Classic Strings competition
May 2019: The Juilliard School Preparatory Division, Dean
Weston Sprott (Trombone ’06)
The Juilliard School: Juilliard Names Weston Sprott as Dean of the Preparatory Division, Overseeing Juilliard Pre-College and the Music Advancement Program
April 2019: The University of British Columbia, Assistant Professor of Viola and Chamber Music (beginning Fall 2019)
Marina Thibeault (Viola ’11)
UBC Music: Introducing Marina Thibeault
April 2019: University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Associate Professor of Flute (beginning August 2019)
Demarre McGill (Flute ’96)
The Village News Blog: Acclaimed Musician Demarre McGill Is Named Associate Professor of Flute at CCM
April 2019: The Solti Foundation, Career Assistance Award
Conner Gray Covington (Conducting ’17) and Kensho Watanabe (Conducting ’15)
The Solti Foundation: 10 Young Conductors receive 2019 Career Assistance Awards from The Solti Foundation U.S.
April 2019: Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition, Winners
Beatrice Chen, viola student (Junior Division); Gabriel Polinsky, double bass student (Senior Division)
The Philadelphia Orchestra: Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition
April 2019: Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition, William W. Watkins Award
Anastasiia Sidorova, voice student
Annapolis Opera: The 31st Annual Vocal Competition
April 2019: Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Principal Guest Conductor
Karina Canellakis (Violin ’04)
Broadway World: Karina Canellakis Named Principal Guest Conductor Of Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
April 2019: Musical America, New Artist of the Month
Siena Licht Miller, opera student
Musical America: New Artist of the Month: Siena Licht Miller
March 2019: Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Principal Oboe
Cassie Pilgrim (Oboe ’18)
Oberlin College and Conservatory News: Cassie Pilgrim AD ’20 Nets Principal Oboe Position
March 2019: Yale School of Music, Professor of Trumpet (beginning Fall 2019)
Kevin Cobb (Trumpet ’93)
Yale School of Music: Trumpeter Kevin Cobb appointed to YSM faculty
March 2019: National Trumpet Competition (Undergraduate Solo Division), First Prize
James Vaughen, trumpet student
National Trumpet Competition: NTC 2019 Final Results
March 2019: Lyon & Healy Award, Winner
Claire Thai, harp student
Harp Column: 2019 Lyon & Healy Award winners announced
March 2019: Avery Fisher Career Grant, Recipients
Christina Naughton (Piano ’11) and Michelle Naughton (Piano ’11)
WQXR: 2019 Avery Fisher Career Grants Honorees Announced
March 2019: Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal Viola
Vicki Powell (Viola ’10)
The Violin Channel: Stockholm Philharmonic Announces Appointment of New Principal Violist
March 2019: BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, Finalists
Jorge Espino, opera student; Mingjie Lei (Opera ’15)
Journal of Music: 20 Singers Announced for BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2019
February 2019: Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition, Winner
Alejandro Lombo, flute student
South Florida Sun Sentinel: Miramar musician wins Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition
February 2019: Young Concert Artists, President (beginning July 2019)
Daniel Kellogg (Composition ’99)
The Violin Channel: Young Concert Artists Announce Change Of the Guard After 58 Years
February 2019: Grammy Award, Best Choral Performance
Arlen Hlusko (Cello ’15)
NPR: 2019 Grammy Awards: The Full List Of Winners
February 2019: San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Faculty
Rhoslyn Jones (Opera ’06)
Broadway World: Soprano Rhoslyn Jones To Join San Francisco Conservatory of Music Faculty
February 2019: Sphinx Competition, Second Prize
Adé Williams, violin student
Violinist.com: Prizes Awarded at Detroit’s 2019 Sphinx Competition
January 2019: Copland House, CULTIVATE Fellow
Chelsea Komschlies (Composition ’18)
Copland House: Copland House Names Cultivate Fellows For 2019
January 2019: Performance Today, Young Artist in Residence
Addison Maye-Saxon, trombone student
Performance Today: Young Artist in Residence: Addison Maye-Saxon
January 2019: WQXR, Artists to Watch in the Upcoming Year
Teddy Abrams (Conducting ’08); J’Nai Bridges (Opera ’12); Xavier Foley (Double Bass ’16); Wei Luo, piano student; Elena Urioste (Violin ’08)
WQXR: WQXR Presents “19 for 19”: Artists to Watch in the Upcoming Year
December 2018: Shenandoah Conservatory, Assistant Professor
Mary Bowden (Trumpet ’04)
Shenandoah University News: Mary Elizabeth Bowden Appointed Assistant Professor Of Trumpet
December 2018: Handel and Haydn Society, Principal Double Bass
Heather Miller Lardin (Double Bass ’96)
The Violin Channel: Boston’s Handel and Haydn Period Ensemble Announces New Principal Double Bassist
December 2018: Grammy Nomination, Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
Aizuri Quartet (String Quartet in Residence, 2014-16)
Billboard: Grammys 2019 Nominees: The Complete List
December 2018: Tippet Rise, Artistic Advisor
Pedja Muzijevic (Accompanying ’85)
Tippet Rise Art Center: Pianist Pedja Muzijevic to serve as Artistic Advisor to Tippet Rise
December 2018: American Federation of Musicians Local 802, President
Adam Krauthamer (Horn ’03)
New York Times: Propelled by Pension Fears, a Musicians’ Union Elects Change
December 2018: From the Top, Performer
Avery Gagliano, piano student
From the Top: Brunswick, Maine/Show 361
December 2018: Musical America Worldwide, 30 Professionals of the Year
Joseph Conyers (Double Bass ’04)
Musical America Worldwide: The MA 30 Professionals of the Year: Innovators, Independent Thinkers, and Entrepreneurs
November 2018: IsangYun International Cello Competition, First Prize
Christine Jeong Hyoun Lee (Cello ’13) and Sang Eun Lee (Cello ’18)
The Violin Channel: Joint-1st Prize Awarded at Korea’s IsangYun International Cello Competition
October 2018: Avery Fisher Prize
Leila Josefowicz (Violin ’97)
New York Times: Listen to Leila Josefowicz, the Intrepid Violinist Who Just Won $100,000
October 2018: Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition, First Prize
Timothy Chooi (Violin ’17)
The Violin Channel: VC Young Artist Timothy Chooi Awarded 1st Prize at Hannover’s Joseph Joachim Competition
October 2018: Sphinx LEAD, Dean
Stanford Thompson (Trumpet ’09)
Sphinx Blog: Knight Foundation grants $1.5 million to Sphinx Organization for launch of arts leadership program
October 2018: Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Principal Cello
Abraham Feder (Cello ’08)
Detroit Jewish News: Cellist Abraham Feder joins the DSO
October 2018: Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Assistant Conductor
Junping Qian (Viola ’13)
The Violin Channel: Royal Scottish National Orchestra Announces New Assistant Conductor
September 2018: Sphinx Medal of Excellence
Joseph Conyers (Double Bass ’04)
The Strad: Double bassist to receive $50,000 award from Sphinx Organization
September 2018: International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, Gold Medal
Richard Lin (Violin ’13)
Indianapolis Star: Richard Lin wins gold medal at the 2018 Indianapolis violin competition
September 2018: Leeds International Piano Competition, First Prize
Eric Lu, piano student
The Guardian: US pianist Eric Lu wins top prize at Leeds competition
September 2018: Princess Astrid International Music Competition, First Prize
Yuwon Kim, conducting fellow
The Royal House of Norway: Princess Astrid International Music Competition
September 2018: Premio Rodolfo Lipizer International Violin Competition, First Prize
Matthew Hakkarainen, violin student
The Violin Channel: Prizes Awarded at Italy’s 2018 Lipizer International Violin Competition
September 2018: Heifetz Institute, Artistic Director
Nicholas Kitchen (Violin ’90)
Violinist.com: Heifetz Institute Names Nicholas Kitchen as New Artistic Director
September 2018: Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Section Viola
Michael Casimir (Viola ’18)
August 2018: Philadelphia Orchestra, Associate Principal Flute
Patrick Williams (Flute ’14)
Philadelphia Orchestra: The Philadelphia Orchestra Appoints Two New Musicians to Flute Section for 2018-19 Season
August 2018: Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Concertmaster
Celeste Golden Boyer (Violin ’05)
The Violin Channel: Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra Announces New Concertmaster
August 2018: Boston Ballet, Music Director
Mischa Santora (Conducting ’97)
Boston Globe: Boston Ballet names Mischa Santora its new music director
August 2018: Oregon Symphony, Assistant Principal Bass
Braizahn Jones (Double Bass ’18)
Oregon Symphony: Braizahn Jones
August 2018: Co-Artistic Director, Marlboro Music School and Festival
Jonathan Biss (Piano ’01), faculty member
Philadelphia Inquirer: Popular Philadelphian Jonathan Biss is new co-artistic director of prestigious Marlboro Music
Kansas City Symphony, Associate Principal Viola
Matthew Sinno (Viola ‘18)
August 2018: Los Angeles Philharmonic, Principal Viola
Teng Li (Viola ’05)
The Violin Channel: Los Angeles Philharmonic Announce New Principal Violist
August 2018: Verbier Festival Paternot Award
Timothy Chooi (Violin ’17)
The Strad: Timothy Chooi awarded Verbier Festival Academy’s highest honour
July 2018: Kalamazoo Symphony, Concertmaster
Jun-Ching Lin (Violin ’85)
The Violin Channel: Michigan’s Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Announces New Concertmaster
July 2018: Tokyo International Viola Competition, First Prize
Luosha Fang (Violin ’14)
The Violin Channel: Prize Winners Announced at Japan’s Tokyo International Viola Competition
July 2018: Gina Bachauer International Artists Competition, Gold Medal
Chang-Yong Shin (Piano ’16)
Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation: 2018 International Artists Competition
June 2018: Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, Fellowship
David Ludwig (Composition ’01), Chair of Composition Studies, and Diane Monroe (Violin ’80)
The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage: 2018 Grantees
June 2018: Cleveland International Piano Competition, First Prize
Xiaoxuan Li, piano student
ClevelandClassical.com: CIPC Announces 2018 Prizes in Young Artists Competition
June 2018: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Principal Oboe
William Welter (Oboe ’16)
Chicago Tribune: CSO hires new principal oboe, William Welter, one of its youngest first chairs ever
June 2018: Primrose International Viola Competition, First and Second Prizes
Hae Sue Lee, viola student; Zoe Martin-Doike (Violin ’13)
The Violin Channel: 18-Year-Old Hae-Sue Lee Awarded 1st Prize at LA’s Primrose Viola Competition
June 2018: Géza Anda Competition, First Prize
Claire Huangci (Piano ’07)
Swiss Radio and Television: Claire Huangci wins the Concours Géza Anda
June 2018: Astral National Auditions, Winner
Vera Quartet, string quartet in residence, and Eric Huckins (Horn ’16)
Astral Blog: 2018 National Auditions Winners
May 2018: M-Prize Chamber Music Competition, Grand Prize
Aizuri Quartet (String Quartet in Residence, 2014-16)
Strings Magazine: Aizuri Quartet Wins M-Prize Chamber Music Competition
May 2018: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Section Bass
Edward Francis-Smith (Double Bass ’18)
The Violin Channel: New York’s Met Opera Orchestra Announces New Double Bassist
May 2018: Washington National Opera, Debut
Emily Pogorelc, vocal studies student as Cunegonde in Candide
D.C. Metro Theater Arts: Rising Stars: Emily Pogorelc in the Washington National Opera’s ‘Candide’
May 2018: Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Chief Conductor
Karina Canellakis (Violin ’04)
New York Times: After a Last-Minute Conducting Triumph, Her Own Orchestra
May 2018: Empire State Youth Orchestra, Music Director
Carlos Ágreda (Conducting ’18)
Times Union: ESYO appoints new music director
April 2018: Music Critics Association of North America, Best New Opera of 2017
David Hertzberg (Composition ’15) for Wake World
Philadelphia Inquirer: Opera Philadelphia and David Hertzberg win 'best new opera' for 017 commission
March 2018: Avery Fisher Career Grant
Xavier Foley (Double Bass ’16)
Young Concert Artists, Inc.: Xavier Foley Wins 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant
March 2018: Staatskapelle Berlin, Associate Principal Second Violin
Lifan Zhu (Violin ’14)
The Violin Channel: Staatskapelle Berlin Announces New Associate Principal Second Violin
January 2018: Grammy Awards, Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Jennifer Higdon (Composition ’88) for her Viola Concerto performed by Roberto Díaz (Viola ’84)
New York Times: Grammy 2018 Winners: Full List
Photograph: Andrea Baldeck
