Sforzando: Composer’s Collective presents Elemental: a multidisciplinary exploration of the four primordial elements
Thursday, June 15th at 7:30 pm:
Sforzando
composer’s collective presents Elemental: a multidisciplinary exploration of the four primordial elements
Earth-Water-Air-Fire
Program
Fabian Beltran Three Shamanic Dances (2017)
- Diaboli
- Runes
- Necromance
Adrian Blanco, Piano
Fabian Beltran, Video
Catherine Phang Tracing The Gravity (2017)
Roland Gjernes, Cello
Su Jin Kang, Piano
Wonjae Kim, Video
Short Intermission
Shunyin Celine Wang Farewell/Reverie (2017)
Vasko Dukovski, Bass Clarinet
TBD, Video
Yunzhuo Gan Fire (2017)
Yinpei Han, Soprano
Chen Fan, Pipa
Mark Serkin, Cello
Yunzhuo Gan, Drum
Fabian Beltran, Video
Composers
Fabian Beltran was born in Bogota, Colombia where he became interested in art and music at an early age. Without any formal training, he became proficient in multiple instruments and performed an extensive array of popular musical styles. Fabian holds a B.A. in music composition from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and received an M.M. in classical composition from the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Richard Danielpour. Fabian has been the recipient of multiple composition awards, such as the UTSA Reed Holmes Composition Award, Texas Young Composers Russell Horn Award, Memphis Belvedere Chamber Music Competition (2nd place award), and was one of the winners of the Indiana State University Music Now competition of 2015. In addition, his compositions have won performances by multiple ensembles, and have been featured in numerous venues and festivals across the U.S.
Catherine Phang was born in 1991 in Madison, Wisconsin and begun studying piano at age of four. In 2007, she began her professional composition lessons with composer Jung Min Ahn, currently the music director at Choong-Mu Art Hall in Seoul Korea. Since then, Catherine has written music for several combinations of chamber orchestra, chamber ensemble, choir and electronic music. She also collaborated with dancers, theatre, film, and art installation. Catherine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from the University of Hartford—the Hartt School in West Hartford, CT where she studied composition with Larry Alan Smith, Ken Steen (Electronic Music), and piano with David Westfall, Paul Rutman, and Susan Cheng. During her academic years, Catherine was included in both the Hartt School Dean’s List, and the University President List for her academic achievements. Additionally, she was also the recipient of a Kountz Fellowship 2013-14, that was based on her commendable work as a BM composer at the Hartt School. Recently, Catherine received her Master’s degree in composition from the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Richard Danielpour.
Shunyin Celine Wang is a composer and pianist originally from Shanghai, China. She started playing music at an early age and then began composing at the age of twelve. Celine attended and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree from the Shanghai Conservatory before relocating to NYC in 2014. In 2016, she received her M.M. from the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Dr. Reiko Fueting. Celine has participated in several music festivals and had the privilege of having some of her works premiered at the “Spring of Shanghai” Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Etchings Festival for Contemporary Music.
Yunzhuo Gan, is a Chinese dulcimer performer and composer. Recently, Yunzhuo completed an M.M. in composition at the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Marjorie Merryman. As a performer, Yunzhuo has had multiple performances throughout the world. Significant events include two performances for the former president of China at the Shanghai World Expo and Paralympic Games, as well as performances at the Cannes International Film Festival and the Prague Spring Music Festival. As a composer, Yunzhuo was the recipient of the EACA International Composition Competition award, and the TMSK Liu Tianhua National Composition Competition award. In addition, Yunzhuo wrote the music and songs for the Chinese film” The Continuation of Love” which won the “second batch of key recommended film” and “5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake Memorial Tribute film” awards by The State Administration of Radio Film and Television of China. Other notable performances include the composition of a work in commemoration of the 2014 Shanghai New Year’s Concert, and a concert titled The Charm in Carnegie Hall presented at Carnegie Hall in 2016. Yunzhuo’s works have been featured in venues such as the Merkin Hall, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, and at the National Sawdust.
Performers
Adrian Blanco is an accomplished concert pianist and chamber musician praised for his technical virtuosity and musical understanding. His performances have been described by Spanish newspaper “Ara” as “exquisite” and “honest.” Since his debut as a soloist at the age of 15 performing W. A. Mozart’s Kv. 466 concert with the Orchestra of Santa Coloma, Blanco has performed in venues and concert halls across Spain, Germany, Finland, and the United States, and has been awarded First Prize in competitions such as the Isaac Albéniz competition. Blanco earned a Bachelor of Music with Honors from the Superior School of Music of Catalonia in the class of Pierre Réach and has recently obtained a Masters in Contemporary Performance from the Manhattan School of Music under the mentorship of Margaret Kampmeier, Anthony de Mare, Christopher Oldfather, and Lucy Shelton.
Roland Gjernes, began his cello adventures in Vancouver, Canada and has had the pleasure of studying at the University of Ottawa and Manhattan School of Music. He most recently completed his Master’s with renowned cello pedagogue, Philippe Muller. As a founding member of Yukon Cello Project, Roland performed and taught in Canada’s Northern communities. His performances have taken him as far as Europe and China.
Su Jin Kang, was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1994. She spent her formative years in Auckland, New Zealand and in Chicago, U.S.A. Kang graduated from the Chicago Academy for the Arts in 2012 as a piano major and is currently enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Classical Composition under J. Mark Stambaugh. Kang plans to further her education in Classical Music composition. She hopes to work as a New York based artist and a teacher.
Vasko Dukovski, is a New York based multidisciplinary performing artist and composer. Dukovski has collaborated with some of New York’s most respected ensembles including Argento New Music Ensemble, S.E.M Ensemble, Bang on A Can All Stars,
Talea Ensemble, Wet Ink, ECCE-East Coast Contemporary Ensemble, Metropolis Ensemble, Ensemble Pamplemousse, Nunc Ensemble, AXIOM, LPR Ensemble, The Knights Orchestra and others. Dukovski’s musical sophistication spans Europe, The Middle East, North Africa, China, extensively in the US and on regular basis in New York City in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, BAM, Roulette, LPR, Miller Theater at Columbia University, The Met Museum and MOMA.
In 2015 Dukovski was awarded “40 under 40 Successful Macedonians” by the United Macedonian Diaspora. A Nominee of the 2013 “Virtuosi” Award Ceremony in his native Macedonia, Dukovski is a Winner of the 2010 Arriaga Chamber Music Competition with Grneta Ensemble; III Prize Winner of the Andreas Makris Clarinet Competition in Fort Collins, Colorado; Special Prize Winner of the 2002 Jeunnese Musicales Clarinet Competition in Bucharest, Romania; Winner of the 2001 International Woodwind Competition in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; 2003 Eubie Blake Honors Award recipient; and a II Prize Winner of the 2002 National Chamber Music Competition and 1996 National Clarinet Competition, in Macedonia.
Born in Ohrid, in the Republic of Macedonia, Dukovski started his musical education at the age of eight. Dukovski received a Fine Arts Award from the Interlochen Arts Academy, which he attended before earning a Bachelors and a Master’s Degree from The Juilliard School of Music as a student of Charles Neidich and Ayako Oshima.
Chen Fan, was born in Shanghai, China. She studied the Chinese Pipa and classical piano at Music Middle School Affiliated to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Fan completed her undergraduate studies in professional Chinese music and Western Jazz including electric bass and Jazz piano at the Shanghai Conservatory. For her master’s degree, she entered the music education program at NYU Steinhardt. She performed in China and abroad in an All-Girl Jazz Band.
In addition, she has also received professional recognition for her work in Chinese traditional music. She has performed live stage works in concert, improvising with the Pipa using technology and multimedia. She also has pursued dance improvisations as live art, embodying her experiences and Chinese elements through expressive performance.
Mark Serkin, is a rising senior in cello performance at Mannes School of Music, studying with Barbara Stein Mallow. Mark started playing the cello at the age of fourteen, with a past in piano performance. Mark is interested in chamber music as a player and as a teacher. He is a chamber music coach for the Face the Music program at Kaufman Center in New York City. Recent engagements include performances at Morgan Library, The New York Historical Society, and Lincoln Center with Millennium Chamber Symphony NYC.
Yinpei Han, Mezzo-soprano Yinpei Han is a first-year Professional Studies Diploma at Mannes school of Music studying with Diana Soviero. Born in Jiangsu, China, Yinpei obtained her Master’s degree at Manhattan school of Music in 2016. Previously she has appeared with the Opera Theater in “L’enfant et sortileges”, “Macbeth” and “Die Zauberflöte”, performed Bach and Handel with Baroque Aria Ensemble, and participated in Martin Katz’s and Will Crutchfield’s master class.
As an International performer, Ms. Han performed in 2nd Annual Gala Fundraiser Concert “Promise Healthcare” at University of Illinois at Urban-Champaign. Roles include Vanessa (Erika), Giulio Cesare (Sesto) and scenes from Alcina (Bradamante), Serse (Serse), L’italiana in Algeri (Isabella), La clemenza di Tito (Sesto, Annio), Le nozze di Figaro (Cherubino) and The Magic Flute (Second Lady). Ms. Han trained and performed at the Daniel Ferro Vocal Program in Italy since 2011.
Dancers
MJM Dance, is a New York based dance company led by dancer and choreographer Megan J. Minturn. MJM Dance has performed at the 92nd St. Y, the Mark Morris Dance Center, Miami University of Ohio, New York’s Dance New Amsterdam, the Amalgamate Artist Series, Dixon Place, NYU’s Frederick Loewe Theatre, the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, Dumbo Dance Festival, CoolNY, Grounds for Sculpture, and Women in Dance at Alvin Ailey’s Joan Weill Center for Dance. MJM Dance hosted the Sunset Park Day of Dance generously funded by the Brooklyn Arts Council. The company looks forward to continuous creative opportunities and experiences.
Dream Jun Zhou, graduated from New York University with an MA in Dance Education and is a NYC based dancer, choreographer and dance educator. Born and raised in China gifted him good opportunity to master Chinese folk dance, and other genres such as ballroom and modern dance. During his undergraduate in Beijing Normal University, he has performed in Sweden, Denmark, Italy to name a few. In New York, Mr. Zhou currently works in public schools while pursuing his dance career.
Sforzando is a collective of composers in New York City, who seek to promote, organize, and produce new music and new multidisciplinary artistic collaborations.
