ASTRAL ANNOUNCES 2021 NATIONAL AUDITIONS WINNERS
Astral | Tuesday June 8, 2021PHILADELPHIA, PA – Astral Artists, a nonprofit intensive mentoring program that specializes in developing the early careers of classical musicians, today announced the winners of its 2021 National Auditions.
Conducted in an entirely digital format this season and following a 3-round process, seven exceptionally gifted rising-star artists have been invited to join Astral’s program. They are:
ARKAI, string duo
Amer Hasan, clarinet
Hilda Huang, piano
Helen Zhibing Huang, soprano
Valentin Kovalev, saxophone
Julian Rhee, violin
Hao Yang, guitar
“During this unprecedented time of pandemic restrictions limiting opportunities for performing artists, Astral’s commitment to the next generation of classical music’s emerging talent extends to this year’s digital audition process.” says Artistic Director Dan Visconti. “Our seven 2021 National Auditions Winners brought their ingenuity to the fore by creating digital presentations showcasing their performance acumen, public speaking, and programming ideas – and through a rigorous process they’ve truly distinguished themselves as artists creating at the forefront of today’s fresh musical thinking.”
“We are grateful to the many recitalists, conductors and professional musicians who made up our audition panel this year. Astral’s 29-year history provides deep connections to some of the most active, innovative, and talented musicians who understand the ever-changing arts and culture industry, so that these new Artists will truly benefit from the impactful support that Astral provides,” says Executive Director, Lourdes Starr-Demers.
Philadelphia audiences will be able to hear Astral’s newest artists at the 2021 Astral National Auditions Winners Concert, which is planned to take place at Stotesbury Mansion in Philadelphia on Wednesday, October 20. Further details and ticket information will be forthcoming later this summer.
ABOUT THE ASTRAL NATIONAL AUDITIONS
This year, Astral auditioned voice, strings, small chamber ensembles, piano, woodwinds, and brass candidates for placement in its esteemed program of approximately 25 musicians.
The 2021 Astral National Auditions were conducted via an entirely digital, 3-round format this season. Round 1 was an online application and anonymous screening of audio submission by an independent panel. Round 2 was the submission of a newly created, unedited video program, reviewed by an esteemed panel of leading musicians, conductors, agents, and industry leaders. Round 3 was an interview conducted via Zoom with Astral’s Career Development team for finalists from Round 2.
Once awarded a place in Astral’s career development program, National Auditions Winners receive customized career development mentorship, a full complement of marketing materials, superior performance opportunities, community partnership experience, artistic exploration, and networking with top professionals in the field.
THE 2021 NATIONAL AUDITIONS WINNERS
ARKAI, string duo
ARKAI channels the diversity of the world through genre-bending music, forging new possibilities for what a violin and cello can be. Formed by violinist Jonathan Miron and cellist Philip Sheegog, both graduates of The Juilliard School, their engagements have included performances at The MET Breuer, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the 92nd Street Y. Their electronic debut composition, “Letters from COVID”, was recently featured at TED@PMI for a global audience of over 30,000 people from 182 countries. Their newest initiative, SupportNYC, amplifies the diverse stories of small business and organizations adversely impacted by COVID-19.
Amer Hasan, clarinet
Chicago-native Amer Hasan has won first prize in the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition, National Federation of Music Clubs’ Biennial Collegiate Competition, Brevard Music Center Concerto Competition, Tuesday Musical Association Competition, and DePaul University Concerto Festival. Currently the principal clarinetist of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Hasan has also performed with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, the New World Symphony Orchestra, the Firelands Symphony Orchestra, and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. A member of the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, he earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
Hilda Huang, piano
Hilda Huang has earned the top prizes at the Leipzig, Würzburg, and Tureck International Bach Competitions. She began her international performing career on the Steinway and Sons Prizewinners Concert Network, making her recital debut at the Leipzig Gewandhaus Mendelssohnsaal, and appearing the Leipzig and Montréal Bach Festivals. Ms. Huang holds degrees from Yale College and Yale School of Music. She is an advocate for modern performance of historical music, and in the 2021-2023 seasons, she will perform the Bach toccatas on modern piano and harpsichord.
Helen Zhibing Huang, soprano
Helen Zhibing Huang’s operatic credits include appearances with Nashville Opera, Portland Opera, Deutsch Oper Berlin, and White Snake Projects, as well as upcoming performances with Opera Theatre Saint Louis and The Glimmerglass Festival. She has earned recognition from competitions such as the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Jensen Foundation Competition, and McCammon Voice Competition. Miss Huang holds degrees from the New England Conservatory, Bard Vocal Arts Program, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of Rochester (B.A. Economics). She is a founder Wear Yellow Proudly, an initiative that aims to bring awareness to Asian culture and strengthen the ties within the global community through music, poetry, and culture.
Valentin Kovalev, saxophone
In his native Russia, Valentin Kovalev has performed as a soloist with the New Russia Orchestra, the Orchestra of Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Center, and the Tchaikovsky Big Symphony Orchestra, and has toured across Europe and China. He has received awards from the Mstislav Rostropovich Foundation, the Fondation Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet pour la vocation, Fonds de Tarrazi, Legs Edward Jabes, la Fondation L’Or du Rhin, as well as receiving two awards from The President of the Russian Federation and a grant from the mayor of Moscow City. Mr. Kovalev holds his undergraduate degree from the Paris Conservatory and is completing his graduate studies at the University of Michigan.
Julian Rhee, violin
Julian Rhee made his Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra debut at age 8, and has gone on to perform with the Aspen Philharmonic, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Eugene, and Madison Symphony Orchestras. First prize winner of the Elmar Oliveira International Competition, where he was also awarded the special Community Engagement Award. Mr. Rhee has also been a top prize winner of the Johansen and Klein International Competitions, and the Aspen Concerto Competition. He has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center as a Presidential Scholar. He is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree at the New England Conservatory.
Hao Yang, guitar
Hao Yang has won top prizes in numerous competitions, including the GFA International Youth Competition, CSU International Guitar Competition, and Andres Segovia 7th International Guitar Competition. She has appeared as soloist with the Chusachsische Philharmonie in Germany and has been invited to perform solo recitals at the Cleveland, Panama, and Beijing International Guitar Festivals. Ms. Yang has performed concerts in major venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Miller Theatre, Princeton Sound Kitchen, and Subculture NYC. Ms. Yang is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree at The Curtis Institute of Music.
ABOUT ASTRAL ARTISTS
Astral Artists is a nonprofit intensive mentoring program specializing in developing the early careers of extraordinary classical musicians. The Astral approach is forward-thinking, concentrating resources on a small number of rising-star soloists and chamber ensembles with the potential to be change-makers and influencers. Cohorts of artistic visionaries leave the program ready to build a future for classical music and serve the community. For more information, visit https://www.astralartists.org/
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