ESTEEMED JURY
Pianist Enriqueta Somarriba thrives in a prolific and versatile international career, as a sought-after performer and music educator. Praised by the New York Concert Review for her “aplomb” and her “natural, individual interpretation”, Somarriba performs regularly as a soloist and chamber musician, in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Auditorio Nacional in Madrid, Organization of American States in Washington D.C., Cervantes Institute of NY, and more.
Hailed for his “beautiful command of tone and mood, and unruffleable savoir-faire” (San Francisco Chronicle), Carlos Avila is one of the most in-demand pianists on the classical music scene. An avid collaborative musician, Carlos has appeared in the chamber music series’ of The New York Philharmonic, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The San Francisco Symphony, and The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra among others. He has also served on the faculties of The Juilliard School, New York University, Rutgers University, The Heifetz International Music Institute, the Chautauqua Institution, Morningside Music Bridge, and Orford Musique.
Seiran Tozlian is a 22 year old Armenian pianist and composer. He has participated in many international festivals and is the winner of many competitions such as the “Grand Piano in Palace”in Saint Petersburg, “Young Talents of Russia” in Moscow, “Firework of talents” in Saint Petersburg, 18th International Competition “Valsesia Music Junior” in Varallo Italy and XIV Chopin International Piano Competition, Hartford.
Canadian/American violinist, Christina Bouey, is hailed by the New York Times for playing “beautifully,” the New York Post, “When violinist Christina Bouey spun out that shimmering tune, I thought I died and went to heaven,” and by Opera News, for playing “with exquisite, quivering beauty.”
Violinist Rhiannon Banerdt made her solo debut at age 14 with the New England Symphonic Ensemble in Johannesburg, South Africa. She has since made solo and chamber music appearances at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, New York’s Weill Hall at Carnegie, and Boston’s Jordan Hall, among others, with performances hailed by Edith Eisler of Strings Magazine as “real music-making–concentrated and deeply felt.”