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VIRGINIA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
47th Season

David Grandis, Music Director

Featured Guest Artists for 46th season


Aaron Goldman, flute
October 23, 2016


Aaron Goldman, flute

Aaron Goldman, Principal Flute of the National Symphony Orchestra since January 2013, joined the NSO as Assistant Principal Flute in September 2006. Prior to joining the NSO, he was Principal Flute of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed as guest principal with the Baltimore Symphony.

An active soloist and chamber musician, Mr. Goldman has performed concertos with the National Symphony, Amadeus Chamber Orchestra, Arlington Philharmonic, Orlando Philharmonic, the Chamber Orchestra of Florida, and has performed at several National Flute Association’s annual conventions. He appears as part of the Kennedy Center Chamber Players, and has performed with the Eclipse Chamber Orchestra, the National Chamber Players, the 21st Century Consort, the Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, and participated in many educational programs with the NSO, including performances in the Family and Terrace Theaters.

Mr. Goldman is on the faculty of the University of Maryland and teaches through the NSO’s Youth Fellowship Program. He has appeared as guest artist at universities and flute festivals and in the summers, has taught at NOI, NYO, the Master Players Festival, and SMI. He has given lectures at the Carnegie Institute, and the Smithsonian Institution, such as “The Magical Flute” and “Math and Music: Closer Than You Think” alongside former NSO cellist Yvonne Caruthers.

Mr. Goldman received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music.



Isabelle Frouvelle, harp
October 23, 2016


Isabelle Frouvelle, harp

Harpist Isabelle Frouvelle has recently moved to Washington and is now dividing her musical activities between France and America. She has appeared as soloist with the Orchestre Colonne and Orchestre du Capitole, and has presented concerts in Sainte-Chapelle, the Basilica of Sacré Coeur, the Louvre Museum, and the Château de Versailles, among many others. She has been invited to give master classes in the United States and Mexico, and was recently selected to judge an International Harp Competition in Mexico.



Helen Power, painter/potter
October 23, 2016


Helen Power, painter/potter

Helen has been involved in creating art all of her life. As a young child she liked to draw and paint. In her middle and high school years she was fortunate to have attended a school where art was cherished. Helen’s art teacher took her under her wing and supported a creative journey through the teen years and on to art school where she trained to become an art educator herself. Now Helen works as an Art Therapist and Play Therapist and is able to support and follow the journey of other young artists.

Currently Helen enjoys creating intuitive abstract images with acrylic paint and mixed media. Other materials include clay, collage, and watercolor. She works on canvas, paper, and ceramic surfaces. Her work is expressive and vital, full of color yet gentle in nature. Helen’s images are playful, incorporating studied and unplanned images with mixed media and color.



Destiny Ann Mermagen, violin
March 11, 2017


Destiny Ann Mermagen

Violinist Destiny Ann Mermagen, formerly Destiny Ann Hoyle, is enjoying a successful career as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher in the musical arts. A native of Rapid City, South Dakota, Destiny Ann performed regularly with the Black Hills Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. During the summer of 2002, Destiny Ann was selected on full-scholarship to participate in the National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute. She was featured as soloist at the 2003 American String Teachers Association Convention in Columbus, Ohio with the Rapid City Central Chamber Orchestra, which was the only chamber orchestra in the nation to be selected for participation. She has been involved in various musical and educational productions throughout the world, including those with the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Virginia Chamber Orchestra, Amadeus Chamber Orchestra, Peabody Conservatory, University of Maryland School of Music, and The Catholic University of America.

As the winner of international competitions and performance awards, Destiny Ann has had the pleasure of performing in prestigious venues such as Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Opera House, and Millennium Stage; Maryland’s Strathmore Hall; New York City’s Carnegie Hall and many others across the United States, Europe and Russia. Destiny Ann has worked in conjunction with Dream Works and Paramount Pictures for Joe Wright’s movie, The Soloist. She is also featured in the PBS Documentary Partisan Pictures film, Defiant Requiem: Voices of Resistance, both from the 2006 performance in Terezín, Czech Republic, and in the chamber music soundtrack recorded in 2012. In 2011, Destiny Ann was featured as soloist at the 65th Annual International Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL, with the ASTA Grand Champion winners Rapid City Central Chamber Orchestra. She was also a featured guest performer at the 2013 IDRS Conference in Los Angeles, CA, where she performed Paganini’s Duos for Bassoon and Violin.

During her time in Washington, D.C., Destiny Ann received her Master of Music Degree on full-scholarship with distinguished violinists & Professors Jody Gatwood & Luis Haza. Her studies also included working with the esteemed Elisabeth Adkins, Associate Concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra. Other notable teachers include Espen Lilleslåtten, who served as Concertmaster for fifteen years of the Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester, as well as summer studies at the Aspen Music Festival with renowned teachers Paul Kantor and Sylvia Rosenberg.

In praise of her cowgirl roots, a recent successful and barn-burner of a performance of Franck’s Sonata for Violin and Piano was quoted in the Washington Post as “endearingly coltish.” She has a fiery passion for chamber music and loves performing with her husband, cellist Michael Mermagen.

Destiny Ann is faculty violin instructor for the string program of the Coastal Youth Symphony of Georgia.



Heather Adelsberger, piano
March 11, 2017


Heather Adelsberger

Heather Adelsberger maintains an active career as a pianist, organist, vocal accompanist and piano instructor in the Washington D.C. area. She holds an undergraduate degree in Piano Performance from the Catholic University of America, and a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from the University of Maryland.

A sought-after music educator and member of MTNA, Heather has maintained private studios in Maryland and Virginia for the past seven years. Heather stresses an individualistic approach to each students learning style and goals. Using creative pedagogy and a wide range of repertoire, she tailors each lesson to motivate the student toward achievement and a love of the art form.

In 2009, Heather joined the faculty at Duke Ellington School of the Arts where she coaches and accompanies conservatory-bound high school vocal students. Most recently, she prepared students of Duke Ellingtons Opera Workshop for their spring production which featured scenes from Handel’s Xerxes, Mozart’s Così fan tutte and Troubled Island by African American composer William Grant Still.

A firm believer in continuing education, Heather recently completed a year of study through the Potomac Organ Institute where she received year-long scholarship to study organ. Heather is currently the Director of Music at the St Louis Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA.

Heather maintains an active performing schedule as a solo and collaborative pianist. Her most recent endeavors have included a series of recitals in Washington and New Jersey with cellist Sara Bennett Wolfe, and performances of Franz Schubert’s Winterreise with her husband, bass-baritone Andrew Adelsberger.



Andrew Miller, piano
March 22, 2017


photo of Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller, a native of Springfield, VA, is an accomplished pianist whose versatility and commitment to musicianship are exhibited by his active participation as a soloist, accompanist, chamber musician, and instructor in the Northern Virginia area. Andrew is a current third year doctoral candidate of the D.M.A program in Piano Performance at George Mason University and has had the privilege of studying with Dr. Anna Balakerskaia since 2010. During his studies at GMU, Andrew was selected as a winner of the 2016 GMU Concerto Competition and performed for the Scholarship Benefit Concert with the Mason Symphony Orchestra in May of that year. Andrew was a winner of the GMU Concerto Competition in 2013 and performed Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in the Young Masters Concert before the completion of his Master of Music in Piano Performance (May 2013). He participated as a performer and chamber musician in the Orfeo International Music Festival held in Vipiteno, Italy (2011).

In May 2010, Andrew graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Christopher Newport University. Under the tutelage of CNU professors, Dr. Jeffrey Brown and Dr. Amanda Halstead, Andrew won the CNU Concerto/Aria Competition twice and was given the privilege of performing Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto and Gershwin’s Concerto in F with the Christopher Newport University Orchestra. In addition to his orchestral recognition, Andrew received first place in the annual Friends of Music Scholarship Recital and was nominated two times for the People’s Choice Award . He has performed various musicals for TheaterCNU including the production of Urinetown (2007) as a member of the Pit Stop Band and was Assistant Musical Director for their production of Little Shop of Horrors (2008). During the spring of 2009, he was chosen by the faculty and was inducted into the honorary music fraternity Pi Kappa Lambda, which recognizes students for their advanced academic and musical accomplishments. In addition to his keyboard experiences, he enjoyed playing trombone as a member, and later as a drum major (2009), of the CNU Marching Captains.

Today, Andrew works alongside keyboard professors as Graduate Lecturer at GMU, maintains a private studio of 30 local students, as well as working as a vocal coach/accompanist for GMU private voice studios (since 2011), VA Hills Baptist Church (since 2012), and the Eastern Virginia School for the Performing Arts (2009–2010). In addition to his professional coaching, Andrew has appeared as a soloist/accompanist for the concert series Music for the Angels at the National Swedenborgian Church in Washington D.C and is a current recipient of the Linda Monson Endowment Scholarship at George Mason University.



Alexandria Choral Society
May 7, 2017  


With the encouragement of the Alexandria City Council, Alexandria Choral Society (ACS) was formed in 1970 as a component of the Performing Arts Association of Alexandria. ACS was independently incorporated in 1978. Beginning with the vision of founding director Francisco de Araujo, ACS has delighted audiences year in and year out, and the baton has passed from one illustrious hand to the next and finally arrived with Brian Gendron, who has led ACS since 2009.

For almost 45 years, ACS performances have enriched the community with a broad spectrum of choral works, from the Renaissance to modern American composers, from small chamber pieces to major works for chorus and orchestra, and from a great variety of musical cultures. For major works, ACS has often collaborated with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and other instrumental groups from the Northern Virginia area. Contemporary music performances have included several choral pieces commissioned by ACS, perhaps most notably the “Alexandria Suite” a setting by Virginia composer Russell Woollen of eight poems by Alexandria poet laureate Jean Elliot, celebrating the history and beauty of the city. ACS premiered the “Alexandria Suite” in 1987 and presented it numerous times during the city’s 250th anniversary year in 1999.

On two occasions, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce selected ACS for its ALEX Award, in recognition of excellence in service to the arts in Alexandria. In 1992, ACS and artistic director Kerry Krebill received the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers’ first award to a chorus for “Adventuresome Programming.” However, ACS is especially proud of a comment many years ago by Joseph McLellan, long-time chief music critic of the Washington Post, who wrote about the Alexandria Choral Society: “This chorus is one of the things that makes Alexandria a very special place.”

The roster of distinguished music directors includes Francisco de Araujo, Martin Piecuch, Robert Shafer, Douglas Major, Kerry Krebill, Keith Reas, Philip Cave, Neil Weston, and Janet Davis. Since becoming the group’s artistic leader in 2009, Brian Gendron has brought about a renaissance for ACS by reinvigorating membership and repertoire, and guiding the ensemble to set our sights on the horizon.

Alexandria Choral Society Web site (link will open in a new browser window)



James D. Steele, photographer
May 7, 2017


photo of Jim Steele

Jim Steele is a photographer working in both monochrome and color landscapes and nudes. Steele is equally comfortable in both traditional and digital processes.

Steele photographs the landscape throughout the Southwest, Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and Europe.

Steele has a studio in the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia.

He has frequently lectured on the subject of fine printing and has taught at Photoworks, the Smithsonian Institution, the Art League in Alexandria, Va, and has guest lectured in photography at Georgetown University.

Jim Steel holds a B.S./M.S. Industrial Engineering, University of Missouri. He has completed Master photography classes with George Tice, Carson Graves, Christopher James, Cole Weston, Joyce Tenneson, and Martha Casanave.

TEACHING STATEMENT:
Craft is not a substitute for a lack of vision...



Teri Lazar, violin
July 5, 2017  


photo of Teri Lazar

Teri Lazar, violinist, has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Dr. Lazar performs with the Sunrise Quartet and the National Gallery of Art String Quartet. Recently, the Quartet performed to great acclaim at the Musica Sacra festival in Ecuador. The Quartet has performed with noted pianists Menahem Pressler and Miceal O’Rourke, and with guitarist Roland Dyens.

The Quartet has recorded for the Living Music, Arizona University Recordings, Amcam and AmeriMusic labels. A collection of Christmas music, which they edited, has been published under the imprint of G. Schirmer, Inc. West Virginia Public Television and Chinese National Television have also featured the Sunrise Quartet in a one-hour TV show “A Musical Bridge to China” broadcast. Performances by the Quartet have been broadcast for National Public Radio’s Performance Today, What Makes it Great, and Front Row Washington.

In addition to her work with the Quartet she has recorded chamber music for the Albany, Klavier, North/South Recordings, Plucked String, and Centaur labels and has been heard on National Public Radio’s Performance Today program.

She received a Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, from the Catholic University of America. She continued her studies at Catholic University with Robert Gerle and received a Master of Music and a Doctorate of Music degree in violin performance. Dr. Lazar is currently on the faculty of the American University where she teaches violin and is Musician in Residence. She is currently the Concertmaster of the Virginia Chamber Orchestra. She has performed at the Spoleto festival in the USA and in Italy and she toured Europe twice with the New York group, Amor Artis.



Osman Kivrak, viola and composer
July 5, 2017  


photo of Osman Kivrak

Osman Kivrak, violist, was a winner of the National Scholarship Competition in Turkey, the Baltimore Chamber Music Awards, the Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Awards, the Culver (California) Chamber Music Competition and of three Maryland National Parks and Planning Commission Awards. He performs with the Sunrise Quartet and the National Gallery of Art String Quartet. Recently, the Quartet performed to great acclaim at the Musica Sacra festival in Ecuador. The Quartet has performed with noted pianists Menahem Pressler and Miceal O’Rourke, and with guitarist Roland Dyens.

The Quartet has recorded for the Living Music, Arizona University Recordings, Amcam and AmeriMusic labels. A collection of Christmas music, which they edited, has been published under the imprint of G. Schirmer, Inc. West Virginia Public Television and Chinese National Television have also featured the Sunrise Quartet in a one-hour TV show “A Musical Bridge to China” broadcast. Performances by the Quartet have been broadcast for National Public Radio’s Performance Today, What Makes it Great and Front Row Washington.

He received a Master of Music and Doctorate of Music degree from the Catholic University of America. Before coming to the United States, he received his Bachelor of Music from Gazi University in Turkey and studied at the Guildhall School of Music in London.

He has also performed at the Spoleto Festival in the USA and Italy and he has toured Europe a number of times as a chamber music player with other groups. His works have been performed in Washington DC at the Kennedy Center, the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Library of Congress and throughout the United States and in Turkey as well as on National Public Radio. Formerly a professor at the Izmir State Conservatory in Turkey, Dr. Kivrak currently teaches viola and chamber music at American University where he is Musician in Residence.



Charlie Barnett, pianist and composer
July 5, 2017  


photo of Charlie Barnett

An accomplished and popular American composer, Charlie Barnett is the winner of numerous awards for his film scores, including the Rome International Film Festival’s Jerry Goldsmith Award. Barnett also writes music for television; his credits include Saturday Night Live, Weeds, Royal Pains, and Archer. Barnett’s lively orchestral and chamber works are performed both nationally and internationally. Notable collaborations include a spoken-word piece written and performed with Dr. Maya Angelou. As a producer, Barnett has recorded scores of pop and jazz albums for labels including Def Jam and Elektra. And as a performer, he plays guitar and piano for Chaise Lounge, an eclectic jazz band that frequently appears on the national college-radio charts with his original compositions. Barnett has also been heard as an occasional commentator on NPR. His essay “Hitching a Ride with Junior McGee” was included in the network’s Classic Driveway Moments compilation.

charliebarnett.com (link will open in a new browser window)
chaiseloungenation.com (link will open in a new browser window)


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