CONDUCTOR

A graceful yet powerful force on the podium, Argentinian-Italian conductor Michelle Di Russo is known for her compelling interpretations, passionate musicality, and championship of contemporary music. Recently appointed Associate Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Michelle is in her second season as Associate Conductor with the North Carolina Symphony and was named a 23/24 Dudamel Fellow.

SOPRANO

Polish-American soprano Magdalena Kuźma, a 2023 CAG-YCAT artist, has been praised for being a “standout” with “star quality” by Opera News, and established herself as a swiftly rising star in both concert and operatic repertoire. In April 2023 she sang Giannetta in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, a performance for the famed Metropolitan Opera that earned praise from New York Classical Voice: “With her deluxe voice and vivid stage presence, Kuzma brightened the stage.”

PIANO TRIO

Hailed as “entrancing” (BBC Music Magazine), and called "artists in the deepest sense of the word" (CutCommon), Merz Trio has established itself at the forefront of the US chamber music scene, with debuts in the 2022-23 season at Carnegie Hall, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, Chamber Music Houston, and Chamber Music Detroit, among others.

STRING QUARTET

The Balourdet Quartet stands out for their vibrant energy and masterful blend of technical precision and emotional depth that brings a fresh perspective to both beloved classics and modern compositions. Its unique closeness and willingness to take creative risks earned it the 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant, as well as Chamber Music America’s 2024 Cleveland Quartet Award.