eNews: Internetzo – April 2026

Message from Seth Brenzel,
Executive Director

Dear Walden friends,

Spring is here, and the start of Walden’s 2026 summer season is less than two months away!

In the meantime, we have two wonderful Walden fundraising events coming up. This Sunday, April 26, Walden is hosting a celebration and fundraiser in Washington, DC, featuring pianist Pallavi Mahidhara and violist/violinist Aurélien Fort Pederzoli. Next month, we’ll be in in New York City, with a celebration and fundraiser on Sunday, May 17, featuring pianist Blair McMillen. I hope to see many Walden friends at these events! Please write to us if you are interested in attending.

There are just a few spots remaining in our student body for Summer 2026. Applications for Walden’s 2026 summer programs are being accepted and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Both the Young Musicians Program (YMP) and Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) will be held on the beautiful Dublin School campus in Dublin, New Hampshire. Read on for more details, and please help us spread the word!

This edition of InterNetzo also includes a recap of last month’s Walden celebration in Los Angeles, featuring the amazing exilio vocal octet, as well as lots of exciting community news. Thank you for staying engaged with Walden, and please let us know if you have any updates for us to share in an upcoming newsletter!

Sincerely,

Seth Brenzel
Executive Director
(415) 587-8157

Upcoming Fundraising Events

A Walden celebration in Washington, DC

Sunday, April 26, 2026
3 to 5 p.m.
DACOR Bacon House

Please join us this Sunday, April 26, for a wonderful Walden afternoon in Washington, DC! Enjoy a performance by the Mahidhara-Fort Duo, which offers audiences the rare experience of hearing both violin-piano and viola-piano works on the same program. At this event, pianist Pallavi Mahidhara and violist/violinist Aurélien Fort Pederzoli (a past visiting artist at Walden) will perform works by Mozart, French baroque composer Marin Marais, and contemporary Icelandic composer Veronique Vaka.

RSVP for Walden's event in Washington, DC!

A Walden celebration in New York City

Sunday, May 17, 2026
3 to 5 p.m.
Salmagundi Club

Our next Walden fundraising event will feature pianist Blair McMillen, who will perform at the beautiful, art-filled Salmagundi Club in Greenwich Village. Hailed by the New York Times as “prodigiously accomplished and exciting” and as one of the piano’s “brilliant stars,” McMillen is a past visiting artist at The Walden School.

RSVP for Walden's event in New York City!

We hope you will join us at one (or both!) of these events, as we gather to celebrate Walden and its mission of inspiring artistic expression and personal growth through experiential music programs. Contributions to The Walden School Annual Fund will underwrite essential student scholarships and inspiring artist residencies at Walden’s programs this coming summer.

RSVP or contact us with questions at donors@waldenschool.org or (415) 587-8157.

Event Recap

A Walden fundraiser and celebration in Los Angeles

We were delighted to see many Walden community members, and to meet several new friends, at our fabulous celebration and fundraiser in Los Angeles on March 14. The event was held in the elegant Victory Ballroom at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown LA. We enjoyed a performance by exilio, a dynamic LA-based vocal octet that champions underrepresented and emerging composers, and that includes two Walden School alums as vocalists and composers: Hannah Rice and Theo Trevisan, both of whom will be on faculty this summer at Walden’s Young Musicians Program. We are grateful to the members of exilio for sharing their talents and creativity with the Walden community.

We are very grateful to our host committee and all of our event donors, who contributed $8,080 to Walden’s Annual Fund as part of this celebration. Thank you!

Thanks also to Alan Chan and Amy Bryan for generously donating raffle gifts.

On behalf of our host committee, thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate music, community, and Walden in Los Angeles! And a big thank you to everyone who made gifts of support to Walden as part of this event.

Support Walden today!

Thank you to our host committee: JoAnn Balingit, Seth Brenzel, Amy Bryan, Alan Chan, Noah Mlotek, Joshua Rubin, Danielle Schindler Cheung, Stephen Smith, John Tarrh, Theo Trevisan, Jennifer Weidman, and Mindy Williams

A Few Spots Remain for Walden 2026

Applications are being accepted for Summer 2026!

There’s still time to apply to The Walden School’s 2026 summer programs! Applications to both the Young Musicians Program (YMP) and Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) are currently being accepted and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Don’t delay!

We encourage you to share the news with your friends, family, colleagues, students, and teachers.

Creative Musicians Retreat
June 13–21, 2026
Dublin School, Dublin, New Hampshire
for musicians ages 18–98

Young Musicians Program
June 27–August 2, 2026
Dublin School, Dublin, New Hampshire
for pre-college musicians, ages 9–18

Application materials for both programs are available on our website.

Write to us at applicants@waldenschool.org with any questions.

Apply to Walden 2026!

Opportunities for Composers

Did you know that Walden hosts a continually updated  webpage of competitions, awards, and calls for scores? Please let us know of additional opportunities that may be of interest to the Walden community.

Here are some featured opportunities with upcoming deadlines:

Score Follower Call for Works 2026

Approximately 30 works will be selected by the Score Follower jury, produced as “score videos,” and uploaded to the Score Follower YouTube channel. Composers of any age, nationality, or background may submit up to three works for instruments and/or electronics. Apply by May 1, 2026.

Azrieli Music Prizes 2028

The Azrieli Music Prizes (AMP) offer opportunities for the discovery, creation, performance, and celebration of excellence in music composition. For the 2028 edition, there are three prizes for chamber music: the Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music; the Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music; and the Azrieli Commission for International Music. Winners are commissioned to create new works, to be delivered in summer 2028. Apply by May 6, 2026.

Susan Bergman Gurrentz ’56 Art Gallery at Chatham University Sound+ Installation Proposals

Chatham University’s Music Program and Arts, Design, & Communication Department are seeking sound and multimedia installation proposals from the SEAMUS (Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States) membership for its new Susan Bergman Gurrentz ’56 Art Gallery to be exhibited during the Fall 2026 semester. Exhibition attendance is not required for featured composers and artists, though those that are able to travel to Chatham’s campus in Pittsburgh will be invited to give a presentation about their work. SEAMUS membership is required to submit. Apply by May 17, 2026.

Franco Carillon Composition Proposal Contest

The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA) invites proposals for the biennial Franco Carillon Composition Proposal Contest. The GCNA encourages composers who are relatively new to carillon composition to enter the Proposal Contest in order to receive support throughout the compositional process of a new carillon piece. The goals of this contest are to bring new voices to the carillon repertoire and to increase awareness of the carillon and its vast technical and expressive capabilities. Prize-winning proposals will be awarded $2,000 and will be published and premiered at the next GCNA Congress. Apply by June 16, 2026.

Community News

Peter Jones launches Sondheim podcast

Peter E. Jones, an alum of Walden’s Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR), has created a new podcast titled Loving You: The Untold Sondheim. Jones, who is Stephen Sondheim’s archivist, co-hosts the podcast with British theater artist Martin Milnes. The 12-episode podcast features previously unheard archival material and interviews with friends and collaborators of the legendary Broadway composer and lyricist, including Julie Andrews, Mia Farrow, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The podcast began airing on March 5, and approximately half of the episodes have been released.

Marilyn Crispell releases album

Pianist Marilyn Crispell, an alum of the Junior Conservatory Camp (JCC), released a new album in March on the ECM record label. The album, Memento, is a collaboration with Swedish bassist Anders Jormin and features numerous compositions by Crispell, including Dragonfly, which she wrote in memory of bassist Gary Peacock. Also included on the album are several improvisations by each performer and by the duo. 

YMP alum signs with Giant Music, releases debut singles

YMP alum Maya Engenheiro has signed with the Giant Music record label under the artist name Maya Engen. With a sound described by HITS Magazine as “pop, jazz, and a tinge of country,” Maya released her debut single, called “Fool,” last month and recently released a second single, “Jade.” Both singles were also released as music videos. Congratulations, Maya!

New work by Lila Meretzky receives premiere performance

On April 16, London-based new music ensemble Apartment House premiered a new work by Lila Meretzky, a Walden faculty member. Her Quartet was performed alongside music by Michaël Lévinas, Tim Parkinson, and composer duo Morison/Opit. Presented at BBC’s Maida Vale Studio 3, the concert was recorded with plans for future broadcast on Radio 3’s New Music Show. Congratulations, Lila!

Walden Board member featured in table tennis profile

David Roberts, a member of Walden’s Board of Directors and the parent of a YMP alum, is also a competitive table tennis player. He plays at Seattle Pacific Table Tennis Club, which was recently featured in the Seattle Times. The article includes an action shot of David volleying a wide forehand. Congratulations, David!

Work of Walden faculty members performed by Talea Ensemble

On March 20, 2026, Talea Ensemble premiered a new work by former YMP faculty member Katie Balch, titled still life. The performance featured video projections designed by Ted Moore, an alum of Walden’s Teacher Training Institute (TTI) and longtime Walden faculty and staff member, who is married to Balch. Also on the program were premieres by Artun Çekem and Marti Epstein. Talea Ensemble includes several Walden visiting artists past and present: Laura Cocks (flute), Marianne Gythfeldt (clarinet), Rane Moore (clarinet), and Matthew Gold (percussion).

Yarn/Wire ensemble premieres work by George Lewis with New York Philharmonic

In concerts April 8-10, the piano/percussion quartet Yarn/Wire (a past visiting ensemble at Walden) and the New York Philharmonic premiered a new concerto by George E. Lewis, a past Composer-in-Residence at both of Walden’s summer programs. Conducted by Kwamé Ryan, the program featured Lewis’s new work, titled …ohne festen Wohnsitz…, alongside Charles Ives’ The Unanswered Question and vocal selections by Igor Stravinsky, Carlisle Floyd, and Samuel Barber, sung by soprano Golda Schultz. Lewis’s work was a co-commission by the New York Philharmonic and Philharmonie Luxembourg.

In other Yarn/Wire news, the ensemble is excited to perform at the SPOR Festival in Aarhus, Denmark, April 23-24. They also recently welcomed a new member, percussionist Dustin Donahue. Congratulations to all!

Pictured above: George Lewis with the members of Yarn/Wire, from Yarn/Wire's Instgram page

Michael Gilbertson celebrates two premieres

The Del Sol Quartet, a past visiting ensemble at Walden, premiered a new work by former YMP faculty member Michael Gilbertson on March 22. The concert took place at Boston Conservatory, where Gilbertson is a composition faculty member. The work, titled Prototype, was written for Del Sol and featured Gilbertson playing the ondes Martenot, an electronic instrument invented in the 1920s. On March 29-30, the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra premiered Gilbertson’s Cello Concerto featuring cellist Zuill Bailey. The orchestra commissioned the concerto following a successful commission of Gilberston’s Symphony in the 2024-25 season. Also on the program were Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 and Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Haydn. Congratulations, Michael!

Eliza Brown and Chris Wild welcome baby

We are delighted to congratulate Eliza Brown and Chris Wild on the birth of their daughter, Dahlia. Eliza is a YMP alum and longtime Walden faculty member. Chris is a longtime cellist in The Walden School Players and also a former Walden faculty member. Eliza and Chris look forward to introducing Dahlia to the Walden community. Congratulations and welcome, Dahlia!

In Memoriam

Nancy Tsuyuki Jerome

We are sad to share the news that Nancy Chiyoko Tsuyuki Jerome, a past YMP faculty member, passed away on November 22, 2025. She was an elementary school music teacher in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, until her retirement in 2013. She was very active at Christ Our Anchor Presbyterian Church in Cape St. Claire, Maryland, where she was involved in choir, bell choir, the Christmas Pageant, and their Music and Art Camp. She also directed their Children’s Choir for many years. Nancy is survived by her husband of 33 years, Jeffrey, her sons, Brandon and Michael, her parents, and her siblings. Our condolences go out to Nancy’s family and loved ones.

We Want To Hear From You!

If you have a recent or upcoming premiere or concert, publication, award, new job, or a celebratory life event, please share your news, which needn’t be music-related (although we love your music-related news to be sure!). Email your news to alumni@waldenschool.org.

Stay in Touch

You can like The Walden School page on Facebook and join The Walden School private group to hear about events and opportunities throughout the year. You can also find us on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, bandcamp, and at waldenschool.org.

by Noah Mlotek

eNews: Internetzo – March 2026

Message from Seth Brenzel,
Executive Director

Dear Walden friends,

I hope the warmth of approaching spring is finding you wherever you are. My heart is warmed by the many ways Walden community members have been coming together to celebrate, make music, and prepare for another incredible summer of creativity in Dublin, New Hampshire.

February brought with it the second Memphis Composers Institute, a collaborative project between The Walden School, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Memphis. Read on for a reflection on this exciting project by D. J. Sparr and Caroline Mallonee.

Throughout December and January, the Walden community came together at holiday parties, both in person and online. Thank you to those who opened their homes for these events, and to all who attended to celebrate the new year together!

Upcoming Walden events include a fundraiser and celebration in Los Angeles this Saturday, March 14, featuring exilio, a vocal ensemble that champions the work of emerging composers, and that boasts two Walden alumni as members. You won’t want to miss their performance! And please save the date for a fundraiser and celebration in Washington, DC on Sunday, April 26.

Applications for Walden’s 2026 summer programs are still open, and our spring application deadline is Monday, March 30. Both the Young Musicians Program (YMP) and Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) will be held on the beautiful Dublin School campus in Dublin, New Hampshire. Walden is also hiring for several summer positions at YMP—read on for more details, and please help us spread the word!

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at a Walden event or program soon!

Sincerely,

Seth Brenzel
Executive Director
(415) 587-8157

Highlights from the 2026 Memphis Composers Institute

Below Right: Walden alumni, faculty, and staff at the Memphis Composers Institute 2026. Left to Right: Dede Ondishko, Sky Macklay, D.J. Sparr, Seth Brenzel, and Caroline Mallonee.

Reflections from D. J. Sparr and Caroline Mallonee

The 2026 Memphis Composers Institute was a success! Now in its second year, the Institute continues to grow as a meaningful winter offering for The Walden School, created in partnership with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis.

This year’s gathering began with an unexpected challenge: Memphis was still recovering from a major snowstorm, and rehearsal logistics shifted multiple times as icy conditions lingered. In true collaborative fashion, Memphis Symphony Executive Director Peter Abell and D. J. Sparr assessed the situation together and regrouped with Seth Brenzel over barbecue (a Memphis essential!) to finalize the plan. The first rehearsal was ultimately moved to the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, and the week moved forward smoothly after that—a testament to strong partnership and shared commitment.

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) rehearsed and premiered four new works by living composers.

Three were selected from more than 150 submissions to the international call for scores: Dede Ondishko’s Singing Strength, incorporating birdsongs she recorded in South Carolina; Fulya Kapucugil’s Leaving the Nest, reflecting on the experience of leaving Turkey to pursue her musical studies in the United States; and Ethan Soledad’s Cages of Jade, which was inspired by poetry from Angel Island.

The program also featured Curtains of Light, a new orchestral work inspired by the Northern Lights by Walden alumna and Creative Musicians Retreat Director, Caroline Mallonee.

Throughout the week, undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Memphis — including students of Professors Kamran Ince and Mahir Cetiz — attended rehearsals and the concert, supported their colleague Fulya Kapucugil, and engaged closely with the music-making process.

For the selected composers, the opportunity to hear their work performed by a professional orchestra was transformative. As Fulya reflected, hearing the piece “as it is meant to be” and experiencing rehearsals from the composer’s seat is unlike any other moment in a young artist’s development. Ethan noted the rarity of working directly with a professional orchestra and the value of sharing new music with new audiences. Dede expressed deep gratitude for the chance to move her symphonic work out of isolation and into the hands of musicians and listeners. Carrie was thrilled to work with the enthusiastic orchestral musicians of the MSO.

The culminating concert on February 4 showcased not only four distinctive artistic voices but also Walden’s enduring commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and the lived experience of hearing new music come to life. It was inspiring to see that spirit extend beyond the summer and take root once again in Memphis.

Upcoming Fundraising Event

A Walden celebration and fundraiser in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Athletic Club
Saturday, March 14, 2026
6 to 8 p.m.

Please join The Walden School Board of Directors, along with Walden and Junior Conservatory Camp (JCC) alumni, faculty, staff, artists, and friends, for an evening of music and refreshments to celebrate Walden and support its 2026 summer music programs.

Guests will enjoy a performance by exilio, a dynamic Los Angeles-based vocal octet that includes two Walden School alums. The group is dedicated to highlighting underrepresented and emerging composers through performances and educational outreach.

This evening of music, community, and refreshments will celebrate Walden’s mission of inspiring artistic expression and personal growth through experiential music programs. Contributions to The Walden School Annual Fund will underwrite essential student scholarships and inspiring artist residencies at Walden’s programs this coming summer.

You are welcome to RSVP or contact us with any questions by emailing donors@waldenschool.org or calling (415) 587-8157.

RSVP for Walden's Los Angeles Event

Washington, DC – Save the Date!

Please save the date for a Walden celebration and fundraiser in Washington, DC on April 26, 2026. This afternoon of music, community, and refreshment will take place at the beautiful DACOR Bacon House. For more information or to RSVP, please email us or call us at (415) 587-8157.

2026 Walden Holiday Parties

Throughout December and January, Walden community members gathered for holiday/new year parties in cities around the country, and online!

Walden holiday parties were held in New York City, San Francisco, and Silver Spring, Maryland. Alumni of the Junior Conservatory Camp (JCC), Walden's predecessor program, also gathered for a holiday reunion over Zoom.

These events brought together Walden and JCC alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and board members for festive potluck gatherings. Delicious food and drinks were shared, music was played, new friendships and connections were made, and much merriment was had. Many thanks to our wonderful volunteer hosts: Stephen Smith in San Francisco, Peter Colohan and Fenton Blake in Silver Spring, and Matthew Egan and Sookyoung Lee in New York City.

Thank you to all who gathered to celebrate the new year with Walden community!

Apply for Walden 2026

The spring application deadline is Monday, March 30

Applications for The Walden School’s 2026 summer programs are open! The spring deadline to apply to the Young Musicians Program (YMP) and Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) is Monday, March 30.

We encourage you to share the news with your friends, family, colleagues, students, and teachers.

Creative Musicians Retreat
June 13–21, 2026
Dublin School, Dublin, New Hampshire
for musicians ages 18–98

Young Musicians Program
June 27–August 2, 2026
Dublin School, Dublin, New Hampshire
for pre-college musicians, ages 9–18

Application materials for both programs are available on our website.

Write to us at applicants@waldenschool.org with any questions.

Apply to Walden 2026!

Young Musicians Program (YMP) Information Sessions

Do you know a student who writes songs or arranges music? Or a young improviser who wants to strengthen their musicianship and meet like-minded peers? Or a music teacher who might like to learn about Walden’s unique curriculum?

Join us at one of our online interactive information sessions, featuring presentations and Q&A with Walden’s Executive Director, Seth Brenzel, alongside YMP leadership, faculty, staff, and students.

All YMP Info Sessions are held on Zoom. Learn more and register for one of the info sessions below:

Wednesday, March 19
Wednesday, March 25

These events are open to prospective students, music teachers, and anyone else who would like to learn about Walden’s flagship program for musicians ages 9 to 18.

Walden is Hiring!

Walden is hiring for 2026 summer positions at our Young Musicians Program (YMP) and Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) in Dublin, New Hampshire. We are seeking new teammates to join our creative community, and we hope that you might help spread the word about these opportunities to your friends and colleagues.

The positions currently open are:

Staff Member and Staff Lifeguard – Young Musicians Program (YMP)
Faculty Member – Young Musicians Program (YMP)
Electronic Music Faculty – Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR)
Choral Director – Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR)

Please contact us with any questions or inquiries. All positions are open until filled.

Opportunities for Composers

Did you know that Walden hosts a continually updated webpage of competitions, awards, and calls for scores? Please let us know of additional opportunities that may be of interest to the Walden community.

Here is one featured opportunity with upcoming deadlines:

Chicago a cappella HerVoice Competition and Mentorship Program

Chicago a cappella and the Santa Fe Desert Chorale seek submissions for HerVoice, a competition and mentorship program for women composers. Up to six winners will be selected to receive mentorship from a committee including composers Stacy Garrop (a Walden alum and former faculty member) and Chen Yi (a past Composer-in-Residence at Walden and a member of Walden’s Advisory Council), a workshop rehearsal, and a premiere performance of their work. In addition, all composers who submit will be invited to participate in a virtual meeting with Stacy Garrop about navigating a career as a female composer. Submissions should be 3-5 minutes in length and scored for up to 10 voices (SSSAATTBBB). Apply by March 15.

Community News

Freya Waley-Cohen celebrates three world premieres

This spring, Young Musicians Program (YMP) alum Freya Waley-Cohen has announced three world premieres of her works. On February 20, her new string received its premiere performance at Wigmore Hall in London. Titled Dances, Hymns and Songs for Friendship, the work was commissioned by Sacconi Quartet to celebrate their 25th anniversary. In a review of the concert, The Guardian described her piece as “a striking new work—and one that fellow ensembles should eagerly consider adding to their repertoire.” In April, the principals of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields will perform Waley-Cohen’s new wind quintet, titled Small Plinths, on tour in the United States. Among the performances of this work are April 17 at the University of Chicago and April 16 at Harris Hall in Memphis, TN—the same venue where Walden’s Memphis Composers Institute took place in February. On June 20, Waley-Cohen’s Violin Concerto No. 1 will be premiered at the Aldeburgh Festival, played by Tamsin Waley-Cohen, Freya’s sister and a past Walden visiting artist.

Walden alum named in Yamaha's 40 under 40 music educators 

Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) alum Matt Siffert was recently named one of the 2026 Yamaha 40 music educators under 40, in recognition of his work with the Musical Mentors Collective (MMC), bringing music education and mentorship to under-resourced students across the U.S. through homeless shelters, supportive housing networks and low-income Title I schools. Yamaha’s profile of Matt’s work highlights several of his contributions to MMC’s programming: shifting their programs from short-term to year-long, consistent mentorship; launching MMC’s Summer Sounds program to close education gaps during the summer months; and spearheading their Community Events program, providing free tickets to concerts and dress rehearsals for students in need. Congratulations, Matt!

Walden artist performs at Berkeley Piano Club

On February 28, the Earheart Trio presented a performance at the Berkeley Piano Club, featuring music by Shostakovich and Haydn and the premiere of a new work by Ben Dorfan. The Earheart Trio is composed of pianist Kumiko Uyeda, cellist Mary Artmann, and violinist Kate Stenberg, a past visiting artist at Walden.

Del Sol Quartet premieres music of Walden faculty member

On February 22, the Del Sol Quartet premiered a new piece by Osnat Netzer, an alum of Walden’s Teacher Training Institute (TTI), past faculty member at YMP, and current faculty member at CMR. The new work for string quartet and live electronics, Galim Levanim, was presented at Constellation Chicago on a program alongside works by Chinary Ung, Meilina Tsui, Theresa Wong, and Vivian Fung. This performance comes at the culmination of the quartet’s Midwest tour, which includes residencies at the University of Iowa and Augustana College.

Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra performs at The Baked Potato

On February 22, TTI alum and former YMP faculty member Alan Chan performed at the historic Baked Potato jazz club in Los Angeles. Alongside vocalists Ben Thomas and LC Powell and oudist Dmitri Mahlis, the 17-piece Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra presented a program celebrating the Year of the Horse. Founded by keyboardist Don Randi in 1970, the Baked Potato is the oldest continuously operating jazz club in Los Angeles.

Sam Pluta releases new album, performs with Walden visiting artists

On February 12, the Sam Pluta Big Band presented music by Sam Pluta, a YMP and CMR faculty member, at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music in New York City. The ensemble is comprised of the Wet Ink Ensemble, a past Walden ensemble-in-residence, alongside a cast of talented guest artists that includes two other past Walden visiting artists, Madison Greenstone and Peter Evans. The hour-long immersive musical experience celebrated the release of Pluta’s new album, Slays Well with Others, on Carrier Records. Congratulations, Sam!

Composer Portraits concert series features works of Lisa Bielawa

On February 26, past CMR composer-in-residence Lisa Bielawa was featured in the Composer Portraits concert series at the Miller Theatre of Columbia University. The program included the world premiere of Balloon Variations, a new work commissioned by the Miller Theatre for the event and performed by the Contemporaneous ensemble. Also on the program were two vocal works performed by the composer.

YMP alum leads musical theatre showcase at Princeton

On February 21, The Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University presented How to Be Not Alone, a

concert of original and Broadway songs performed by the Princeton Playhouse Ensembles, led by Solon Snider Sway, a YMP alum and current Walden board member. The concert highlighted musical theater storytelling, performance, composition, arranging, direction, and choreography while featuring the work of current Princeton students and alumni. Audiences heard selections from A Little Night Music, Godspell, Evening Primrose, Kimberly Akimbo, In the Heights, Maybe Happy Ending, Next to Normal, Rent, and Waitress alongside new works by student composers and arrangers.

Loretta Notareschi honored by Regis College

Dr. Loretta Notareschi, an alum of YMP and TTI and a longtime faculty member at both YMP and CMR, was awarded the 2025 Faculty Lecturer of the Year award by Regis College at Regis University, where she is Professor of Music. Each year, one faculty member is chosen to give a talk on a subject of their choosing to an audience of the other faculty in Regis College, students, the dean, the provost, the president, and guests. On February 20, Loretta gave a lecture with the Walden Musicianship-inspired title, “Sound in Time: What and Why Is Music?” In addition to the lecture, former Walden guest artist Steve Beck, piano, and Laura Sacks, viola, premiered Loretta’s new piece, the Quintal Sonata. Congratulations, Loretta!

LA Philharmonic performs work of Walden alum

On March 7, the Los Angeles Philharmonic premiered a new work by CMR and TTI alum Nicolás Lell Benavides in a concert inspired by the Great Wall of Los Angeles mural by Judy Baca. Benavides describes his piece, titled ¡AGUAS!, as “a sometimes beautiful, sometimes dissonant, fast-paced, mambo-inspired work that implores us to keep our wits about us as we navigate a world full of hazards, both big and small.” The work examines the treatment of Mexican Americans in LA during the Zoot Suit riots in the 1940s, and is particularly inspired by the mural panel pictured here. In addition to ¡AGUAS!, the concert featured music celebrating historically significant Angelenos by composers Juhi Bansal, Viet Cuong, Estevan Olmos, Xavier Muzik, and Nina Shekhar, all performed alongside an original film by director Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Congratulations, Nicolás!

We Want To Hear From You!

If you have a recent or upcoming premiere or concert, publication, award, new job, or a celebratory life event, please share your news, which needn’t be music-related (although we love your music-related news to be sure!). Email your news to alumni@waldenschool.org.

Stay in Touch

You can like The Walden School page on Facebook and join The Walden School private group to hear about events and opportunities throughout the year. You can also find us on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, bandcamp, and at waldenschool.org.

by Noah Mlotek

eNews: Internetzo – January 2026

Message from Seth Brenzel,
Executive Director

Dear Walden friends,

I hope you had a joyful holiday season and a happy new year, and that you are staying warm and safe amid the winter weather that is affecting so many. With this edition of InterNetzo, I am pleased to share lots of exciting Walden news, which I hope will bring some brightness to your week.

Applications for Walden’s 2026 programs are open! Our winter-round application deadline is Monday, February 2. Both our Young Musicians Program (YMP) and our Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) will be held on the beautiful Dublin School campus in Dublin, New Hampshire.

If you know a creative musician, ages 9 to 99, I hope you will pass along information about Walden to them. And if you yourself might want to apply to be part of Walden Summer 2026, we will look forward to receiving your application for what promises to be another summer of creativity, community, music, and mentorship!

Read on for more information about several upcoming Walden events:

• Saturday, January 31: A Walden holiday party in New York City
• February 1–4: The 2026 Memphis Composers Institute
• Saturday, March 14: A Walden celebration and fundraiser in Los Angeles

Below, we share interviews with Walden alums Caroline Mallonee and Dede Ondishko, two of the composers whose works will be featured at the Memphis Composers Institute. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at an upcoming Walden event—or next summer in Dublin, New Hampshire!

Sincerely,

Seth Brenzel
Executive Director
(415) 587-8157

2026 Memphis Composers Institute (MCI)

Walden presents new music in Memphis

The Walden School continues its collaboration with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the University of Memphis through the 2026 Memphis Composers Institute, supporting the artistic development of emerging orchestral composers selected through an international call for scores.

The 2026 Institute will take place February 1–4, 2026. It will offer an exciting series of open rehearsals, panel discussions, a reception with musicians, and community engagement events, including a series of workshops, masterclasses, and an orchestral reading session with Memphis Youth Symphony Program students.

At the culminating public concert on Wednesday, February 4, the three selected scores will be premiered alongside a new orchestral work by Walden alum and faculty member Caroline Mallonee.

The three selected composers are:

Dede Ondishko, Singing Strength
Fulya Kapucugil, Leaving the Nest
Ethan Soledad, Cages of Jade

Learn more about the 2026 Memphis Composers Institute here.

Concert Information
Memphis Composers Institute Concert
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | 7:30 PM
University of Memphis, Harris Hall
BUY TICKETS
$20 General Admission / $5 Youth / Pay What You Can ($5+)

In connection with the 2026 Memphis Composers Institute, we are pleased to highlight two composers whose music will be premiered on the February 4 concert: Caroline Mallonee and Dede Ondishko.

In the Spotlight: Caroline Mallonee

Caroline (Carrie) Mallonee is well known to the Walden community. An alum of both the Young Musicians Program (YMP) and the Teacher Training Institute (TTI), Carrie has served on faculty and staff for many summers at YMP and at Walden’s Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR), a program that she has directed since it was launched in 2011.

Tell us about the new work that you wrote for the Memphis Composers Institute.

It is an orchestration of a work that I originally wrote in 2017 called Curtains of Light. When I wrote the piece, it was for a mixed ensemble. I always thought I should arrange it for orchestra because there are so many different colors in the piece.

When we went to Memphis last year and had this amazing week at the first Memphis Composers Institute, D. J. Sparr [artistic coordinator of the MCI] floated the idea that maybe in 2026 they could do a piece of mine. I was thrilled, because I had this piece that was looking for a place.

It’s about the Northern Lights. The original piece was commissioned by family friends, Carol and Jim Oleson, who took a trip to see the Northern Lights to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. They both sent me written impressions and pictures that they had taken that night. I took their words and their images and turned them into this piece.

Read the Full Interview with Caroline Mallonee

In the Spotlight: Dede Ondishko

Denise (Dede) Ondishko has been involved with Walden since the 1970s, first as a student, then as a staff, faculty, and board member. Based in Cathedral City, California, Dede is a composer, pianist, violinist, jam leader, and all-around creative force.

Tell us about the new work you’ve written, Singing Strength.

In 2011, when I was living in Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, the birds would wake me up in the morning and the frogs would keep me awake at night. At first, I found them to be annoying, and then, living among them for four years, I found them more interesting and decided to get to know them more. I received a grant of $10,000 from the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina, which allowed me to buy recording equipment and go out into the field to record the birds.

Together with my field partner, Beverly Gaddy, I went on outings all around Hilton Head Island and throughout the coastal regions of South Carolina documenting birds, insects, and frogs. One night we were out in a graveyard, where we were told you could hear a certain owl at night. It was freezing cold, and we were sitting in my car waiting with the windows rolled down. We got locked in the nature preserve that night, and we didn’t even hear the owl! It takes a lot of sitting and waiting to capture some of these sounds.

Read the Full Interview with Dede Ondishko

Upcoming Fundraising Event

Join us in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 14!

Please save the date for a Walden celebration and fundraiser in Los Angeles! This reception and concert will feature the Los Angeles-based vocal octet Exilio Ensemble, a group that is dedicated to highlighting underrepresented and emerging composers through performances and educational outreach.

This evening of music, community, and refreshments will celebrate Walden’s mission of inspiring artistic expression and personal growth through experiential music programs. Contributions to The Walden School Annual Fund will underwrite critical student scholarships and inspiring artist residencies at Walden’s programs this coming summer.

You are welcome to RSVP or contact us with any questions by emailing donors@waldenschool.org or calling (415) 587-8157.

Walden Holiday Parties

Walden School and Junior Conservatory Camp (JCC) community members have been gathering for informal potlucks in cities throughout the country this winter season. We had events in San Francisco and in Silver Spring, Maryland, as well as a virtual reunion for alumni of the Junior Conservatory Camp (JCC), Walden’s predecessor program. There is one more potluck event scheduled for tomorrow:

New York City
Saturday, January 31, from 3 to 5 pm

These Walden Holiday Parties are open to Walden and JCC alumni, faculty, staff, Board members, guest artists, and donors, along with their families and friends. These are family-friendly, potluck-style events held at private homes. When you RSVP, please let us know what you would like to bring, and we will send you the address.

RSVP to events@waldenschool.org or by calling (415) 587-8157.

RSVP for the Walden Holiday Party this Saturday!

Above: A Walden holiday party in San Francisco, December 21, 2025

Apply for Walden 2026

The winter application deadline is Monday, February 2.

Applications for The Walden School’s 2026 summer programs are open! The winter-round deadline to apply to the Young Musicians Program (YMP) and Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) is this Monday, February 2.

We encourage you to share the news with your friends, family, colleagues, students, and teachers.

Creative Musicians Retreat
June 13–21, 2026
Dublin School, Dublin, New Hampshire
for musicians ages 18–98

Young Musicians Program
June 27–August 2, 2026
Dublin School, Dublin, New Hampshire
for pre-college musicians, ages 9–18

Application materials for both programs are available on our website.

Write to us at applicants@waldenschool.org with any questions.

Apply to Walden 2026!

Young Musicians Program (YMP) Information Sessions

Do you know a student who writes songs or arranges music? Or a young improviser who wants to strengthen their musicianship and meet like-minded peers? Or a music teacher who might like to learn about Walden’s unique curriculum?

Join us at one of our online interactive information sessions, featuring presentations and Q&A with Walden’s Executive Director, Seth Brenzel, alongside YMP leadership, faculty, staff, and students.

All YMP Info Sessions are held on Zoom. Learn more and register for one of the info sessions below:

Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Wednesday, March 11
Wednesday, March 25

These events are open to prospective students, music teachers, and anyone else who would like to learn about Walden’s flagship program for musicians ages 9 to 18.

Walden is Hiring!

Walden is hiring for 2026 summer positions at our Young Musicians Program (YMP) and Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) in Dublin, New Hampshire. We are seeking new teammates to join our creative community, and we hope that you might help spread the word about these opportunities to your friends and colleagues.

The positions currently open are:

Staff Member and Staff Lifeguard – Young Musicians Program (YMP)
Faculty Member – Young Musicians Program (YMP)
Electronic Music Faculty – Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR)
Choral Director – Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR)

Please contact us with any questions or inquiries. All positions are open until filled.

Opportunities for Composers

Did you know that Walden hosts a continually updated  webpage of competitions, awards, and calls for scores? Please let us know of additional opportunities that may be of interest to the Walden community.

Here are a few featured opportunities with upcoming deadlines:

Ithaca College Wohlhueter Jazz Ensemble Composition Contest

The Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble announces a call for new pieces for big band with a part for solo trumpet (with the option to add electronics). The IC Jazz Ensemble plans to perform the winning piece in concert with Ingrid Jensen as guest trumpet soloist on April 25, 2026, in Ford Hall at the Whalen Center for Music. The contest prize for the winning composer is $1,500. There is an entry fee of $25. Apply by February 27.

Chinese Instrumental Music Symposium (CIM-S) Call for Scores

CIM-S and Spark Ensemble invite submissions of new pieces for mixed contemporary Chinese instrumental music ensemble: erhu, soprano chromatic sheng, zhongruan, and optional piano or conductor. Selected composers will attend CIM-S in Toronto in August 2026, where they will receive collaborative feedback from Spark Ensemble and a premiere performance. Apply by February 28.

Chicago a cappella HerVoice Competition and Mentorship Program

Chicago a cappella and the Santa Fe Desert Chorale seek submissions for HerVoice, a competition and mentorship program for women composers. Up to six winners will be selected to receive mentorship from a committee including composers Stacy Garrop (a Walden alum and former faculty member) and Chen Yi (a past Composer-in-Residence at Walden and a member of Walden’s Advisory Council), a workshop rehearsal, and a premiere performance of their work. In addition, all composers who submit will be invited to participate in a virtual meeting with Stacy Garrop about navigating a career as a female composer. Submissions should be 3-5 minutes in length and scored for up to 10 voices (SSSAATTBBB). Apply by March 15.

Community News

Ben Richardson heads to Winter Olympics

Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) alum Ben Richardson is heading to the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy, as part of the USA Curling team. The first USA Curling events will take place on Thursday, February 5. Richardson has been competing in curling since his youth, including winning a silver medal with Team USA at the 2017 world junior curling championships. Richardson is an accomplished cellist and a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music. He can be found on social media under the handle @curlingcelloguy. Congratulations and good luck, Ben!

Reiny Rolock weds

We extend heartfelt congratulations to Young Musicians Program (YMP) alum Reiny Rolock, who was married to Serena Strecker at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn on January 17. Reiny and Serena have adopted new names: Serena Strecker Rolock and Reiny Strecker Rolock. Fellow YMP alum George Landau-Pincus was part of the wedding party.

Reiny received his Ph.D in music composition last May from Stony Brook University. His dissertation, “A Catalog of Misreadings, Distortions, Palimpsests, and Reconstructions,” treats fragments of medieval music notation as contemporary graphic notation for an electroacoustic quartet. He is currently an adjunct professor of music technology at Long Island University in Brooklyn.

Congratulations, Reiny and Serena!

In Memoriam

We are sad to share the news that Linda Blondel (née Wilder), an alum of the Junior Conservatory Camp (JCC) and Walden’s Teacher Training Institute (TTI), passed away on October 12, 2025.

Linda studied music and dance at Peabody Preparatory in Baltimore, at Bennington College in Vermont, and in New York City with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. She taught dance in Greece and was a co-founder of the Parisian dance company SITU. Linda performed throughout her life as a modern dancer, for many years as a member of the Miki Liszt Dance Company. A gifted classical pianist and teacher, Linda had a long musical career in Charlottesville, Virginia. She loved chamber music and performed regularly with many local musicians over the years. Linda also maintained a private piano teaching studio and was a longtime member of the Wednesday Music Club. She played piano with the Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra, and at Cove Presbyterian Church for 43 years.

Linda is survived by her husband Pierre, her son Emile (a pianist and past Walden visiting artist), her son Dmitri and daughter-in-law Jennifer Luff, and her granddaughter River. Our condolences go out to Linda’s family, friends, and loved ones.

We Want To Hear From You!

If you have a recent or upcoming premiere or concert, publication, award, new job, or a celebratory life event, please share your news, which needn’t be music-related (although we love your music-related news to be sure!). Email your news to alumni@waldenschool.org.

Stay in Touch

You can like The Walden School page on Facebook and join The Walden School private group to hear about events and opportunities throughout the year. You can also find us on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, bandcamp, and at waldenschool.org.

by Noah Mlotek

eNews: Internetzo – December 2025

Message from Seth Brenzel,
Executive Director

Dear Walden friends,

Happy holidays!

I hope your season is filled with warmth, music, community, and joy—all of which will be in abundant supply at our upcoming Walden holiday parties! Walden alumni, families, faculty, staff, board members, and friends will be gathering in five cities across the country for informal potluck celebrations this month and in January. Read on for more information about this cherished annual tradition, to RSVP for a Walden holiday party, or to volunteer to host one in your city.

Applications for Walden's 2026 programs are open! Our early-round application deadline is Monday, December 15. Both our Young Musicians Program (YMP) and our Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) will be held on the beautiful Dublin School campus in Dublin, New Hampshire. If you know a creative musician, ages 9 to 99, or if you yourself might want to apply to be part of Walden Summer 2026, I hope you will pass along information about Walden and request an application. For those who want to learn more about YMP, we have several information sessions coming up, with dates listed below.

We are so grateful to the many donors who have already given generously to support our 2026 summer programs through contributions to Walden’s 2026 Annual Fund. During our 2026 fiscal year (October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026), we seek to raise $440,000 in support of critical scholarships, inspiring artist residencies, and all our program expenses. Thanks in particular to the many donors who contributed to our recent Giving Tuesday fundraiser, which raised $3,475 for Walden’s 2026 programs.

If you’ve already made a gift toward Walden’s upcoming 2026 season, thank you! If not, I hope you’ll consider supporting Walden today with a tax-deductible year-end contribution.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at an upcoming Walden event—or next summer in Dublin, New Hampshire!

Sincerely,

Seth Brenzel
Executive Director
(603) 563-8212

Walden Holiday Parties

Walden School and Junior Conservatory Camp (JCC) community members will be gathering for informal potlucks in cities throughout the country this holiday season. You are warmly invited to join us in the following cities:

San Francisco
Sunday, December 21, from 4 to 6 pm

Washington, DC Area (Silver Spring, MD)
Saturday, January 10, from 2 to 4 pm

Boston Area (Cambridge)
Sunday, January 11, from 3 to 5 pm

Seattle Area
Sunday, January 25 (time and location TBA)

New York City
Saturday, January 31, from 3 to 5 pm

Your city here!
Volunteer to host a Walden holiday party.

These Walden Holiday Parties are open to Walden and JCC alumni, faculty, staff, Board members, guest artists, and donors, along with their families and friends.

These are family-friendly, potluck-style events held at private homes. When you RSVP, please let us know what you would like to bring, and we will send you the address.

RSVP to events@waldenschool.org or by calling (415) 587-8157.

It’s not too late to volunteer to host a party in your area! Please email us if you are interested. We are so grateful to this season’s hosts and the many volunteers who have hosted Walden holiday parties over the years.

RSVP for a Walden Holiday Party!

Apply for Walden 2026

The early application deadline is Monday, December 15.

Applications for The Walden School’s 2026 summer programs are open! The early-round deadline to apply to the Young Musicians Program (YMP) and Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) is this Monday, December 15.

We encourage you to share the news with your friends, family, colleagues, students, and teachers.

Creative Musicians Retreat
June 13–21, 2026
Dublin School, Dublin, New Hampshire
for musicians ages 18–98

Young Musicians Program
June 27–August 2, 2026
Dublin School, Dublin, New Hampshire
for pre-college musicians, ages 9–18

Application materials for both programs are available on our website. Write to us at applicants@waldenschool.org with any questions.

Apply to Walden 2026!

Year End Giving

We’re counting on your support!

Thank you to the many generous donors who have made year-end gifts to Walden, including the 25 donors who contributed $3,475 to Walden as part of our Giving Tuesday fundraiser!

Your contributions will help us offer life-changing musical experiences next summer to 100 students across our two programs, including critical student scholarships and inspiring artist residencies.

It’s not too late to make a contribution in 2025! Make a donation online, or see below for more ways to give. Gifts postmarked on or before December 31, or online gifts made before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 31, can be counted toward the 2025 tax year.

❤️ Support Walden Today ❤️

Give the Gift of Walden

Walden merch is on sale this holiday season.

Bring some summer magic to the holiday season and support The Walden School with your order of stylish and cozy Walden merchandise!

For the Holiday Season, enjoy 30% off of all merchandise orders through January 10.

We have t-shirts, hoodies, blankets, beach towels, canvas totes, water bottles, stickers, and more!

See what’s available and fill out an order form here.

Orders can be paid for by check, money order, credit card, PayPal, or Zelle. Please contact Mindy Williams, Walden’s Administrative Director, or call the Walden office at (415) 587-8157 if you have any questions.

Buy Walden Merch!

Young Musicians Program (YMP) Information Sessions

Join us to learn more about the music camp that changes lives.

Do you know a student who writes songs or arranges music? Or a young improviser who wants to strengthen their musicianship and meet like-minded peers? Or a music teacher who might like to learn about Walden’s unique curriculum?

Join us at one of our online interactive information sessions, featuring presentations and Q&A with Walden’s Executive Director, Seth Brenzel, alongside YMP leadership, faculty, staff, and students.

All YMP Info Sessions are held on Zoom. Learn more and register for one of the info sessions below:

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

These events are open to prospective students, music teachers, and anyone else who would like to learn about Walden’s flagship program for musicians ages 9 to 18.

2026 Memphis Composers Forum

Announcing three selected composers

On February 4, 2026, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra will premiere works by three extraordinary composers selected for the second annual Memphis Composers Institute. The Walden School is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s call for scores, along with the titles of their compositions:

Dede Ondishko, Singing Strength

Fulya Kapucugil, Leaving the Nest

Ethan Soledad, Cages of Jade

Their music will premiere alongside a new work by Walden alum and faculty member Caroline Mallonee in an inspiring concert celebrating the next generation of orchestral music.

Concert Information
Memphis Composers Institute Concert
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 | 7:30 PM
University of Memphis, Harris Hall
BUY TICKETS
$20 General Admission / $5 Youth / Pay What You Can ($5+)

The Memphis Composers Institute is a collaborative initiative between the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, The Walden School, and the University of Memphis. 

Welcoming Chris Martin

Walden is excited to welcome Christopher Martin as our new Development Assistant. Chris will be working as a part-time member of Walden’s administrative team in our San Francisco office. Welcome, Chris!

Christopher Martin is a conductor, baritone, and composer based in San Francisco. In addition to his role at The Walden School, Chris teaches at the San Francisco Girls Chorus and at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts in the Vocal and Musical Theatre Departments. Chris can be heard singing with a variety of choral ensembles throughout the Bay Area, including Volti, the schola cantorum of the Cathedral of Christ the Light, and Nebula Consort. As a composer, Chris has had recent commissions from Sing Me a Story and Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, and looks forward to an upcoming premiere by Vallejo Choral Society in May 2026. Outside of music, he is proud to volunteer with the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, in support of youth in the foster care system.

Community News

NPR features Sarah Kirkland Snider

Sarah Kirkland Snider, a past Composer-in-Residence at Walden’s Young Musicians Program (YMP) and the parent of a YMP alum, was recently profiled by NPR. The interview covered topics ranging from Snider’s thoughts on the “indie classical” genre to her reaction to critical acclaim for her song cycle Penelope, and maintained particular focus on her new opera, Hildegard, which received its premiere by the LA Opera on November 5. Read the article here. Snider’s fifth full-length album, titled Forward into Light, will be released through Nonesuch and New Amsterdam Records in February 2026.

18c Orchestra and Lucie Horsch premiere new work by Freya Waley-Cohen

The Orchestra of the 18th Century typically gives performances of music of the 18th and early 19th centuries on historical instruments. This month, they presented the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by YMP alum Freya Waley-Cohen. In a week-long, five-concert tour of the Netherlands featuring recorder player Lucie Horsch, Freya’s concertino, The Ladybird, was performed alongside the music of Scarlatti, Corelli, and Handel. Congratulations, Freya!

Esther Landau honored for contributions to philanthropy

Walden extends heartfelt congratulations to Esther Landau—our former Director of Development and Alumni Relations and the parent of a Walden alum—on receiving the Hank Rosso Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Golden Gate chapter. The award was presented at the AFP’s National Philanthropy Day celebration on November 14 in San Francisco. Esther currently serves as Senior Director of Advancement at The Arc San Francisco, where she works on behalf of people with disabilities and dreams of “a world where all of us are celebrated for who we are, where we all have access to what we need, and where equality is so widespread that fundraising and philanthropy will become unnecessary.” Congratulations, Esther, on this well-deserved honor!

Cyrus Chestnut plays A Charlie Brown Christmas in San Francisco

On December 20, jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut will perform music from A Charlie Brown Christmas in the Miner Auditorium at SFJazz. Called “the best pianist of his generation” (Time), Chestnut is a YMP alum and has been a visiting artist at Walden. He has also headlined two recent Walden fundraising events in Baltimore and New York City.

Walden artists to perform in Wet Ink Mini-Festival 2025

The Wet Ink Ensemble, a past visiting at ensemble at Walden that has been described as “dense, wild, yet artfully controlled” (The New York Times), will present its annual Mini-Festival at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music in New York City on December 13. The program will feature works by ensemble members Eric Wubbels and Mariel Roberts Musa, both of whom have been in residence at Walden. Also on the program, Walden alum, former YMP faculty member, and frequent Walden guest artist Aurora Nealand will present a solo performance.

Walden alum plays alongside Zoltán Mága at Carnegie Hall

CMR alum Brent Morden played piano with world-renowned Hungarian violinist Zoltán Mága and his orchestra at Carnegie Hall on November 2. About this experience, Brent says: “It was a privilege to perform on this legendary stage. I am grateful to Mr. Mága and the Liszt Institute for their invitation, and to my friends, family, and colleagues for their support.” Congratulations, Brent!

Pianist Mackenzie Melemed releases debut album

On November 21, YMP alum Mackenzie Melemed released his debut album, Tulevaisuus. The album, whose title means “future” in Finnish, combines beloved music by Bach, Liszt, and Brahms with new works by Stephen Hough, Laura Kaminsky, and Avner Dorman. Rooted in the past yet alive in the present, Tulevaisuus explores how memory and tradition can shape the music of the future. Congratulations, Mackenzie!

Windborne performs at Mariposa Museum and World Culture Center

On December 4, vocal ensemble Windborne, a former Walden ensemble-in-residence, presented a concert entitled “Music of Midwinter,” through the Mariposa Museum and World Culture Center. Located in Peterborough, New Hampshire, the Mariposa Museum is near Walden’s beloved summer home of Dublin, New Hampshire. Windborne is performing this program 13 times between December 1 and 22, in cities around the American Northeast and the United Kingdom.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Tessa Lark premiere work of Lisa Bielawa

On November 30, violinist Tessa Lark and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra presented a new work by Lisa Bielawa, who was Composer-in-Residence for Walden’s Online Creative Musicians Experience (OCME) in 2020. First premiered in October 2025 by the co-commissioning Louisville Orchestra, Violin Concerto No. 2, PULSE engages with American traditional musics—Tin Pan Alley, Shape Note Singing, and Old Time fiddle music. The concert on November 30 placed the concerto alongside beloved works by Carlos Simon, Aaron Copland, and Antonín Dvořák.

Walden alumni and faculty members improvise together in Baltimore

On November 26, composer and cellist Robert Karpay, a YMP and CMR alum, presented an evening of improvised music at new music venue The Hargrove in Baltimore. The performance, titled “Robert Karpay Infiltrates Peabody,” featured Karpay performing alongside Sam Pluta, a longtime Walden faculty member, and Sky Macklay, a former Walden faculty member and an alum of CMR and Walden’s Teacher Training Institute (TTI), as well as Kayleigh Sprouse, a singer in the Anchorites Ensemble. Pluta and Macklay are both professors at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, with Sam chairing the Computer Music department and Sky chairing the Composition department.

Quince Ensemble performs music of Walden faculty 

Quince Ensemble, a past Walden ensemble-in-residence, shared the stage with mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre on November 18. The program included music by former YMP faculty member Evan Williams and YMP alum and former faculty member Eliza Brown, alongside pieces by by Woody Guthrie (arr. Liz Pearse), Carrie Henneman Shaw, and Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon. The works by Evan Williams and Eliza Brown can be heard on Quince’s Dust Bowl album.

Annie Gosfield receives award for artistic innovation

Annie Gosfield, a past Composer-in-Residence at both of Walden’s programs, has been honored by the MATA Festival, receiving its first annual Resonance Award for artistic innovation. Her work was honored at a soiree on December 8 in New York City. Congratulations, Annie! On December 4, pianist Margaret Leng Tan performed Gosfield’s work Shattered Apparitions of the Western Wind at Mills College in Oakland, California, as part of a program to call attention to climate change.

We Want To Hear From You!

If you have a recent or upcoming premiere or concert, publication, award, new job, or a celebratory life event, please share your news, which needn’t be music-related (although we love your music-related news to be sure!). Email your news to alumni@waldenschool.org.

Stay in Touch

You can like The Walden School page on Facebook and join The Walden School private group to hear about events and opportunities throughout the year. You can also find us on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, bandcamp, and at waldenschool.org.

by Noah Mlotek

eNews: Internetzo – October 2025

Message from Seth Brenzel,
Executive Director

Dear Walden friends,

Happy Halloween!

Fall is here, and our 2025 season officially came to an end on September 30 with the close of Walden’s fiscal year. We are so grateful to the more than 400 individuals, families, foundations, and corporations who collectively contributed more than $428,800 to Walden’s 2025 Annual Fund!

Thanks to your generosity, we met and exceeded our 2025 Annual Fund goal of $410,000. The Annual Fund is Walden’s lifeblood, supporting innovative pedagogy, inspiring artist residencies, and critical scholarships that broaden access to our programs, year after year.

Thank you, donors, for your incredible support!

In this edition of InterNetzo, you’ll find highlights from Halloween in July at Walden, an invitation to a special Walden reception in New York City on November 16, opportunities for composers, and lots more news and updates from around the Walden community.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a spooky Halloween!

Sincerely,

Seth Brenzel
Executive Director
(603) 563-8212

Happy Halloween . . . in October!

One of our newer traditions at Walden’s Young Musicians Program (YMP) is Halloween in July—a spooktacular day featuring a DIY haunted house with various creepy, fun, and music-nerdy rooms in which students can go trick-or-treating. These photos show some highlights from Halloween in July at Walden this past summer.

Haunted attractions included: The Room of Sounds Disorganized in Time, the Room of Endless Ads, the Room of Accelerated Time, the Room of Synchronized Luminance, the Eldritch Horrors Jazz Club, and the Sad Clown Bear’s Haunted Forest.

Read more about the origins of this tradition from Kittie Cooper, a YMP faculty member and the originator of Halloween in July. And have a happy Halloween in October!

Upcoming Community Events

Join us on Sunday, November 16, for the New York Philharmonic premiere of a new work by Caroline Mallonee!

Composer Caroline Mallonee is a Walden School alum, faculty member, and the director of Walden’s Creative Musicians Retreat. Her orchestral work Lakeside Game will be premiered by the New York Philharmonic in a series of concerts this November 13 through 16 at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center.

The composition was co-commissioned by the New York Philharmonic as part of Project 19, and it will be performed alongside works by Stravinsky and Wynton Marsalis.

A group of Walden alumni, staff, board members, families, and friends will be attending the New York Philharmonic concert on Sunday, November 16, at 2 pm. Walden has organized a group ticket purchase for the performance. If you would like to purchase discounted tickets through Walden, please let us know as soon as possible, as the order is close to being finalized.

After the concert, we’ll gather for an informal reception at a restaurant near Lincoln Center. You do not need to attend the concert to join us for the reception. If you have not yet been in touch, please let us know if you are planning to attend the reception, which will start at approximately 4:30 pm on Sunday, November 16.

RSVP for the November 16 Concert / Reception

Walden Holiday Parties

The holiday season is just around the corner! Walden community members will be gathering for holiday potlucks in cities throughout the country in December and January. Look for an email announcement of dates and cities soon. If you are interested in hosting a party in your area, or if you want to learn more about these upcoming gatherings, please write to us. We are so grateful to the many volunteers who have hosted Walden holiday parties over the years.

Volunteer to Host a Walden Holiday Party

Fundraising Events

A Walden Celebration and Fundraiser in San Francisco

Walden held a fabulous end-of-season celebration and fundraiser on Sunday, September 28, in the dazzling Green Room at San Francisco’s War Memorial. We are so grateful to our host committee and all of our event donors, who contributed $16,910 to Walden!

We enjoyed a dynamic, thoughtfully curated recital by Pedja Mužijević, a renowned pianist and former Walden School faculty member, who shared selections ranging from C.P.E. Bach and Robert Schumann to John Cage and Philip Glass, as well as a composition written this past summer by Sebastien Nothias, a student at Walden’s Young Musicians Program (YMP).

Above left: Charles Cecil, David Conte, and Juli Anna Johnson; right: Stephen Smith with the youngest event attendees

We are grateful to David Conte, a past Composer-in-Residence at Walden, and Corty Fengler, a former Walden Board member, who spoke movingly about Walden’s life-changing creative music programs and expressed gratitude to the many donors who help our organization thrive. Thanks also to Walden Board member Stephen Smith and Cultivar Wine for arranging a generous donation of wine for the event.

Thank you to our host committee: Erika and Andrew Bell, Seth Brenzel and Malcolm Gaines, David Conte, Corty Fengler, Juli Anna Johnson and Charles Cecil, Noah Mlotek, Stephen Smith, Mary Szczepanik and Matt Agard.

Save the Date – Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Los Angeles!

We are thrilled to be coming to Los Angeles for a fundraiser and celebration in the evening on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Please save the date and plan to join us!

Support Walden Today

Staff Transition

We recently bade farewell to Ellie Murphy-Weise, who worked at Walden for one year as our stalwart Development Assistant. While we were sad to see her go, we are grateful for Ellie’s many contributions to Walden and excited for her next steps.

Ellie shared the following update:

I’m a month in to postgraduate studies in opera musicology at King’s College London and very much enjoying being in school within a stone’s throw of both of London’s opera houses! I’m taking the music research methods class and modules in 19th century sound objects and Latin American musical subcultures. I’ve also gotten to see a few productions at English National Opera and Welsh National Opera, and am visiting Oxford for its annual lieder festival this weekend. Sending all my love to the Walden community!

Walden is hiring for a Part-Time Development Assistant to join our dynamic, fun, and collegial San Francisco-based administrative team. The Development Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting and enhancing Walden’s fundraising efforts. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to Walden’s growth and sustainability while gaining valuable experience in the field of nonprofit development.

Please help us spread the word about this exciting opportunity! View the full job description here.

Please direct any questions and inquiries to us at jobs@waldenschool.org.

Opportunities for Composers

Did you know that Walden hosts a continually updated webpage of competitions, awards, and calls for scores? Please let us know of additional opportunities that may be of interest to the Walden community.

Here are featured opportunities with upcoming deadlines:

RED NOTE New Music Festival Composition Competition

The RED NOTE New Music Festival Composition Competition, at Illinois State University, is an annual competition open to all composers, regardless of age or nationality. The composer of the winning piece in each category receives a $1,000 prize and a performance at the RED NOTE New Music Festival. In 2026, composers are invited to submit works for chamber ensemble (any combination of 1-16 vocalists or instrumentalist) or wind ensemble (minimum 8 players). Apply by November 1.

Capella Clausura Emerging Composers Commission Competition

Cappella Clausura seeks applications from emerging composers in the greater Boston area who identify as women, transgender, or gender nonbinary. To apply, submit 2-3 work samples and a proposal for a new 3-6 minute work for a capella chorus (any subset of twelve singers, 3xSATB). Winners will receive a $300 honorarium and a professional-grade performance of their piece. Winners can expect to be involved in the planning and rehearsal process for the performances. Apply by November 9.

BMI Foundation Awards

Emerging composers are invited to apply for BMI Foundation Awards, including the BMI Composers Award (classical composers under 28 years old), BMI Future Jazz Master Award (jazz composers and performers ages 17-24), Chris Trousdale Dream Awards (performers and songwriters in 11th and 12th grade), peermusic Latin Music Award (for songwriters and composers of Latin music ages 17-24), John Lennon Award (songwriters and composers ages 17-24), Dolly Parton Songwriters Award (emerging songwriters ages 17-24), Kavi Ohri Memorial Scholarship (for seniors in high school in one of the five boroughs of New York City planning to attend college majoring in music or music business), and Pete Carpenter Fellowships (aspiring film, television, and video game composers ages 21 and above). Apply by January 15.

Community News

Luna Lab Announces 2025-26 Fellows

Luna Composition Lab provides mentorship, education, and resources for young female, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming composers ages 13-18, including fellowships through which recipients work with an acclaimed composer mentor and compose a new work for a professional premiere. This year’s Luna Lab Fellows have been announced, including Walden Young Musicians Program (YMP) alumni Andromeda Wen (2025-26 Fellow; pictured at left) and Amelie Wright (Honorable Mention). Walden extends heartfelt congratulations to Andromeda, Amelie, and all of the young composers honored by the Luna Lab Fellowship!

In further news from Walden alumni at Luna Lab, Danity Pike, a YMP alum and a 2024-25 Luna Lab Fellow, is the recipient of the 2025 G. Schirmer Prize for Luna Composition Lab for her piece just like the dolls, which was premiered in June by International Contemporary Ensemble.

Luna Lab will also present a virtual master class with violinist, vocalist, and composer Mazz Swift, a past Walden visiting artist, on Monday, November 17.

Leah Reid Receives Barlow Prize

YMP alum Leah Reid is one of ten composers to win a 2025 Barlow Endowment Commission, granted by the Barlow Endowment of Brigham Young University. Leah’s commissioned work is for Grossman Ensemble, ensemble-in-residence of the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition. Congratulations to Leah!

Past recipients of Barlow Endowment Commissions have included Walden alumni Stacy Garrop and Sky Macklay, Walden faculty members Katherine Balch and Sam Pluta, and past Walden Composers-in-Residence Amy Beth Kirsten, Chen Yi, and James Mobberley, who is also a past Walden Board member.

Elise Grant's Music Performed by Hilary Kole

Composer and Creative Musicians Retreat (CMR) alum Elise Grant, a resident of Dublin, New Hampshire—Walden’s summer home—recently presented a pair of concerts featuring her own compositions. The program included Monadnock, a dramatic setting for voice and piano of a poem by the Rev. William Boum Oliver Peabody about the iconic mountain that overlooks Dublin. The work was first performed at a 2024 CMR Composers Forum by Hilary Kole (pictured at left), a Walden alum and faculty member, and Hilary returned to Dublin to reprise it for this occasion.

Nicolás Benavides releases debut album 

Nicolás Lell Benavides, a CMR and Teacher Training Institute (TTI) alum, released his debut album, Canto Caló, on October 10. The album includes two extended works honoring the composer’s New Mexico family heritage, Canto Caló and El Correcaminos. The album’s performers are mezzo-soprano Melinda Martinez Becker (a fellow TTI alum) and Friction Quartet, which was in residence at Walden for the 2024 Faculty Commissioning Project at YMP.

In August, Benavides’ opera Dolores, set during the 1968 grape pickers’ strike in California, was premiered by West Edge Opera in San Francisco. The opera’s titular character is Dolores Huerta, an important labor advocate. Huerta, who is 95 years old, attended the opera’s premiere. The opera is receiving further performances by Opera Southwest in Alburquerque, New Mexico. In celebration, Albuquerque mayor Tim Keller declared October 26 as Nicolás Lell Benavides Day. Congratulations, Nicolás!

Ear Taxi Festival features Walden artists

Ear Taxi Festival, running from October 3 through November 2, is a month-long festival of contemporary composition, presenting concerts, presentations, professional development events, and more at venues across Chicago and in Evanston, Illinois. Just a few of the Walden visiting artists, alumni, and faculty featured this month at Ear Taxi include Kyle Flens and Mabel Kwan with Ensemble Dal Niente, Kate Soper, Stacy Garrop, Marcos Balter, and Osnat Netzer!

Shawn Crouch wins American Prize for Opera

YMP alum and former Walden faculty member Shawn Crouch has won a 2025 American Prize in Composition— Thomas Putsché Award, for his opera Stained Glass. Congratulations to Shawn! Also this month on October 4, Shawn conducted Ensemble Ibis at the University of Miami on a program including music by past YMP faculty member Daniel Felsenfeld and by Marcos Balter, who has been Composer-in-Residence at both of Walden’s programs.
Zoe Yost performs Bartók Viola Concerto

In September’s InterNetzo, we shared the news that violist Zoe Yost, a CMR alum, won the 2025 concerto competition at San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), where she studies viola and composition. On October 3, she performed Bela Bartók’s Viola Concerto as part of the Concerto Competition Winners Concert with the SFCM Orchestra, conducted by Kedrick Armstrong, Music Director of the Oakland Symphony. Among the attendees were fellow CMR alumni Sina Karachiani and Stephen Woltosz, along with Noah Mlotek, Walden’s Director of Development and Alumni Relations, who reports that Zoe delivered a stunning performance. Congratulations, Zoe!

Zoe Fong celebrates wedding

YMP alum Zoe Fong married her husband, Tanner McNamara, on September 6, at Harding Waterfront Estate near Toronto, Ontario, where the couple lives. At the wedding, Joshua Fath (known to the Walden community as Joshua Clampitt), a fellow YMP alum, arranged and performed music specially chosen by Zoe, including Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Pärt for the wedding party processional, The Swan by Camille Saint-Saëns for the bridal processional, and Married Life by Michael Giacchino for the recessional. Zoe was also in attendance at Joshua’s wedding to Caleb Fath in 2023. Zoe writes, “Celebrating each other’s milestones, such as his wedding in 2023 and my recent wedding, after growing up and going through so much together, was very special! We’re grateful to Walden for being such an important part of our lives, both musically and emotionally, and for strengthening our friendship.” Congratulations, Zoe!

Pictured above: Zoe Fong and Joshua Fath (photo courtesy of Zoe Fong)

Walden artists featured on Talea Ensemble programs

Talea Ensemble, a New York City-based contemporary music group, is presenting a series called Talea Sequenze, a set of concerts that feature Talea musicians curating and performing programs inspired by Luciano Berio’s Sequenzas. As part of the series, on October 28, pianist Steve Beck (a past Walden visiting artist) performed the world premiere of Novella, a new work by Walden alum and faculty member Loretta Notareschi, alongside several works by Berio.

On November 21, Talea will perform Born Obbligato by George Lewis, a past Composer-in-Residence at both of Walden’s programs, alongside Pierre Boulez’s Dérive II.

Pictured above: Loretta Notareschi

We Want To Hear From You!

If you have a recent or upcoming premiere or concert, publication, award, new job, or a celebratory life event, please share your news, which needn’t be music-related (although we love your music-related news to be sure!). Email your news to alumni@waldenschool.org.

Stay in Touch

You can like The Walden School page on Facebook and join The Walden School private group to hear about events and opportunities throughout the year. You can also find us on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, bandcamp, and at waldenschool.org.

by Noah Mlotek