What has been your involvement with Walden since then?

My involvement has mostly been as the parent of a former student. My husband David and I used to go up every year for Festival Week and hear the performances of all the students' works. We also had a reception for Walden in our previous home in the Baltimore area.

Why do you give to Walden?

Mark had such a positive experience at Walden, and we wanted to help give that experience to other children. Mark experienced camaraderie at Walden, and he certainly developed his musical skills. Being an only child, it was important for Mark to share in community, and to learn discipline through music. Being away from home gave him some independence from his parents, and of course, the fresh air and beautiful countryside were great.

How are music and/or creativity part of your life now?

I sang from early childhood and participated in school choirs and musical events.  I'm a trained singer; studied with Ruth Drucker when I matriculated and graduated in January 1983 from Towson University, with a major in Vocal Performance. (My husband is often fond of saying he had two kids in college, at the same time.)  I continued private study with Ruth for years after, and held my final recital in 2014.  I have filled in for cantors; have been a soloist at churches; been a Choir Director; sung at weddings and funerals and was a choir member of my current synagogue.  My husband and I are former New Yorkers, and we have enjoyed Broadway shows; the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and we continue to hear other concerts at smaller venues.  David is not an opera fan, so mostly I went alone to operas in Baltimore and at the Met in New York City.  I was also the Administrative Assistant for Arno Drucker's Festival Chamber Players, and it was Arno who introduced me to computers.

What is a non-music hobby you love?

I love to travel, sew and do machine embroidery and make jewelry in a home studio. Before my knee replacement surgery in April 2018, I was doing yoga.  The coronavirus has now curtailed that. I would like to start sewing protective equipment for healthcare workers, as soon as I can.

What is your hope or dream for Walden's future?

I hope Walden continues to bring musical training to young people from all over the world, and that Walden will have solid funding and the resources it needs for the future. My son got excellent training at Walden, and that's instilled in him. He didn't make music his career (neither did I) but it calms our souls.

Alexander String Quartet virtual Eastern concert
On April 10, the Alexander String Quartet performed Joseph Haydn's The Seven Last Words of Christ, with texts prepared by Alan Jones, Dean Emeritus of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. The quartet performed the virtual concert from their respective homes, and you can watch the performance on YouTube here. The Alexander String Quartet is a past visiting artist at Walden.

MusicWise Interview with Katie Balch
"MusicWise - Conversations about Arts & Culture with Donato Cabrera" is a weekly Facebook Live series hosted by Donato Cabrera, Music Director of the California Symphony and Las Vegas Philharmonic. On April 28, the series featured Katherine Balch, as Donato interviewed her about her time as Young American Composer-in-Residence with the California Symphony, and what's next for her. Katie has been on faculty at the Young Musicians Program.

Nicole Balsirow to attend Columbia-Juilliard

YMP student Nicole Balsirow has been accepted early decision to Columbia University and The Juilliard School. She will begin her studies with the Columbia-Juilliard program this fall, and plans to major in composition. Nicole attended YMP in 2019, and is planning on returning in 2020.

Julia Bruskin and Aaron Wunsch perform Beethoven

On April 8, cellist Julia Bruskin and pianist Aaron Wunsch performed Beethoven's variations on the theme Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen ("In men, who feel love") from Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute. They streamed the performance live on YouTube, and you can watch it here. The performance was part of MET Orchestra Musicians' series Music.Connects.US, as musicians offer performances from their homes. Julia and Aaron are past visiting artists at Walden.

Helen Feng named 2020 ACF NextNotes winner

The American Composers Forum (ACF) has announced the winners of the 2020 NextNotes High School Music Creator Awards, selected for their skill, originality, potential, and strong creative voices. YMP alumna Helen Feng was one of six winners, selected for her piece, Soaring to the Past: Jin Se, for voice and piano, which was premiered at Walden in 2019. YMP alumni Nicole Balsirow, Krishan Rai, and Marco Roberts all received honorable mentions.

Mark Greenwald named Gertrude Levin Endowed Chair

Mark Greenwald was recently appointed as the inaugural Gertrude Levin Endowed Chair in Addiction and Pain Biology. Supported by a $1.5 million philanthropic gift to Wayne State University (WSU), the endowed chair will help to advance a comprehensive program in addiction and pain biology and therapies for these intertwined conditions. Mark is Professor, Associate Chair for Research, and Director of the Substance Abuse Research Division, in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at WSU School of Medicine in Detroit, MI. Mark attended the Young Musicians Program for four summers.

New album from PRISM Quartet

On April 17, PRISM Quartet released a new album, Surfaces and Essences, featuring music written for the ensemble by Walden alumna Victoria Cheah, along with Christopher Biggs, Viet Cuong, Emily Koh, and Joseph Sowa. NewMusicBox's Frank J. Oteri writes, "PRISM has now served as a muse for generations of composers, so it is perhaps fitting that, for this latest addition to their extensive discography, the group features a set of new works written for them by five younger composers, only one of whom was born before PRISM came into existence." PRISM is a past visiting artist, and has long partnered with Walden commissioning new works from Walden alumni.

David Saslav and Melissa Smith perform Bach

David Saslav and Melissa Smith streamed a live rendition of Myra Hess' two-piano, four-hand arrangement of Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" on Bach's birthday, March 31, from their self-imposed home studio quarantine in Great Falls, Montana. You can check out the Renditions Music Services website or Facebook page for other events and news. David attended YMP for five summers and is a past Walden board member.

New projects from Wet Ink Ensemble

Wet Ink Ensemble has a new album coming out, Glossolalia/Lines on Black, featuring works by Sam Pluta and Alex Mincek. Sam is a longtime Walden faculty member. You can find the album on their bandcamp page. Kate Soper has also started a YouTube series, Unwritten Operas. Wet Ink will have new initiatives for online programming rolling out soon, so keep your eyes out for more Wet Ink news. Wet Ink Ensemble has been a visiting artist at Walden.

What are music and creativity part of your life now?

My musical practice is pretty much private right now. I write music at home, make oboe reeds, and play the oboe. I teach oboe lessons to some high school students, which is really fun, and I learn a lot from that as well. I have a growing stack of composition sketches by my piano at home and I hope to get those out into the world and performed in the future, and to return to performing music myself. For now, I'm really enjoying being able to have a relaxed and solitary musical existence, after years in school for music.

What is a non-music hobby you love?

I love bird watching. It is really rewarding to me to see a bird and know what it is and know what its life history is like and what to call it. Even if I don't see the bird, it is a worthwhile challenge to hear a bird song and try recognize the caller just by that sound. I also love to go hiking and take walks in nature. And I love to cook.

Could you describe a favorite Walden memory?

One standout memory from CMR was doing a Pauline Oliveros meditation out on the quad on a beautiful day. I don't even remember which meditation, maybe the one with rocks, but the whole moment was just really beautiful. Everyone was joining in with a lot of sincerity, which in combination with the beautiful outdoor environment made for a meaningful memory.

What is something you're looking forward to this summer?

I am excited to meet people - coworkers, CMR participants, and YMP students. I am really looking forward to seeing YMP in action. I have never experienced or been a part of it, and the whole concept is really inspiring to me. I am especially looking forward to hearing compositions written by the students.

New Music Solidarity Fund

New Music USA is collaborating with composers and musicians to establish the New Music Solidarity Fund to help freelance performers with urgent financial needs following cancellations of their work in this initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 100 artists, arts leaders, and professors in the field have announced the New Music Solidarity Fund, an initiative that aims to grant emergency funding to musicians impacted by COVID-19. At the time of the announcement, more than $130,000 has been pledged, with donations coming first from musicians, composers, and others from the new music community wishing to show their solidarity for those whom they know to be suffering.

The New Music Solidarity Fund will distribute at least two hundred and sixty, $500 emergency assistance grants. Any musician who has had a project involving a living composer canceled because of the pandemic is invited to apply. The New Music Solidarity Fund opens to applicants at 12 pm Eastern time on March 31, and will run until April 30. Grants will be available on a first-come, first-served basis as funds last.

Cyrus Chestnut performs concert via livestream.
Walden alumnus Cyrus Chestnut performed a concert online via Facebook live on March 22. If you are on Facebook, you can watch the concert here. Cyrus is a jazz pianist, composer, band leader, and educator. Executive Director Seth Brenzel also hosted a "Watch party" in the Walden Facebook group, so keep your eyes out for future watch parties!

Del Sol String Quartet livestream

Charlton Lee and Kathryn Bates of Del Sol String Quartet performed a concert on March 21 via Facebook live. If you are on Facebook, you can see a recording of that concert here. Del Sol String Quartet is a past visiting artist at Walden, and performed on our Alumni Composers Forum in San Francisco in February.

Rebekah Griffin Greene livestreams concert

On March 22, Rebekah Griffing Greene offered an all-improvised concert via Facebook live, her first performance on this platform. Rebekah performed number of pieces for bass, as well as bass and vocals, and even took requests. Rebekah is a Walden alumna, and has been on faculty at the Young Musicians Program.

Horszowski Trio performs on 24-hour virtual festival

Jesse Mills (violin) and Reiko Aizawa (piano) of the Horszowski Trio will participate in Music Never Sleeps NYC, a 24-hour virtual festival beginning at 6pm Eastern time on Friday, March 27. You can tune into this 24-hour livestream marathon on Facebook or YouTube. You can find the list of performers here--you may see some more familiar names! Reiko and Jesse are past visiting artists at Walden.

ICE hosts Pauline Oliveros' Tuning Meditation

On March 28 at 5 pm Eastern, the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) will host Pauline Oliveros' Tuning Meditation, led by Claire Chase and IONE. This will be a world-wide musical exchange, and you can sing along live from your computer, no music experience necessary. Pauline Oliveros was a visiting artist at Walden, and served on Walden's Advisory Council. ICE is a frequent visiting artist at Walden.

Hilary Kole composer-judge for Young Jazz Composers Competition

Walden alumna Hilary Kole served as one of three composer-judges for The ASCAP Foundation 2020 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Competition. Winners were announced on February 26, 2020. The recipients, who receive cash awards, range in age from 17 to 29 and are selected through a juried national competition. Hilary is a jazz vocalist and composer, and attended the Young Musicians Program for five summers.

Nate May performs improvised piano concert

Nate May performed a concert of improvised piano music on March 18 at 9 pm Eastern. Intending to calm the nerves of anyone who tuned in, Nate streamed the concert live via Facebook. Nate has served on faculty at the Young Musicians Program for the past three summers. Nate is a composer, performer, and educator whose interest in human ecosystems has impelled explorations of a wide variety of sounds and interactions.

Henry Samuels performs Bach

On March 23, Henry Samuels performed Bach via Facebook live. If you're on Facebook, you can see the recording here. Henry is a double bass player and music teacher living in Cleveland, Ohio, and also adapts violin and cello repertoire for double bass players. He is an alumnus of the Creative Musicians Retreat.

 Steinberg Duo Online Concert Series

The Steinberg Duo, as part of their project Ashuelot Concerts, has launched a series of online lecture-concerts called Classically Curious? You can tune in on YouTube every Wednesday and Saturday at 8 pm Eastern time, and find the series schedule here. Each evening begins with a performance, then a talk about of the story of the composer and what makes the music so special. At the end, there is a repeat performance, allowing a new listening experience. Q&As will be available on their YouTube channel at the end of each event. The Keene-based Steinberg Duo was a visiting artist at Walden in 2019.

Drew Thams and The Liquorsmiths Virtual Concert

On March 25, Drew Thams performed a virtual concert with his band The Liquorsmiths. They streamed the concert live on both Facebook and YouTube. The Liquorsmiths (formerly Second Tuesdays) are a folk rock group born from a collision of contrasting ideas, styles and musicality. Vocalist/guitarist Drew is a past member of Walden's administrative team.

Tamsin and Freya Waley-Cohen launch Living Room Live

What has been your relationship with Walden since then?

I was on the faculty for four and half years, which was really great. I taught composition, musicianship, computer musicianship, and some jazz. I taught at the Creative Musicians Retreat for one year, and it was really fun to work with adults on similar material. I really enjoyed that. The half year I mentioned was when I was working fulltime in New York for Face the Music, and Walden partnered with Face the Music to create the Monadnock Institute. We brought 8-10 students to do a two-week, performance-focused version of Walden. Since then, I've tried to stay involved. I go to Walden events in New York and I'm a donor, but now that I work full time not in a school setting, I don't have summers free to work at Walden anymore.

Could you describe a favorite Walden memory?

There's a lot of them. But one in particular was in 2012, which was sort of the John Cage centennial, marking 100 years since his birth. Matt Gold was a visiting artist at YMP with the Walden School Players, and he put together a massive John Cage celebration. It was a Wednesday night, and there were performances all over the quad--inside, outside, choral works, solo pieces, number works--music all over the place. It was a happening. The YMP students, all these middle and high school kids, were performing and participating and spectating. I thought, "This is the weirdest stuff I've ever seen, and everyone is so into it. It's amazing."

How are music and creativity a part of your life now?

I play piano. But more than that, creativity is something that Walden really drives home--weaving creativity through everything we do. I've had periods when I don't play as much music, but I express creativity in other ways, such as spending a lot of time in the kitchen, trying a new recipe every night. I've gotten really into computer musicianship, working more with web audio, not as much composition, but creating interactive web apps and instruments and interactions. There's a lot of really cool stuff happening in that realm.

Why do you give to Walden?

I think Walden is a community that has given me a lot, and I believe in giving back. I got a lot from Walden in terms of approach to music, approach to life, seeing transformation happen in kids' lives over the course of the summer. It's really important to me that there are places like that in the world, so I give to Walden.

What is a non-musical hobby you love?

I'll skip cooking, because I already talked about it. I love woodworking. I feel like it's similar to music and composition in some ways. There's a lot of planning that goes into it, but the fun part is that you still get to a place where you have a physical connection to the art and craft that's happening. The actions you take are manifested in what's created. It's a good balance to music and cooking.

Andrew Barnes Jamieson and Darnell Ishmel tour 
For the past three years, Andrew Barnes Jamieson and Darnell Ishmel have been collaborating on "radical musical (re)imaginings, somewhere between classical, liturgical, gospel and activism." They were in the Bay Area in late February for a series of performances at Pacific School of Religions in Berkeley, Music at the Royale in Oakland, and Island United Church. On March 1, they will perform at All Ears Interfaith Sangha, a group based on the work of Pauline Oliveros, who was a visiting artist at Walden and a member of our advisory council. Andrew is an alumnus of the Young Musicians Program.

Katie Condon wins Eric Stokes Song Contest
CMR alumna Katie Condon is one of four winners of Zeitgeist's 25th Annual Eric Stokes Song Contest. Named in memory of late composer Eric Stokes, the contest is designed to encourage and celebrate amateur composers throughout the Twin Cities. Katie's winning composition, Insomnia, will be performed by Zeitgeist at their annual Playing it Close to Home concert, March 6-8 at Studio Z. Interviewed by Studio Z, Katie explains, "A little while back, I attended the Walden Creative Musicians Retreat in New Hampshire in order to get some time away to prepare for a film score improvisation. I ended up starting to put pencil to paper a bit, and that's the origin of this piece (Insomnia)."

Kim Diehnelt starts with Me2/Burlington

CMR alumna Kim Diehnelt is starting a new position as the Conductor of the Me2/Burlington Orchestra. Me2/ is the world's only classical music organization created for individuals with mental illnesses and the people who support them. Me2/Burlington, the flagship ensemble, is a non-auditioned orchestra that rehearses weekly and performs 3-4 times annually in traditional concert venues, inside correctional and rehabilitation facilities, and for mental health events. As she settles into Vermont, the University of Vermont Orchestra will perform Kim's orchestral work, Striadica: A Symphonic Passage, on April 4.

Mary Fineman premiere in Berkeley

On February 7, Mary Fineman debuted debuted a new piano piece at Grace Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, California. The piece was part of a free concert with Piano Composers, a collective of composers, improvisers, and arrangers that is part of the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society. The concert featured many new works, including the premiere of Mary's piece. Originally from Baltimore, Mary is an alumna of the Junior Conservatory Camp.

Yiseul LeMieux premiere featuring David Friend

CMR alumna Yiseul LeMieux's piece, Lullaby, premiered on February 9 as part of the faculty concert series at Concordia College in Bronxville, New York. CMR artist-in-residence David Friend (an adjunct faculty member at Concordia College) performed on the premiere, along with Sheri Hammerstrom and Marija Illic. The premiere was coordinated with a photo exhibit.

Chris Maikish starts at Inner-City Arts

Chris Maikish has started a new job as Senior Manager of Communications with Inner-City Arts. Inner-City Arts is a learning oasis in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. Under the guidance of professional teaching artists, Inner-City Arts' students are immersed in a safe and supportive environment where they may engage in a variety of visual and performing art forms in a studio setting. Chris worked for The Walden School for a number of years, handling all our design projects.

Ted Moore and Katie Balch engaged

Walden alumnus Ted Moore and Katie Balch are engaged! They met while they were both serving on the faculty at the Young Musicians Program. Congratulations!

Ash Paris-Carter wins Penn State Young Composers Contest

Ash Paris-Carter won the Penn State 2019 Young Composers Contest with their piece, an unlit place, for solo soprano and piano accompaniment. The Penn State 2019 Young Composers Contest was announced in August 2019 and received over 70 submissions from 18 U.S. states and 13 countries. Ash's piece will be considered for programming on the Penn State New Music Concert in April 2020. Ash has attended the Young Musicians Program for the past six summers.

Lance Reddick/The Wire at ABFF Honors

The Wire received the Classic Television Award at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors on February 23. ABFF Honors is an annual awards season gala dedicated to saluting excellence in the motion picture and television industry, which this year paid tribute to HBO's critically acclaimed television series, The Wire. Cast and crew gathered for a celebration and special presentation of this year's "Classic Television Award." YMP alumnus and past YMP faculty member Lance Reddick was a member of the cast of The Wire. 

Karalyn Schubring performs the music of David Lang  

On Friday, February 21, Karalyn Schubring performed with the Contemporary Directions Ensemble at the University of Michigan, presenting an evening of the music of composer David Lang. The concert was the final event of his William Bolcom Guest Residency. Karalyn is an alumna of the Young Musicians Program, and currently earning her Bachelors in Music Composition from the University of Michigan.

Noah Stein wins Emerging Composer Competition

Noah Stein's piece, Forest - A Rotation of the Earth, won first place in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York's Emerging Composers Competition. The piece will premiere on May 3, performed by the Greater New Haven Youth Orchestra, in which Noah plays violin. It may also be programmed on the upcoming season of one of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestras. Noah attended the Young Musicians Program in 2018 and 2019.

Jonathan Thomas at Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Jonathan Thomas, former Development Manager at Walden, started on a new position on February 3 as Senior Manager of Individual Giving at Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Located in the heart of Kansas City's Crossroads community, Lyric Opera creates transformational opera experiences through their performances and through their outreach and education initiatives.

Austin Wulliman premieres with Conrad Tao

Violinist Austin Wulliman had his first performance with pianist Conrad Tao on February 25 at Columbia University's Miller Theater. The concert featured two world premieres of Austin's works: Insurgentes Sur for violin and piano and Frame for solo violin. Austin is a member of JACK Quartet, and has been in residence at Walden with Spektral Quartet and Ensemble Dal Niente, and has also performed at Walden events outside the summer.

Could you describe a favorite memory from JCC?

I have so many wonderful memories, but a few favorites. I loved studying Bach. We were analyzing Bach chorales in Mrs. Cushman's class at Peabody, and at the JCC, we studied one of the Brandenburg Concertos. Reynaldo Reyes performed Bach's Italian Concerto, and we would sing one of the Bach fugues from The Well-Tempered Clavier.

I'll always recall Reynaldo Reyes, Zoltan Szabo, and others performing the Ravel and Debussy Quartets. Watching Linda Wilder perform a Martha Graham-inspired modern dance took my breath away.

What is a non-music hobby or activity you love?

For the past 25 years, I have been studying the work of Jacques Lacan, a French psychoanalyst. I attend an ongoing weekly Lacanian psychoanalytic seminar in Manhattan. I find his work fascinating and incorporate much of it into my own psychotherapy practice.

You support Walden in a very special way, by performing piano recitals and asking that attendees donate to Walden, rather than buying a ticket. How did this idea come about?

It came about through my belief in the power of great music to move us into a sacred dimension, transcending our ordinary lives. I want to encourage the Walden project, and enable young musicians to experience some of what I experienced in those early years.

How is creativity part of your life now?

I have written on the interface of music and psychoanalysis. Some of my work appears in the book Music and Psyche: Contemporary Psychoanalytic Explorations.

What advice would you give to would-be Walden students of today as they embark on their summer at Walden?

Be open to the miracle of music and the ways in which it taps into the heartfelt regions of existence beyond words.