2019's Featured Soloists
Olga Kern - piano
Russian-American pianist OLGA KERN is recognized as one of her generation’s great artists. With her vivid stage presence, passionately confident musicianship, and extraordinary technique, the striking pianist continues to captivate fans and critics alike. She jumpstarted her U.S. career with historic Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. A Steinway Artist, Ms. Kern is a laureate of many international competitions and tours throughout Russia, Europe, the United States, Japan, South Africa and South Korea and currently piano faculty of the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.
Corine Brouwer - violin
CORINE BROUWER, violin, is concertmaster of the Winston-Salem Symphony and the Asheville Lyric Opera orchestras (NC). She is also assistant principal second violin in the Arizona MusicFest Orchestra and is a faculty member and in the first violin section of Eastern Music Festival (NC).
Dan Skidmore - violin
DAN SKIDMORE, violin, performs regularly as concertmaster of the Salisbury Symphony and as associate concertmaster of the Winston-Salem Symphony. He teaches violin at Catawba College and Piedmont International University.
Giovanni Parra - bandoneon
GIOVANNI PARRA, bandoneon, is founder and conductor of the Tango Orchestra of Bogotá, two-time Latin Grammy nominee, and guest soloist with orchestras world-wide.
Octavio Moreno - baritone
OCTAVIO MORENO, baritone, originally from Hermosillo, Mexico, received his Bachelor’s degree in voice at the Universidad de Sonora then completed the Artist Diploma program at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, followed by the Houston Grand Opera Studio. He's performed in prestigious opera companies worldwide, including San Diego Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and many more.
Alexander Lipay - flute
ALEXANDER LIPAY, flute, is a Grammy Award winner and principal flute of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, True Concord Voices and Orchestra, and St. Andrew’s Bach Society Chamber Orchestra.
Eric Zuber - piano
ERIC ZUBER, piano, has been a recipient of major prizes from the world's most prestigious international piano competitions and has performed with many of the major orchestras in the United States and abroad. Eric holds degrees from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University (B.M., A.D., D.M.A.), the Curtis Institute of Music (Diploma), and the Juilliard School (M.M).