VIRTUAL artist partnerships program
Artists
2022-2023
Composers
Juhi Bansal
“Radiant and transcendent”, the music of Juhi Bansal weaves together themes celebrating musical and cultural diversity, nature and the environment, and strong female role models. Her music draws upon elements as disparate as progressive metal, Hindustani music, spectralism, musical theatre and choral traditions to create deeply expressive, evocative sound-worlds.
Recent projects include Songs from the Deep, a work for chamber orchestra inspired by the songs of humpback whales for the Oregon Mozart Players; Waves of Change, a digital experience on womanhood, identity and clash of cultures inspired by the story of the Bangladesh Girls Surf Club; and Edge of a Dream, an opera about Ada Lovelace, daughter of infamous poet Lord Byron and a 19th Century pioneer in computing commissioned by Los Angeles Opera. A conductor and pianist as well as composer, she frequently premieres the work of other composers and accompanies singers at the piano.
Monica Chew
Monica Chew (she/her) is an Oakland pianist and composer. In 2017 she released her first solo album, Tender and Strange, featuring works by Bartók, Janáček, Messiaen, Takemitsu, and Scriabin. A “gifted player with an affinity for deeply sensitive expression” (Whole Note, June/July/August 2018), her playing is “wonderfully delicate, like tissue” (International Pianist, July/August 2018). She has been a featured artist on KVMR, KPFA and radio stations across the United States. She started composing in 2017 and couldn’t be happier about it. Her work has been featured as part of the Gabriela Lena Frank’s Creative Academy for Music’s #GLFCAMGigThruCovid initiative, Hot Air Music Festival, and Left Coast Chamber Ensemble’s Intersection program. Prior to 2015, she worked nearly a decade as a principal software engineer on security and privacy at Mozilla and Google. She lives in Oakland with her husband, an 1899 Steinway B, a clavichord, and a disused violin.
Carolina Calvache
Born in Cali Colombia, Carolina Calvache is a pianist and composer, winner of the 16th Independent Music Awards with her song “La última vez” featuring, Camila Meza. Since her selection for the 2011 Mary Lou Williams Woman in Jazz Festival for outstanding artists, Carolina brought attention at The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Legendary pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi described her music as “Extraordinary and Marvelous”. Following her widely praised debut release Sotareño (Sunnyside, 2014) — that earned a spot among the Best 10 Albums of 2014 by Latin Jazz Network — Calvache unleashes the resonating extent of her talent as a composer, orchestrator and formidable songwriter on her sophomore album Vida Profunda (Sunnyside, 2020). Engaging a range of guest artists — including legendary multidisciplinary artist, multi GRAMMY-winning singer Rubén Blades; DownBeat Critics Poll Rising Star, vocalist Sara Serpa; and internationally celebrated singer and songwriter Marta Gómez.
Shane Cook
Shane Scott Cook is a composer, conductor and multi-instrumentalist whose work focuses on building community and connection. He draws influence from his eclectic musical upbringing in folk, jazz, and theater into his concert work, and has been performed across the U.S. and internationally by artists such as New West Symphony, Del Sol String Quartet, New Jersey Percussion Ensemble, Salastina Music Society, Saili Oak, and Shawn Mativetsky. He is an alumni fellow of the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music and a current cohort member of Composing Earth (2022-23), which equips emerging artists to address the ongoing climate crisis in their lives and creative work. He is also working with Chicago-based LYNX Project on a new song cycle in collaboration with poet Amelia Bell for their 2022-23 Amplify Series, focusing on amplifying neurodivergent voices. Shane works frequently in theater as a composer, arranger and music director, currently developing a musical with playwright Selena Deer.
Kenyon Duncan
Kenyon Duncan is a composer-performer from Northern California. Grounded in the sonic traditions of the Black diaspora, Kenyon’s creative practice engages questions around embodiment and homemaking. His original work has been heard in concert halls, gallery spaces, and theatrical productions. Recently, his sound installation Music for Strangers was featured at the Yale Center for Collaborative Arts and Media. Kenyon is also a conductor and arranger and spent a year directing The Whiffenpoofs, programming over 200 concerts across 25 states and 26 countries. Kenyon’s experience as an ensemble leader has led to the production of 3 award-winning albums, and has brought him around the world to lead workshops on vocal performance and ensemble technique. Kenyon holds a B.A. in Computing & The Arts from Yale University, where he studied composition, computer music, and conducting. He is currently working on his debut solo recording project.
Performers
Jordan Bartow
Jordan Bartow is an award-winning cellist/improviser/composer residing between SC and the Greater NYC area. Noted for his “booming resonance” by icareifyoulisten.com, He is especially dedicated to the promotion, development, and performance of contemporary music. Mr. Bartow is the cellist and production manager of the Blackbox Ensemble, a New York City-based contemporary music ensemble devoted to using new music as a platform to engage critically with the social and cultural issues of our time. The Blackbox Ensemble has been featured in The New Yorker Magazine, Timeout New York, New Music USA, and icareifyoulisten.com. Mr. Bartow is also a member of the critically acclaimed Chelsea Symphony, as well as the award-winning new music ensemble Infrasound. In 2021, Mr. Bartow won the Jan Williams Prize for contemporary performance and collaboration. He was also nominated for the Mamlok Stiftung international prize for his exploits in contemporary music performance and advancement.
LaDejia Bittle
LaDejia is a 2018 vocal performance graduate of Wingate University in Wingate, NC. Originally from High Point, NC, she has sung in church choirs since she was a young girl and was a member of the youth choir, the youth praise and worship team, the college and young adult praise and worship team, and the liturgical dance and mime team. During her four years at Wingate, she was a part of both of the auditioned choirs, Wingate University Singers and Chamber Choir, as well as the United in One Gospel Ensemble which she directed for three years. She has performed as a soloist in Bach’s St. John Passion, Bach's Mass in B Minor, and several other major works. She has also participated in Wingate's opera productions in lead mezzo roles such as Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), Cherubino (The Marriage of Figaro, Act II), Le Prince Charmant (Cendrillon, Act II), and The Learned Judge (reversed roles, Trial By Jury).
Miguel Calleja
Miguel Calleja is an artist who moves between tradition and modernity, always looking for what it means to be a violinist in the 21st century. His performances present classical and contemporary music in continuous dialogue with the audience.
Passionate about contemporary music, Calleja has collaborated with composers such as Augusta Read Thomas, Matt Stone, Patrick Clark and Stefan Freund, leading the Missouri Young Composers Forum. He recently performed as a soloist and as a member of the New Sounds Quartet in the contemporary music cycle Southern Exposure and in 24/24, a meeting between composers and artists at the University of Iowa. Inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021 he created the cycle Cloistered, in San Bernardo, Granada, playing recitals behind the bars of the convent.
As a violinist-researcher, he has presented lectures and recitals on Spanish music at the University of Granada, the Casa de España in San Antonio, and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Nico Caruso
Originally from Kansas City, Nico Caruso is a 1st year student in the University of South Carolina’s Master of Opera Theatre program. Nico was active in opera and choral music while pursuing his Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Missouri - Kansas City and he has remained a part of both of those disciplines after moving to Columbia to further his studies. Nico has sung a number of opera roles both within the States and abroad, most notably playing characters in Candide and Gianni Schicchi in Varna, Bulgaria and singing Rinuccio in Varna International’s most recent production of Gianni Schicchi in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Brian L. Fenderson
Brian L. Fenderson, baritone, is a native of Newark, NJ; and is currently a Doctoral Student at the University of South Carolina, where he studies with tenor, Dominic Armstrong. Brian holds a Master of Music degree with a concentration in Vocal Performance from the University of Delaware, where he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Isai Jess Muñoz; and a Bachelor of Arts from the historic Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. Brian is the former Director of Music, Arts, and Cultural Programs at the Nia Fellowship Baptist Church in West Orange, NJ.
During 2021-2022 Metropolitan Opera Season, Brian returned for the revival of the 2020 Grammy Award Winning production of Porgy and Bess. In June, Brian was selected to perform in the 50th Season production of Porgy and Bess with Des Moines Metro Opera. This historic production was directed by Tazewell Thompson, and served as the 103rd role and farewell operatic performance of Opera Legend, Simon Estes.
Brittany Martin
Brittany Martin, soprano, is an expressive performer who believes music has an unmatched power to connect us more deeply to ourselves and others. She will play Mary Warren in Opera at USC’s upcoming production of Robert Ward’s The Crucible. Her recent roles include Parthoenis (La belle Héléne), La Musica (L’Orfeo), and Pheobe D’Ysquith (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder). As a chamber musician, she has performed Peter Ablinger’s haunting Wiesse Litanei and worked directly with composers including Pulitzer Prize winner Raven Chacon, Alex Temple, and Lori Laitman. Brittany is a second year Master’s student in Voice Performance with an emphasis in Community Engagement at the University of South Carolina where she studies with Dr. Tina Stallard. As an artistic liason at UofSC Brittany has worked closely with contemporary music ensembles and composers including Kronos Quartet, Michael Abels, Bang on a Can All-Stars, and The Westerlies.
Nicky Moore
Nicky Moore is a violist and interfaith leader who seeks to be open-minded. This attitude has opened many doors to her, including her current role as violist of the New Sounds Quartet at the University of South Carolina. Nicky studies with Daniel Sweaney and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Music Performance and Community Engagement. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Utah State University. There, her interest in new music began when she had the privilege to premiere two string quartets– Currents by Stephen Mitton and Far From Righteous by Kerwin Young.
Nicky’s open mindedness also led her to interfaith leadership. Her mission is to increase positive attitudes towards and appreciation of different religious, spiritual and secular identities. To achieve this goal, Nicky plans to commission and perform music by living composers who draw inspiration from their religious or ethical worldviews. Learn more at interfaithmusician.com.
Holly Workman
Violinist Holly Workman is an active performer throughout the US and Europe. She often performs contemporary music and enjoys collaborating with composers and artists to create new and exciting performances. Holly has appeared as a guest artist with the MIVOS Quartet, Ensemble Modern, Ensemble United Berlin, and the Slee Sinfonietta, among others. She has also performed alongside the JACK Quartet, Irvine Arditti, members of Ensemble Signal and the Bang on a Can All Stars. Solo engagements include appearances with the Hershey Symphony Orchestra, the OSSIA Ensemble, and a solo recital broadcast on the IEMA and Ensemble Modern media platforms. Holly has been invited to perform at festivals such as the June in Buffalo Festival, the 180° Laboratory for Innovative Art, Creative Dialogue X, the New Mexico Chamber Music Festival, Klangspuren Schwaz, and the Bang on a Can Festival. Performance highlights include concerts at the Philharmonie Berlin, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Konzerthaus Berlin, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and many others.