Search RSC’s Website

Ana Sorina Popa Piano, Theory Since her public debut at eight, Dr. Popa has performed on both the North American and European continents as recitalist, chamber music collaborator and orchestral soloist. Her appearances in such distinguished halls as Jordan Hall in Boston, the Romanian Academy in Rome, the Dalles and Atheneum Halls in Bucharest, Festsaal des Bezirksamtes Margareten, Vienna, or the Ingmar Bergman Center in Sweden have garnered widespread audience accolades. Ana’s first live recording for the Romanian National Radio at age 16 was followed by several appearances on the Romanian National Television Stations, as well as the local TV stations in Massachusetts, USA. Dr. Popa is a prize winner of several piano competitions that include the International Piano Competition for Young Pianists (Stresa, Italy) and the International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in (Rome, Italy), among others. Her Chopin and Haydn performances received Special Mentions at the Ibla International Piano Competition and Festival in Italy. Dr. Popa is the founder and artistic director of two professional trios: Trio con Anima which has had several American and European tours; and the Stonehill Trio, named after its host, Stonehill College in Easton, MA, that combines performance and education through the format of lecture recitals. In both her solo and chamber career she is an active promoter of new music, has a strong interest in presenting music by women composers, and looks for the unusual and deserving when designing a program. In addition she has founded, led and was the Artistic Director for over a decade of the Sunday at Three concert series in Dorchester, MA, that brought free access to classical music to an underserved community of enthusiastic listeners. Dr. Popa holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Piano Performance with Academic Honors from the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA; a Master’s of Music from Boston University; and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Boston University. Her thesis You Become What You Practice: Applications of Tai Chi Principles to Piano Playing takes a critical look at the fundamental points of view prevalent in Western playing and pedagogy, identifies shortcomings and their effects, and proposes changes to the physical and mental approaches towards the piano. Her teachers include Venera Babes, Grazia Cernatescu, Alexandru Dumitrescu, Anca Peiovici, Veronica Jochum, Tong Il Han, Randall Hodgkinson, and Burton Hatheway. While at Boston University she also studied harpsichord and organ with Peter Sykes. Dr. Popa’s interest in finding a form of exercise that has a low impact on the joints brought her to the first Tai Chi/Tàijí class. For the past 15 years she has studied the martial arts of Tai Chi and Ba Gua, various qigong sets, breathing, and Daoist meditation. With over 1300 hours of training and certifications in 6 different disciplines, she continues to practice and research these subjects and their applications to the music making. Some of her interests include body mechanics and instrumental playing; philosophical influences as practical outcomes in performance; Tàijí Quán as an integrated way to enhancing health, preventing performer’s injuries and actualizing potential; Eastern and Western attitudes towards performance; contemplative practices relevant to music making; piano pedagogy and body awareness; and pedagogical bridges between the teaching of martial arts and music. She is a student of Bruce Frantzis and his Senior Student, Bill Ryan. Dr. Popa’s research has had a profound impact on her pedagogy. Using both body mechanics principles as well as mind training methodologies found in these practices, she has developed many integration pathways into the piano beginner’s physical setup; preventing repetitive stress injuries; teaching how to integrate the mind into the body and to be aware of the physical motion that accompanies any expressive gesture in piano playing; and the importance of whole body coordination, among many others. The effectiveness of her pedagogical work has been recognized through student achievements such as winning competitions and auditions, successful applications to undergraduate and graduate programs, and thriving careers in the music field. Most of her students stay with her for the duration of their studies. Dr. Popa is a member of the College Music Society; the New England Piano Teachers Association; Massachusetts Music Teachers Association, and the Music Teachers National Association. She is an active regional, national, and international competition judge. Some of her upcoming projects are Fingers, A Book of Piano Exercises designed for the non-reader young beginner who needs simple technical exercises to set the foundation for successful pianistic development; and a video course of the same name which includes teaching and demonstrations of these exercises, designed for beginners of any age and an excellent resource for self starters. In the medium future she plans to expand and update the material in her dissertation and to publish a book on the subject. Dr. Popa is a faculty member of the Stonehill College and the Rivers School Conservatory as well as the Music Director of First Parish Dorchester. She resides in Quincy, MA. a.popa@rivers.org

ChamberMusicLab About CML Jason Fisher , Director An intensive full-scholarship program for very advanced high school students, ChamberMusicLab (CML) demands a serious commitment to the study of chamber music. Many CML students have gone on to study at major American and European conservatories. Most CML ensembles learn at least one complete work during the year. Ensembles are encouraged to enter major competitions and to present complete public recitals. Open by audition to students entering grades 8-12 3 hours every Saturday; 9:00 a.m–12:00 p.m. 1.5 hours coaching; 1.5 hours rehearsal 8 classes per semester Frequent workshops and performance opportunities Special guest masterclasses Apply for CML CML Applications are now closed for 2026-2027. Applications for next year's class will open in May 2027. Applicants must be entering grades 8–12 in the fall, and will need to commit to attendance every Saturday from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (with very limited exceptions). Open by audition only. Questions? Contact Jason Fisher , Director, at j.fisher@rivers.org

Marimba Ensembles About Marimba Ensembles Sarah Tenney , Director The Marimba Magic Musicianship program offers musical training to students as they play marimbas and drums in a group. Musical concepts are learned through creative explorations on the instruments, as well as through playing pieces from written music. Students joyously make up their own music on marimbas, a skill they can transfer to the piano with an identical keyboard. Playing in a drum circle further enhances rhythmic precision and improvisational expression. Conducting, singing, movement, and composition allow full integration of the musical concepts. Multiple Levels / Age Groups Each level of Marimba Magic Musicianship provides further mastery of scales, chords, transposing, improvising, and composing, as well as the opportunity to play more complex ensemble pieces. Marimba Magic ensembles perform regularly, with advanced groups performing in Boston and at national and international conferences. Questions? Contact Sarah Tenney, Director, at s.tenney@rivers.org to learn more!

Frequently Asked Questions Where can I sign up for workshops? Sign up for a workshop here. Where can I find tuition rates? A complete list of tuition rates for RSC Private Instruction, Beginner Musician Programs, Small & Large Ensembles, Classes & Seminars, Summer Programs, and the annual registration fee can be found here. How do I sign-up for a recital? In order to perform in a recital, you must sign-up for a workshop. You can learn more about the process here. How do I sign-up for an accompanist? Sign-up for an accompanist here. How do I contact my department chair? You can find your department chair’s contact information by clicking on their name: Ethel Farny (Wind Chair), Sandra Hebert and Eleanor Perrone (Piano Co-Chairs), Jin-Kyung Joen (String Chair), Lauren Cless (Suzuki Chair), Eve Budnick (Voice Chair), Philippe Crettien (Jazz Chair), and Sarah Tenney (Percussion Chair). What competitions does RSC offer and how can I take advantage of that? The RSC offers multiple competitions, find out more here. How do I find out about things happening at RSC? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything at RSC!

Workshops & Recitals If your student has completed a workshop, they will be eligible for a Friday evening recital the following week. Please check the recital roster AFTER Monday evening (Tuesday evening in the event of a holiday) to know what time your student will be performing that Friday. RECITAL ROSTER Once private lesson students have learned a piece and want to perform it, they must sign up for a workshop. Workshops develop community and provide a chance for students to receive coaching from the head of their instrument department (Piano, String, Voice, and Woodwind) and function as the preliminary step before performing in a Friday night recital. The workshop is set up in an intimate masterclass setting where students will perform for the department head and department peers who signed up. After their workshop, students who are approved to play in a recital will be scheduled in the following week’s Friday night student recitals. All student recitals take place in Rivera Recital Hall and are free and open to the public. How to Sign Up for a Workshop/Recital: 1. Discuss with your teacher Your teacher will determine if you have a piece of music ready to perform in a workshop/recital. 2. Make sure you have all the information needed to sign up for the workshop You will need the composer’s name, title of the work and movement, and length of the work that you will be performing. Please note: pieces over 15 minutes long will be programmed based on recital availability. 3. Sign up for a workshop using the appropriate department link below Workshop sign-ups are made available on a rolling basis. Piano Workshop String Workshop Voice Workshop Wind Workshop 4. Check your email for a workshop confirmation Following your workshop signup, you will receive a confirmation email with all of your information, chosen date, and room location. Your teacher will receive an email requesting approval of this workshop. If the teacher does not approve the workshop for any reason, you will be notified by the office. 5. Sign up for a rehearsal with the piano accompanist (strings/winds/voice only) If you are performing a piece and would like a piano accompanist please use the sign-up form below. You can choose to rehearse with the accompanist on the same day as your workshop or on a different day. Sign up for an Accompanist Rehearsal 6. Review the Recital Roster After the completion of your workshop, students approved to perform in the following Friday night student recital will appear on the recital roster. The recital roster is updated and ready to view as early as the Monday evening of that week. The recital roster can be found in the Weekly Family email newsletter, or view it here .

Jazz Ensembles About Jazz Ensembles Philippe Crettien , Director of Jazz Studies RSC offers multiple jazz ensembles to accommodate adults and children of any ability. All rehearsals take place after school during the week or on Saturdays. Ensembles consist of four to seven players and focus on learning phrasing, communication, and group improvisation. Students are placed according to previous experience and instrumental ability. RSC Adult Jazz Ensemble The RSC Adult Jazz Ensemble is for adult musicians who have some experience playing in a jazz ensemble and want to resume playing with other musicians. The goal of the ensemble is to work on jazz repertoire and jazz language. The ensemble meets weekly and performs concerts twice a semester. Jazz Improvisation – Beginner & Intermediate Students learn the foundations for constructing a solo in a fun group setting. They also learn basic chord types and scales, as well as ways to create a coherent and interesting solo. Tuition & Audition Information Please reach out to Philippe Crettien , Director of Jazz Studies, to audition for a jazz ensemble. Auditions are ongoing throughout the year. Learn more about Tuition Rates Questions? Contact Philippe Crettien, Director, at p.crettien@rivers.org . Adult Jazz Ensembles

Yoshiko Kline Piano Yoshiko performs as recitalist, soloist, and chamber musician throughout Japan and the New England area. Her performances have been reported as “carefully colored and musically refined … with a sensitive ear, relating sound to musical expression… Her remarkably unique interpretations were the charm of her performance…” Since her debut concert, in Tokyo, she has appeared in Boston’s Jordan Hall, Museum of Fine Arts, and Gardner Museum; as well as The Tanglewood Music Festival, The New York Keyboard Festival and Aspen Music Festival. Performances have also been broadcast live from the studios of Boston radio stations WGBH & WMNB and Aspen, CO Radio KAJX. In addition to her classical interests, she excels as contemporary artist performing and premiering new works for numerous emerging composers, artists and ensembles. Her solo CD “Jon Meets Yoshiko,” released in December 2015 by Phoenicia Publishing, is a collection of neo-classical, neo-romantic piano music by Jon Appleton. Yoshiko has been fortunate enough to educate a diverse group of all ages in both private and classroom settings. She is currently a faculty member at Rivers School Conservatory, Winchester Community Music School and The Winsor School while continuing an extensive private piano studio. Yoshiko received her BM at Toho-Gakuen Conservatory of Music and MM, with honors, at New England Conservatory of Music. Principal teachers have included Gabriel Chodos, Yoriko Takahashi and Tamiko Ishimoto. y.kline@rivers.org

Christopher Memoli Conductor, Rivers Youth Orchestras—Youth Symphony, & Rivers Symphony Orchestra Christopher Memoli is the Music Director/Conductor of both the Rivers Youth Orchestras and Rivers Symphony Orchestra. Since founding the Rivers Youth Orchestras in 2001, Mr. Memoli has led the growth of this program from one elementary orchestra to over 300 students in five orchestras. In addition, he conducts the acclaimed Rivers Youth Symphony Orchestra. In the fall of 2021, Mr. Memoli assumed the podium as the Music Director/Conductor of the Rivers Symphony Orchestra and has since re-energized the ensemble. He is thrilled to be working with this exceptional group of adult community players, former students, local teachers and music lovers of all kinds. In addition to his responsibilities at the Rivers School Conservatory, Mr. Memoli is the retired Director of Music for the Weston Public Schools where he supervised the K-12 music program and taught high school band and orchestra. During his 28-year tenure in Weston, Mr. Memoli oversaw the development of one of the most outstanding music programs in Massachusetts. Mr. Memoli holds the degrees Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Conducting from the University of South Carolina. In addition, he holds a graduate degree in Educational Administration. Mr. Memoli studied violin with Donald Portnoy, Luis Haza and Robert Gerle and studied conducting with Donald Portnoy, Harold Ferberman, Daniel Lewis and Lukas Foss. Mr. Memoli has conducted orchestras in 16 countries across North America and Europe. As Head Director for American Music Abroad, he has led 17 European concert tours, inspiring musicians through international performance and cultural exchange. Mr. Memoli is in demand as a guest conductor, adjudicator, freelance violinist and violin teacher. He currently serves as President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and was named the 2008 Massachusetts Orchestra Director of the Year. c.memoli@rivers.org

Kevin Baldwin Saxophone, Composition Kevin Baldwin, DMA, MFA, is a composer, saxophonist, and interdisciplinary artist who challenges artistic traditions through experimental techniques, technologies, and conceptual practices. As a saxophonist and composer, Baldwin uses extended techniques and non-traditional notation systems to create sonic experiences utilizing noise and microtonalities, ranging from highly structured to freely improvised. These experimentations expanded into other interdisciplinary and collaborative projects, including painting, installations, film, and dance. Baldwin has received awards and residencies as a composer, including Akademie Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart, GE. He has also been a featured saxophonist in solo and chamber settings in select venues, from New York’s Symphony Space to the Beijing Normal University in China. The New York Times has called his performance “…precise and energetic…” Recently, pianist Anne Goldberg-Baldwin’s debut album Permutations featured Baldwin’s composition Broken Language, and his work body and… and… was featured on Leanna Keith’s solo bass flute album body of breath. Baldwin has collaborated on multimedia projects as composer and producer, including numerous dance films invited to international festivals, receiving a Critics’ Choice Award at the Tagore International Film Festival in 2020. Additional projects have received grants and funding through the Judy Center for Applied Research Grant and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. His recent works have been featured across Boston: MassArt X Sowa exhibited Farm to AI-Table, and his intermedia collaboration with Kledia Spiro, Drawing in Air, was featured at the Kingston Gallery. In addition to teaching composition at The Rivers School Conservatory, Baldwin is also an Assistant Professor of Composition at Berklee College of Music. k.baldwin@rivers.org

ACCOMPANIST ALL BASS BASSOON CELLO CHAMBER MUSIC CHAMBERMUSICLAB CLARINET CONDUCTOR FLUTE FRENCH HORN GUITAR JAZZ MARIMBA MAGIC OBOE PERCUSSION PIANO RIVERS SCHOOL SAXOPHONE SUZUKI THEORY & COMPOSITION TROMBONE TRUMPET VIOLA VIOLIN VOICE Narine Babadjanian Piano Alexander Badalov Cello, Chamber Music Vytas J. Baksys Accompanist Kevin Baldwin Saxophone, Composition Kelly Barr Violin Valerie Becker Accompanist Deborah Yardley Beers Piano Jeri DiMarco Bergonzi Jazz Piano Ann Bobo Flute, Chamber Music Chris Brainard Conductor, Rivers Youth Orchestras—Primo Heidi Braun-Hill Violin Piotr Buczek Violin, Chamber Music Eve Budnick Vocal Coach & Voice Department Chair Jackson Carruthers Piano, Chamber Music, Accompanist Ben Carson Violin Justin Casinghino Theory/Composition Lauren Cless Violin, Suzuki Programs director Mike Connors Jazz Percussion, Jazz Ensembles Philippe Crettien Saxophone, Jazz Department Chair Director, Jazz Program, The Rivers School Clayton DeWalt Trombone, Jazz Ensemble Coach Nancy Dimock Oboe, Chamber Music John Emery Violin/Viola Ethel Farny Flute, Wind Department Chair Jason Fisher ChamberMusicLab Director, Viola Liz Foulser Double Bass Susanne Friedrich Cello Neil Godwin French Horn John Guarino Violin Sandra Hebert Piano Department Co-Chair Matthew Heck Director of the Conservatory Program at The Rivers School Karen Heninger Clarinet, Chamber Music J.P. Heston Bass, Jazz Ensemble Coach Paul Huberdeau Accompanist Jin-Kyung Joen Violin, String Department Chair Bill Jones Jazz Saxophone Lilit Karapetian Piano Eugene Kim Cello, ChamberMusicLab Yoshiko Kline Piano Kristen Krauss Director of Studio Chamber Music Sean Larkin Violin Steven Laven Chamber Music, cello Lisa Lederer Suzuki Violin Jeanie Lee Piano Soomi Lee Piano, Chamber Music Megumi Stohs Lewis Violin Zhongling Li Violin Ian Lindsey Piano Dan Loschen Classical & Jazz Piano, Theory Department Chair Ronald Lowry Cello, ChamberMusicLab Colleen MacDonald Conductor, Rivers Youth Orchestras—Philharmonia Allyn McCourt Voice Susan Memoli Conductor, Rivers Youth Orchestras—Sinfonia Christopher Memoli Conductor, Rivers Youth Orchestras—Youth Symphony, & Rivers Symphony Orchestra Velleda Miragias Cello, Chamber Music Kenneth Mok Violin Michael Monroe Piano Dubravka Moshfegh Violin/Viola Patrick Mottaz Jazz Guitar Claire Nalven Conductor, Rivers Youth Wind Ensembles MinKyung Oh Piano, Chamber Music Ryan O’Connell Trumpet Catherine O’Kelly Classical Guitar, Suzuki Guitar Nicole O’Toole Flute, Conductor, Rivers Youth Wind Ensembles Kirstin Seitz Peltz Cello Eleanor Perrone Piano Department Co-Chair Tiffany Pomeroy Violin Ana Sorina Popa Piano, Theory Jenna Potts Suzuki Violin Magdalena Suchecka Richter Violin Lindsey Robb Piano, Music Theory Emily Rome Viola, Chamber Music Timur Rubinshteyn Percussion, Marimba Marc Ryser Piano Phil Sargent Jazz Guitar Eya Setsu Violin, Chamber Music Lois Shapiro Piano, Chamber Music Jia Shi Piano Matthew Stavrakas Bass, Jazz Ensemble Coach Taylor Stobinski Suzuki Cello Naoko Sugiyama Piano Steve Sussman Piano Whitney Tandon Conductor, Rivers Youth Orchestras—Preparatory Donna Taub Bassoon Sarah Tenney Chair, Percussion Department & Director, Marimba Magic Ensembles David Tobin Piano, Music Theory Adam Vaubel Violin Anne Hooper Webb Violin, Viola Kelly Watson Woelffer Flute Liana Zaretsky Violin Marta Zurad Director, Camerata Strings, Violin

Jia Shi Piano Jia Shi, pianist, embarked on a teaching career in the Boston region and was born into a musical family in Guangzhou, China. Strongly influenced by her grandfather, Mingxin Shi, a renowned conductor, her talent was evident at an early age. She received her initial piano instruction from her grandfather, laying the foundation for her success. Ms. Shi’s many competition awards include the Sendai Piano Competition in Japan, the Kaiserburg Competition in China, the Horowitz Piano Competition in Kiev, Ukraine, and in 2005, First Prize and Best Performance at the National Haiziman Piano Competition in China. She received scholarships for both her undergraduate and graduate studies, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing under the guidance of the world-renowned professor Zhihong Guo. She furthered her studies with international soloist Alexander Korsantia at the New England Conservatory, where she earned a second Master’s Degree in Piano Performance. During her time at NEC, Ms. Shi also taught non-piano graduate students. Ms. Shi has performed across the United States, Europe, and China, with highlights including Jordan Hall, Tanglewood Music Theater in Boston; Steinway Hall in New York; Basilica di San Pietro and Sala Dei Notari in Perugia, Italy; Centro Municipal Integrado de Pumarín Gijón Sur in Spain; Paderewski Music Hall, Poland; and Beijing Concert Hall and Xinghai Concert Hall in China. In addition to performing, Ms. Shi is passionate about teaching students of all ages and levels, many of whom have gone on to study at leading music conservatories. Her students have received top prizes in prestigious international competitions and have been invited to perform in some of the world’s most renowned concert halls. Her students have also attracted the attention and admiration of legendary pianist Martha Argerich. Ms. Shi is the Founder and Artistic Director of the New England Music Festival in Boston and has successfully organized international piano programs with Boston University at Tanglewood in 2016. She serves as the Chairperson of the Music Teachers National Association (Massachusetts), Co-chair of the Hamlet Davidson Piano Competition. In 2018, Ms. Shi was invited to join the Artist Faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory Music Piano Festival. In June 2025, Ms. Shi was inducted into the Steinway Hall of Fame, an honor awarded to exceptional educators who have made a lasting impact on music education and inspired generations of young musicians. Ms. Shi also integrates her passion for collaboration by participating in the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and adjudicating prestigious piano competitions in the U.S., Europe, and China. j.shi@rivers.org

Megumi Stohs Lewis Violin Raised in Portland, Oregon, Megumi Stohs Lewis started playing the violin at age three, but grew up with a dream of studying agricultural science. The summer she turned sixteen, she attended the Olympic Music Festival, held on a beautiful farm in Washington State, and realized that music and the outdoors were a perfect combination. Since then, Megumi has soloed with orchestras throughout the US and Japan, and has toured with ensembles throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Now residing in Boston, she is a co-founder of A Far Cry Chamber Orchestra and has been a guest with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, Shelter Music Boston, the Boston Pops, and plays regularly with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. Starting in 2008, Megumi picked up the baroque violin and quickly fell for the gut strings and a variety of period bows. This love has led to performances with Boston Baroque, the Handel and Haydn Society, Sarasa Ensemble, and the formation of Antico Moderno, a period instrument ensemble created to actively commission contemporary works. She also loves to fiddle and play rock, and regularly toured with Britain’s Jethro Tull. Megumi’s primary influences include her teachers Lucy Chapman at the New England Conservatory and Camilla Wicks and Ian Swensen at the San Francisco Conservatory. Especially in chamber music and period performance, Roger Tapping, Martha Katz, Phoebe Carrai, Manfredo Kraemer, Jean-Michel Fonteneau and Mark Sokol have been significant mentors. Megumi is on the violin and chamber music faculty at Gordon College in Wenham, MA, and coaches chamber music at the Rivers School Conservatory, Portland Summer Ensembles, and teaches chamber music seminars throughout the US. m.lewis@rivers.org

Phil Sargent Jazz Guitar Phil Sargent has worked with a number of prominent musicians including Jerry Bergonzi, John Lockwood, Fernando Huergo, Bruno Raberg, Bob Moses, Matt Wilson, Phil Grenadier, Yosuke Inoue, Thomson Kneeland and others. He studied at the University of New Hampshire and with critically acclaimed guitarists Ben Monder, and Brad Shepik. Phil leads his own group whose compositions draw from a variety of influences, most prominently the odd meters and eastern tonalities of ethnic Balkan music and modern jazz improvisation. Phil released his first recording (For Carl) in 2002. His 2010 release (A New Day) has received critical acclaim. In addition to writing for his own group he composes and has released recordings with the genre bending groups Iskar and The Industrious Noise Trio and many others. Phil also performs nationally as a sideman in the Sonic Explorers, Bruno Raberg Nonet, Rick DiMuzio Quintet, Mehmet Ali Sanlikol Jazz Orchestra, Brooke Sofferman Perspective, John Funkhouser quartet, and a variety of other ensembles ranging from straight ahead jazz to the avante-garde. After studying Jazz Performance and Composition at the University of New Hampshire Phil has since enjoyed a full roster of private students in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts. In addition, Phil has been an active clinician, teaching improvisation and performance master classes at various colleges and high schools throughout New England. p.sargent@rivers.org

Susan Memoli Conductor, Rivers Youth Orchestras—Sinfonia Susan Memoli is the Director of Fine Arts for the Wayland Public Schools and the Wayland High School Orchestra Director. From 2001-2008, she directed the third through eighth grade string instrument program and orchestras in Wayland, including the award winning WMS Honors Chamber Orchestra. Mrs. Memoli has also served the MMEA Eastern District in the capacities of manager and assistant manager. She is an orchestra director for American Music Abroad and will be participating in her fourth European Tour with the Liberty Tour this summer. Mrs. Memoli received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, and principal certification from Boston University. Mrs. Memoli has served as a private studio teacher, violinist with the New Bedford Symphony, Plymouth Philharmonic and Rivers Symphony Orchestra, as well as adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor for music festivals. Mrs. Memoli is the recipient of the 2011 MA String Teacher Association Orchestra Director of the Year Award and was named to the 16th annual 50 Directors Who Make A Difference list of 2014 by School Band and Orchestra magazine. s.memoli@rivers.org

Ben Carson Violin A native of Boston, MA, violinist Benjamin Carson has performed with ensembles across New England. He is a member of the Cape Symphony and the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, and often performs with BMOP, the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Bedford Symphony, and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. An avid performer of contemporary music, Mr. Carson was personally selected to be concertmaster of the Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra in 2016 by Matthias Pintscher after collaborating together on Pierre Boulez’s …explosante-fixe… He has performed across the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America, and has led numerous orchestras under conductors such as Michael Tilson-Thomas, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Andres Nelsons, Joseph Silverstein, Alan Gilbert, Robert Spano, Stephan Denève, Jeannette Sorrell, and Susana Malki. As a music educator, he teaches privately out of his own studio and works as the violin teaching artist at the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras. Durring his tenure with the New World Symphony, Mr. Carson regularly taught lessons and sectionals at Miami Beach Senior High School and the Ruth K. Broad K-8 Center. He was also selected to travel to Colombia for a Medellín exchange program with the Academia Filarmónica de Medellín, where he taught lessons, coached masterclasses, chamber groups, and orchestral sectionals with students studying at the conservatory. Mr. Carson’s pedagogue instructors include Stacia Spencer, Mimi Zweig, and Magdalena Richter. Mr. Carson was a former fellow with the New World Symphony in Miami, Florida. He has attended numerous summer festivals such as the Tanglewood Music Center, Spoleto Music Festival, Brevard Music Center, Music Academy of the West, and Kneisel Hall. He received his Bachelors of Arts from Northwestern University studying with Almita Vamos and his Masters in Music from New England Conservatory studying with Malcolm Lowe. b.carson@rivers.org