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Music in the Mansion

The City of Beverly Hills prides itself in bringing its residents, visitors and patrons of the arts the finest in solo and chamber music performances. Since 1994, under Artistic Director Laura Schmieder, Music in the Mansion at Greystone Park has presented concerts featuring selected prize-winning international and local artists.

Music in the Mansion | Duo Syncopa

02/28/2024

DUO SYNCOPA Formed in 2017 from a shared passion for the music of Robert Schumann, Duo Syncopa is woven together by the artistry of violinist Yue Qian and Tomomi Sato. In the 2023-2024 season, they present a wide variety of programs throughout the United States. The name Syncopa derives from one of Schumannâ??s favorite compositional devicees â?? syncopation - a key element that both inspires and challenges the nuances of duo playing. Chinese violinist Yue Qian has made appearances at prestigious festivals such as Verbier Festivals and Ravinia Steans Music Institute, and contributed to NAXOS Chinaâ??s â??JADEâ?? album. Beyond stage, she engages in community outreach and teaches chamber music at Colburn School CSPA. Yue holds degrees from Juilliard and USC. Japanese pianist Tomomi Sato, a prizewinner of the 2013 Seattle International Piano Competition, captivates audiences worldwide with a diverse array of performances. Sheâ??s acclaimed for her repertoire knowledge and collaborates with world-renowned artists. A doctoral candidate at USC Thornton, she is reputable for her pedagogical specialty in ensemble playing. Japanese pianist Tomomi Sato, a prizewinner of the 2013 Seattle International Piano Competition, captivates audiences worldwide with a diverse array of performances. Sheâ??s acclaimed for her repertoire knowledge and collaborates with world-renowned artists. A doctoral candidate at USC Thornton, she is reputable for her pedagogical specialty in ensemble playing. Recorded live at Greystone Mansion on February 11, 2024




Music in the Mansion | Fiato String Quartet

07/19/2023

Recorded live at the Greystone Mansion Living Room on April 23, 2023. The Fiato Quartet, formed in 2008, features Carrie Kennedy, Joel Pargman, Aaron Oltman and Ryan Sweeney. They hold degrees in performance from USC, Rice, Northwestern and SUNY Stony Brook. They each have active concert careers with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Pasadena Symphony, Long Beach Symphony, New West Symphony, and Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra. As studio musicians, they record music for movies, television and records. Fiato has performed on many chamber music series throughout Los Angeles and toured Costa Rica as part of Festival Credomatic. Fiato has a passion for new music, having performed 10 world premieres. Carrie Kennedy has soloed with orchestras throughout the U.S. and has given concerts in eleven countries. She is a member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, Long Beach Symphony, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, and Los Angeles Master Chorale. Carrie holds an MM from SUNY Stony Brook and a BM from USC. Joel Pargman is a member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, and the Pasadena Symphony. As a member of the Denali Quartet, Pargman spent eight years as artist-in-residence for the â??Jacarandaâ?? concert series. He has premiered new works by composers Andrew Norman, Donald Crockett, and Ben Johnston, among others. Aaron Oltman performs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, Pasadena Symphony, and New West Symphony. He has appeared in chamber music concerts for Camerata Pacifica, Sundays Live at LACMA, South Bay Chamber Music Society, LA Philharmonic's Green Umbrella series, and is active in the Recording Industry. Ryan Sweeney is a talented cellist known for his performances with major orchestras in the Los Angeles area, including the LA Philharmonic, LA Opera, and Pasadena Symphony & Pops. He has also performed on the soundtracks of several Hollywood films. In addition to performing, Ryan is a dedicated cello teacher



Music in the Mansion | Seraphour Voice Ensemble

06/19/2023

Recorded live at the Greystone Mansion Living Room on April 22, 2023. Presenting pieces from the Renaissance to present day and commissioning new works, Seraphourâ??s music celebrates the tradition of beauty that spans centuries and inspires souls. The all-female vocal quartet, comprised of Heidi Vass, Melissa Birch, Emma Grace Roche, and Dana Rouse, was named a winner in the 2022 Beverly Hills National Competition. Their debut album, â??Angele Dei,â?? was released in October 2021 and has been featured on classical radio stations, syndicated NPR and PBS programs nationally. In addition to terrestrial radio, â??Angele Deiâ?? can be heard and downloaded on all streaming platforms. In addition to live performances, Seraphour is currently working on a series of audio/visual projects and a follow-up album. For more information visit www.seraphour.com or follow them on social media @seraphour. Soprano Heidi Valencia Vass has performed and recorded extensively in musical theatre, opera, oratorio, and crossover genres. She received her dramatic acting/speech training at Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting in New York City. She has sung with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Lukeâ??s Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony and has been a featured soloist with The Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra, New West Symphony, Palm Springs Opera Guild, and the Concordia Master Series among others. Vass has performed extensively on the recital stage and is a member of the Areté Vocal Ensemble. Winner in numerous vocal competitions focusing on both musical theatre and classical singing, her albums, Reflections (recorded with the Budapest Symphony) and Shades are available on iTunes and can be heard on Spotify and Pandora. Ms. Vass earned BM degree at Westminster Choir College and MM degree at the USC. She is also the author of the interactive textbook, Foundations in Singing; A guidebook for singers. A member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Recording Academy, ASCAP, and the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, she has held music faculty posts at USC, Pepperdine, and California Lutheran University. Mezzo-Soprano Melissa Birch has performed both nationally and internationally in countries including England, Germany, Italy and throughout the United States. She has collaborated with groups such as the Leipzig Baroque Orchestra, the New West Symphony, and the San Bernardino Orchestra. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Vocal Performance from Valparaiso University. Throughout her university career, Melissa was music director and vice president of the VU Acabellas and a member the Sigma Alpha Iota. She has also enjoyed performing in multiple choirs including Valparaiso University Chorale, Anglia Ruskin Chamber Choir, The Church of the Epiphanyâ??s Schola, Los Robles Master Chorale, and Areté Vocal Ensemble. At her own private music studio she teaches both voice and piano, and is currently pursuing a degree in Education. Dana Rouse, Mezzo-Soprano, has been teaching and performing for over 25 years and has held teaching positions at SUNY Fredonia, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Rouse performs regularly both as a chorister and soloist. She sang with the Eastman Rochester Chorus, Cincinnati Opera Chorus, Los Robles Master Chorale, and is currently a member of the Arete Vocal Ensemble in residence at CLU. Rouse has performed in concert with the New West Symphony, Eastman Philharmonic, and Westlake Village Symphony. She regularly collaborates with Peace in Concert, Fall of Ai Productions, and the Westlake Chamber Society as a soloist and also serves as the worship leader Monte Vista Presbyterian Church in Newbury Park. Rouse received a Bachelorâ??s Degree in vocal performance from Biola University. Her Masterâ??s Degree in operatic performance and literature is from Eastman School of Music. She also studied in the DMA program at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in vocal performance and pedagogy. Emma Grace Roche has performed with companies across the United States including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, San Diego Opera, The NY Philharmonic, The Pacific Symphony, Utah Festival Opera, and Los Angeles Opera. Her favorite roles include Kathie in The Student Prince, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Servilia in La Clemenza di Tito, Josephine in HMS Pinafore, and Belinda in Dido & Aeneas. As a soloist she has performed Handelâ??s Messiah, Bachâ??s Magnificat, Mendelssohnâ??s Elijah, and the Fauré Requiem. Emma has received several honors and awards including an encouragement award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and a winner in regional competitions. Roche received a Masters of Music degree in Voice Performance from the USC Thornton School of Music.

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