Arson Fahim, Piano

Longy Equity Scholarship recipient Arson fell in love with music by chance. One day at age 5, in the Afghan refugee camp in Pakistan where he lived, he walked into a room where people were watching the World War II film The Pianist. I remember thinking, “Wow, how could the sound of a piano save someone’s life?”
See Arson’s Story

Macaulley Whitlock, Music Education, Cello

“Starting the ‘Huasteca Adacemy’ in Monterrey showed me how easily music can cross borders. I chose to come to Longy because I want to be part of a positive change in education, and I believe in making music and education more accessible and equitable for all children.”

Joi Harper, Composition

“I come from a family of strong female leaders, and every day I’m inspired by them. I want to be an inspiration to other composers and encourage young women and women of color to join this field. Don’t compare yourself with others or worry if other people will like what you’ve written—decide if you like it. Let your journey be your own.”

Kateri Lirio, Teacher Education

“Everything about Longy’s teaching program felt like me. I was impressed with Ndindi Kitonga’s social justice course on serving marginalized communities through experimental, hands-on education. Learning about El Sistema will enhance my own teaching and provide a framework for me to create my own programs going forward.”

Hollyn Slykhuis, Trumpet

“My passion for social justice has come to the forefront of my goals. I see myself working in existing programs that use music as a vehicle for social change, as well as blazing new paths. I want everyone, regardless of background, to have a positive and meaningful interaction with music, and I am committed to making that a reality.”

Eliana Osorio Saldarriaga, Soprano

“Longy welcomes people from all over the world, which will expand my horizons. I’ve seen how their students create a supportive and inclusive family. That is what I have always sought—even if I am away from my family and my land, I know I will feel at home.”

Emmanuel Ramirez, Jazz Guitar

“The qualities I need to keep improving as a musician—be patient, be a better listener, be more disciplined, and find joy and beauty in everyday life—are the same I need to be a better person overall. Practice is not just about flawless execution. Refining our art help us make deep connections and a difference in people’s lives.”

Samuel Durand, Piano

“I want the world to know what music can do and why musicians devote so much time and effort to it, as music is a language that expresses the things that words cannot. This power really shines when you allow music to move you and tell you something new.”

Ellie MacPhee, Violin & MM/ME

“Music is incomparably humanizing. I directed a concert series at a nearby medium-security prison. I was struck by how deeply the inmates listened, and how profound it is to bring music to people from a variety of backgrounds. Witnessing firsthand how prisons treated people, it became increasingly important to me to share music.”

Lauren Florek, Soprano

“I chose Longy to continue my graduate studies and refine my craft so that I can continue to affect audiences in such meaningful ways.The small class sizes and individual attention from world-class faculty is a perfect fit for me, to grow as a communicator and performer.”

DeShaun Gordon-King, Flute

“Being a musician means you can talk to everyone… I hope to discover and refine my niche as an artist and bring audiences an experience that transcends genre and leaves them feeling enriched.”

Jubilee Chen, Violin

My mother was a piano teacher, and when I was growing up our house was full of extra pianos. My mom was always buying instruments to give away to her students, because she believed that cost shouldn’t inhibit anyone’s access to a quality instrument. This vision of equity in the music field is something that I’ve tried to carry on. That’s why I chose to study community advocacy alongside violin performance.

Clara Liera, Piano

“I’ve always wanted to be a performer and a mentor. My teachers’ trust in me means more than words could ever describe, and I wish to give back. I also want to extend my heart through music, and create space for human connection. I know how it feels to not belong, and what it takes to overcome feelings of isolation. To make a difference, music must be sincere and heart-felt.”

Sam Smith, Jazz Bass

“When I started gigging, I would play festivals around Syracuse to raise money for young musicians who couldn’t afford lessons or instruments, and to benefit organizations that provided music in the community. It wasn’t until I moved to Boston in 2016 that I realized I could have an even broader impact with my music.”

Tyler James, Cello

“My favorite job was being on the national tour of a Broadway production. I got to work with so many talented people! That year on tour reminded me not only of the joy of music in my life, but also the importance of bringing music to the lives of others. We also volunteered at local food pantries and elementary schools as we travelled.”

Joshua Dixon, Vocal Studies

The real magic of music lies in collaboration. I’ve found that working with other artists is a way to create meaningful shared experiences. It’s so important to surround yourself with a team that believes in your art and supports your point of view. That’s why I chose Longy—I’ll be able to curate performances that truly reflect my artistic vision.

Tahanee Aluwihare, MM ’14

Mezzo-soprano, soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, principal roles with Opera Classica Europa (Germany), City Lyric Opera (New York), Opera Charlottesville, Opera Memphis, Boston Camerata

Mahan Esfahani, Historical Performance

Harpsichord soloist, performances include Zürich Tonhalle, Wigmore Hall, Petronas Hall (Kuala Lumpur), and with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. BBC New Generation Artist (2008–2010). Three-time nominee, Gramophone Artist of the Year. Author, “The Whispered Spell of the Clavichord“, The New Yorker.

Simon Tedeschi, AD ’11

Piano soloist, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Opera House. Awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal. Recording artist, Sony Music Australia, Universal/ABC

Anton Kuerti, Longy 1951

Iconic piano soloist. Recipient of nine honorary degrees. Recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in Canada for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. Political activist

Sarah Brady, MM ’00, AD ’02

Flutist, Boston Modern. Orchestra Project, Odyssey Opera. Founding Member of Radius Ensemble. Director and Associate Professor, Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Heather Gilligan, MM ’02

Composer, Pianist. Associate Professor of Music at Keene College

Sergey Antonov, AD ’10

Cello soloist, Moscow Philharmonic, WGBH, NHK Japan. Recipient of the Gold Medal at the 2007 International Tchaikovsky Competition

Anna Marie Williams, MM ’11, GPD ’12

Founding Member of Neave Trio. Longy Violin Faculty and Artist-in-Residence

Mikhail Veselov, GPD ’10, MM ’12

Founding Member of Neave Trio. Longy Cello Faculty and Artist-in-Residence

Jeremy Van Buskirk, MM ’00

Longy Associate Dean, Department Chair of Composition and Theory, Acting Chair of Historical Performance. Compositions performed at Carnegie Hall and Chicago Symphony Center

Yi-Li Chang, MM ’15, GPD ’16

Faculty at University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Modern and Baroque Violinist, Gambist, Keyboardist

Harold Shapero, Longy 1942–43

Composer, central figure of the American Neo-Classical style. Professor at Brandeis University. Awarded two Guggenheim Fellowships, two Fulbright Fellowships, composer-in-residence at the American Academy in Rome

Attila Dobak, GPD ’14

Singer at the Hungarian National Opera

Sara Matayoshi, MM ’11

Violinist, United States Marine Chamber Orchestra

Tony Solitro, MM ’09

Composition Fellow and Artist-in-Residence. Recipient of the Grand Prize in the David Walter Composition Competition

Heather Gallagher, Opera Program

Mezzo-Soprano, Boston Lyric Opera, Odyssey Opera, Boston Opera Collaborative

Davron Monroe, Opera Program

Lyric Stage Company of Boston, New Repertory Theatre, The Company Theater, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston, Boston Center for the Arts

Jonathan Shin, AD ’19, MM ’18

Pianist and composer. His song cycle The Other Merlion and Friend has been called “probably the most compelling and worthwhile new work from any Singaporean composer in recent years.”

Kaley Lane Eaton, MM ’13, MAT ’14

Composer, commissioned by Derek Bermel and the Seattle Symphony for their new high-tech performance space, Octave 9. Soprano, co-founder of Stack Effect, a flute and voice duo. Co-director of Kin of the Moon

Milos Bjelica, AD ’20, MM ’18, GPD ’17

Founding member of the Nevski Clarinet Quartet, an ensemble that fuses elements of theater and dance with classical performance

Liubomyr Senyshyn, AD ’20, GPD ’18

Violinist. Toured Europe with the K&K Philharmoniker

Ann Moss, MM ’02

Soprano soloist with the San Francisco Symphony. Worked closely with composers Jake Heggie, John Harbison, Kaija Saariaho, Aaron Jay Kernis, and David Conte. Artistic Director, CMASH (Chamber Music Art Song Hybrid)

Paulius Pancekauskas, AD ’20, MM ’18

Pianist. Performed with the Lithuanian State Symphonic Orchestra and the Klaipe˙da Chamber Orchestra

Sadie Gustafson-Zook, MM ’19

Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. Performed at renowned folk venues and festivals including Club Passim, The Purple Fiddle, Radio Bean, Walnut Valley Festival, Red Wing Roots

Tobias Steymans, AD ’01

Violinist, principal concertmaster of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Ensemble Chamäleon. Founder of the Suavis String Quartet.

Angelica Cortez, Teacher Education ’15

Executive Director of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and arts leader working at the intersection of music, education, and justice. She has also served as Interim President and CEO of El Sistema USA and Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Manager for YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). Oversees YOLA National programs.
See Angelica’s Story

Polina Sedukh, AD ’02

Violinist, San Francisco Symphony, Boston Symphony Orchestra. Soloist with St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, Boston Virtuosi Orchestra, St. Petersburg Capella Symphony Orchestra

Hillary Harder, Teacher Education ’16

El Sistema Coordinator at Horizon Education Alliance

Melissa Carubia, MM ’06

Composer and lyricist of T: An MBTA Musical.A musical about the T is returning to ImprovBoston (Finally, an MBTA experience people will actually enjoy—Boston.com

Justin Croushore, MM ’15

Trombonist with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra. Founding member of Some Assembly Required. Certified Teaching Artist and El Sistema Volunteer

Andrew Davidson, MM ’99

Opera and theater director, including work in London, Sydney, Singapore, and Adelaide.

Elliott Carter, Longy c. 1926

Composer, “one of the most important and enduring voices in contemporary music” (The New York Times). Winner of two Pulitzer Prizes. Studied at Longy with composition faculty Nadia Boulanger

Ashley Hall, AD ’07

Longy Career Coaching Manager. Founding Member of trumpet quintet Fifth Bridge. Associate Professor of Trumpet

Michelle Trainor, MM ’06

Soprano, Odyssey Opera, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Brookline Symphony Orchestra, New World Chorale, Boston Lyric Opera

Nadia Shpachenko, UD ’97

Concert Pianist. 2020 Grammy winner for her recording The Poetry of Places as well as multiple Grammy nominations. “One of today’s foremost promoters of contemporary music” (Textura Magazine). Professor of Music at Cal Poly Pomona University