MEET THE MUSICIANS
Possessing extraordinary stage charisma and ease of connection with audiences, an intuitive and instinctive understanding and passion for music, and having broad-scope experience directing ensembles of all genres and levels, Michael J. Garasi is an engaging, and exciting professional conductor. Mr. Garasi held the position of Music Director and Principal Conductor of the professional, Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra in Central Florida for eight successful seasons.
Zach received his Bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and is pursuing a Master's degree in tuba performance at Rice University. In the summer of 2014, Zach was named the winner of the Rafael Mendez Mock Orchestral Tuba Audition and also competed as a semi-finalist in both the Arnold Jacobs Mock Orchestral Tuba audition and the Artist Tuba Solo Competition at the 2014 International Tuba- Euphonium Conference in Bloomington, IN. Zach has played in the Brevard Music Center Festival.
Allen is currently a member of the Young Artist Program with Da Camera Houston and has performed with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Sinfonia da Camera, Neponset Valley Philharmonic, and the Discovery Ensemble. He has also played with the Dallas Wind Symphony. Mr. Chen was a fellow at the International Festival Institute at Round Top. Allen Chen completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois and a Master of Music at the New England Conservatory.
Bio coming soon!
Since moving to Houston in 2013, Scott has earned a position as substitute horn with the Houston Symphony and performed as Fourth Horn with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Scott has performed with the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Colorado MahlerFest, and has toured Argentina, Germany, and the Czech Republic with the Denver Young Artist’s Orchestra. In 2013, Scott graduated with a Master of Music degree from The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.
Ian is a Florida born trumpeter who has performed extensively as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician in Texas, most notably with the Houston Symphony. As an educator, he is on faculty as the trumpet instructor at Vivaldi Music Academy as well as maintaining a private teaching studio and acting as a clinician for young brass players and brass ensembles in Houston. Ian holds a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from The University of Texas and a Masters from Rice University.
Bio coming soon!
James has performed with the Houston Symphony, Opera in the Heights, Mid-Texas Symphony, Masquerade Theatre, Lake George Music Fesitval (Lake George, NY), River Oaks Chamber Orchestra Brass, Salmerum (Houston's premier salsa band), and he is a founding member of the Clutch City Brass Quintet. James studied trombone performance at Southern Methodist University with John Kitzman (principal trombone, Dallas Symphony) and at the University of Houston with Michael Warny (Houston Grand Opera).
Emily is a recent graduate from the Shepherd School of Music, where she received her Master's degree in Horn Performance. Emily earned a Professional Studies Certificate from the Colburn School and a B.M. from the Cleveland Institute of Music. She has participated in the Lucerne Festival Academy, Spoleto USA, National Repertory Orchestra. Emily's recent professional engagements have included performing as an extra with the Houston Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, and New World Symphony.
Berks musical experiences have taken him across the globe, from Saint Peters Basilica, Vatican City with the Orchestra of the Americas performing a Mozart Mass under the direction of Helmuth Rilling, to Carnegie Hall with Maestro Valery Gergiev and Ravel's Bolero. Berk has performed with the Aspen, Akron, Youngstown, and Firelands Orchestras and has been on the sub list for the Houston and Canton Symphonies. He was a finalist in the International Trombone Association Marsteller Competition.
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
John has performed with the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Peter Gabriel, Theater Under the Stars, and many others. John is also a member of Omni Brass, and can be heard on their new album “Red”. He earned his Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music and his Master of Music from Rice University.
Sean has performed many times in Asia, Europe, and the United States. In 2014, he was invited to play a solo recital in Kyoto, Japan as a part of the Kyoto Music Festival. Also in 2014, Sean was invited to play with members of the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Sean received his Masters degree from The Juilliard School and his Bachelors degree from The Manhattan School of Music.