College of Letters & Science
Praised for her “polish and panache” and “fluent, committed, and eloquent advocacy of contemporary pieces,” Jess Johnson is passionate about championing new music. As a member of Sole Nero, a piano and percussion duo with Anthony Di Sanza, percussion, the group has contributed significantly to the repertoire, including commissions by Evan Hause, Dave Hollinden, Serra Hwang, Joseph Koykkar, …
Cellist Parry Karp is Artist-in Residence, and the Robert and Linda Graebner Professor of Chamber Music and Cello, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he is director of the string chamber music program. He has been cellist of the Pro Arte Quartet for the past 50 years, the longest tenure of any member in the quartet’s over …
Hailed for her virtuosity and vibrant musical spirit, bassoonist Eleni Katz has established herself as a prominent soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. Her “thoughtful and expressive” (San Diego Union Tribune) approach to music making has led her from performances by the bright blue waters of Bermuda to the lights of Carnegie Hall. Eleni is a winner …
Edward Klorman’s research examines the intersections of music analysis, historical musicology, and music performance. He is the author of Mozart’s Music of Friends: Social Interplay in the Chamber Works (Cambridge, 2016), which won major awards from ASCAP, the Mozart Society of America, and the Society for Music Theory. His second book, Bach: The Cello Suites (Cambridge, 2025) examines how the …
Hailed by The Columbus Dispatch as having “gorgeous sound and dynamic nuance,” JJ Koh joined the Madison Symphony Orchestra as Principal Clarinet, The Barbara and Norman Berven Chair in 2016. For the 2018-2019 season, he served as Assistant Principal/Eb Clarinet with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and holds a position with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Koh …
Siberian flutist Taya König-Tarasevich enjoys a distinguished international career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer on historical flutes. A proud alumna of The Juilliard School, Taya serves as the co-founder and artistic director of the VERITÀ BAROQUE ensemble—an elite assembly of soloists committed to reimagining Baroque chamber music for the 21st century. Through the innovative …
Jean Laurenz is an eclectic musician who loves variety and collaboration. As a performer, Jean has enjoyed appearances with Adele, The Hanson Brothers, The Boston Pops, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Her favorite genre is chamber music and she frequents this arena with innovative ensembles including Seraph Brass, The Knights, A Far Cry, Alarm Will Sound, …
Clarinetist Alicia Lee enjoys a diverse musical life performing old and new works in solo, chamber, and orchestral settings. As a resident of New York City for over a decade, Alicia performed and toured regularly with a variety of groups including The Knights, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Alarm Will Sound, and NOVUS NY. Since 2015, she has been …
Dr. Amy Lewis is the daughter of Jayne McShann Lewis and Bennie Lewis and is the granddaughter of Frances McShann Shelton and jazz pianist Jay McShann. Her research is focused on systemic oppression, equity, and racism in music education. As a public music teacher, she taught K-1, 6-8 general music, beginning band, middle school choir, and jazz band …