Presidio Brass is a dynamic force in American brass chamber music. With a unique and exciting repertoire written specifically for the ensemble, this San Diego-based quintet is committed to promoting musical education for the next generation, providing engaging programs and forging lasting bonds with their audiences.
Masri is a passionate, soulful tenor with a talent to thrill people.
His music transcends generations with expressive lyrics, lush vocals and elegant delivery. With comparisons to Luther Vandross, Seal and The Winans, Mark is carving out a name for himself as a soulful musician with timeless appeal.
A native of Toronto and son of a pastor and a gospel singer, Masri’s self-titled debut album garnered a Juno nomination for Best Gospel Record. Three subsequent albums have revealed the depth of Masri’s sophisticated songwriting, vocal superiority and linguistic proficiency: He sings in six languages – English, French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic.
In concert, Masri is backed by lead guitar, piano, and cello, allowing his sensuous tenor voice to dazzle audiences. Masri’s wonderful poise, warm stage presence and heartthrob appeal have propelled him to the brink of international stardom.
Think of Intersection as a classical string trio – violin, cello and piano – on a journey.
The group literally journeys the world, touring in Asia, Europe and the U.S., but they also present a varied program of repertoire from all parts of the music world. A typical Intersection concert may center on a Ravel, Dvorák or Brahms trio but will veer into previously unexplored byroads: A Brahms Hungarian thread may be spun into a sequence of Gypsy tunes, or Ravel may evolve into the ethereal world of a sensuous French song. American music is also part of the journey, spanning the most avant garde of compositions to excerpts of film and theater music.
Along with best-selling CDs and guest appearances with major orchestras, the quintessential Intersection event is the trio concert – a journey with vitality, verve and diversity.
When the sturdy tones of a guitar blend with the textured breath of a flute, their music takes flight. Two exceptional classical musicians, flutist Kaori Fujii and guitarist Eric Cecil, guide audiences on a creative journey that soars from Bach to Brazilian choro.
Kaori has recorded six albums, the latest of which was pre-nominated in seven Grammy categories. A multiple winner of woodwind contests in Japan and Europe, she has graced international stages from the Kennedy Center to the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall.
Eric is a successful soloist and chamber musician, trained at New York’s Manhattan School of Music for classical guitar. He has also performed with contemporary artists, such as guitar legend Les Paul.
Together, playing the works of such composers as Bach, Rachmaninoff, Granados and Villa-Lobos, the duo’s expressive, eclectic program captivates audiences.
Anita is one of the rarest talents in orchestral music: She is equally adept on two instruments.
Born in 1991, Anita Chen launched her career as a professional soloist at Carnegie Hall in 2002, performing on both violin and piano with the St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble. Returning to Carnegie Hall in 2009, Anita made her recital debut in a program featuring Cimarosa, Mozart, Schubert, Liszt, Prokofiev and Markov, performing one half of the concert on piano and the other on violin.
Accepted into the pre-college division at Juilliard School at age 7, Anita has won numerous piano and violin competitions, including the 2007 Carlson-Horn Competition.
Anita plays with precision and style, warmth and imagination. And whether it’s Mozart or Saint-Saens, piano or violin, she rewards audiences with a performance that’s impressive and inspiring.