May 25, 2023

MSM students are on summer break, but they’ll be keeping busy with lots of exciting things! Many of our students will attend summer music festivals, perform, teach, work, and relax with friends and family.

We asked our students to share what they’ll be up to, musically and beyond — read on to see what they said.

Sienna George (MM ’24, Classical Double Bass)

“I’ll be taking [a few orchestral auditions], surfing every day, singing songs on the beach, making wooden mutes for stringed instruments, playing many gigs, and recording a few albums of my own music!”

Hugo Caldeira (MM ’23, Jazz Tenor Trombone)

“I got hired to be part of a professional big band in my home country of Portugal: Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos. Other than that, I’ll be playing with my own groups at various venues and festivals in Portugal.”

Lyda Jade Harlan (BM ’24, Musical Theatre)

“I will be making my Off-Broadway debut in a new musical called SCOUTS! It will be playing at The Players Theatre from July 29–August 27th! I will be playing the lead role of Alex in this wonderful show addressing gender inclusivity, community, and family.”

Karina Vartanian (BM ’25, Classical Voice)

“I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and learning lots of new music!”

Troy Baban (AD ’23, Classical Bassoon)

“I’ll be attending the Hidden Valley Chamber Music Seminar. In June, I’ll be traveling to the United Kingdom and France for vacation.”

Sage Small (BM ’26, Classical Viola)

Sage Small (BM ’26, Classical Viola), pictured left

“I am working as a counselor at Interlochen Arts Camp!”

Gianni Gardner (MM ’24, Jazz Guitar)

“On August 20th, I’ll be playing at Birdland with the New London Big Band. It’ll be my first time performing there!”

Yue Qi Zhang (PPD ’23, Classical Collaborative Piano)

“This season I have been offered a position as young artist pianist/coach at the Glimmerglass Festival. I will be working in the production of La Bohème, Rinaldo (with Anthony Roth Costanzo (MM ’08, HonDMA ’22) singing the title role) and The Rip Van Winkles (world premiere).”

Han Zhang (BM ’26, Musical Theatre)

Han Zhang (BM ’26, Musical Theatre), pictured right

“I will mostly just chill and do some volunteer work at the Arabia Theatre Festival.”

Cade Roberts (MM ’23, Classical Piano)

“Besides two weeks at the Gijon International Piano Festival, I will be teaching at the Bronx Conservatory. I will enjoy some additional time off and have time to practice and conduct independent academic research.”

Henry Griffin (BM ’23, Classical Voice)

“I’ll be attending Verbier Festival’s Atelier Lyrique and will play a Soldier in the main-stage production of Alban Berg’s Wozzeck.”

Grace Pressley (MM ’24, Contemporary Saxophone)

“I’ll be at SPLICE Institute with my trio “Dice Trio” (including fellow Contemporary Performance students Sam Friedman and Adeline DeBella), New Music on the Point, and Imani Winds Festival.”