Success Stories

The premiere of a new composition by MSM Percussion alumnus James Larter (MM ‘18) Toros: Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra took place at the Sinfonia Smith Square in Westminster, London (formerly St John’s Smith Square) on November 6.

A review in musicOMH, a London-based online music magazine, called the concerto “a hugely approachable work, inspired by the paintings of Pablo Picasso and the writing of Pablo Neruda… here was a modern chamber orchestra really leaning into the idiom with joy and class…Larter’s performance, of course, was magnificent – necessarily athletic (the instruments covered at least 10 metres from end to end), it was also ferociously accurate, and full of nuance.”

“I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all those who attended the world premiere of ‘Toros’ Percussion Concerto… (and) a special thanks to City Music Foundation and donors who made this happen, and the wonderful Frederick Waxman, and Sinfonia Smith Square,” James Larter posted in a newsletter following the performance.

More about James Larter here.
Watch excerpts from the premiere here.

MSM Orchestral Performance percussion alumnus Tarun Bellur (MM ’22, PS ’23) has been named Principal Percussionist of the New York City Ballet Orchestra.

Tarun Belluris a percussionist, timpanist, and educator based in New York City. A native of Dallas, TX, Tarun has performed with a variety of ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic, Harlem Chamber Players, Uptown Philharmonic, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, and the Kansas City Orchestra, in a variety of venues including Carnegie Hall and Symphony Hall in Chicago. He spent summers with the Spoleto Music Festival and the Round Top Music Festival.

MSM percussion alumnus Hamza Able (BM ’20), timpanist of the Spokane Symphony, won the audition for principal timpani of the Dayton Philharmonic.

Hamza Able is a Moroccan-born percussionist who moved to the Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 12 where he discovered his love for classical music.  At Manhattan School of Music,  he was the recipient of the Paul Price Percussion Endowed Scholarship. He trained under the direction of Christopher Lamb, Duncan Patton, Kyle Zerna, and She-e Wu.

Recent MSM graduate Zoe Beyler (MM ’25) has won a position with the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra, in Kobe, Japan.

The Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra (HPAC Orchestra) was founded in 2005 under the artistic direction of Yutaka Sado as a symbol of cultural renewal following the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake. Comprised of young musicians selected through global auditions, the orchestra offers a full season of performances and professional development, including masterclasses and mentorship. Its innovative structure makes it a one-of-a-kind training ground for future orchestral professionals.

Zoe Beyler is a classical percussionist and taiko performer who worsk as an orchestral musician, contemporary chamber music performer, taiko player, drumset player, and pianist. She has performed with the Downey Symphony and American Youth Symphony, the Cracow Duo, Fear No Music, Portland Taiko, and various school and festival ensembles.

Learn more about Zoe Beyler here.

Kevin Ritenauer (BM ’16) has been appointed Associate Principal Timpanist/Section Percussionist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Kevin was a fellow at New World Symphony and has also performed as extra with the Cleveland Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra, among others. Mr. Ritenauer was a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and Music Academy of the West.

Born in Białystok, Poland, Marcelina Suchocka (BM ’16, MM ’18) has been named Principal Percussionist of the Sarasota Orchestra and Britt Festival Orchestra.

Ms. Suchocka enjoys a diverse career spanning orchestral, chamber, new music, and solo playing. She was a fellow at the New World Symphony and has performed as an extra/substitute percussionist with the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, and Utah Symphony.

Ms. Suchocka earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music at Manhattan School of Music, studying with Christopher Lamb, Duncan Patton, She-e Wu, and Kyle Zerna.

Learn more about Marcelina here.

Congratulations to Madison Shake!

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Madison Shake started playing percussion at nine years old. She studied for eight years with Paul Berns of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra beginning in fifth grade. She received her master’s degree at Manhattan School of Music studying with Christopher Lamb, Duncan Patton, Kyle Zerna, and She-e Wu. Madison has a bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts and was an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for its 2017-2018 season.

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra 2021-2022 season program is found here.

Based primarily in Toronto, Cervini is a drummer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who is an active member of six groups. He also manages a music publicity business with a growing roster of artists.

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The 2018-19 season will mark Alan Stewart’s first full season with the ensemble. At Manhattan School of Music he studied with MSM Percussion Department Chair Christopher Lamb, faculty member Duncan Patton, and consultant She-e Wu.

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Born in Bialystok, Poland, Marcelina Suchocka is a graduate of MSM’s Orchestral Performance Program. She’s performed as an extra/substitute percussionist with the Chicago Symphony, Kansas City Symphony and Utah Symphony, and was an Associate Percussionist with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Located in Miami, the New World Symphony is America’s Orchestral Academy, preparing highly-gifted graduates of distinguished music programs for leadership roles in orchestras and ensembles around the world. Marcelina is the fourth-ever female Percussion Fellow at NWS.

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