PROGRAM
O RE PIYA (flute duet)
Dancer: Cindy Stefanek
Musicians: Jyothsna Musunur, Chirs Justin Lopez-Henriquez
HOMAGE TO HAFIZ (oboe & piano duo)
Dancer: TBA/Interdisciplinary Video
Musicians: Keslie Pharis, Lian Xue
DANCING WITH THE SHADOW (clarinet & piano duo)
Dancers: Olivia Bruhn, Sarah Langdon
Musicians: Gretchen Hill, Will Preston
ARCANA FOR FLUTE & RECORDED SOUND
Dancers: Margaret Violante and Darius
Musician: Ben Carlee
"IS BUT A DREAM" (oboe solo)
Dancer: Evelyn Kay Henriksen
Musician: Hanna Noughani
PERSPECTIVE: DERIVATIVE (percussion quartet)
Dancer: Jackson Neal
Musicians: Adina Shaikh, Trevor Maliborski,
Joshua Dieter, Joshua Graham
About Cindy Stefanek
Cindy Stefanek, a Middleton, WI native, is pursuing a B.S. Degree in Dance at UW-Madison and an additional major in Health Promotion & Health Equity. She began her training at Madison Ballet under W.E. Smith, where she performed as Young Clara in the Nutcracker, and as a Lead Butterfly in Cinderella. During her high school years, Cindy trained at Central Midwest Ballet Academy under Marguerite Luksik, where she performed productions including Giselle, Le Corsaire, and Paquita. She was also captain of the Color Guard at Middleton High School and choreographed for the color guard and the entire marching band. While at UW-Madison, she has studied under numerous professors, including Collette Stewart, Marlene Skog, Christopher Walker, and Kate Corby. Last spring, performed in collaboration with music professor and musician, Jessica Johnson, as well as performed in the Dance Department’s student showcase. Cindy just finished performances in the Dance Department’s 2023 Faculty Show, where she was cast in Christopher Walker’s and Kate Corby’s pieces. Aside from dancing, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and six-year-old brother, cooking, baking, and being in nature. She has certifications in Pilates and Sports Nutrition and is in the process of becoming a certified Personal Trainer. She plans on integrating her movement and health knowledge to help people become well-rounded, whole, and healthy individuals! Cindy is excited and incredibly honored to be a part of this concert, and hopes you have a spectacular time!
About Jyothsna Musunur
Jyothsna Musunur is second year flute student studying at the Mead-Witter School of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Connor Nelson. She currently performs with the university's concert band ensemble on flute and is also working on developing her skills on the piccolo among several other instruments. She hopes to make studying music more accessible and inclusive to everyone, and is currently advocating for POC and disabled individuals in and out of the school of music. Outside of academic and social pursuits, Jyothsna currently works as a freelance writer, artist, and video editor.
About Chris Lopez-Henriquez
My name is Chris Lopez-Henriquez. I am a current sophomore here at UW-Madison. I am currently exploring the Psychology major as I aspire to become a Clinical Psychologist. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, Spanish is my native language. Some of the hobbies I partake in include, but are not limited to, playing my instruments— Flute, Harp, and Violin; as well as fiction writing.
About Keslie Pharis
An oboist from Amarillo, Texas, Keslie Pharis currently holds a Paul J. Collins Distinguished Graduate Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she performs with the UW Symphony Orchestra, UW Wind Ensemble, and other local ensembles. She has recently performed with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra, Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Madison Bach Musicians, Miami Music Festival Opera and Conductor’s Orchestra, New Voices Opera, UW-Madison Faculty Ensemble, and the Indiana University New Music Ensemble. Her playing is strongly influenced by her extensive background with ballet, and she enjoys teaching at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as well as through her private oboe studio and local high school programs. Keslie holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University. Her principal teachers are Lindsay Flowers, Linda Strommen, Margaret Owens, Roger Roe, Robert Krause, and Alice Cooke.
About Lian Xue
My name is Chris Lopez-Henriquez. I am a current sophomore here at UW-Madison. I am currently exploring the Psychology major as I aspire to become a Clinical Psychologist. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, Spanish is my native language. Some of the hobbies I partake in include, but are not limited to, playing my instruments— Flute, Harp, and Violin; as well as fiction writing.
About Olivia Bruhn
Olivia Bruhn is currently a senior at UW Madison, and will be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science in Dance, as well as certificates in Business and German. Bruhn started dancing at the age of three in her hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She trained at St. Paul Ballet, and at Ballet Royale under the direction of Denise and Rick Vogt. In the summers, she trained with Boston Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Gelsey Kirland Academy, Interlochen School for the Arts, and Perry-Mansfield. At UW she has studied under Li Chiao-Ping, Jin-Wen Yu, Marlene Skog, Colette Steward, Liz Sexe, as well as others. Her original work has been featured in the H’Doubler student concert, and she has performed choreography by Maree ReMalia, Jin-Wen Yu, Liz Sexe, and José Limón, as well as student choreographed work. Bruhn is looking forward to graduating this spring!
About Sarah Langdon
Sarah Langdon is a Senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing a BS in Dance as well as certificates in Public Policy and Dance Studies. She started her dance career at Monona Academy of Dance and was a dancer and choreographer in the studio’s pre professional company, Dance Wisconsin. In 2018, her work “Reaching for Stability” was shown at the Regional Dance America festival and was awarded the Monticello Award for outstanding choreography and a full scholarship to the National Choreography Intensive. In the summer of 2021, they provided original choreography for the musical I’m Sorry the Bridge is Out, You’ll have to Spend the Night for the Rat Labyrinth Supreme Supreme troupe. At UW-Madison, she showed her work “With(in)between” in the Kloepper concert and performed work by José Limón, Charles A. Anderson, Jin-wen Yu, Li Chiao-Ping, and Karen McShane-Hellenbrand. In May, she will present her Senior Honors research in an evening length work. Additionally, this is their fourth season dancing and choreographing for Madison Contemporary Dance.
About Gretchen Hill
Gretchen Hill is a clarinetist originally from Flint, Michigan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in clarinet performance and music education from Bowling Green State University. She is currently working on an MM in clarinet performance at UW - Madison as a Paul J. Collins Distinguished Fellow. She is an avid chamber and orchestral musician and a new music advocate
About William Preston
William Preston is pursuing his doctoral degree in collaborative piano at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the direction of Martha Fischer. He received his bachelor’s degree and a professional performance certificate in solo piano from The Pennsylvania State University with Timothy Shafer. Recently, he completed his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in collaborative piano. Hailing from Bucks County, PA, Will has worked as a church organist for over ten years, a job that has fueled his interest in the collaborative arts. As pianist for the Penn State Glee Club, he has toured all around the United States, as well as abroad in Iceland. He has performed at prestigious venues, such as Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center, Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center, as well as at Curtis Institute where he attended the Summerfest program.
About Margaret Violante
Margaret Violante is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison completing her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing. In addition to this, she teaches modern and contemporary dance at Monona Academy of Dance, She began choreographing with Dance Wisconsin at 14 and received a scholarship at 17 to attend the Regional Dance America (RDA) National Choreography intensive. She continues to enjoy choreographing with Dance Wisconsin, and has set multiple pieces for their annual fall concert "New Works". Several of these choreographic works have been performed at RDA as well.
About Ben Carlee
A native of San Antonio, TX, Latine flutist Ben Carlee, is a pedagogue, freelancer, and mentor located in Madison, WI. Mr. Carlee is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at the University of Wisconsin - Madison Mead Witter School of Music studying under the tutelage of esteemed flutist, Dr. Conor Nelson. He is a recipient of the Advanced Opportunity Fellowship - a competitive fellowship reserved for POC students. Mr. Carlee earned the Master of Music degree in Flute Performance from Texas A&M University - Commerce under the direction of Dr. Julee Kim Walker, where he was also the flute studio graduate teaching assistant. He received the Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance from the University of Texas at San Antonio School of Music, where he studied under Dr. Rita Linard and Dr. Rachel Woolf. Mr. Carlee's current research interests include Mexican composers from the Romantic era as well as exploring opportunity and access issues for POC in the classical music world. He currently serves on the National Flute Association's Flute Clubs Committee and is the Managing Director for the DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Festival at the University of Wisconsin - Madison
About Evelyn Kay Henriksen
Evelyn Henriksen is a first-year student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a candidate for the Dance BFA program as well as double majoring in Social Welfare. Evelyn is from a Minneapolis suburb, Waconia Minnesota. She began her dance studies in her hometown, where she trained in various genres. UW-Madison’s Dance Department faculty currently directs Evelyn's growth and training. Evelyn enjoys the wide range of artistic and athletic aspects of dance. She hopes to share her passion with others through movement and conversation.
About Hanna Noughani
Hanna Noughani is a senior at UW-Madison pursuing a double major in oboe performance with Dr. Lindsay Flowers and honors neurobiology. She is on a full-tuition scholarship through UW’s Summer Music Clinic. Hanna has served as principal oboe of the UW large ensembles since 2019. She is a founding member of The Magnolia Trio. The trio was awarded a Humanities Exchange grant in 2021, allowing them to commission a trio piece by Professor Hong Da-Chin and record it professionally. Hanna has attended the Orford Music Academy virtually (2020) and the Brevard Music Center College Orchestral Institute (2022). Hanna works at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, where she conducts research on modifiable risk factors for dementia. She has been awarded two fellowships for her research projects. Hanna has also received two UW Campus-wide scholarships: the Linda B. Stern Scholarship for Women and STEM and the Leo and Jean Besozzi Scholarship.
About Jackson Neal
Jackson "Jax" Neal is a writer, dancer, and choreographer from Houston, Texas. Neal is a First Wave Scholar at the University of Wisconsin- Madsion, the only full tuition scholarship for Hip Hop and Spoken Word Artists in the world. He is pursuing dual degrees in English, Creative Writing and Dance. Neal's multi-hypheante works often blend and break genre, combining movement, literature, performance art, scholarship, and technology. In 2022 Neal's two person show "Enter Axiom" premiered at the Linebreaks Hip Hop Theater Festival at the Overture Center for the Arts. In 2019 Neal was selected as one of five National Youth Poet Laureate Ambassadors by the Library of Congress. Neal's writing, dance, and theater have been on stages across the United States and Europe including the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center, Ufer Studioz, TanzFabrik, Dock 11 Studios, and the Humbolt Forum. Neal graduates in the Spring of 2023.