Isabel Chin Garita is pursuing a dual degree in psychology and violin performance at Bard College and Conservatory. Enjoying chamber music, she has performed as the Chin Duo with her brother on From The Top. Chin Garita has previously attended the Bowdoin International Music Festival and the Aspen Music Festival and School. She is also passionate about engaging with her community and is a mentor for young music students through the Musical Mentorship Initiative.
Elizabeth Chernyak is a Canadian violinist and violist currently studying violin performance and biology at Bard College and Conservatory. She is a student of Luosha Fang and has previously studied with Daniel Phillips and Uli Speth, and currently studies viola with Marka Gustavsson. Elizabeth has attended Eastern Music Festival (2019 and 2021) where she was taught by Uli Speth, Julian Schwartz, and Avi Nagin, and attended Round Top Festival Institute (2022 and 2023) where she studied with Christiano Rodrigues, Joan Kwon, Elizabeth Adkins, and Chen Zhao, among others. Elizabeth is passionate about chamber music and her most recent performances include Ligeti String Quartet No 1, which she performed at Round Top’s Best Of Chamber Competition Winners concert (2023). She also has extensive experience performing in orchestras, having played in the Bard Conservatory Orchestra, Hartwick Chamber Orchestra, Binghamton Youth Symphony Orchestra, and more, being led by notable conductors including Gerard Schwartz, Thomas Wilkins, Carl St. Clair, Robert Spano, Joseph Young, and JoAnn Falletta. Elizabeth’s experience with viola includes performing solo works, most recently in the Vanderbilt Mansion Salon Concert series, chamber, and in various ensembles such as the Bard East/West Ensemble and Bard Baroque Ensemble. Elizabeth enjoys performing solo works, having won the Binghamton Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition (2020) and participated in the Oneonta Concert Association Youth Program (2017) and Saugerties ProMusica (2022), and regularly schedules solo recitals with the goal of bringing awareness of different composers and genres as well as her own interpretations of what these pieces mean to her. She seeks to unite multiple art forms (film, poetry, music, philosophy, writing, visual art, and multimedia) in her performances to further this goal and create a meaningful message to the audience. Elizabeth is avid in discovering more contemporary music and composing works for strings, percussion, and electronics, as well as pursuing conducting and teaching.
Oliver has played trumpet for 12 years in local and international ensembles. Oliver works with the JCC in Bridgewater, NJ, coordinating musical theatre and events for local youth over the summer.
William's passion for music was honed at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, UK. Certified with a DipABRSM in Piano Performance and ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory, he possesses expertise in both performance and teaching. He has served as a private piano instructor and as a teacher at the Yamaha Music School, emphasizing a holistic musical pedagogy that encompasses performance, music theory, and aural training. Currently at Bard College, he is honored to have the opportunity to champion music education accessibility through the Musical Mentorship Initiative, mentoring and inspiring students at every stage of their musical journey.
Alberto Arias Flores is a horn player from Venezuela with a passion for both music and academia, he has honed his skills over the years to graduate in 2023 with a double degree at Bard College Conservatory of Music in music performance and French Studies. During his undergraduate time he worked under the guidance of esteemed mentors like Julia Pilant, Barbara Jöstlein Currie, Jeffrey Lang and Hugo Valverde. Alberto's journey into the realm of music began in 2010 at the prestigious Conservatory Vicente Emilio Sojo, It was here that he initially embraced the profound influence of music. His dedication and interest set him to become part of El Sistema in Barquisimeto, Lara. It was during this formative period that Alberto's skills flourished, laying the groundwork for his future accomplishments. In 2013, Alberto's exceptional talent earned him a place in the National Children's Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela where he had the privilege of participating in the Salzburg Festival under the baton of the renowned conductor Sir Simon Rattle. This international experience broadened his horizons and marked the beginning of his journey into the world of orchestral music. This early experience allowed him to continue to shine through as he performed regularly with the Lara Youth Symphony Orchestra from 2014 and the Lara Symphony Orchestra in 2017 under the baton of illustrious conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel and Christian Vásquez. Continuing his musical journey, Alberto has participated in various music festivals like the Miami Music Festival in 2019 where he had the privilege of studying under the tutelage of Gregory Miller, a former Empire Brass horn player. The Classical Music Institute in San Antonio, Opera of San Antonio and the Bard Music Festival where he has participated as performer. Beyond his musical endeavors, Alberto possesses a keen interest in French studies. This passion led him to embark on a senior project that explored the intricate relationship between music and politics in early 20th Century France, shedding light on the profound impact of French composers as intellectuals, receiving the William Weaver Prize. His academic pursuits have enriched his musical interpretations, infusing his performances with depth and understanding.
