Vol. 18, No. 1

The Quarter NoteWinter 2017

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On November 15, Sphinx was honored with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award at the White House. Sphinx’s Overture program was one of 12 organizations nationally to receive this distinction from First Lady Michelle Obama and the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

Afa Dworkin accepted the award along with Joselyn Hernandez, an Overture student who received a free violin and lessons – her first exposure to music education – thanks to Sphinx, and now dreams to one day perform in an orchestra.

A Sphinx student quartet was chosen to close the ceremony with a performance, which the First Lady pronounced “phenomenal!” After the performance, Mrs. Obama joined the young musicians on stage and shared her reaction: “This is why we do what we do...There are millions of kids like this in this country, who do not have the resources to become everything that they could be...Fortunately, these programs [like Sphinx] are doing the job that sometimes the bigger society fails to do.”

To have Sphinx’s dedication to social justice and diversity in the arts recognized by the White House is incredibly empowering as we prepare to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Since Sphinx’s founding in 1997, we have reached more than 100,000 students like Joselyn. In the next 20 years, we hope to reach more than 250,000, and this honor will help us on that path.

Thank you to everyone who made this award possible, and we look forward to what we will accomplish together in the future!

Sphinx Honored by First Lady at White House

SPHINX 20

A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT & FOUNDER

Dear Friends,

As a part of our new tradition, this special annual edition of the newsletter offers a shared address from both our President and our Founder.

Though many of you likely know by now, we would like to take this opportunity to formally announce – and joyfully celebrate – Sphinx’s upcoming 20th anniversary!

Sphinx was born because Aaron, as a young bi-racial violinist, noticed that few classical musicians, or even audience members, represented the diversity of our communities. While Aaron was still a student at the University of Michigan, he launched Sphinx’s flagship program – the national Sphinx Competition for young Black and Latino string players. As a freshman colleague of Aaron’s, Afa performed as a member of the Ann Arbor Symphony during the inaugural Finals of

the competition. Having witnessed the incredible talent of the inaugural cohort of Sphinx alumni and the potential to truly shift the paradigm on inclusion in classical music, Afa got involved with the organization. She served in various leadership roles, first building its programs as Artistic Director/VP of Programming, also serving as its Director of Development, Executive Director, culminating in her acceptance of the Presidential leadership baton when Aaron was chosen to lead the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

Our work began as a grassroots effort to encourage access, inclusion and exposure within classical music. Through the advocacy and hard work of countless passionate individuals, and a proven track record of artistic excellence and positive change, it has thrived and evolved into a global social justice movement. We could not be prouder of how far we have come, and this is reflective of the amazing support that all of you have given us.

As we look ahead to the next two decades, we aim to continue to transform lives through the power of diversity in the arts by:

u Reaching more than 250,000 students with our education programsu Awarding $1 million in instruments, $3 million in artist grants, and $5 million in scholarships to students and musiciansu Performing 1,000 concerts by Sphinx ensembles and soloists in more than 200 citiesu Touching more than 40 million in live and broadcast audiences

To achieve these goals, we rely as ever on our beloved Sphinx family. You have made Sphinx what it is today, and we are eager to see where we will go together. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Warmly,

Aaron and Afa

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder

Sphinx CompetitionPresenter

Editor: Therese GoussyContributors: Jennifer Arnold, Andre Dowell, Afa Dworkin, Abigayl Venman, Xavier Verna

Design & Layout: Julie Renfro

Honorary CommitteeBranford Marsalis, ChairGlenn DicterowDavid FinckelNikki GiovanniWu HanIda KavafianAni KavafianNigel KennedyJaime LaredoTania LeonYo-Yo E. MaMark O’ConnorChristopher O’RileyItzhak PerlmanToby PerlmanAndré PrevinAwadagin PrattBright ShengLeonard SlatkinNadja Salerno-SonnenbergArnold SteinhardtMichael Tilson ThomasGeorge WalkerJeffrey Zeigler

Board of DirectorsWilliam H. Carson, ChairDeidre Lambert-Bounds, TreasurerMary Beth Halprin, SecretaryFaye Alexander NelsonRachel Barton PineAmy BurkholderMartha DarlingAfa S. DworkinKenneth FischerSandra GibsonAnthony GloverHoward HertzAndrea HoffmanMercedes MartinTynnetta McIntoshMajorie PearsallVivian PickardKathy WeaverBeverly WillisShaun Wilson

© 2017 Sphinx Organization400 Renaissance Center, Ste 2550Detroit, MI 48243 313-877-9100info@SphinxMusic.orgwww.SphinxMusic.org

Special Artistic AdvisorYo-Yo Ma

Stella & Frederick LoebCharitable Trust

ADMINISTERED BY

www.53.com

Bloomberg Philanthropies

MELLONTHEANDREW W.

FOUNDATION

The 20th annual Sphinx Competition, presented by the DTE Energy Foundation, welcomes 18 of the nation’s top young Black and Latino string players. In partnership with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the competition will take place in Detroit, MI from February 8 - 12, 2017.

The semi-finalists are divided into two divisions based on age. The Junior Division of the competition culminates in the Honors Concert, which will be held on Friday, February 10 and the Senior Division Finals Concert will be held on Sunday, February 12. The winner of the Senior Division will receive the $50,000 Robert Frederick Smith Prize. In addition to the Senior Division finalists’ performances, the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra and the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club will premiere a newly commissioned work

titled “The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed” by composer Joel Thompson. U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance Professor Eugene Rogers will direct this performance; additionally, his arrangement of John Legend’s “Glory” will be the closing performance of the concert. The Finals Concert will be streamed live via the Sphinx website and recorded for national broadcast on PBS stations, including Detroit Public Television.

The Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble of professional musicians from around the country, will be led by Guest Conductor Maestro Thomas Wilkins.

For more information on tickets to the Honors and Finals Concerts, please visit sphinxmusic.org/sphinx-competition-concerts

Semi-Finalists Announced in 20th Annual Sphinx Competition with Top Prize of $50,000

Presented by

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Joshua McClendon, 16, celloInterlochen Arts AcademyTeacher: Crispin Campbell

Michael Cantú, 17, celloIdyllwild Arts Academy

Teacher: John Walz

Irina Casasnovas, 16, violinMusic Institute of Chicago

Teacher: Almita Vamos

Ifetayo Ali, 14, celloHomeschooled

Teacher: Hans Jensen

Katia Tesarczyk Parraguez, 15, violin

Saint Paul Central High SchoolTeacher: Sally O’Reilly

Carissa Powe, 17, violinHomeschooled

Teacher: Jonathan Swartz

Matthew Scott, 17, bassInterlochen Arts Academy

Teacher: Derek Weller

Jarod Stone, 17, violaPlano Senior High SchoolTeacher: Ronald Houston

Shania Watts, 16, violaClark College

Teacher: Brian Quincey

Gabriel Martins, 18, celloUSC Thornton School of Music

Teacher: Ralph Kirshbaum

Anita Dumar, 20, violinUniversity of Michigan School of

Music, Theatre & DanceTeacher: Danielle Belen

Mira Williams, 18, viola New England Conservatory Teacher: Kim Kashkashian

Rubén Rengel, 21, violinThe Shepherd School of Music

at Rice UniversityTeacher: Paul Kantor

Edward Luengo, 21, celloSan Francisco Conservatory

of MusicTeacher: Jean-Michel Fonteneau

Alexandra Switala, 22, violinTeacher: Roland and Almita

Vamos

Santiago Cañón Valencia, 21, celloHochschule für Musik Franz Liszt

Teacher: Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt

Annelle K. Gregory, 21, violinUSC Thornton School of Music

Teacher: Glenn Dicterow

Guilherme Nardelli Monegatto, 22, cello; The Juilliard School

Teacher: Timothy Eddy

Purchase Your Finals Tickets!Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 2PM

$15 General Admissionwww.dso.org

My Sphinx Storyby Jennifer Arnold

My Sphinx Story is filled with 20 years of memories that could fill a novel. I chose to highlight three experiences that have transformed my life in ways that I never imagined.

My relationship with Sphinx started when I competed as a semifinalist in the very first competition in 1998. I remember the excitement that we all felt that week. We spent all of our time together – eating, practicing, and laughing. I also had to learn the hardest piece I had ever played; a required piece by David Baker. At 17, learning a modern composition was hard, but invaluable. It taught me a lot about practicing and musical decision-making. (I recently found the sheet music and yes, it IS as hard as I remember!) With that performance, I was blessed to win the Best Tone Award; I was immensely proud, because I did not have a very expensive viola. Sphinx later awarded me with an instrument by Greg Alf that I used in college, until I was able to purchase my own.

In 2003, the final year I competed as a semi-finalist, Sphinx offered full scholarships to a variety of summer programs. My friend Shelby Harris and I decided to try a newly launched festival, The Youth Orchestra of the Americas. The brochure promised us a free trip through South America, so we thought, “Why not?”. What I didn’t expect was the life changing experience that made me who I am today.

We set off for an eight-week journey that would have us performing with more than 100 other students in a primarily Spanish-speaking orchestra. We flew to 18 cities across 10 countries in South and Central America, performing almost every evening. I learned how to speak, rehearse, and teach in basic Spanish. I learned that many people were surprised that I was from the Estados Unidos because when they pictured the USA, they didn’t envision black people. I fell in love with the music and the culture, and I learned to salsa and fake the samba. It was my first time experiencing that orchestras can play encores and dance, and that audience members love to see musicians visibly having fun on stage.

I also learned an invaluable lesson about how classical music can promote social change. One of my greatest memories is the concert that we performed in Lima, Peru. People lined up around the block for hours because the government had provided free tickets for the community. Seating quickly reached capacity and the remaining people were devastated. Our conductor, Carlos Miguel Prieto, asked if we could perform an additional concert. We easily agreed and there were people crying in the audience after we finished; they were so grateful. I will never forget that day. I spent five summers touring Latin America and Europe with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas and I am extremely grateful to Sphinx for providing me with the opportunity.

In February of 2004 I was blessed to be the first Sphinx Competition alum to win a professional position with an orchestra: the Oregon Symphony in Portland, OR. The OSO does not have a summer season, which has allowed me to teach at the Sphinx Performance Academy – Sphinx’s full-scholarship chamber music summer camp. This has become the most fulfilling experience of my life. I have the honor of coaching and inspiring young people to grow as musicians and as people. I enjoy witnessing students who initially struggled with their chamber work realize that they just performed an entire movement at a high level two weeks later.

The best and most important job as a teacher at SPA is getting to know the students and learning what their career goals and dreams are. I try to make sure my students leave with a sense of how the classical music business works, options to obtain their goals, and an understanding of how music can be a catalyst for good. Helping them achieve their dreams is a passion of mine. I am grateful for each student that I have taught and the amazing faculty I work with.

My Sphinx Story isn’t over and continues to grow. I have recently been appointed the Inaugural Sphinx Diversity Fellow during my sabbatical from the Oregon Symphony. After many years of performing and teaching, I have a desire to help musicians thrive in this industry. I look forward to having a leadership role within classical music that allows musicians of color to be themselves without apology and to showcase our talents on an equal scale. The Sphinx Organization has introduced me to musicians who have become like family, opened my eyes globally, and has fed my soul through teaching. I look forward to this next part of our journey together.

To continue making Sphinx Stories like these possible, we need your help!

During this season, every donation we receive from friends like you will be matched up to $20,000 by a generous donor. Give a year-end gift now and ensure that your support will go twice as far to transform lives!

Please use the enclosed giving envelope, visit sphinxmusic.org/donate, or contact Therese Goussy at 313-877-9100 x713

Jen Arnold, one of the semi-finalists in the inaugural Sphinx Competition in 1998

With the following giving levels, we are pleased to offer special anniversary year benefits which may be supplemented based on partner interests and needs. Supporters of the 20th anniversary fundraising initiative can make an unrestricted gift or target support to a program.

$20,000-49,999 Sphinx Sustainerv VIP access for up to 6 at a major concert or event of your choice v Prominent recognition as a lead supporter at chosen event and photo opportunity with special guest/artistv President’s Circle benefits

$50,000–99,999 Beloved Benefactor v Recognition for underwriting a key event of your choice, including live mention of your supportv Invitation to private dinner hosted by Founder and President of Sphinxv President’s Circle and Sphinx Sustainer benefits

$100,000+ Leadership Society v VIP access for 8 and underwriting recognition at the Sphinx Medals of Excellence Celebration and Carnegie Hall performance and galav Opportunity to attend or host private dinner with Founder and President of Sphinx and a special Sphinx artistv An article or electronic announcement highlighting your supportv President’s Circle benefits

$250-499 Anniversary Ambassadorv VIP tickets to the Sphinx Competitionv Quarterly newsletter and recognition in Sphinx Competition program and annual report

$500-1,499 Faithful Friendv Quarterly newsletter and special updates v VIP ticket(s) to the Sphinx Competition and afterglow receptionv Recognition in Sphinx Competition program, website and annual report

$1,500-2,999 Arts Advocatev Opportunity to name a sponsored chair in the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra or acknowledgement for underwriting scholarship awards (Dependent on donor preference and sponsorship availability)v Admission to special luncheon with Sphinx Symphony musicians during the Sphinx Competitionv Faithful Friend benefits

$3,000-4,999 Prized Patronv Recognition for underwriting an education program recital or a SPA scholarship v Special invitation to sponsored program and thank you letter from Sphinx participantv Faithful Friend benefits

$5,000-9,999 Music Maker v Recognition for sponsoring a section in a Sphinx ensemble and receive access for 4 guests at the Sphinx celebration of your choice v Invitation to a private anniversary celebration and recognition in special donor honor rollv Faithful Friend benefits

$10,000-19,999 President’s Circlev President’s Circle membership, including special priority recognition benefitsv Access for 2 to all major concerts and events, including annual Carnegie Hall performance and gala, Sphinx Medals of Excellence Celebration, Sphinx Competition Finals Concert, and private anniversary celebrationv Faithful Friend benefits

Every Gift Can Transform a Life! SPHINX 20

“I absolutely loved every piece the Sphinx Virtuosi and Catalyst Quartet played. Carnegie Hall’s amazing acoustics allowed the musicians to play with a wide

range of vibrato and dynamics, and they kept the music alive and interesting thanks to the energy

with which they performed.”-student from South Orange

Maplewood School, NJ

During the Sphinx Virtuosi sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall, the Sphinx Organization was thrilled to present Robert Smith with the first Sphinx Trailblazer Award, in recognition for his commitment to social justice and the arts. The award was presented by Aaron Dworkin, Dr. William H. Carson, and Afa S. Dworkin.

The Sphinx Virtuosi completed their 9th National Tour on October 31 after visiting a record-breaking 18 cities! This dynamic chamber orchestra, comprised of the nation’s top Black and Latino musicians, received enthusiastic ovations and glowing reviews during their tour across America. With the program Latin Voyages: Viajes Latinos, the Virtuosi took audiences on a musical journey, exploring the palette of the string medium through the prism of celebrated composers of Latin heritage. They presented works by Piazzolla, Ginastera, Golijov, Villa-Lobos, Williams, Espejo, and Alvarez to several sold out audiences, including Carnegie Hall on October 20.

A unique element of the Sphinx Virtuosi tour is the impact the musicians have through their outreach efforts. In addition to presenting world-class performances, the artists also engage with communities through school visits. These special performances provide a unique educational opportunity for budding musicians, and in many cases are the first interaction young people have with classical music. During these encounters, which range from performances for a single classroom to assemblies for entire schools, Sphinx musicians speak to the student audiences, sharing information about classical music and answering questions with topics ranging from

race to the life of professional musicians. Teachers and administrators have shared that the students are truly impacted by their experience

of connecting with the Sphinx musicians in such an intimate way, having had their minds opened to a world of classical music that is

exciting, attainable, and relevant.

Congratulations to the members of the Sphinx Virtuosi on this transformational tour, and many thanks to the partners and supporters who made this endeavor possible!

Impacting Communities Across America: Sphinx Virtuosi National Tour

Top photo: the Sphinx Virtuosi with Robert Smith. Left photo: William H. Carson M.D., Aaron Dworkin, Afa S. Dworkin, Don Lemon, and Robert Smith.

Photos: Brian Hatton

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“On Friday night, the Sphinx Virtuosi ... presented their Latin

Voyages: Viajes Latinos program. The result was one of the finest concerts

I’ve seen at Cornell.” -Tyran Grillo for

The Cornell Daily Sun

At the Carnegie Afterglow, from left to right, Afa S. Dworkin, Linda Young Wilson,Thomas Mesa, Sylvia M. Young Smith, and Robert Smith.

the epicenter for artists and leaders in diversityGet inspired.

Network.Lead.

February 9-12, 2017Westin Book Cadillac, Detroit MI

Don’t forget to register for the largest convening Sphinx has ever presented! Hundreds of musicians of color, educators, leaders, funders, and advocates will gather to participate in over 40 sessions dedicated to diversity. Those in attendance will connect to establish an important network to further diversity in our field. The weekend will also include a curated showcase featuring some of the nation’s top Black and Latino musicians, mentor/mentee opportunities with leaders in the field, and keynote addresses by luminaries and trailblazers.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in the global conversation of diversity in the arts!

Register now at www.SphinxConnect.org

SPHINX NEWSFormer Overture student from Detroit, MI, Joselyn Hernandez and her mother attended the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards ceremony at the White House, with Joselyn accepting the award with Afa Dworkin on behalf of Sphinx.

The Perfect Fourth, a student quartet group comprised of Nick Reeves (Oakland, CA), Peirce Ellis (Broomall, PA), AidanSinclair Daniels (Richton Park, IL) and Maxwell Fairman (Cincinnati, OH) from the Sphinx Performance Academy performed Mendelssohn at the White House in front of First Lady Michelle Obama, at the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards ceremony.

Simone Seales, Sphinx Performance Academy alum, won first place at the Stetson University Concerto Competition.

Sterling Elliott, Sphinx Performance Academy alum and Junior winner of the 2014 Sphinx Competition, received the The Linda and Isaac Stern Charitable Foundation Award, in memory of Isaac Stern at Carnegie Hall for his musical achievements!

Sphinx Competition alum Aisha Syed Castro released her new album, Martinaitis worldwide on iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon.

Sphinx Competition Laureate Annelle Gregory has signed with Bridge Records, Inc. for the release of her new CD with pianist Alexander Sinchuk, “Rachmaninoff: Complete Works & Transcriptions for Violin & Piano.”

Congratulations to Thomas Mesa (inaugural recipient of the Robert Frederick Smith Prize) on being selected as a 2017 Young Performers Career Advancement artist.

Congratulations to Xavier Foley, Senior winner of the 2014 Sphinx Competition, on being chosen as 1 of 4 winners of the 2016 Young Concert Artists International Award.

Send us your news and performance updates: QuarterNote@SphinxMusic.org

SPHINX20: IMPORTANT DATES TO SAVE!

20th Annual Sphinx Competition February 8-12, 2017

Finals ConcertFebruary 12, 2017 at 2pm

SphinxConnect February 9-12, 2017

Sphinx Medals of Excellence March 29, 2017

SPA Application DeadlineApril 12, 2017

Sphinx Virtuosi at Carnegie Hall October 13, 2017

400 Renaissance CenterSuite 2550Detroit, MI 48243

Somethingto Ponder:“We believe that every single child has boundless promise, no matter who they are, where they come from, or how much money their parents have. And it is important to our continued greatness to see these kids as ours – not as ‘them,’ not as ‘other,’ but as ours. And that’s really the power of [youth arts] programs. That’s the message that they send to our young people every single day.”-- First Lady Michelle Obama, NAHYP Awards Ceremony

Aaron P. Dworkin Founder

Where Are They Now?

Danielle Belenn 2008 Sphinx Competition n 2011 Sphinx Competition Jury Membern 2011 Sanford Allen Awardn 2015 Sphinx Medals of Excellence

l University of Michigan, Associate Professor of Violinl Center Stage Strings, Artistic Director/Founderl The Colburn School, Violin Faculty

Joseph Conyersn 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004 Sphinx Competition n 2004 Sanford Allen Awardn 2010 Sphinx Competition Jury Membern 2015 MPower Grant Recipient

l Philadelphia Ochestra, Assistant Principal Bassl Project 440, Executive Directorl All City Orchestra of Philadelphia, Music Directorl Boyer College of Music and Dance - Temple University Adjunct Faculty, Double Bassl In 2007 named 30 Leaders 30 and Younger in Ebony Magazinel Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Bassist

Angie Durrelln 2007 Sphinx Performance Academy n 2011 Assistant Dean of Sphinx Performance Academyn 2014 & 2015 MPower Grant Recipient

l Intake Organization, Founder and Artistic Directorl SpreadMusicNow, Artist Ambassadorl Recipient of Immigrant Women Award and named a cultural ambassador between the cities of Riobamba (Ecuador) and Norwalk (Connecticut)

Jessie Montgomeryn 2000, 2002, 2006 Sphinx Competition n 2012 Sphinx Composer in Residencen 2012-2014 Member of the Catalyst Quartetn 2014 MPower Grant Recipient

l Composer and Violinistl Recognized as an important emerging composer by the American Composers Orchestra, the Sphinx Organization, the Joyce Foundation and the Sorel Organizationl Released her debut album, Strum: Music for Strings (October, 2015, Azica Records)

Kevin Sylvestern 2000 Sphinx Competition

l aka Kev Marcusl Co-Founder and Violinist of the duo Black Violin (currently signed to Universal Music Classics)l Composer for the Hit TV show on FOX “Pitch”l Featured Performer at President Obama’s 2013 Inaugurationl Performed for US troops in Iraq in 2009 and 2011l Featured guest on the Tonight Show with Lil Wayne, 2Chainz, and The Roots in 2016 l Have worked with Alicia Keys, Akon, Robert Glasper, Linkin Park, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, and 2Cellos among others