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The Lavazza Piano Trio was formed at Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester VA. Comprised of Akemi Takayama, Associate Professor of Violin, Julian Schwarz, Assistant Professor of Cello, and Marika Bournaki, Visiting Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Performance, the trio mentors a large group of instrumentalists and chamber groups while maintaining a high profile concert calendar.

During the 2020-2021 season, the trio recorded and performed works by composers from underrepresented groups for the New Orchestra of Washington’s ‘Lift Every Voice’ initiative. This project was multifaceted as an educational initiative, a series of lectures and talks on the future of classical music, and a performance recording at the mansion at Strathmore in Maryland.

At Shenandoah Conservatory, the trio works with the next generation of classical artists and performers, in addition to presenting school and community-wide performances on campus and as part of the EDGE ensemble, focusing on contemporary music.

Upon the group’s founding, the members joined together in intense study through the doctoral program at Stony Brook University, working with renowned chamber pedagogues Eugene Drucker and Paul Watkins.

Violinist Akemi Takayama, from whose violin maker the trio derives its name, was a member of the famed Audubon String Quartet for 14 years. She serves as concertmaster of the Williamsburg and Roanoke Symphony Orchestras as well as maintaining a schedule of concerto and recital appearances. She was born in Japan and made international appearances until settling in the US at the invitation of Isaac Stern to the Marlboro Music Festival. She graduated from the Toho School in Tokyo and the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Cellist Julian Schwarz was awarded 1st prize in the inaugural Schoenfeld International String Competition in 2013 and has since toured as soloist and chamber musician. Since touring with the Moscow Radio Symphony in 2010 he has made over 200 concerto appearances. He performs on a Gennaro Gagliano cello circa 1743 and endorses Pirastro Perpetual cello strings. Born in Seattle, he received both BM and MM degrees from The Juilliard School.

Pianist Marika Bournaki was the subject of the award winning documentary “I Am Not A Rockstar” chronicling her development as an artist from the ages of 12 to 20. She has toured internationally with the film, and leads an active career as soloist and recitalist. She has been an arts education advocate through her initiatives “Let’s Play”, and “Moi, J’en Parle”. She won first prize in the inaugural Boulder International Chamber Music Competition in 2016 as a duo with cellist Julian Schwarz. Born in Montréal, she received both BM and MM degrees from The Julliard School.

This event is open to the public.

Contact

Victor X. Haskins, Musician. Artist. Educator. Email: [[vxhaskins]]

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