WAU Students Perform at Carnegie Hall Through Prestigious Scholars Program
Written by: IMC Director Simonique Dietz
TAKOMA PARK – Musicians from Washington Adventist University (WAU) are taking the stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City this spring as part of the prestigious Carnegie Scholars Program, directed by Dr. Preston Hawes, professor of Music, violin and director of Orchestral Studies at WAU.
The program, administered by the New England Symphonic Ensemble (NESE) in collaboration with MidAmerica Productions, provides exceptional young musicians with performance opportunities alongside professional mentors.
So far this semester, the Scholars have performed two concerts at Carnegie Hall. On March 15, they debuted Paul Aitken’s Miss Pro Terra, and on March 22, they performed Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.
Thirteen additional performances are scheduled this season through the end of June. Highlights include Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s Grass: Poem for Strings, Piano, and Percussion on April 20, and the world premieres of Julio Morales’ Xantolo and Erica Glenn’s Worldwide Requiem on May 11. Also, midway in the season includes Leonard Bernstein’s famous Chichester Psalms on May 24.
Participating Carnegie Scholars and mentor-musician alumni this year include:
WAU Department of Music
- Gabriella Apola, Alejandra Anzola – violin
- Angel Contreras – viola
- Sofiia Yatsyshyna – cello
- Daniel Rodriguez – oboe
WAU MusicFest Awardees
- Alexei Elliott, Sunon Jones, Hannah Moon, Moises Rodriguez, Andrew Herold, Christopher Anderson – violin
- Veronica Anzola – violin/viola
WAU Alumni
- Andrew Garcia – cello
- Rachel Helm, Jason Garcia – violin
New England Youth Ensemble Alumni & Mentor Guests
- Laurie Redmer Cadwallader – viola
- Dr. Leisel Grentz – violin
- Dr. Nirmala Abraham – violin (NESE Board of Directors)
“The Carnegie Scholars Program provides an inclusive and affirming artistic space that instills in young musicians the mission of service through music,” Hawes said. “Our performances aim to bring joy, solace, and adventure to all who hear.”
CSP musicians have collectively participated in over 300 concerts at Carnegie Hall and have performed internationally, including at the Jerash Festival in Jordan under the auspices of Queen Noor and at Wilanów Palace in Warsaw for President Gerald Ford and other dignitaries.
The program is offered as an accredited class through WAU’s Department of Music.
For more information about the Carnegie Scholars Program or upcoming performances and ticket purchase, contact Dr. Preston Hawes at phawes@wau.edu.
