

John WalzCello |
Michele ZukovskyClarinet |
Antoinette Perry, born into a family of professional musicians, gave her first public performance at the age of four. Since then she has concertized extensively throughout the United States, Germany, France, England, and in 20 cities of the People’s Republic of China. She has been heard on NPR, the CBC, the BBC and the Bravo! Channel, and has recorded for the Crystal, Harmonie, Pacific Rainbow, Pacific Serenades, Excelsior, and Navona/PARMA labels. Her two solo albums, “Beethoven Bookends,” and “Moments Musicaux” are available on all major online platforms under the Navona LIVE/PARMA label (released 2021 and 2022).
John Walz is a celebrated soloist and chamber music artist, known for his dazzling virtuosity and elegant musicianship. A student of the legendary French cellist, Pierre Fournier, he has appeared as soloist with more than 300 symphony orchestras on 4 continents, including the major symphonies of Los Angeles, London, Prague, and Munich – performing with such esteemed conductors as Zubin Mehta, Mehli Mehta, James Conlon, JoAnn Falletta, Paul Freeman, and Murry Sidlin. His performances of 25 different concertos include both standard showcases and rarities like Martinu’s Concerto #1 and William Schuman’s Song of Orfeus. In addition, he has had the honor of premiering works by many noted composers, including John Williams.
When clarinetist Michele Zukovsky auditioned for the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1961, she hadn’t a clue that this decision would set her on a rewarding and unconventional course for her entire career. At a mere 18 years old, she became the orchestra’s principal clarinetist, prompting her to leave her studies at the University of Southern California ten weeks into her first year. She went on to become the orchestra’s longest-serving female woodwind player and by the time she retired in December 2015, she had played under five of the orchestra’s major directors: Zubin Mehta, Carlo Maria Giulini, André Previn, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Gustavo Dudamel. Since that time she’s invested her energy in teaching both privately and at institutions, namely Azusa Pacific University, Citrus College, and the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, all the while maintaining a busy schedule with guest masterclasses. The recent pandemic shifted her pedagogical outlets into the virtual realm, yet this has only offered the ever-versatile musician a chance for further expansion. She currently shares her wealth of experience with a diverse array of students from all across the globe.

Rufus Choi, pianist, educator, and visionary, draws upon the profound depth of the great Russian pianistic tradition, seamlessly interwoven with the cultural richness of his Korean heritage and the breadth of his American life. This rare confluence of influences has shaped a singular artistic voice—defined by emotional depth, technical mastery, and a distinct perspective that informs both his performances and his teaching. With a spirit of wanderlust that has taken him across continents, Choi’s journey is marked by passionate performances, a deep commitment to education, and a profound love for sharing the transformative power of music.
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Dr. Dmitry Rachmanov is Director of Keyboard Studies at California State University, Northridge. A sought-after performer, master class clinician, adjudicator and lecturer, Dr. Rachmanov has served on the faculties of Manhattan School of Music and Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and has been a guest artist/lecturer at The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, Royal Northern College of Music (UK), Shanghai and Beijing Central Conservatories.
Attendees can look forward to: