Memphis Symphony Orchestra acting principal flutist and Concert Artists Guild roster member Adam W. Sadberry is known for his radiant, lyrical playing. He’s committed to expanding the Black disapora in the classical music world through promoting equity, representation, music education, and commissioning music that tells stories of the Black diaspora – in other words, creating musical journalism. Adam is extremely motivated to continue the legacy of his late grandfather L. Alex Wilson, an important journalist and unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement.
As an orchestral player, Adam has performed as principal flute with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Detroit Symphony Orchestra and in the sections of the Minnesota Orchestra, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, and the New World Symphony. As a concerto solist, he has performed with the Clear Lake Symphony, Conroe Symphony Orchestra, Cordancia Chamber Orchestra, and the Detroit Chamber Orchestra, and he has also made guest appearances at Oakland University, University of Memphis, University of South Florida, National Flute Association, and the New York Flute Club to give recitals, masterclasses, and presentations. Adam’s presentation Using Your Identity to Create a Relevant Voice in Music lays a foundation for using one’s experiences and perspectives as a catalyst for generating change through music.
Along with maintaining a private flute studio, Adam has taught and mentored through non-profit organizations that provide free resources to underserved communities including Raise the Bar and Memphis Music Initiative. He is also on the board of the Umoja Flute Institute, an organization that provides resources to flutists of African descent.
Adam’s received a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, and he joined the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as an orchestra fellow immediately afterwards.. He is indebted to all of his former teachers and mentors including Bonita Boyd, Anne Harrow, Jennifer Keeney, Amanda Blaikie, Sharon Sparrow, and Jeff Zook. He currently receives coachings from Keith Underwood. In his spare time, Adam enjoys roller skating, being in nature, and eating as much food as his body can handle.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Dr. Nathan Cheung is known for his versatility as a soloist, collaborator, composer, and improviser. These roles are fueled by a life-long passion to discover artistry and accessibility—to understand the power of great music and tap into its potential to resonate with people from all walks of life.
Dr. Cheung claimed the 1st prize in the 2019 Los Angeles International Piano Competition and won top prizes in the Wideman International Piano Competition and Seattle International Piano Competition. In solo recitals, Dr. Cheung enjoys producing themed programs or showcasing underrepresented works. He is also a member of Happy Dog Duo with Eric Tran. Together, they won the 2017 Ellis Duo Piano Competition and the 2018 inaugural MTNA Stecher-Horowitz Two Piano Competition.
Dr. Cheung’s achievements include collaborative piano fellowships in Music Academy of the West, SongFest, and the Aspen Music Festival. As a composer, Cheung has had his miniatures featured in the United States Open Music Competition and his String Quartet premiered by the St. Lawrence String Quartet. A rare recipient of Eastman’s Advanced Diploma in the Art of Improvisation, Cheung draws from an eclectic array of styles in his improvisations and gladly welcomes all requests for Happy Birthday in the key and style of their choice for style imitation study.
He received a DMA and two MM degrees from the Eastman School of Music, as well as a BA in Music from Stanford University. Throughout his studies, his primary teachers were Natalya Antonova, Jean Barr, Nelita True, and Thomas Schultz. Currently, Dr. Cheung is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Collaborative Piano at Indiana University Bloomington and maintains a small private studio online.
