Young American cellist Miriam K. Smith (b. 2006) is rapidly gaining recognition as an immensely talented and charismatic soloist with orchestras across the United States. Since making her concerto debut at age 8 in Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1, she has performed as soloist with the Cincinnati Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Youngstown Symphony, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Hendersonville Symphony, and many more. Of her playing, Maestro J.R. Cassidy, Music Director of the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, said, “I would go so far as to say, I have never heard the depth of artistry at such an age. Her command and control, her shaping of phrases, dynamic range, intonation are truly beyond her years.” Her meteoric rise has included the release of three full-length albums: Ignite, which won a 2018 Global Music Award. Her two acclaimed commercial release albums – Momentum, out on Azica Records, and Flair, out on MSR Classics, – are available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all streaming platforms. Of her works, editors say, “Smith, I’m happy to report, distinguishes herself, she meets the considerable challenges of material with assurance and aplomb, so much so that any obsessing over age rapidly falls to the wayside.” -Textura. “The 16 year old Smith’s astonishing cello ensure that her second album is as emotionally intricate as it is musically dramatic.” -Goldmine Magazine, Dave Thompson. And “…exceptionally mature grasp of the music…extraordinarily beautiful, vibrant tone.”– Atlanta Audio Club

Miriam is also a highly sought-after chamber music performer, with many recitals and concerts given throughout the country. She was inducted into the Cello Museum in June 2021 and was first place winner of both the American Protégé International and American Fine Arts Festival competitions. Visit miriamksmith.com for more information.

Award-winning concert pianist, Julia Siciliano has been heralded as a musician with “fabulous creative power” by the Bonn General-Anzeiger. Ms. Siciliano has become a well respected and anticipated rising talent on the world stage, being invited as a solo artist by many prestigious orchestras, and festivals, most recently with the Orquestra Sinfónica de la Region de Murcia for the MurciArt Music Festival. A winner of many local and international piano competitions, Julia has won top prizes at the Sicily International Piano Competition, Heida Hermanns International Competition, Iowa Piano Competition, and MTNA National Competition. A highly active chamber musician, Julia has been invited to perform on concert series and festivals with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players, the Euskadiko Orchestra (Basque National Orchestra)’s chamber music series “Miramon Matinees”, the MurciArt Festival in Murcia, Spain, and with the soloists of the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano. She has given recitals with Metropolitan Opera stars Amanda Pabyan, Eric Owens, and Marina Domashenko, and internationally acclaimed string players Ray Chen, Simone Lamsma, and Alexey Stadler. Most notably, Julia performed the complete “accompanied sonatas” of Beethoven in the year 2020 at the Teatro Victoria Eugenia in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, and in various venues throughout the United States, France, and Sweden.