SHOW INFO:

Called “contemporary chamber trailblazers” by the Boston Globe, the Boston-based ensemble Hub New Music — comprised of flute, clarinet, violin, and cello — is forging new pathways in 21st-century repertoire. Through creative programming and ambitious commissioning projects, the quartet of “intrepids” (WQXR) celebrates the fluidity and diversity of today’s classical music landscape.

For its visionary programming as both a quartet and as collaborative artists, HNM was named one of WQXR’s “10 Cutting-Edge Artists That Have Captured the Imagination” in 2016, and has been featured in the Boston Globe on multiple occasions.

Hub New Music is a group of passionate educators whose approach to teaching melds the artistic and entrepreneurial facets of modern musicianship. Working with student performers and composers at residencies across the country, Hub empowers younger generations of musicians through workshops on building an arts organization, commissioning new work, and developing meaningful collaborations. In 2019-20 the ensemble introduces its latest educational program HubLab, a K-12 residency program that uses graphic scores and improvisation to create group compositions.

Treefalls is pleased to present Hub New Music performing pieces by critically acclaimed composers:

Praised for playing that is "warm and vocal" (Boston Musical Intelligencer), Michael Avitabile is a flutist, entrepreneur, and educator dedicated to the music of our time. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Hub New Music, a Boston-based mixed quartet that has quickly become a prominent force among younger contemporary music organizations.

As an educator, Avitabile focuses on empowering students with skills to build the arts organizations of tomorrow. His lectures translate the day-to-day experiences of running an artist-led organization into a series of workshops covering topics such as self-management, non-profit development, and commissioning new work. As an orchestral musician, he has received fellowships to play with the National Repertory Orchestra, Banff Festival Orchestra, and has also performed with the New World Symphony.

He holds degrees from the University of Michigan (BM) and New England Conservatory (MM), graduating with top honors from both schools.  At Michigan, he was a Shipman Scholar, one of the highest awards given to an incoming student university-wide. While at NEC, he received the John Cage Award for Outstanding Contribution to Contemporary Music. In his free time, Avitabile enjoys developing recipes, practicing yoga, and exploring Boston’s many coffee shops.

Described in The Boston Musical Intelligencer as “fluid and acrobatic without strain,” clarinetist David Dziardziel is a multifaceted Boston-based musician. He frequently performs with groups such as the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Boston Chamber Orchestra, Haffner Sinfonietta, Unitas Ensemble, Phoenix, Symphony Nova, NEMPAC Opera Project, and Commonwealth Lyric Theater.

An avid chamber musician, David has collaborated with some of the world’s finest artists including legendary harpist Ann Hobson-Pilot and violinist Susie Park, former member of the Eroica Trio. David is a founding member of Calliope Winds, a wind quintet that has been praised by The Boston Musical Intelligencer as “a highly experienced, technically adept, and mightily talented ensemble.”

David began studying the clarinet at the age of 14 through University of Hartford’s Community Music Division with Dr. Richard Shillea and Alan Francis. He then went on to obtain his Bachelor of Music from The Boston Conservatory having studied with Michael Norsworthy, and most recently earned his Master of Music from New England Conservatory under the tutelage of Richard Stoltzman.

Alyssa Wang is a passionate violinist and an emerging conductor. In 2016, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Carnegie Mellon University under the tutelage of Andres Cardenes (Concertmaster, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, 1989-2010). She won first prize in the Silbermann Chamber Music Competition and was the recipient of the 2015 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award, Harry G. Archer Award, and Paul J. Baum Fund Award. Alyssa is also an Andrew Carnegie Scholar.

Alyssa is soon to complete two Master’s Degrees in violin performance and conducting at the New England Conservatory. She has won fellowships as a violinist with the Grammy-nominated ensemble, A Far Cry, and the Boston Chamber Music Society. Recently, she was appointed as assistant conductor to the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. Her primary violin teacher at NEC was Malcolm Lowe (Concertmaster, Boston Symphony Orchestra). During the summers she has been assistant conductor for the Colorado College Summer Music Festival with Scott Yoo and a conducting fellow at Eastern Music Festival under the tutelage of Gerard Schwarz.

Alyssa is the most recent member to join Hub New Music, and is excited for the artistic journey ahead! In her spare time she enjoys social dancing, photography, and dim sum.

Hailing from Daytona Beach, Florida, Jesse Christeson has served as Principal Cellist of the Mississippi Symphony since the 2013-14 season. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Christeson received a master’s degree in music performance from Rice University (in the studio of Norman Fischer), and completed his third consecutive summer as a Fellow of the prestigious Tanglewood Music Center.

For several years Mr. Christeson has been very active as a multi-faceted performer and teacher in Houston, TX. In addition to working as a freelance cellist, he performed as a vocalist in the Houston Grand Opera and Bach Society of Houston choruses. During that time, he maintained a full cello studio of pupils from the Rice Preparatory Program and local public schools.

Apart from Tanglewood, Mr. Christeson’s recent summer engagements include the festivals of Aspen, Brevard, and the National Orchestral Institute. He received his bachelor’s degree from Stetson University in DeLand, FL, where he studied cello (in the studio of David Bjella), voice, and philosophy. Mr. Christeson has served as a frequent substitute cellist for the Orlando Philharmonic and Southwest Florida Symphony.