Inspirando a los músicos del mañana

Ezra Calvino, Assistant Conductor

Ezra Calvino has been recognized for their insight, clarity, and sensitivity as a conductor, violist, and chamber musician. Throughout their studies, they have sought to draw on diverse musical disciplines to develop a unique artistic perspective that seeks to transcend mere aesthetic nicety and participate in holistic social healing. Ezra has served as Associate Conductor to the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, where they lead the Sistema Ravinia youth ensembles. They were also named the 2024 AAF/Faber Conducting Fellow with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Salzburg Festival. Most recently, Ezra served as Assistant Conductor to the Peninsula Music Festival in Door County, Wisconsin. They currently reside in New Haven, Connecticut where they study conducting at the Yale School of Music and are the current Music Director of the New Haven Chamber Orchestra. Additionally, they serve as Guest Conductor to the San Gabriel Valley Symphony in Los Angeles, as well as Assistant Conductor to the Yale Philharmonia. Ezra holds degrees in both Orchestral Conducting and Viola Performance and is an alumnus of notable training programs including the National Orchestral Institute + Festival, the Eastern Music Festival, and the International Conducting Workshop and Festival. They currently study with Peter Oundjian.

Amara Quartet

Ben Linton, violin

Hanami Froom, violin

Govanny Brown, viola

Kathryn Fakely, cello

The Amara Quartet is an emerging ensemble of young artists distinguished by their energetic artistry and adventurous spirit. Though newly formed, the quartet has rapidly established a meaningful profile through collaborations and world-class mentorship.

Currently fellowship young artists at the McDuffie Center for Strings, the quartet works closely with Cavani Quartet member and Director of Chamber Music, Annie Fullard, along with Lawrence Dutton, violist of the Emerson Quartet. The ensemble has toured alongside acclaimed artists including violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti, pianist Orion Weiss, and violinist Robert McDuffie, and has performed at the Rome Chamber Music Festival Members of the quartet have received guidance from renowned ensembles and artists including the Balourdet and Ehnes Quartets, as well as world renowned violinists,  Peter Salaff and Jaime Laredo.

Beyond their rigorous conservatory training, the Amara Quartet is deeply committed to community engagement, believing that chamber music speaks to the universal human experience. They regularly perform for diverse audiences—from school-age children to adults—bringing chamber music into their surrounding community. By balancing artistic excellence with active outreach, the Amara Quartet represents an inspired generation of musicians dedicated to both the highest standards of performance and the transformative social impact of the arts.