​Artists 2023

Flutist Sabatino Scirri (AD Yale, BM & MM SUNY Buffalo) is a DMA candidate studying with Aaron Goldman. He is a member of the National Association of Music Schools, National Flute Association and is principal flutist with the Greater Annapolis Ballet Orchestra. Mr. Scirri has appeared as soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra of Yale and served as principal flutist with the Sinaloa Symphony (Mexico) and Slee Sinfonietta. Accolades include the Lucile Parrish Ward and Anne M. Gannett Awards (National Federation of Music Clubs), Keith Wilson Award and George Wellington Miles Fellowship (Yale University). Career highlights include giving the New York premiere of Ezra Laderman’s June 29th for solo flute at Carnegie Hall and performing with members of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE). An Army Veteran, Mr. Scirri honorably served for 8 years with one of the military’s premiere bands in Washington, DC. He has performed for Presidents Obama and Trump, His Holiness Pope Francis, world leaders, foreign dignitaries and heads of state. His performances have been broadcast worldwide and recorded on Albany Records.

Chenming is a passionate pianist currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree in Piano Pedagogy at the Catholic University of America. With a Master's Degree in Piano Performance from Duquesne University and a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Pedagogy from China, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her performances. As a solo pianist, Chenming has captivated audiences in recital programs both in China and the United States. Her expressive interpretations and technical prowess leave a lasting impression. Alongside her performing career, she is dedicated to guiding and inspiring her students as a piano teacher, nurturing their musical abilities and fostering a lifelong love for the piano.

Italian cellist Chiara Pappalardo graduated with a Master of Music and high honors at the Istituto Musicale Vincenzo Bellini of Catania. The same year she joined the studio of Amy Frost Baumgarten at the Catholic University of America, where she earned an Artist Diploma and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in cello performance. Chiara won the 2019 CUA Concerto Competition and first and second prizes in different international music competitions in Italy.

Chiara debuted as a soloist with the CUA Symphony Orchestra playing Dvořák Cello concerto. As a recitalist and chamber musician, she collaborated with Simone Bernardini, Ralitza Patcheva, and Carlos Cesar Rodriguez, and performed at Catania City Hall, Castello Ursino of Catania, and The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C. Chiara is principal cellist of the CUA Symphony Orchestra. Her orchestral experience includes collaborations with the New Orchestra of Washington and Musica Viva Kentlands Symphony Orchestra. She played under the baton of Gerard Schwarz, Emil de Cou, and Donato Renzetti, and performed at The Kennedy Center, The Music Center at Strathmore, Teatro Massimo Vincenzo Bellini of Catania, and Teatro Greco of Taormina. Chiara participated in the Eastern Music Festival and furthered her studies with Ulrike Hofmann, Timora Rosler, Lachezar Kostov, and Julian Schwarz.

Xia graduates with DMA in piano performance from College Conservatory of Music at University of Cincinnati. Ms. Xia is active in both solo and collaborative performance. She played at CCM student recital accredited of “National Association of School of Music”, and is a scholarship receiver from John. L. Margo Foundation. She has premiered solo piano piece at the Midwest Composers Symposium in Michigan University. Collaborative Recitals with distinguished artists include fourth hornist from Chicago Symphony Orchestra (David Griffin); Trumpeter from Canadian Brass (Joe Burgstaller); Horn Professor from Peabody Conservatory (Denise Tryon). Master Classes with renowned artists such as Swedish Clarinetist Martin Frost, American singer Deborah Voigt, British Lieder accompanist Graham Johnson. Born in China, Mainland, Ms. Xia started the piano at age of five. She obtained her bachelor of music in piano performance at Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Ms. Xia is happy to join cellist Chiara Pappalardo at CUA for the concert series, offering a deserving program for the duo of cello and piano.

Maryland-based, Rizwan Jagani, is an American violist of Indian and Pakistani heritage and has built a career on reimagining what the viola can do. He combines his formal training in Western Classical performance with other musical genres such as Bollywood, Musical Theatre, Pop, and Rock. He is an accomplished solo artist, orchestral and chamber musician, and educator. Jagani is a huge advocate for arts education in the South Asian diaspora. In June 2019 after completing his Master's degree, Jagani was invited to give a lecture recital in Karachi, Pakistani at the Liaqat National Hospital and Medical College about the importance of the arts in one's life and the academic approach to music. In 2022, he was invited as a guest to Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan to present at the Sixth Sense Forum on redefining cultural and professional norms from the lens of a South Asian American musician of the Western Classical field. Jagani is currently pursing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He has attained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College, a Master of Music degree from Carnegie Mellon University, and an Artist Diploma from University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Pianist Nolan Alexander Ancil is praised for his “clarity”and “singing tone.” He has performed both nationally and internationally (South Korea, Italy), as well as via simulcast (Spain). Notably, Nolan has performed with the University of Louisville Symphony Orchestra (2021) as the winner of the 2021 Concerto Competition. He also performed as a soloist, via global simulcast with the Festival Internacional de Música de Tecla Española (FIMTE) Granados Marathon (2018), and as a soloist and chamber player in the Orfeo Summer Music Festival (2018). Nolan is currently a doctoral candidate in piano performance at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. under Dr. Ivo Kaltchev, and the recipient of a piano scholarship. He has also received his MA in Piano Performance from The University of Louisville (UofL) studying with Dr. Anna Petrova. At UofL, Nolan was the recipient of a full graduate teaching assistantship. He received a BA in Piano Performance from the University of Texas El Paso, where he was the recipient of the William K. Hill Scholarship for Piano Performance and received the 2020 award for most outstanding performer.

Tian Wei, currently studying piano performance with Bulgaria pianist Dr. Ivo Kaltchev, in Doctor of Musical Arts at the Catholic University of America. She holds a master's degree in piano performance from UNC-Northern Colorado where she studied with Steinway Artist Dr. Lei Weng. In her piano performance career, she has performed in various places so far, including Washington D.C., Greeley in Colorado, Houston, Shanghai, Chengdu, Lanzhou, and so on. Her performances have taken place in world-renowned concert halls and on important political occasions, such as the Kennedy Center and the Chinese Embassy in D.C. Meanwhile, she has received guidance from many renowned pianists, such as Professor Jack Winerock from the KU School of Music, concert pianist Spencer Myer, and ProfessorChenggang Yang from the Sichuan Conservatory of Music, etc.

Alyssa Cabassa is a spirited young violist from Northern Virginia. She has performed orchestrally at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, as well as a chamber musician on the Millennium Stage. Alyssa has also performed in multiple prestigious masterclasses alongside musicians such as Daniel Foster, principal violist of the NSO, and with professional chamber ensembles including the Aizuri Quartet and Jasper Quartet. In addition, Alyssa performs as the principal violist of the Mason Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, she was accepted with free tuition to attend the Summer Music Institute at the Kennedy Center where she studied hands on with National Symphony Orchestra musicians. Alyssa is also an avid educator and pedagogue and is a member of organizations like the American String Teachers Association and the American Viola Society. She has been awarded multiple scholarships to pursue her music degree; some include the Presidential Scholarship during her time at Shenandoah Conservatory, and the Monson and Aitel Music Scholarships at George Mason University where she currently studies. Alyssa is pursuing her Bachelor of Music under the instruction of Nana Vaughn and is double concentrating in Viola Performance as well as Music Education.

Qiuyu Li, soprano, and a native of Chinese, is a third-year DMA student at Shenandoah Conservatory, studying under Byron Jones. She has gained valuable experience by performing various roles, including Micaela from Carmen(cover) with Varna International Music Academy, Yum-Yum from The Mikado with Shenandoah Opera Extra, and Countess from Le nozzle di Figaro with Boston Opera Collaborative. Most recently, she won first place in the graduate voice category for the Shenandoah Conservatory student soloist Competition 2023. In May, she performed in a concert as a recipient of an Emerging Artist Grant from the Ryuji Ueno Foundation.

Mary-Victoria Voutsas has performed solo at many notable venues, including the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage & Terrace Theatre. Ms. Voutsas is also one of the visiting Artists in Residency for Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts and has done accompaniment /  ensemble work for the National Symphony Orchestra, and collaboratively performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk series. Ms. Voutsas also has experience performance and recordings of prepared piano. She holds the 2023 Gold Medal for the Nobel-Artist International Competition, 2nd Place in the 20th Century Competition of Charleston (2023), 2023 Bronze Medal for the Carles & Sofia International Piano Competition, 2023 Platinum Medal for the Quebec International Music Festival, and the Watkins Prize of Northern Virginia (2011). She performed as a harpsichord soloist for “What Makes It Great?” accompanied by the Peabody Chamber Orchestra. She holds her masters in Piano Performance from Catholic University and is completing her doctorate in Piano Pedagogy.

Jiayong Mei, countertenor, is a current D.M.A. student in CUA, from Guang Xi, China. He finished his master’s degree at Guang Xi Art Institute in China. He started singing as a tenor in undergraduate. In 2015, the last year of master’s degree, he changed to countertenor. In 2016, he won the second place of young artist in American Classical Singer International Vocal Competition. At the second semester of M.M. in CUA, he had his debut as title role Cesare in Giulio Cesare in March 2019, and another title role Serse in March 2023. He also did a solo in the Christmas Concert in the Shrine of Basilica in 2022. As the president of CSSA(Chinese Student and Scholar Association) of CUA, he was invited to perform at the Chinese Embassy for the Spring Festival Celebration and other events.

Isabel O’Hagan is a soprano originally from the Des Moines, Iowa area. She is currently pursuing her Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance within the studio of Rick Christman at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.. Most recently, Isabel has been featured in Catholic University’s productions of Serse by Handel (Romilda), The Medium by Menotti (Monica), and The Tenderland by Copland (Laurie). She has also been a participant and performer with programs such as Prague Summer Nights, and The Miami Music Festival. This coming season, Isabel looks forward to furthering her studies, and performing the role of Adina in L’elisir D’amore by Donizetti in March of 2024. She would like to thank her teachers, her friends, and her loving husband.

Yimeng Xu is currently studying under the instruction of Rita Sloan as a second-year graduate student majoring in collaborative piano at the University of Maryland. She graduated from the Affiliated High School of  Shenyang Conservatory of Music in 2018 and holds a bachelor of music from the University of Nebraska Omaha School of Music. Among her teachers have been Zhang Hong, Volodymry Petrov, Drozodov Yury Anatolievich, Zhang Fang, Dr. Washington Garcia, Dr. Kristin Taylor, and Stacie Haneline. Yimeng was a multiple award winner in college. She was runner-up in the UNO Concerto Competition in both 2018 and 2022, was selected the Outstanding Student in Piano by the School of Music Faculty in 2019, was one of the winners of Michael J.Ruetz scholarship for Music Excellence, and won first prize at the 2020 UNO Piano day-College Division, Charleston international 2021 Classical Music Competition, and the Puerto Rico International Collaborative Piano Competition in 2021.

Mingke Zhu, was born in Hunan, China. In 2009, she went to the middle school of Wuhan Conservatory of Music where she majored in piano performance and studied with Prof. Chongxiao Liu. During high school, she won the first place of "The Golden Hall of Vienna New Year Concert in Wuhan. In 2018, she graduated from The Catholic University of America with BM in Piano Performance and Minor in Mathematics degrees. During her undergraduate studies at CUA, she studied piano with Dr. Ivo Kaltchev. In 2020, She gained her Master of Music degree in piano Performance at the Peabody Institute of Music where she studied with Prof. Brian Ganz. Mingke is winner of the following piano competitions: 2nd Prize, Concert Artists International Competition, 2023; 2nd Prize, the 5th Catholic University of America International piano Competition, 2018; 1st Prize, Lancaster International Piano Festival Competition, 2017; 2nd Prize, 2016 Xi’an International Music Festival Competition, Xi’an, China, 2016. She is the recipient of the 2018 CUA Benjamin Rome School of Music Instrumental Performance Award as well as the 2016 Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award. Currently Mingke is pursuing Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano performance at the Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts where she studies with Prof. John Perry.

Marcelo Ratzkowski (b. 1999) is at the start of his professional career as a pianist. Originally from Porto Alegre/Brazil, there he studied piano with Dr. Cristina Capparelli, and, in 2020, earned a Bachelor`s Degree in Piano Performance from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Between 2021-2023, he studied with Dr. Alessandra Feris at the University of South Dakota, where he earned a Master’s degree in Piano Performance. During this time, he first started teaching piano at the university as a graduate assistant. He is currently living in Washington, DC, where, in the fall semester of 2023, he started a DMA program in Piano Performance with Dr. Ivo Kaltchev at Catholic University of America. In 2021, he earned first place in two piano competitions: The South Dakota State MTNA Piano Performance competition at the Young Artist category, and the University of South Dakota Concerto Competition, and, as prize, performed Shostakovich’s 2 nd Piano Concerto as soloist with the university`s orchestra. In October of 2023, he was given the Luciana Montanari-Mendola Award by the Italian Cultural Society of Washington DC.

Jinwei Zhang born in China. Recently, He has just been selected for the 2023 China Arts Talent Development Special Project. He is currently pursuing his DMA degree at CUA with Dr. Ivo Kaltchev as a John Paul Music and William Masselos fellowship recipient. May 2021, he graduated from the Mannes School of Music where he obtained his Master of Music Degree. While in New York, he studied with Dr. JY Song and Dr. Spencer Myer. As Mannes’ Presidential Scholar, he was invited to perform - Four Chants for Piano by modern composer Carl Ruggles at Mannes Sound Festival, and broadcast in real time on the official website. 2020, as the Winner of the Elite International music competition, he was invited to perform in Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. He has also been admitted to music festivals internationally such as the Brevard Music Center, the Atlantic Music Festival, the Rocky Ridge Music Festival, etc, and received a high scholarship. Jinwei is the co-founder of the 2021 New York Manhaville Music Festival and Piano Competition. Among them, the piano competition has been officially elected as a member of the Alina - Argerich Foundation.

Yi is a skilled collaborative pianist who graduated with a Doctoral Degree in Collaborative Piano from the Catholic University of America. She has a wealth of experience in the music industry, having served as a teaching assistant at UWM for one year. During her tenure, Yi provided exceptional music accompaniment for the UWM Opera and Symphony Orchestra. Her exceptional skills and passion for music have made her an outstanding pianist in the industry, and she has constantly proven herself as an asset in the various roles she has taken up.