Composer's Workshop
Feedback by Carolina Bragg for Achyut's "Coexistence"
Feedback by Carolina Bragg for Aarush's "Falling Snow"
Caroline Bragg
Carolina Bragg finds inspiration in all kinds of places, from poetry to tropical birds. Her works have been performed at venues in San Francisco, St. Louis, Houston, and New York. Her recording project for three voices entitled “if bees are few,” for which she received the Tidal Shift Award in 2022, addresses the impact of climate change and the role of art in combating it. Other notable works include her first professional commission from the Friction Quartet. Inspired by the birds-of-paradise species, Carolina wrote “bird of paradise,” which had its radio premiere on NPR’s From the Top. Carolina is grateful to her mentors, who have included Paola Prestini, Alla Cohen, Reena Esmail, and Eugene Kim. An avid cellist, Carolina plays in her college orchestra and has volunteered as a cello and composition mentor. Listen at soundcloud.com/carolinabragg
Feedback by Jem Talaroc for Sydney's "A Rabbit and a Meadow"
Jem Talaroc
Jem Talaroc (b. 1991) acquired his degree in Composition a?nd Arranging at Silliman University College of Performing and Visual Arts in Dumaguete City, wherein his works have received numerous performances by groups such as Ating Pamana Inc., Silliman University Men's Glee Club, and the Silliman University Campus Choristers (SUCC). He was a delegate of the 2010 Elements Music Camp. In 2010 he was commissioned by the Silliman Cultural Affairs Committee (CAC) to write the contest piece for the first Himig at Sayaw Choral Competition. In 2011 he orchestrated and conducted Stephen Schwartz's musical Godspell which has received successful performances at the Luce Auditorium. As a performer, he sang with the Silliman University Gratitude and Goodwill Ambassadors (SUGGA) in a concert tour in Fairbanks, Alaska, and has conducted several performances of student works while teaching at the university.
Feedback by Violet Barnum for Alice's "Peace"
Violet Barnum
Violet Barnum (b. 2003) is a composer, pianist, and songwriter from New York City. Her pieces have been performed by Face the Music, by the New York-based contemporary music ensemble Contemporaneous, by musicians at the Curtis Institute, and by members of Imani Winds. She is a proud alumna of the inaugural year of Luna Composition Lab, as well as of the Curtis Young Artist Summer Program and the NYU Summer Songwriters Workshop. Violet is indebted to her composition mentors, who have included Reena Esmail, Alex Weiser, Kathryn Alexander, and Jack Frerer. Violet is currently a sophomore at Yale University, where she is majoring in music. She also enjoys choral singing, composing songs for musical theater, music-directing shows, and making Spotify playlists.
Feedback by Yuri Lee for Meera's "Triumphant March"
Yuri Lee
Yuri (b. 2004) is a Korean-Japanese composer and violinist based in NY with the dream of making people happy with music. She is a story-teller through the unique themes and extramusical ideas of her compositions that animate the listener's imagination. She studies composition with Manuel Sosa at Juilliard Pre-College and aspires to become a film composer. Previously, she studied with Daniel Felsenfeld and Lucie Gelinas at Juilliard Music Advancement Program and Reena Esmail at Luna Composition Lab. Her compositions have been awarded by National YoungArts, ASCAP, NYO-USA, the American Prize, National Young Composers Challenge, Tribeca New Music, Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, and NYSSMA. She founded “Music Around Us Project,” where she organizes concerts and interactive presentations for senior citizens and young children to bring joy to the community. In her spare time, she enjoys chess, puzzles, movies, books, soccer, and crafts.