Double Bassist Orin O'Brien was the first woman to be hired as a permanent section player by Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic in 1966. She retired from the position two years ago but still teaches at the Manhattan School of Music and Mannes School of Music.

Cellist Zlatomir Fung was the youngest to receive a Gold Medal in the cello division of the 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition. But he was making musical waves long before and what makes his onstage presence even more dynamic is the wide-ranging repertoire he performs.

Zachary Alaka'i Lum is a Grammy-nominated musician and haku mele or composer of traditional Hawaiian songs, of which his group Keauhou received several awards from the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts. He says, "Mele and hula have societal, historical and political functions that, in a very real way, composes who we are before, now and into the future."

Heiichiro Ohyama's storybook career as violist and conductor includes posts as Principal Violist and Assistant Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic as well as Music Director of Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra from 1983-2017, when the group disbanded.

"Theatre provides entertainment and education. I want to continue to serve our community with quality professional theatre and continue to serve and grow our six education programs serving every demographic and age from 4 to 104," says caryn desai, Artistic Director of International City Theatre.

Camerata Pacifica is a cutting edge ensemble led by Artistic Director Adrian Spence who likes to think outside of the box. The ensemble presents diverse and relevant programs performed by world-class soloists and chamber musicians.

Did that, doing that, will be doing that is a mantra of cellist Jennifer Kloetzel, chamber musician, soloist, professor at UCSB and founding member of the Cypress String Quartet from 1996-2016.

Martin Haselbock has a whirlwind career as conductor and organist with posts as Founding Music Director of Orchester Wiener Akademie, Music Director of Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra and professor of organ at University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.

"I believe our work with the Reno Pops Orchestra has been very beneficial for the music scene in Reno and the region. It is our goal to make programs accessible and interesting for those who have little or no experience with this kind of music," says Jane Brown, Music Director of the Reno Pops Orchestra.

"When Paderewski began his career as a young pianist and budding composer in the 1880's he was clearly seen by his audiences as a Chopin disciple," says Marek Zebrowski, Artistic Director of Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles and Director of University of Southern California's Polish Music Center.

"Performing on historic instruments can bring the performer closer to the composer's world by offering a completely different palette of instrumental colors," says Valley of the Moon Music Festival Co-Directors Tanya Tomkins and Eric Zivian.

Californians, especially musicians and entertainers seem to have embraced the mystique of driving classic and concept cars or exploring the aesthetics of car culture at California's creme de la creme automotive museums.

"2020 was set to be a big summer for us - our 10th season. When the pandemic put all our travel plans and live concerts on hold we were quick to start online concerts," says Trinity Alps Chamber Music Festival Director Ian Scarfe.

"It is very important for me not to try to be different. I can only try to be myself but of course with the influences I receive from each orchestra, each city," says world-class flute player turned world-class conductor Jaime Martin.

"Pablo Casals was and probably is the most important musical influence in my life. One had the sense of his striving for what musical perfection and true musical realization could be," says Bonnie Hampton.

"Competitions for me are challenges that motivate me tremendously. I also think they are the most effective way to share my music with the world, thanks to live streaming technology," says Richard Lin.

Romanian-born Cristian Măcelaru is one of the most dynamic and insightful conductors of our generation. He is Music Director of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and next year will become Chief Conductor of the WDR Sinfonieorchester Cologne.

"Sailing with its slowness has changed my way of interpreting music," says Roberto Soldatini. So he spends six months of the year in liveaboard lifestyle sailing the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas and the other half teaching cello at the Music Conservatory Domenico Cimarosa in Avellino, Italy.