Alexander Liebermann is a German-French composer of classical music, whose acclaimed works are characterized by an eclectic blend of diverse topics such as philosophy, biology, astronomy, and other fields. Among his most recent commissions are a climate-change-reflecting monodrama written for the Deutsche Oper Berlin, a birdsong-inspired wind quintet for the Brazilian Winds Ensemble, and a soundtrack for the documentary film ‘Frozen Corpses Golden Treasures.’
As a passionate nature enthusiast, Liebermann spends much of his time studying the sounds of wildlife. He is known for his original and accurate transcriptions of animal vocalizations, which have gone viral on social media and been featured in the world-renowned magazine National Geographic. These transcriptions have also earned him invitations to international congresses in Colombia and Brazil, as well as a feature on CBS Sunday Morning. Liebermann is the author of Birdsong: A Musical Field Guide, a book that offers a unique perspective on the musicality of birds and their relationship to human music-making.
Canadian violinist Dr. Sophia Szokolay is celebrated for her “stirring and singing tone” (Martha’s Vineyard Gazette), performing across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Based in Boston, she teaches violin and chamber music at Brandeis University and appears with ensembles such as the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, Delirium Musicum, and the Rhode Island Philharmonic. A committed advocate for new music, she has premiered works by György Kurtág, James Lee III, Shulamit Ran, and Jörg Widmann. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts from New England Conservatory, studying with Donald Weilerstein, Catherine Cho, and Miriam Fried.
Hannah Goldstick is an enthusiastic chamber, orchestral, and solo violinist committed to exploring a diverse array of music. Originally from Phoenix, she now lives in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. In 2025, she founded The Woodlawn Ensemble, a concert series bringing expressive chamber programs to the community while supporting local causes. She has performed at festivals including Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Taos School of Music, and Tippet Rise Arts Center, and appears with groups such as Palaver Strings and Harvard Baroque. Hannah holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the New England Conservatory, where she studied with Miriam Fried.
Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, violist Maureen Sheehan has built a musical home in Boston as a collaborator and performer of chamber music old and new. A recent Master’s graduate of the New England Conservatory, she has performed with Palaver Strings, A Far Cry, Harvard Baroque Orchestra, and the Vista Philharmonic. She is the violist of the Calandra Quartet, an NEC Honors Ensemble that debuted in Jordan Hall in April 2024. Maureen holds Bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Viola Performance from Oberlin College and Conservatory, where she studied with Peter Slowik.
Recipient of the Prize for Most Promising Contestant at the 2005 Rostropovich International Cello Competition in Paris, Alan Toda‑Ambaras is active as both a soloist and chamber musician. He has performed with Midori, Yo‑Yo Ma, Sandeep Das and the Silk Road Ensemble, the Parker Quartet, A Far Cry, and the Borromeo Quartet. Recent appearances include performances at Boston’s Symphony Hall, Harvard’s Sanders Theatre, Grace Note Farm, Tokyo’s Ohji Hall, Osaka’s Phoenix Hall, the National Academy of Music in Vietnam, and the Taos Music Festival. Alan is also a co‑founder of Eureka Ensemble.