December 22nd Holiday SZALON!

1.    Tachyonmetry: Brian Pearson, classical guitar; Cliff Cole, hammered dulcimer and Michael Blount, percussion perform songs for the season

2.    Cellist Kwanyun Loo performs J.S Bach, Suite No. 3 in C Major, Prelude and Sarabande

3.    Ensemble Verba (Brian Dolphin, Asia Mieleszko and Max Temnogorod) performs traditional Ukranian vocal polyphony

4.    Mada & Hugh Piano Duo (Mădălina-Claudia Dănilă and Hugh Sung) perform movements from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite

5.    Violinist/Composer Joseph Arnold performs his originals: Jazz Violin Fantasie #1 “Winter Darkness” and “When Everything’s Better”

6.    Epiphany Singers performs John Tavener’s “The Lamb” and Nico Muhly’s “A Hymn on the Nativity”, Danielle Molan, director, Mark Loria, pianist

7.    Singer/songwriters Tom Begich and Sarah Sledge return to the Salon from Alaska with solstice-inspired original compositions

8.    Brittany Ann Tranbaugh performs 2 new Christmas songs – an original and one by Jackson Emmer

9.    Guitarist Keith Calmes performs Sinfonia (from Cantata, BWV 156) by J.S. Bach (arr. by Calmes) and Bouree in e minor (from Lute Suite, BWV 996)

10. Dirk Quinn Trio (Dirk Quinn, guitar; Rory Flynn, bass; Cody Munzert, piano) performs original compositions

11. John Conahan (vocals/piano/composer) performs a holiday surprise!

Tachyonmetry

Tachyonmetry (tack-ee-on-mə-tree) was born on an organic farm during a harvest festival in 2005, where Brian Pearson and Cliff Cole met as volunteer musicians. In 2016, they finished their first album, Sunset Waterfall, framing the future of the project and establishing Brian and Cliff’s vision of pushing the limits of the musical realms towards an ever changing landscape of harmony, melody, and lyrics. Brian’s background in classical and rock guitar and singing style have been honed by many years as a performer, educator and producer, including Philly’s own Classical Guitar Society as a solo player and with Tachyonmetry. Cliff Cole fell in love with the hammered dulcimer at the Philadelphia Folk Festival three decades ago, and he’s been hammering on ever since. He started off as a drummer playing rock, jazz, and blues, which is where Brian and Cliff connect. “Music aside,” the pair also connects in the realm of physics and science fiction, which is in part where the name Tachyonmetry comes from. Michael has joined us in recording and performing and we are so happy to include him this year. They will explore the sultry, smooth sounds of the classical guitar and the ethereal qualities of the hammered dulcimer while adding a vocal and percussion element to the mix.

Links:

Spotify
www.tachyonmetry.com

Video:

Kwanyun Loo

Kwanyun Loo, 14, is a ninth grader at Cherry Hill High School East who began cello lessons at the age of four. At age 11, he made his solo orchestra debut with the Ambler Symphony Orchestra as a winner of the Elmer and Louise Menges Scholarship. At 12, he joined the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, where he performed for two seasons. Since then, he has won several local competitions and performed as a soloist with the Main Line Symphony Orchestra, Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra, Rowan String Ensemble, and Old York Road Symphony Orchestra. Kwanyun participated in the Heifetz International Music Institute Summer Program during the summers of 2022, 2023, and 2024, performing in many concerts each summer and attending as a String Scholar Fellow in 2024. A graduate of the PMAY Artists’ Initiative, he has been a scholarship recipient of the Settlement Music School’s Advanced Study Chamber Program since 2022. In the fall of 2024, Kwanyun entered the Curtis Institute of Music, where he currently studies with Peter Wiley, Yumi Kendall, and Nick Canellakis. Prior to Curtis, he studied with Amy Barston. In addition to his musical accomplishments, Kwanyun serves as the elected president of his high school class and as the regional director of the Philadelphia branch of Back to BACH. Outside of music, he enjoys computer programming and chess, tennis and basketball with friends.

Links:

YouTube: @kwanyunloo8812

Instagram: @kwanyunloo

Video:

Ensemble Verba

Ensemble Verba is a Philadelphia-based singing trio rooted in the polyphonic vocal traditions of Ukraine’s villages. Composed of former members of the NYC-based Ukrainian Village Voices, Ensemble Verba engages with folklore as a living tradition and performance as a conversation between old and new, authenticity and instinct, individual and community. We like to blend our voices into the beautiful, shrill, and plaintive Ukrainian folk harmonies designed to pierce skies and hearts alike. Individual bios can be found here.

Links:

Instagram: @ensemble.verba
Venmo: Max Temnogorod (@mdarkcity)

Videos:

The Mada & Hugh Piano Duo

The Mada & Hugh Piano Duo, featuring Romanian-born pianist Mădălina-Claudia Dănilă and Korean-American pianist Hugh Sung, is redefining 4-hand piano artistry with their innovative performances and exceptional synergy. Winners of prestigious accolades such as first prize at the 2024 London International Competition and the 2023 Charleston International Competition, they captivate audiences worldwide with their unique blend of classical mastery and modern creativity. As proud members of the Petrof Art Family, they represent Petrof pianos with their stunning performances. Mădălina, an internationally acclaimed pianist and DMA candidate at Temple University, brings profound musical artistry and teaching expertise, while Hugh, a celebrated collaborative pianist and Vice President of Cunningham Piano Company, merges decades of performance experience with cutting-edge musical innovation. Together, they enchant audiences with a repertoire spanning timeless classics and dazzling modern arrangements, solidifying their place as a leading force in the world of piano duos.

Links:

Our website: https://madahugh.com
Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/madahughpianoduo

Videos:

Joseph Arnold

Joseph Arnold is a Creative Magic Mentor, violinist, Alexander Technique teacher, published author, and Director of the Soulforce Arts Institute. As a violinist, he has played on stages across the country and most frequently performs in the Philly area with the gypsy jazz band Hot Club of Philadelphia. He is the author of the award-winning book Soulforce: How to discover your artistic purpose, create more freely, and make art that matters. Through his Soulforce Arts Institute, Joseph provides thought-leadership, consulting, and training to creatives and arts organizations who want to foster creative magic, create their next masterpiece, and let their art truly be of service to a world in need.

Sign up for Joseph's email list at SoulforceArts.com. @SoulforceArts on Instagram and YouTube.

Video:

Epiphany Singers

Epiphany Singers, founded by director Danielle Molan in 2017, is a non-profit organization and auditioned choir of young adults. Its mission is to enrich the greater Philadelphia area by providing access to high caliber, technically challenging, and thought provoking choral music. Focusing on building community, musical growth and artistry, Epiphany Singers strives to push young artists to experience a wide variety of repertoire from throughout history while providing Philadelphia with beautiful performances. Mark Loria is Epiphany Singers’ collaborative pianist.

Links:

www.epiphanysingers.org 
https://linktr.ee/epiphanysingersphila
https://www.facebook.com/EpiphanySingers/
https://www.instagram.com/epiphanysingers

Videos:

Tom Begich and Sarah Sledge

Singer/songwriters Tom Begich and Sarah Sledge are long time community activists – he served six years in the Alaska State Senate, four as Minority Leader. She retired a year ago as the head of an education non-profit - together they continue to write, work for their community, and perform their original music around the country. Tom has released 5 solo CDs, a compilation music/poetry CD with acclaimed poet Tim Mason, and has published a book of sonnets “Six Truths”. Tom and Sarah are working on their newest music compilation now, “Stories Told”, with an expected release of Fall 2025.

 www.tombegich.com

Recordings of music and poetry books can be purchased at www.tombegich.com. This site provides free shipping and most proceeds go to the artists.  Tom’s music is also available on iTunes, Spotify and through other music sites.

For additional information send a note to Tom at tom@tombegich.com

www.tombegich.com for CDs, music, books, and more.

Video:

Brittany Ann Tranbaugh

Brittany Ann Tranbaugh (pronounced TRAN-baw) is a Philadelphia-based songwriter whose queer Americana heartbreaker “Kiss You” won Song of the Year in the 2021 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Tranbaugh has been writing songs and playing shows as a side gig since she was a teenager, but in February 2023, at 31 years old, she finally quit her office job to pursue a full-time career in music. Her newest release is a self-titled EP produced by Grammy-winner Tyler Chester which showcases Tranbaugh in her new era: energetic, self-assured, surrounded by her beloved musical community, and more commanding as a vocalist and writer than ever before.

Links:

Official website 
Instagram 
YouTube 
bandcamp 
Venmo @brittany_ann_tranbaugh 

Video:

Keith Calmes

Guitarist Keith Calmes earned degrees in Classical Guitar Performance at California State University Northridge, The Juilliard School, and University of Southern California. Keith has given lecture-recitals at the Saint Louis Art Museum, Mission San Luis in Florida, and at the national conventions of Guitar Foundation of America and American String Teachers Association. He gave his Carnegie Recital Hall debut as Winner of the Artists International Competition and has performed with guitarist Carlos Barbosa-Lima, and Vikku Vinayakram (of Shakti) and his family band, among many others. Keith has released several guitar books with Mel Bay Publications and Guitar Chamber Music Press. His latest recording of original compositions is available at Bandcamp. Keith serves on the board of Fellowship of Quakers in the Arts and is a Member of Moorestown Monthly Meeting (NJ). He lives near Cherry Hill,New Jersey, with his wife Joanna Patterson.

Bandcamp link for Keith Calmes
www.keithcalmes.com

Videos:

Dirk Quinn Trio

Dirk Quinn is the guitarist for the jazz/funk band that coincidentally bears his name.  Based out of Philadelphia, the group travels extensively throughout the US and Canada.  Utilizing decades of steady performing, they've developed a unique and sincere style - one that appeals to a wide variety of music listeners with fans ranging from the beard stroking jazz aficionados to the jam band hippies. Performing a trio tonight, the Dirk Quinn Band consists of Rory Flynn on upright bass, Cody Munzert on piano, and Dirk Quinn on acoustic guitar.  

Links:

http://www.dirkquinn.com/music
Venmo: DirkQuinn 
Paypal: DirkQuinn@Gmail.com

Videos:

John Conahan

John Conahan is a composer, conductor, performer, and educator. John’s compositions have been premiered by an array of artists including Lorin Maazel, Marin Alsop, Denyce Graves, The Crossing, and James Galway. This month, he has premieres of new works in Philadelphia, New York, Hartford, and Wilmington. He annually produces a free silly Holiday caroling battle called Carol Ragnarok on his socials, performing carols in the style of different composers. He offers a free Christmas album on YouTube performed entirely on a Fender Rhodes electric piano. And last week, he conducted thousands of voices at the Kimmel Center in his annual Silent Night Sing-In, which you are all invited to be a part of next year! 

Link to YouTube Christmas Album

Links:
www.johnconahan.com
www.youtube.com/johnconahanmusic
www.facebook.com/johnconahan
www.instagram.com/johnconahan_
www.soundcloud.com/john-conahan