the biophony project

Biophony 1.8

08/24/2021 / 5pm / Bryant Park - Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain

Biomes Performed

 
 

Meet the Artists

Artist Collection
Jen Hinkle
Jen Hinkle

As one of the most in-demand NYC freelancers, bass trombonist Jen Hinkle can be seen playing with the Grammy Award-winning Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, the Grammy Award-nominated Dan Pugach Nonet and has subbed with the legendary Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. She also regularly performs as substitute musician in many Broadway pit orchestras. As the bass trombonist and Artistic Director of Calliope Brass Quintet, Jen is constantly generating new creative ideas to engage people in the arts, on display with the group's signature piece "What's Your Story?". Jen formerly held the position of bass trombonist with the Spokane Symphony. She left to pursue her dream of starting new and exciting projects of her own, but continues to perform classically and has played with many orchestras – including the Seattle Symphony, the Oregon Symphony, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the New Haven Symphony.

Sara Mayo
Sara Mayo

Sara Mayo is a native of the Pacific Northwest who now splits her time between the West and the East Coast, and therefore now mostly lives in the sky. On the left side of the country, she is the principal trombonist of the Yakima Symphony, and has also previously performed with groups such as the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Symphony Tacoma, and the Spokane Symphony. On the right side of the country, she works as a freelancer in New York City. She is the tenor trombonist of Calliope Brass and regularly performs with other groups such as the Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra, the Chelsea Symphony, and anyone else who'll hire her. She has appeared as a featured soloist with the Yakima Symphony and the Tacoma Community College Concert Band.

Erin Paul
Erin Paul

Erin Paul is a New York based French hornist, known for a versatile performance career, as a co-founder of the nonprofit ensemble Calliope Brass, and host of the podcast Doublers. Her diverse performance career includes Broadway, Carnegie Hall, the Las Vegas Strip, and appearances with major artists including Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban. Additionally, she is the horn player and director of operations for Calliope Brass. Calliope’s recent educational workshop, “What’s Your Story?”, was developed in collaboration with creatives from Hamilton and Sesame Street; following successful live tours in 2018 and 2019, the quintet adapted the workshop for remote classrooms, dubbed “What’s Your Story? Online!”.

Kate Umble Smucker
Kate Umble Smucker

Dr. Kate Umble Smucker is a member of the nationally touring Calliope Brass Quintet and teaches music at The Grace Church School. Working with Calliope Brass as the education and curriculum coordinator, Kate contributed to the educational show, “What’s Your Story?” She is the founder and band leader of the 16 piece King Street Big Band based in Lancaster, PA. Kate holds a Doctorate in Trumpet Performance from the University of Missouri in Kansas City, a Masters of Music from the University of North Texas, and Bachelors of Music Education (K-12 instrumental) and Trumpet Performance from the University of Northern Colorado.

Olivia Pidi
Olivia Pidi

Trumpet player Olivia Pidi is currently a member of New York City quintet Calliope Brass, subtle cheetah brass, and 2nd trumpet of The Montclair Orchestra. In addition to performing, Olivia teaches a full studio of trumpet students. As a chamber musician and soloist, Olivia has received the Alsop Family Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Award and placed in the 2019 International Women’s Brass Conference audition competitions. Olivia holds degrees from Manhattan School of Music (MM) and Oberlin Conservatory (BM), where she received the Carmine Caruso Scholarship, the Cecil Collins Award for brass performance, and the James “Jimmy” Stamp Award for trumpet performance.

Rebecca Steinberg
Rebecca Steinberg

Based in New York City, trumpeter Rebecca Steinberg has a career marked by her warm, inviting sound and stylistic versatility. She performs regularly with staged productions, including Off-Broadway runs of “The Sorceress” and the renowned Yiddish-language production of “Fiddler on the Roof” (and can be heard on Fiddler’s 2018 cast album by Warner Music Group). Other notable performances include: City Center Encores! Production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Roadshow,” Symphony Space’s “Wall to Wall” Leonard Bernstein tribute, Adele at Radio City Music Hall, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She most enjoys her work with Calliope Brass, her ensemble that collaborates with creatives ranging from composers to Sesame Street puppeteers. Rebecca won the 2018 Liz Swados Inspiration Grant, an annual award honoring influential female music educators in New York City, on behalf of the ensemble.

 
 

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“Biophony" is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.