As a rising star on the international stage, Bihan has performed across Asia, America, and Europe. Bihan has been invited to give performances as a soloist at world-renowned venues like the Carnegie, the United Nations Headquarters in the U.S., and the Mozarteum University in Salzburg in 2018. Moreover, she was featured as a soloist and performed with the Orchestra Now under maestro Leon Botstein at Fisher Center at Bard in 2019.

An avid chamber musician, she joined Dawn Upshaw’s concert at National Sawdust as a collaborative violinist, premiering composer Susan Botti’s Italian Folk Songs in New York City in 2019. In addition, her string quartet, by winning the 2018 Prix Ravel, was invited to perform in the Fontainebleau Castle in France. The same year, Bihan was featured in a Mendelssohn Octet performance with her colleagues at the National Theatre of Cuba.

In addition to solo and chamber performances, Bihan enjoys her musical career as a concertmaster in orchestras. In the summer of 2017, she made her first Carnegie Hall debut as the concertmaster of the NYO-China (National Youth Orchestra of China) under Maestro Ludovic Morlot, collaborating with pianists Yujia Wang and Olga Kern. The tour continued at Beijing Concert Hall, Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, and Suzhou Grand Center in China during the summer. Moreover, she was chosen as the representative of NYO-China and gave a speech at Yale School of Music. The same year, Bihan was appointed as the concertmaster of the Bard Conservatory Orchestra under Maestros Leon Botstein and Jean-Marie Zeitouni. In 2019, she joined NYSOS (New York String Orchestra Seminar) under maestro Jaime Laredo and the Juilliard Orchestra under maestros Jeffrey Milarsky and David Robertson.

Bringing music to community spaces has always been an essential part of her musical philosophy. In the summer of 2014, Bihan was invited to teach for public welfare at the only Buddhist art troupe in China – the Hong’an Tiantai Mountain Buddhist Temple Music Troupe; as the adjunct violin faculty there, she held violin master classes and music appreciation activities, leading nuns to experience the charm of Western classical music in the mountains. In 2017, she performed as a chamber musician at school outreach concerts and master classes in Pennsylvania, and in the following year, she was invited to perform at Resident at Kenda on
Hudson, a nonprofit life plan community. Most recently, she joins the the Chamber Music Residency Program at Kimberton Hills Pennsylvania, and is invited to give a non-profit concert during the Thanksgiving holiday, connecting with the fascinating life-sharing community that includes individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Born in Wuhan, China, Bihan holds a Master of Music Degree from the Juilliard School under the tutelage of violinist Ronald Copes, the second violin in the Juilliard Quartet. She completed her double degrees in Violin Performance and Asian Studies as a full-ride scholarship recipient at Bard Conservatory of music, studying with violinist Weigang Li, the first violin in Shanghai Quartet, and violinist Laurie Smukler. Her academic advisors include Li-Hua Ying, Associate Professor of Chinese at Bard, and conductor Jindong Cai, the director of the US-China Music
Institute.

During her senior year at Bard, Bihan’s paper Lin Yaoji—The Legend of Violin Education in China was published by Bard Digital Commons, and she gave a lecturer on her paper as the youngest invitee at the international conference, “Being Humane and Humane: A Look at the Last 100 Years Through Chinese, Russian and American Arts, and Culture,” together with faculties from Bard Early Colleges and Liberal Arts and Sciences of St. Petersburg State University. Besides, Bihan is fond with literature, and in 2017, she published her article in Music Lover magazine in Shanghai, sharing her thoughts on music and life as a musician.

Bihan is a doctoral candidate at the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Professor Nicholas Mann. Bihan is part of an international jury at the Music Star Award International Music Competition in Europe and Forte International Music Competition in USA since 2022. She works as a doctoral teaching assistant on campus and is currently based in New York City with her kitten and plants.

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Dr. Ivan Choupenitch began his professional career at the National Academic Grand Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus in 1985. Also, during this time, he was the leading soloist of Janatchek Opera in Brno (Czech Republic).

Dr. Choupenitch participated in many prestigious international singing competitions and festivals. In 1984, he won the 3rd Prize Award in the 7th National Competition of Singers in Minsk (Belarus). During the same year, Dr. Choupenitch became the 3rd Prize Winner of the International Competition of Opera Singers in Riga (Latvia) and won a Special Prize in the 11th Glinka International Competition of Singers (Armenia). In 1991, he became the 4th Prize Winner in the International Competition of Singers in Castelina in Chianti Rocca della Macie in Italy. In 1992, Dr. Choupenitch won the 3rd Prize Award at the Bengniamino Gigli International Competition in Recanati (Italy).

Over the course of his career, Dr. Choupenitch worked at many opera houses around the world including Spain, Germany, Italy, Holland, Japan, UK, and Ireland. His repertoire included title roles of Lensky (Eugene Onegin), Turiddu (Cavalleria Rusticana), and False Dimitry (Boris Godunov) with Opera Ireland under the baton of Alexander Anissimov, among others.

Dr. Choupenitch’s highlights included Boris Godunov with the Finnish National Opera under the baton of Leif Segerstam (Finland), Don Carlos with Teatro di San Carlo under the baton of Gabrielle Ferro (Italy), Prokofiev’s Maddalena with London Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Gennady Rozhdestvensky (UK), Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk in Covent Garden under the baton of Antonio Pappano (UK). Concert repertoire included Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Rachmaninov’s The Bells, Rossini ’s Stabat Mater, and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. He has also appeared on various radio and television shows.

In 2019, Dr. Ivan Choupenitch successfully defended his dissertation and received his doctorate degree at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno (Czech Republic). Since 2018, Dr. Choupenitch has been teaching voice at the Conservatory of the Evangelical Academy in Olomouc (Czech Republic), where he also has been teaching summer singing program “Olmik”. Dr. Choupenitch joined the adjudication committee of Forte International Music Competition in 2022.

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As a performer, Viktoria Kurbatskaya sang leading parts at the National Academic Great Opera Theatre of the Republic of Belarus and has received numerous prestigious awards: XVI International Art Competition “Amber Necklace” (Russia), Finalist at the International Glinka Vocal Competition (Russia), Award Winner at the Amber Nightingale International Competition (Russia), and Award Winner at the International L. Alexandrovskaya Singing Competition (Belarus), among others.

“Viktoria Kurbatskaya gives her play the breath of the really big musical theatre… she is the one whose voice makes the whole production. Plastically and temperamentally she gives Micaela dramatic look and gets storms of applauses.” (Rhein Main Presse, Kirn, Germany)

Career highlights of Ms. Kurbatskaya include Lisa in The Queen of Spades with Opera Ireland in Dublin, Mimi in La Boheme and Liu in Turandot with Gwyneth Jones and Kristjan Johannsson under the hand of the conductor Ralf Weikert, Oscar in Un Ballo in Maschera with the world famous baritone Leo Nucci, Violetta in La Traviata under the baton of Giorgio Croci at the Classic OpenAir Festival in Switzerland, Gilda in Rigoletto in Teatro Lopez Ayala/Badajoz in Spain, and Micaela in Carmen in Teatro Amazonas in Brazil.

“Ms. Kurbatskaya in particular was a pleasure. Even among the many stylish performances of Russian music that the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and Anissimov have produced in recent years, this one stood out.” (The Irish Times, Dublin, Ireland)

In addition, Viktoria Kurbatskaya was invited by the Marian Chudovsky (Director of the National Opera House of Bratislava) to perform the part of Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor with the famous tenor Miroslav Dvorsky. She has also appeared at the New Jersey State Opera’s production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore in the role of Leonora with Maestro Alfredo Silipingni, with whom Ms. Kurbatskaya has also worked on the title role in ZaZa with Teatro Grattacielo at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York. After making her American debut, Viktoria Kurbatskaya was invited by the Nevada Opera Theater in Las Vegas to perform Tosca under the conducting of Frank Fetta.

Ms. Kurbatskaya has also sung Carmina Burana with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic in the Grand Hall of the Philharmonic in St. Petersburg, Russia. With the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland she has sung “Porgy and Bess” with one of the most famous “Porgy” performers in the world, Willard White, at the NSO concert for the Chernobyl Children’s Project.

“Viktoria Kurbatskaya’s Lisa was youthful and introspective, when she was at her most impassioned.” (The Irish Times, Dublin, Ireland)

“Viktoria Kurbatskaya’s dark soprano that tends to be very dramatic is at the same time a strong voice” (Kultur, Solothurn, Switzerland)

“Anonio Salvadori and Viktoria Kurbatskaya were in the leading roles Rogoletto and Gilda the cheered Stars with the first week-end of the Opera Festival” (Wochenspiegel, Germany)

Ms. Kurbatskaya has performed on concert tours in Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Ireland, Slovakia, Poland, Belgium, Brazil, Turkey, China, Russia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

In addition to a successful career as a performer, Ms. Kurbatskaya has also excelled in teaching. She worked as a Voice instructor for the Choir of the National Academic Great Opera Theater of the Republic of Belarus, an Assistant Professor at the Belarusian State Academy of Music, and a Voice Teacher at the Belarusian State Music College.

She further continued her teaching career in United States after completing an Advanced Certificate Program in Music Education. Her students have won Platinum, Gold, First Place, and High Score awards at the prestigious regional and national competitions across the United States. In addition, her students have performed at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Merkin Hall, and DiCapo Opera Theater. Her students have also appeared in the professional productions with the Manhattan School of Music, Random Farms Kids Theater, and Debaun Theater Company. She was recognized as a “Best Vocal Teacher” at the Star Systems National Talent Competition and has received a “Diploma of Recognition for Extraordinary Dedication and Exceptional Achievement in Music Education” at the American Fine Arts Festival.

Ms. Kurbatskaya is a member of the American Music Teacher League and the New York Singing Teacher’s Association and at present she continues to perform, teach, and promote music as a Co-Founder and President of the Forte International Music Competition and Festivals.

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Miriam received her Master’s in piano accompaniment at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, UK with high distinction and a Concert Recital Diploma, also winning the Cunard Carpathia Accompanist Prize and the Cunard Prize for English Song Accompaniment. She holds a BA in Philosophy and MA in Cultural Studies from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Since 2012 Miriam resides in New York City, where she maintains a private studio and works as freelance collaborative pianist, regularly performing in the NY and NJ areas.

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Boasting 30 years of professional experience in piano pedagogy, Mrs. Viscun also adds to her record many performances at Steinway Hall (NYC), Steinway Piano Gallery (LI), New York’s Goethe-Institute, Em Lee Concert Hall (Turtle Bay Music School), and other venues throughout the New York area.

Tatiana Viscun is the founder, artistic co-director, and pianist of the Kurbatskaya-Viscun Duo performing classical vocal and piano music.

Mrs. Viscun is also the Nassau-Suffolk District 3 Chair and Brooklyn-Queens-Staten Island District 2 Co-Chair (NYSMTA). She is a member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and the New York State Music Teachers Association (NYSMTA). In addition, Tatiana Viscun is a member of the Leschetizky Association, the Amateur Classical Musicians Association, and the Rachmaninoff Society.

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Ms. Ivanoff was accepted as a member of the New York Singing Teachers’ Association in 2006. Additionally, she is a former President of the New York State Music Teachers Association (NYSMTA), and has also served as a member of the Executive Board and as Newsletter Editor. Prior to moving to New York, she taught and coached in Texas, running a successful private studio with students progressing into advanced repertoire, performing in festivals, receiving high Guild ratings, and providing music at church services. Ms. Ivanoff was a piano instructor for adult and pre-college education at McLennan Community College, transforming a one-section, one-level class to a multi-section course with a waiting list and creating courses for subsequent levels.

Ms. Ivanoff earned her B.M. degree in Piano magna cum laude from Baylor University, as well the M.M. degree in Piano Pedagogy and Performance, also from Baylor University. Ms. Ivanoff has also studied vocal pedagogy, receiving Level III Certification in Somatic Voicework® The LoVetri Method, at the Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia. She has recently studied voice with Ms. Jeannette LoVetri at The Voice Workshop in Manhattan and with Mara Waldman, and jazz piano with Brenda Earle.

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At present, Alla Milchtein is a staff pianist at the Mannes College The New School for Music, one of the country’s preeminent classical conservatories, where she works for the College and Prep divisions. Past positions include being a part of the accompanying staff at the Rotterdam Conservatory (The Netherlands), the Rudolf Steiner College (The Netherlands), Scuola di Musica di Fiesole (Italy), and the Jalisco State Choir (Mexico).

Ms. Milchtein has performed at festivals throughout Europe, Mexico and the United States, including The Cervantino International Music Festival in Guanajuato (Mexico), Festival de Mazatlán (Mexico), “Kamermuziek Festival tussen Maas & Waal” (The Netherlands), “Het Rusische Muziek” (The Netherlands), Beverly Hills Chamber Music Festival (United States), Lucca Music Festival 2008 (Italy), Aspen Music Festival (United States), and the Glimmerglass Festival (United States).

As a coach, Ms. Milchtein has previously worked for the Glimmerglass Opera (Cooperstown, USA): Lost in the Stars, Aida; Mannes Opera (New York, USA): Don Giovanni, Lucia di Lammermoor; Aspen Opera (Aspen, USA): A Midsummer Night’s Dream; New Opera NYC ( New York, USA): Iolanta; Jalisco State Opera (Guadalajara, Mexico): Lex Contes D’Hoffman, Carmen, Hamlet, Armida; Rotterdamse Opera Productions (Rotterdam, The Netherlands): Oberto, Aroldo; “Blue Bottle”Opera Company (Amsterdam, The Netherlands): Don Giovanni; Vocedidone Opera Studio (The Hague, The Netherlands): Le Nozze di Figaro, Hansel and Gretel; and the “Pepita Embil”Zarzuela Company (Guadalajara, Jalisco): Los Gavilanes, Agua, Azucarillos y Aguardiente, El Niño Judio, Luisa Fernanda, El Barbero de Lavapies.

Alla Milchtein received both the Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Chamber Music from the Rotterdam Conservatory (The Netherlands), where she studied with Mila Baslawskaja.

Ms. Milchtein also pursued her Professional Studies in Collaborative Piano at the Mannes College The New School for Music (New York, USA), where she studied with Cristina Stanescu. During her studies she was awarded a scholarship and was also a recipient of the prestigious “Excellence in Accompanying” Award.

Recently, Ms. Milchtein was awarded a fellowship from the highly selective COJECO BluePrint program to record a CD of solo piano music of Jewish composers from around the world. It is expected to be released in 2015.

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At the age of eight, Dr. Huang gave his first public performance in his hometown of Taipei, Taiwan and debuted in the United States at the age of sixteen at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City. He has made frequent appearances on the Carnegie stage ever since. As a soloist, Dr. Huang has performed with such distinguished orchestras as the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, Spectrum Symphony New York, the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra. He has had the honor of performing with renowned and venerable musicians including Zuill Bailey, Joshua Bell, Alexander Kobrin, Sidney Outlaw, Phil Setzer, Ransom Wilson and The Rousseau Quartet. Dr. Huang has also traveled extensively on tour with Taiwan’s EVA Airlines orchestra, Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, as their soloist — with his performances further featured on EVA’s in-flight entertainment systems around the world.

Besting his peers in numerous competitions in the past two decades, Dr. Huang has most notably won first prize at the International Music Competition Paris Grand Prize Virtuoso 2015 in Paris, France; first prize at the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition in New York, New York; first prize at the Daniel Piano Competition for Young Artists in Greenville, South Carolina; the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Concerto Competition, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition in Raleigh, North Carolina; the Kawai International Piano Competition in Taipei, Taiwan; and the Taipei Piano Competition in Taipei, Taiwan. Dr. Huang has also performed at Taipei’s National Concert Hall and was the featured soloist of the Emerging Keyboard Artist Recital at Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina and in the Classical Series in Woodstock, Vermont.

In chamber music, jury and non-profit work, Dr. Huang is pianist for the Astralis Chamber Ensemble, seasonally touring across the U.S. Pacific States, Midwest and Eastern seaboard as part of a two-to-four person chamber ensemble. He also performs piano duo with his sister, YuJen Huang, pianist for the Taipei Philharmonic. Dr. Huang has also been invited and served as a jury member for many international competitions such as the Forte International Music Competition at Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Spectrum Symphony Young Artist Concerto Competition in New York City and the Singapore Annual Music Talent Competition. In 2017, he was also invited to be on the board of directors and to launch the role of Concerto Competition Program Director for the non-profit Spectrum Symphony In New York. In 2019, Dr. Huang was further invited to serve as a Steinway Educational Partner as an ambassador for piano education in New York.

In summer festivals and master classes, Dr. Huang was awarded a full scholarship for summer study at the prestigious Meadowmount School of Music in Westport, New York in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He was also invited to participate at the International Keyboard Institute and Festival in New York City in 2012 and 2015, at the Bowdoin International Music Festival as a Kaplan Fellow in Brunswick, Maine in 2014 and at the La Lingua Della Lirica in Novafeltria, Italy in 2017. Despite his demanding performance schedule, he has also been invited to conduct master classes at universities and conservatories in both the U.S. and Taiwan.

Though widely acclaimed as a performer, Dr. Huang has also been an inspiration to his many students because of his passion for classical music. He is fervently committed to their success by leveraging strong discipline, positive encouragement and programmatic structure. His students have been accepted into world-renowned music schools including The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music. They have also invited to compete major international piano competitions such as Chopin International Piano Competition, Busoni International Piano competition, and have won top prizes from competitions including the Los Angeles International Liszt Piano Competition, Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition, Gina Bachauer International Young Artists Piano Competition and American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition.

Dr. Huang began his piano studies at the age of seven in Taiwan and moved to Graz, Austria at the age of 14 on a merit scholarship to continue his musical studies and to learn the German language and European culture and history. He moved to the United States for high school and college and achieved his doctorate in piano performance from Stony Brook University in 2019. Dr. Huang teaches as an adjunct professor at Queens College of the City University of New York at the Aaron Copland School of Music and selectively and privately for promising, high-achieving students.

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Degrees include a BA from California State University, Chico and an MA in music from Indiana University, Bloomington, as well as Orff-Schulwerk and Kodaly Level 1 Certifications. She has served on the faculty of Mesa Community College, Terre Haute, Shell Lake Arts and University of Wisconsin Green Bay summer jazz camps in Arizona, Indiana and Wisconsin. Gina became a NYSSMA brass adjudicator in 2011 and has many public school jazz/concert band judging and auditioning experiences. Currently she is teaching at a performing arts school in Brooklyn and continues to be a cooperating teacher of college music students.

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