Artists

Vocalist Martha Bassett has enjoyed being the soloist for Music Carolina’s jazz
concerts since 2007. Martha’s delivery of the Great American Songbook is
reminiscent of the ballad singers of the 40s and 50s. For more than a decade she has
toured as a singer-songwriter playing festivals and concert venues with the Martha
Bassett Band.

Learn more: www.marthabassett.com

Carol Bernstorf plays Principal Bassoon in the Greensboro Symphony and also performs as the second/contrabassoonist with the Winston Salem Symphony. She plays as an extra with North Carolina Symphony. She graduated from Indiana University with a B.M. in music, where she studied with Leonard Sharrow. She earned her M.M. from Northwestern University where she studied with Willard Elliott and performed as an extra player with the Chicago Symphony for many years. She was a member of the Nashville Symphony prior to moving to North Carolina.

Chris Ferguson is principal trombone with the Salisbury Symphony, and is the trombonist for the Giannini Brass. He is a graduate of Appalachian State University (B.M.) and the North Carolina School of the Arts (M.M.), where his teachers included Dr. Harold McKinney and James Miller, co-principal trombonist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. As an educator, Chris appears as a guest clinician across the state and has conducted bands at the UNCG Summer Music Camp for numerous years. He is a band director in the Randolph County Schools.

Chris is in demand as a freelance trombonist and he has performed with the Ringling Brothers & Barnum Bailey Circus, USAir Jazz Band, Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, Longhorn Rodeo Band, Starlight Orchestra (Bush Gardens), Disneyland All-American College Band (Disneyland, California), Carolina Ballet, Carolina Chamber Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Kiev Symphony (Russia), Western Piedmont Symphony, and the Winston-Salem and Greensboro Symphonies. From 2001 - 2008 Mr. Ferguson held the position of principal trombone with the Long Bay Symphony in Myrtle Beach, SC. Currently, he is principal trombone with the Salisbury Symphony and a member of the Giannini Brass.

Bassist Matt Kendrick has appeared with artists such as Marian McPartland, Gene Bertoncini, Archie Shepp, Jaki Byard and JoAnne Brackeen.  

When not playing, he’s composing; he’s one of the few musicians to have won the NC Jazz Composers Fellowship twice.  Kendrick’s performances and compositions reflect his musical journey. After attending the UNC School of the Arts in his hometown of Winston-Salem, he moved to New York City. His musical career took off as he played in a number of avant-garde groups. When the chance arose to study with renowned jazz educator Jerry Coker, Kendrick returned south to Tennessee, where he honed his technique and performed with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. In 1981, Kendrick headed home to Winston-Salem and emerged a leader in North Carolina’s jazz scene.

Critics from around the country have applauded Kendrick’s CDs, which have appeared on national radio charts. His CDs—four on his own label, Suitcase Music—feature over forty original works.  

Kendrick also scores music for films. His credits include The Dark Power, Weather or Not and The Darien Gap, which won second place at the Sundance Film Festival.

Devoted to music education, Matt Kendrick is on the faculty at Wake Forest University. He’s also the Musical Director of Carolina Music Ways, a non-profit group that performs in K-12 schools. Dedicated to giving back to his community, Kendrick serves on the Board of Music Carolina and the Camel City Jazz Orchestra.

Learn more: www.mattkendrickjazz.com

Anna Lampidis has earned a reputation as an orchestral player, soloist, chamber musician and teacher. Her playing as been described as “impeccable”, “lovely” and “outstanding” in concert reviews by Classical Voice North Carolina. She is currently Principal Oboe of the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra and also holds positions with the Greensboro Symphony, Carolina Pops, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle and Music Carolina. She has also performed with a number of other orchestras including the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, New Haven, New Britain, Waterbury and New World Symphonies.

Dr. Lampidis has performed at numerous conferences, conventions and festivals including the Long Leaf Opera Festival, Carolina Summer Music Festival, Florida Bandmasters Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, International Double Reed Society, College Band Director National Association, American Bandmasters Association, North Carolina Music Educators Association and the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of College Music Society.

As oboe soloist she has appeared with the Salisbury Symphony, University of North Carolina at Greensboro Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Florida Philharmonic, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Boca Symphonic Pops, BCC Symphony, North Shore Concert Band (IL) and was also awarded 1st Prize in the Carmel (CA) Chamber Music Competition with fellow Yale classmates as a member of the Electra Quintet. She can be heard often as soloist at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (NC).

Orchestral tours have let to performances at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and as far away as Soul, South Korea. She has premiered works by Michael Colgrass, and has recorded for composer Frank McCarty as well as the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, University of Miami Symphony Orchestra, University of North Carolina-Greensboro Wind Ensemble, Kindermusik International, Holy Trinity’s compact disc titled Consolation and Latin recording artist Juan Xavier.

A graduate with a BM from the University of Miami (Florida), Dr. Lampidis went on to pursue her MM at Yale University where she was recipient of the Lucy G. Moses Fellowship. Following her Master’s she attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she received her DMA. Her primary teachers have included Mary Ashley Barret, Ronald Roseman, and John J. Dee.

Since 2004, Dr. Lampidis has served as a member of the faculty at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where she teaches oboe and performs with the Faculty Woodwind Quintet and Trio. She also serves on the music faculty at Salem College. She currently resides in Greensboro, North Carolina with her husband and two children and remains active as a private teacher, clinician and free-lance oboist.

Originally from Milwaukee WI, USA, Mr. McKinney graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied voice with soprano Marilyn Taylor and tenor Glenn Siebert, conducting with Maestro James Allbritten, and composing with Kenneth Frazelle. Whilst in school Mr. McKinney was the recipient of the Helen Odom scholarship, the Music Dean’s Talent scholarship, and the Chancellor’s Grant for Excellence.  Jason was the winner of the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee’s Harold Levin scholarship competition and was awarded the Judges Choice award at the Metropolitan Opera’s district competition.  Jason won that competition in the South Carolina District and continued on to place second in the Southeastern Regional Finals.  Jason has had the opportunity to premier new works by Kenneth Frazelle, Shelley Olson, Daniel Sonnenberg, Chandler Carter and Lawrence Dillon. Jason has gone on to perform at such prestigious venues as The Kennedy Center, The White House, The Semper Opera House in Dresden Germany,  The Hamburgische Staatsoper, The Festspielhaus in Baden-Baden, Germany,  Opera Kommische in Berlin Germany,  Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania, Sicily, and The  Theatre Carre in Amsterdam Netherlands.

As a young person Jason was educated in Judaica at the Hillel Academy in Fox Point, WI.  There he was first introduced to Jewish music, and that exposure influenced his love of music spurring him to learn a musical instrument.  As a member of a Boy Scout explorer post Jason learned to play the Albert System clarinet in the New Orleans style and eventually was invited to play with the prestigious Preservation Hall Jazz Band in the French quarter.

On the stage Mr. McKinney has performed with numerous opera companies in the US and in Europe. Some of his favorite roles are the title roles in Don Giovanni, and Le Nozze di Figaro and in the Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.  Other roles include Colline in La Boheme,  Olin Blitch in Sussanah, Dr Grenville in La Traviata, and Ashby in Fanciulla del West.  Mr. McKinney is well known as a quick study and has been called upon to be a last minute replacement on many occasion, sometimes being required to perform on as little as eight hours notice, a role he did not know before.

 As a concert soloist Mr. McKinney has been featured with the North Carolina Symphony, and has performed to critical acclaim in Europe, Mexico the U.S. and Australia. When not on the stage Mr. McKinney sings as the cantor in his synagogue in Spartanburg, SC, and composes Jewish liturgical music for Temple Emanuel in Winston-Salem NC.  Mr McKinney also is a section leader at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston - Salem NC, and teaches voice privately.  Hoping to expand his repertoire Mr. McKinney has started portraying Paul Robeson in plays, recitals, and operas.  More info available at www.paulrobesontour.com.

Hornist Joe Mount performs with numerous orchestras and chamber music ensembles. In addition to performing with the Giannini Brass, he is currently a member of the Winston-Salem and Greensboro Symphonies and has performed with many of the orchestras in the Southeast, including the North Carolina Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Roanoke Symphony, Long Bay Philharmonic, and the Charleston and Asheville Symphonies. When living in Ohio he performed with orchestras in Dayton, Middletown and Hamilton. He holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and from the UNC School of the Arts. His teachers include Michael Hatfield and Frederick Bergstone. Joe is a founder and Co-Artistic Director of Music Carolina.  From 1986-2015 he was the Director of Outreach and Career Services at UNCSA where he coordinated a variety of projects, including a statewide chamber music series. 

Beverly Naiditch is the Assistant Principal Percussionist for both the Greensboro Symphony and the Salisbury Symphony Orchestras. She is also the Operations Manager for the Eastern Music Festival.

Hailed for her breathtaking technical skill, intoxicating musicality, and deep interpretational understanding, flutist Debra Reuter-Pivetta enjoys a diverse career as soloist, chamber artist, orchestral player, and teacher.  Ms. Reuter-Pivetta has performed as concerto soloist with many orchestras across the United States and Europe. She is a founding member of the critically acclaimed flute, viola, and harp trio, the Fire Pink Trio. Dedicated to the performance of contemporary music and rarely heard works. Her premieres include the North Carolina premiere of Gabriela Frank’s Sueños de Chambi, the world premiere of The Fourth Angel for flute, bass trombone, and electronic sounds by Dr. Thomas Clark, as well as chamber works by Margaret Vardell Sandresky, Robert Dick, and Lawrence Dillon. She has recorded chamber works by Undine Smith Moore, William Banfield, and Anthony Kelley on the Albany label.

She has recorded works by Böhm, Bozza, Saint-Saëns, Guiot and Burton with her husband, pianist Federico Pivetta. The Pivetta Duo’s critically acclaimed CD has aired frequently on public radio stations across the country. Performance highlights for the duo include concerts in Chicago, New York City, Italy, and an extensive concert tour performing in seventy-five cities nationwide.

Debra is the principal flutist with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra and the flute instructor at Salem College. She holds a BM from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Federico Pivetta is a versatile pianist with a unique mastery of both classical and jazz styles. An active accompanist, chamber musician and teacher, he has made numerous recital appearances with his wife, flutist Debra Reuter-Pivetta and in 1995 they released their critically acclaimed CD, “Passion and Romance.” In February of 1999 they were winners of the Concert Artists Guild New York Competition, winning the Community Concerts Performance Prize. The year 2000 marked the beginning of an extensive concert tour across the United States. His collaborations with various jazz groups have resulted in several radio and television appearance and many recording projects. Other highlights include performances with jazz greats Ernie Watts, Reggie Workman, Al Jarreau and Arturo Sandoval. Mr. Pivetta is an active freelance musician and maintains a private teaching studio as well. Federico Pivetta earned his Bachelor of Music degree at the UNC School of the Arts and his teachers have included Eric Larsen, Anne Epperson and Barbara Lister-Sink.

Matt Ransom has been Principal Tuba with the Winston-Salem Symphony since 1994. He has performed with numerous orchestras across the Southeast including the North Carolina Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, Augusta Symphony, Charleston Symphony, Carolina Chamber Symphony and the Long Bay Symphony in Myrtle Beach, SC. He formerly was on the faculty of Wake Forest University, and was the Artist-Faculty tuba instructor at the UNC School of the Arts. Mr. Ransom studied with David Lewis, David Mills, James Jenkins and David Fedderly. He earned his BM from the UNC School of the Arts.

Ron Rudkin (saxophone, clarinet, and flute) is a jazz performer, bandleader, arranger, orchestral and chamber musician and has been active on the North Carolina jazz and commercial music scene for over 30 years. As Professor of Music at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts he serves as Director of the Jazz Program and teaches Music Theory. He also holds the post of Associate Principal and Second Clarinet in the Winston-Salem Symphony. As a member of various North Carolina jazz groups and as part of the UNCSA concert schedule Ron has performed with trumpeters Marvin Stamm and Jon Faddis, trombonist Carl Fontana, guitarist Bruce Forman, pianists Phil Markowitz, Keith Waters, Jonathan Lefcoski and Stefan Karlsson, and drummers Steve Houghton and Louis Bellson. A veteran big band musician, he has appeared with the orchestras of Glenn Miller, Les and Larry Elgart, Guy Lombardo, Peter Duchin, Russ Morgan, and the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, Camel City Jazz Orchestra, and Piedmont Triad Jazz Orchestra.

Learn more: ronrudkin.com

Sonja Sepúlveda is Director of Choral Activities and professor of music theory at Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and conducts the Salem Chamber Choir, Chorale, and SuperTonics. She came to Salem College following positions at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky and Brewton Parker College in Mt. Vernon, Georgia.

Graduating from Winthrop University with Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees, Sonja Sepúlveda earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of South Carolina where she studied under Dr. Larry Wyatt and Dr. Carol Krueger.  She received the William H. Nolte Graduate Assistant Teaching Award from the University of South Carolina in 2006 for her work in conducting and teaching.  While working on her doctorate at USC, she conducted Carolina Alive and the Renaissance Singers.

Sonja Sepúlveda is former SC Choral Festival Chairman and served as SC All-State Chairman for four years. She also served as her state ACDA Chairman for Jazz and Show Choirs. Her choirs have toured Europe, Mexico, and Canada and have performed concerts for the National Cathedral, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, the Lincoln Center, South Carolina Music Educators Association (SCMEA), National American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Southern Division ACDA, and the Music Educators National Conference (MENC). She conducted, as well sang choral parts for the ABC mini-series, North and South. Sonja Sepúlveda sang with the Robert Shaw Festival Chorus for eight years, as well with the Carnegie Hall Chorus in 2000 and 2002.  She is well known for her work with youth choruses and is in demand as a choral adjudicator and clinician.

In 2006, she founded the Palmetto Voices, a choir of alumni students from Western Kentucky University, University of South Carolina, Brewton Parker College, Salem College and Sumter High School.  The choir strives to preserve the legacy of the Negro Spiritual and share the vision that this unique American choral art form is for everyone.  She is married to Juan Sepúlveda and they have two sons, Dru and Brys.

Sonja has been the artistic director of the Winston-Salem Youth Chorus since 2015.

Ken Wilmot is a member of the Winston-Salem and Greensboro Symphonies and is founding member of the Giannini Brass. Ken has appeared and toured with a variety of popular and jazz artists such as The Four Tops, Ray Charles, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and the Guy Lombardo Orchestra. He earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the UNC School of the Arts. Ken currently serves as Production Manager for the UNCSA School of Music.

For thirty years John C.B. Wilson has been playing music as a profession. It has also served as a way to understand the complexities of life. He received a BM from the North Carolina School of the Arts and MM from the Manhattan School of Music. John is a staff accompanist in the School of Dance at UNCSA and owns SPOT, a recording studio in Winston-Salem. He is married to and inspired by Sharee Fowler.

Founded in 1993 by Artistic Director, Barbara C. Beattie, the Winston-Salem Youth Chorus has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of children and youth through music education and performance experiences for over 20 years. The WSYC began as the Stevens Center Children’s Chorus, with children age eight to 13 making up the membership. The group continued to evolve, growing in size and stature, and it became the Winston-Salem Children’s Chorus in 1997. Thanks to strong community support and interest, along with the passion and efforts of Barbara Beattie, the WSCC added high school youth in the Young Women’s and Young Men’s Ensembles. In 2009 the WSCC renamed itself the Winston-Salem Youth Chorus, to reflect the diversity in membership and age ranges, as well as the mature sound and professional quality of the group.

In June 2015 Barbara retired and passed her baton on to Dr. Sonja Sepulveda as Artistic Director. Sonja brings a vast array of musical expertise to the position and is frequently asked to guest conduct in other cities and countries. The WSYC has over 100 members in four ensembles, ranging in age from eight to 18 and representing more than 40 schools in Forsyth and surrounding counties. Open to any child who passes a standard audition, WSYC singers learn proper vocal technique, music theory, performance and sight-singing skills, music culture, and songs in other languages. The WSYC brings together children from a variety of backgrounds to learn teamwork and tolerance while building lasting friendships based on the universal language of music.

Learn more: wsyouthchorus.org