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SummerMusic: Bronx Arts Ensemble Strings and Woodwinds
Join the Bronx Arts Ensemble for a lively outdoor concert on the lawn of the historic Van Cortlandt House Museum. You can expect an exciting mix of chamber works performed by our string and wind players. This free event offers a perfect blend of great music, summer breeze, and neighborhood spirit—bring a blanket, bring a friend, and enjoy an evening of inspiring sounds under the sky.
PROGRAM
Oboe Quartet in F major, K. 370 – Mozart
Allegro
Adagio
Rondeau: Allegro
Musicians: Keve Wilson, Jorge Ávila, Nikki Federman, Eliana Mendoza
Theme and Variations for Flute and String Quartet, Op. 80 – Amy Beach
Musicians: Thersa Norris, Jorge Ávila, Sarah Franklin, Nikki Federman, Eliana Mendoza
Divertimento for Wind Trio – Malcolm Arnold
Allegro energico
Andantino
Vivace
Andante
Maestoso
Rondo: Allegro vivace
Musicians: Theresa Norris, Mitchell Kriegler, Keve Wilson
PERFORMERS
Jorge Avila, violin
Sarah Franklin, violin
Nikki Federman, viola
Eliana Mendoza, cello
Theresa Norris, flute
Mitch Krieger, clarinet
Keve Wilson, oboe
Honduran-born violinist JORGE ÁVILA has won consistent high praise from The New York Times through his many appearances as a soloist, concertmaster, recitalist, and chamber musician. A recipient of various awards and honors, Jorge received his Green Card under the “Extraordinary Talent” category, later becoming a US citizen. He was awarded first prize at the 2001 Mu Phi Epsilon Music Competition, and the Omar del Carlo Fellowship at Tanglewood Music Center. Jorge is concertmaster of the Ridgefield Symphony, DCINY and Sacred Music in a Sacred Space series, and is a longtime artist member of the Bronx Arts Ensemble. He has appeared as concertmaster with the Stamford, Westfield and Greenwich Symphonies. In 2015 Jorge served as concertmaster of the orchestra appearing with His Holiness, Pope Francis, at a televised Mass held at Madison Square Garden.
SARAH FRANKLIN is a violinist who has performed with artists like Paul McCartney and Sarah McLachlan. She specializes in orchestral performances at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera House. Sarah plays with several orchestras and was Principal Second Violin of Distinguished Concerts Orchestra. In 2023, she made her Broadway debut in Camelot. Her film credits include Mozart in the Jungle and Boy Erased. She holds a Master’s from Manhattan School of Music and a Bachelor’s from Oberlin Conservatory. Sarah taught for eleven years at Third Street Music School and nine years at the Lucy Moses School, and now offers private lessons on the Upper West Side, where she lives with her husband and toddler.
NIKKI FEDERMAN is a performer and teacher in New York City. She graduated from the Manhattan School of Music’s Orchestral Performance Program and plays with various orchestras, including the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra. Nikki also performs on Broadway and records soundtracks for major films. Currently, she teaches viola and violin at Riverdale Country School and has a large private teaching studio, along with experience in outreach programs across NYC.
ELIANA MENDOZA has performed extensively as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. She received a Diploma in Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. A Winner of the Artists International Competition, she made her solo debut at Weill Recital Hall in New York. Eliana also performed a solo recital on WGBH, National Public Radio in Boston, and reviews from The Enterprise, Brockton, MA have praised her as “…. a total artist…with a fluid touch, an impassioned mood and notable bearing.” Eliana is also a member of the American Symphony Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra and Westchester Philharmonic.
THERESA NORRIS, flutist, is a “Motown” girl who performed with Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Symphony before coming to New York. She has been an Artist Member of the Bronx Arts Ensemble for more than 30 years, while enjoying a busy orchestral and chamber music career playing with many groups in New York City and the surrounding area. Theresa has performed with St. Bart’s Music Festival, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Berkshire Opera, Philip Glass Ensemble and many others, as well as on Broadway. When not performing or teaching, Theresa can be found tending her garden or cooking and entertaining friends. On that rare night off, she’s with her husband Charley, bowling and groovin’ to the music at the Brooklyn Bowl.
Bronx–born clarinetist MITCHELL KRIEGLER graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Charles Russo, Conrad Kuchay and Robert Renino. He performs at Lincoln Center with the New York City Ballet Orchestra and at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops. He is an Artist Member of the Bronx Arts Ensemble and Linden Quintet, and performs with the New York City Opera Orchestra
KEVE WILSON, praised by the New York Times for her “magnificently sweet tone,” is an accomplished oboist who gained recognition for her performances in Broadway orchestras, including the recent world premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Here We Are. She has played in numerous productions and has inspired high school musicians with her show Believe NYC—From the Band Room to Broadway. A past Concert Artists Guild winner, Keve has performed and recorded with notable artists like Bruce Springsteen. She is a faculty member at Manhattan School of Music, has led masterclasses at various institutions, and has released two albums on the NAXOS label. Originally from Hyde Park, NY, she graduated from the Eastman School of Music and now resides in New York City with her husband and dog.
MAP AND DIRECTIONS
Google Map Location
Driving
By Car:
You can park in Van Cortlandt Park’s free parking lot, which is a 5 minute walk on park trails from the museum (GPS Link) or you can pay for metered street-parking on Broadway (GPS Link).
To Van Cortlandt Golf Course Off-Street Free Parking Lot
From Queens and Long Island:
Take the Tri-Boro Bridge to the Major Deegan Expressway North (87). Take the 230th St. Exit. Make a right at the top of the exit, followed by a quick left onto Bailey Avenue. Take Bailey Avenue to the end. Follow the Major Deegan North/VanCortlandt Golf Course signs. Bear to your left and go underneath the overpass. After the overpass take a sharp left into the public parking lot.
From Manhattan:
East Side: Take FDR Drive to Willis Avenue Bridge. Go over bridge and bear left for the Major Deegan Expressway North (87). Get off at the 230th Street Exit. Make a right at the top of the exit, followed by a quick left onto Bailey Avenue. Take Bailey Avenue to the end. Follow the Major Deegan North/Van Cortlandt Golf Course signs. Bear to your left and go underneath the overpass. After the overpass take a sharp left into the public parking lot.
West Side: Take West Side Highway North to Cross Bronx Expressway East.
Take Cross Bronx Expressway to Major Deegan North (87). Take the 230th St. Exit. Make a right at the top of the exit, followed by a quick left onto Bailey Avenue. Take Bailey Avenue to the end. Follow the Major Deegan North/Van Cortlandt Golf Course signs. Bear to your left and go underneath the overpass. After the overpass take a sharp left into the public parking lot.
From New Jersey:
Take the G.W. Bridge to Major Deegan Expressway North (87). Take the 230th St. Exit. Make a right at the top of the exit, followed by a quick left onto Bailey Avenue. Take Bailey Avenue to the end. Follow the Major Deegan North/Van Cortlandt Golf Course signs. Bear to your left and go underneath the overpass. After the overpass take a sharp left into the public parking lot.
From Westchester County & Points North:
Take 87 South to Van Cortlandt Park South Exit. At top of the exit, make a left. At next light, make another left and follow the signs to golf course, bear to your left and go underneath the overpass. After the overpass take a sharp left into the public parking lot.
Public Transportation
Public Transportation:
Subway: #1 to 242nd Street Station, then walk north on Broadway to the tree-lined pedestrian path leading into the park.
Bus: Bx9 to West 246th Street and Broadway, then walk into the park on the tree-lined pedestrian path leading into the park.
BxM3 Express Bus to 246th Street and Broadway, then walk into the park on the tree-lined pedestrian path leading into the park.
Metro-North Hudson River Line to Marble Hill Station, transfer to the Bx9 bus or #1 subway as above.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Council and District 11 Councilmember Eric Dinowitz and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs’ FY2025 Cultural Development Fund (CDF).
Thank you to our supporters
