Aaron Jay Kernis Residency

Astral Artists conducted a two-year residency with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Aaron Jay Kernis. Astral presented Philadelphia premieres of several of Kernis' works and the world premiere of a commissioned quartet for soprano, flute, viola, and harp. Kernis conducted coaching sessions and master classes, and participated in "Meet the Composer" discussions. Resident artists Michael Mizrahi and Di Wu (piano), cellist Susan Babini, soprano Disella Larusdottir, pianist Spencer Meyer, the Biava Quartet, harpist Bridget Kibbey, and flutist Jasmine Choi all performed Kernis' works. They were joined by guest clarinetist Igor Begelman, violist Teng Li, and Symphony in C, conducted by Rossen Milanov. Peter Dobrin and David Patrick Stearns moderated public discussions with Kernis.