Meet the Artists
Ashley Freeburn
Ashley Freeburn, violinist, earned her BM and MM degrees in music at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Carnegie Mellon University. An active chamber musician, Ashley has held residencies at the Charlotte New Music Festival and the Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, and she has been featured in concerts throughout the United States. Ashley is a founding member of the newly formed women’s orchestra, the Kassia Ensemble. She has performed with the Erie Philharmonic, and the Wheeling and Westmoreland Symphony Orchestras. She is currently acting Associate Concertmaster of the Butler County Symphony Orchestra. Ashley has served as violin faculty at the Center for Young Musicians, and she is currently adjunct professor of violin at Chatham University.
Raquel Winnica Young
Mezzo-soprano Raquel Winnica Young earned her Degree in Vocal Performance from the Colon Opera House in Buenos Aires and an Artist Diploma from Duquesne University. A two-time winner of the Pittsburgh Concert Society major auditions, she has performed locally (Quantum Theatre, Apollo’s Fire, Chatham Baroque, Pittsburgh Camerata) as well as in Europe, North and South America. She is on the voice faculty of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
www.raquelwinnicayoung.com
www.raquelwinnicayoung.com
Jack Kurutz
Pianist Jack Kurutz is an avid recitalist and chamber musician with a diverse repertoire. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Miami, his Master of Music from New England Conservatory, and an Artist Diploma from Carnegie Mellon University. In September 2007, Mr. Kurutz won First Prize in the William Garrison Piano Competition; he was also a finalist in the 2009 Simone Belsky and Steinway Society of Massachusetts piano competitions. In May of 2011 Mr. Kurutz was the featured soloist with the Pittsburgh Philharmonic in a performance of Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto. He is currently adjunct faculty at Carnegie Mellon University and Pittsburgh CAPA. Please visit www.jackkurutz.com for more information.
Lenny Young
Lenny Young, oboist, is Principal Oboe of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Johnstown, Westmoreland and McKeesport Symphonies. He has written, arranged and performed music for the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Alia Musica Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Camerata. He is the Director of the Choir at Third Presbyterian Church and teaches oboe, music theory and solfege at Pittsburgh CAPA, in addition to teaching solfege at his alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University.
Billie Jo Miller
Billie Jo Miller actively performs as a collaborative artist and maintains a private piano studio in her home. She received her Bachelor's degree in Music from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where she studied with Ian Hobson, and earned her MM in Piano Performance at Carnegie Mellon University under Ralph Zitterbart and David Deveau. She has also studied under Ward Davenny in New Haven, CT, and appeared in masterclasses of Earl Wild.
Ms. Miller served as a studio coach and accompanist at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Music. She has performed with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, winners of the Pittsburgh Concert Society, and CMU faculty. She worked extensively with the violin studio of Cyrus Forough at Carnegie Mellon University. She has also served as a piano teacher at the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High School (CAPA) and the CMU Preparatory School, where she taught group piano class as well as private lessons.
Currently she lives in the Brighton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh's North Side with her husband Mark and her two sons, Kobe and Malachi.
Ms. Miller served as a studio coach and accompanist at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Music. She has performed with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, winners of the Pittsburgh Concert Society, and CMU faculty. She worked extensively with the violin studio of Cyrus Forough at Carnegie Mellon University. She has also served as a piano teacher at the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High School (CAPA) and the CMU Preparatory School, where she taught group piano class as well as private lessons.
Currently she lives in the Brighton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh's North Side with her husband Mark and her two sons, Kobe and Malachi.