Piano
Dr. Brianna Matzke's dynamic pianism shows “a sense of refinement, flair, and technical prowess” (clevelandclassical.com). An avid performer and commissioner of new music, she has collaborated with many composers, including Michael Fiday, Elliot Cole, Marc Mellits, Mark Mothersbaugh, Douglas Knehans, Molly Joyce, Alexandra Du Bois, D. J. Sparr, Nate May, Tyler Eschendahl, Dylan Sheridan, Stephanie Ann Boyd, Paul Schuette, Danny Clay, Jennifer Jolley, Carrie Magin, Evan Williams, Paul Poston, Bryan Percoco, Trevor Gomes, and Lindsey Jacob. She has appeared in concert at TriBeCa New Music, ETHOS New Music, Malone University, the BOP Stop, Kendall at Oberlin, Christ Church Cathedral, Clifton Cultural Arts Center, and the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center.
Her ongoing commissioning initiative, called The Response Project, asks composers to write music for piano in response to a pre-existing artwork or idea. The project has premiered and recorded twelve new works, including five works for solo piano written in response to Karlheinz Stockhausen's Mikrophonie I (1964) and seven works for violin+piano written in response to the phrase "on behalf". In 2018, The Response Project premiered thirteen new works for solo piano, written in response to Bob Dylan's 1964 album Highway 61 Revisited.
In addition to performing, Brianna is a dedicated music educator and pedagogue. A Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM), she serves as Assistant Professor of Music at Wilmington College. She has also served on the faculties of the Oberlin Conservatory, Interlochen Arts Camp, Wilmington College, Thomas More College, and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory Department. As an educator, Brianna believes in the power of music to incite positive social change, and she encourages that change by working on the executive board of the Ohio Music Teachers Association Southwest Division.
She holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and the University of Kansas.
Piano - Co-commissioner "Izaya" by Marc Mellits
American pianist Roger McVey has performed as a soloist and collaborative pianist throughout the United States, in Europe, Asia, Mexico, and New Zealand. He is currently an Associate Professor of Piano at the Lionel Hampton School of Music, of the University of Idaho. He holds degrees from the University of Kansas, Indiana University, and East Carolina University. Additionally, he has studied at the Aspen Music Festival and the Chautauqua Institute. His past teachers include Menahem Pressler, Anton Nel, Jack Winerock, Herbert Stessin, and Henry Doskey.
Dr. McVey was a top prizewinner in the International Beethoven Competition (U.S.A.), and was a Semi-Finalist at the International Franz Liszt Competition in Poland, where critics praised his "passionate artistry and electrifying virtuosity." His latest solo recording, from 2016, is entitled Ten Fingers and features music by Mozart, Chopin, Gareth Farr, Joaquin Rodrigo, and others. In addition to his solo performances, Dr. McVey was a founding member of the Trio St. Croix, and regularly collaborates as a chamber musician. He is a fervent advocate of contemporary music, and has collaborated with numerous leading American composers, such as Julia Wolfe, Marc Mellits, Libby Larsen, Eric Ewazen, Harvey Sollberger, Lori Laitman, Emma Lou Diemer, and Wynn-Anne Rossi.
An active clinician, Roger frequently gives master-classes and presentations at universities, music schools, and for music teacher associations. He is an adjudicator for the Washington State Music Teachers Association, and is a board member of the Idaho Music Teachers Association. He has presented at the College Music Society national conference, as well as for the Idaho Music Teachers Association, Wisconsin Music Teachers Association, and other groups. He is an avid fan of rock music, jazz, and hip-hop, and his other interests include cooking, playing chess, surfing, snowboarding, and learning to play the guitar.