Pius Cheung – Artistic Director
Eriko Daimo – Co-director
Casey Cangelosi – Faculty
Gene Koshinski – Faculty
Michael Udow – Faculty, Artistic Advisor
Pius Cheung – Artistic Director
Hailed by the New York Times as “deeply expressive” for his groundbreaking recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations on solo marimba, Pius Cheung is widely known as one of the most important percussionists of his generation. He has presented recitals at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, National Concert Hall in Taipei, Kyoto Arts Center (Japan), as well as numerous music festivals around the world.
An inspiring teacher to young percussionists, Mr. Cheung frequently serves as a competition judge at national and international competitions, as well as presents masterclasses at renowned institutions such as the Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Amsterdam Conservatory, Paris Conservatory, Berklee Valencia, Toho Gakuen (Japan) and Beijing Central Conservatory.
Furthermore, he is one of the most sought-after composers for percussion today. His latest works include Allegro Brutale for solo marimba, commissioned by Dame Evelyn Glennie in celebration of her 50th birthday; Heaven and Earth, a ballet with percussion ensemble for the Eugene Ballet Company; and marimba concerto, Princess Chang Ping, commissioned by Pei-Ching Wu and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Cheung endorses Yamaha, Zildjian, Remo and Innovative Percussion, which produces his signature mallet series. He is currently an Associate Professor and Chair of the Percussion Area at the University of Oregon.
For more info: http://www.piuscheung.com
Eriko Daimo – Co-director
Praised for her ‘mesmerizing combination of sound and sight’ (Irish Times), the award-winning marimbist, Eriko Daimo, is one of the leading artists of her field.
Her recent performances include concerto performances with some of the world’s leading orchestras such as the RTE Ireland National Symphony Orchestra, Tampere Philharmonic in Finland, Osaka Symphony Orchestra, Sofia Philharmonic in Bulgaria, Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, Magdeburg Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany, and Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra among others; as well as recital tours over 20 countries in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
As an educator, she has given concerts and masterclasses at music institutions including the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Paris Conservatory, Royal Irish Academy of Music, Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, San Francisco Conservatory, Colburn Conservatory, among others. Also, she has been presenting a series of masterclasses at New York University since 2013
Ms. Daimo is an endorser of Marimba One, Innovative Percussion, and Zildjian. She is currently faculty at New York University Steinhart and The Juilliard School Pre-College Division.
For more info: http://www.erikodaimo.com
Casey Cangelosi – Faculty
Percussionist & Composer, Casey Cangelosi is the Director of Percussion Studies at James Madison University. As a visiting guest-artist, he is commonly hosted world-wide by educational institutions, music festivals, and educational music seminars.
Since 2011, Casey has performed solo recitals in Italy, Germany, Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Croatia, Sweden, Taiwan, Portugal, and widely across the U.S. at events including The Midwest Clinic, several PASIC Showcase Concerts, and over 40 universities. Casey adjudicates percussion performance and composition competitions, and is regularly commissioned for new works.
Casey is the creator of the @Percussion Podcast, and is sponsored by Majestic/Mapex, Innovative Percussion, Zildjian, Grover Pro Percussion, Remo, and Beiner Bags.
For more info: https://www.caseycangelosi.com
Gene Koshinski – Faculty
“Jaw-dropping virtuosity and a flair for the unexpected” (PBS) is why Gene Koshinski has delighted audiences worldwide with his dynamic performances and creative programming.
Best known for his extraordinary versatility as a percussion artist/composer, Koshinski serves as Professor of Percussion at the University of Delaware. He has performed in Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan, Jordan, Slovenia, the UK, Canada, and throughout the United States; including over 120 guest performances/lectures at some of the most prestigious institutions in the world.
As a composer, his works have been used in film, art museums, and ballets, and in the concert hall have been performed in more than 40 countries, in 5 continents, with hundreds of performances per year. His performances have been heard on the CBS, PBS, ESPN and TBS/TNT television networks, as well as NPR, and he has recorded for the Naxos, Innova, Centaur, MSR Classics, and Equilibrium record labels. He is sponsored by Pearl/ Adams, Sabian, Remo, and Innovative Percussion.
For more info: https://www.genekoshinski.com
Michael Udow – Faculty, Artistic Advisor
Michael Udow’s career eludes categorization. Having retired after a distinguished career at The Santa Fe Opera (Principal Percussionist: 1968 — 2009) and the University of Michigan (1982 — 2011: Emeritus Professor), Michael now devotes his full-time energies towards composing. He also continues to design instruments and share his knowledge with the next generation of percussionists and composers doing short-term residencies at conservatories and universities.
Michael and dancer/choreographer Nancy Udow toured for 37 years performing their compositions and works dedicated to them by other composers. Michael toured internationally for decades in chamber music settings with Keiko Abe, Summit Brass, the Tone Road Ramblers, and Barton Workshop. He was also a member of the historic Blackearth Percussion Group and the New Orleans Philharmonic.
His compositions have been performed and recorded by Keiko Abe, the Rhode Island Philharmonic, Madison Philharmonia, Boulder Philharmonic, and the Colorado Chamber Orchestra where Michael served as composer-in-residence in 2014 season. The prize-winning film, Token City, and subsequent museum installation was a collaboration with visual artist, Muriel Magenta. He has also collaborated for over forty years with visual artist, Rita Blitt, on sound sculptures, and three films including the film and percussion work, Abyss of Time.
For more info: http://MichaelUdow.com