DR. AMYR JOYNER | VIOLIN

Dr. Amyr Joyner is a professional violinist and music instructor based in the wider Baltimore-D.C. area with vast experience performing solo, chamber, and orchestral music. He have performed extensively throughout the United States and abroad, and at major music centers in the country including Carnegie Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, the Harris Theater, the Hippodrome Theater, Grant Park Stage, and the Music Center at Strathmore. Amyr is versed in classical, jazz, and popular music improvisation.

BOUBACAR DIALLO | CELLO

Boubacar Diallo is an African- American cellist based in New York City. Being a native to the city, Boubacar has been privileged to study at some of the city’s finest institutions, including Special Music School at Kaufman Music Center and Mannes Pre-College. He also was a member of Face The Music, an organization dedicated to the study and performance of contemporary music, and the New York Youth Symphony Chamber Program. He has performed in venues including Carnegie Hall,  The National Opera Center, and the UN climate summit in Paris, France. Some of his primary teachers have been Annie Barley Givler, Micheal Finckel, Alex Croxton, Tomoko Fujita and Fred Sherry. He is the recipient of the Eastman Artist Scholarship, and serves as a Resident Advisor for the on- campus student community.  Additionally, he is a fellow at the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra in Ithaca, NY. Boubacar plays on a fine contemporary cello by David Caron, graciously on loan to him from the Virtu Foundation. 

JUSTUS ROSS | VIOLIN

Justus Ross completed his Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance at Texas Tech University under Professor Annie Chalex Boyle. During his studies at Texas Tech University, Justus became the first prize winner of the Texas Tech University String Concerto Competition in 2016; a national finalist in the MTNA Chamber Music Competition in 2017; and received second prize in the ENKOR International Chamber Music Competition in 2017. In the season of 2018-2019 Justus was the assistant concertmaster of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. He also performed in the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, The Myrska Trio, and other various small ensembles in the West Texas area.

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THAPELO MASITA | CELLO

Thapelo Masita uses his music to help further the arts in his home country of South Africa. He earned a bachelor of music in cello performance from the Eastman School of Music in 2017 and a master of music degree from the Juilliard School in 2019.

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Through a faculty position at the Opportunity Music Project and a fellowship in the Music Advancement Program—a Juilliard Sponsored Community Engagement Initiative, Masita has been able to serve young people from underrepresented communities. Masita is also on the board of directors at the Omnipresent Music Festival.

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Thapelo is pursuing a doctor of musical arts degree at CUNY Graduate Center where he works with Julia Lichten. He performs on a cello made by Oded Kishony, on generous loan to him by the Virtu Foundation. 

EDWARD W. HARDY | VIOLA

Edward W. Hardy is a critically acclaimed Black and Puerto Rican composer, music director, virtuoso violinist and violist and is one of the foremost exponents of solo violin repertoire for theatrical productions. At the age of 25, “Hardy [was] one of the youngest composers to ever be accepted into the Exploring the Metropolis Con Edison Composer Residency and one of the most prominent composer/ violinists in New York City” (Broadway World). Hardy is also the founder of the Omnipresent Music Festival and co-founder of the Northern Colorado Center for Arts Entrepreneurship.

“Edward W. Hardy, who composed the omnipresent music, plays the violin superbly” (The New York Times). 

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