MPower 2024 Recipients

Laura Andrade

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, cellist Laura Andrade has established herself as a captivating performer and musician thriving in diverse musical settings. Concertizing on stages both locally in NYC and across the world, Laura first began her journey on cello at the age of 5. The start of her cello studies began in chamber music, where she discovered her love of connecting and collaborating with others through the inimitable process of making music.

Equally dedicated to beloved masterworks and contemporary music, Laura is a prize-winning laureate of the 2019 Sphinx Competition and has been a featured soloist with the Austin Civic and San Antonio Orchestras. Laura has performed at numerous festivals, including IMS Prussia Cove Open Chamber Music, Verbier Festival, Taos, Moritzburg, and Nume Festival in Italy. Laura has performed on tour with chamber ensembles, including A Far Cry, Sphinx Virtuosi, and most notably, Sybarite5, a dynamic string quintet in which Laura is the newest member. The quintet’s most recent album, “Collective Wisdom” debuted at #1 in the classical Billboard chart and has received international acclaim since its release in October 2023. Laura was also the cellist of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect (‘20-23), a program of select musicians from around the world committed to education, entrepreneurship, community engagement, and leadership. During her time in the ensemble, Laura performed across all of the stages in Carnegie Hall and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Guggenheim Museum. As a teaching artist with NYC public schools, Laura and her colleagues engaged with the broad NYC communities, presenting interactive concerts that foster deeper listening and audience connection.

Laura holds a bachelor’s degree and performer’s certificate from the Eastman School of Music and a master’s from The Juilliard School. Her core cello mentors include Amy Levine-Tsang, Steven Doane, Rosemary Elliott, and Natasha Brofsky. Laura proudly performs on a modern cello from the workbench of Wayne Burak, modeled after the instruments of Antonio Stradivari.

Titilayo Ayangade

A multifaceted artist who has appeared in many roles, Titilayo Ayangade has gracefully navigated classical music's landscape. A recent recipient of the Chamber Music America Artistic Projects grant, as the cellist of Duo Kayo, Titilayo continues her history of excellence in chamber music preceded by awards at Fischoff and

tours spanning China to Brazil and everywhere in between. This season features performances with Sphinx Virtuosi, American Modern Opera Company (AMOC) and concerts at Caramoor, Newport Classical, Lincoln Center and more. Titilayo champions other BIPOC musicians through commissioning new works and programming, advocating for an inclusive musical tapestry. Off-stage, she's a successful photographer, working in studio with Grammy-nominated artists and dynamic performers. Explore her journey at www.titilayoandco.com.

Kebra-Seyoun Charles

With inherent virtuosity and the singular ability to communicate their ideas effortlessly to audiences, Kebra is poised to be a leader of their generation. Debuting their counter-classical musical language, Kebra has been named American Composer Orchestra featured composer in 2024. After winning first prize in the 2022 Sphinx Competition, Kebra-Seyoun Charles has quickly made a name for themself by soloing in front of orchestras such as the New World Symphony, Sphinx Virtuosi, Indianapolis Symphony, and the Willmington Symphony. Originally from Miami, Florida, Kebra received their Bachelor’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. Then, in 2022, graduated from the Juilliard School with a Master’s degree, at the beginning of which they were awarded tenure as principal bass. Kebra simultaneously received the prestigious Jerome L. Greene fellowship. In recognition of their talent and commitment to furthering their vision as a soloist, Kebra received Juilliard’s Benzaquen Career Grant.

Growing up the child of an African drummer and dancer, Kebra-Seyoun was exposed to music at a very early age. Having been steeped in jazz, gospel, and traditional African music, Kebra developed an interest in a multiplicity of genres. They honed their craft at the New World School of the Arts, in Miami, Fl, even performing at Jazz at Lincoln Center. In their early years, Kebra-Seyoun was invited to perform at the Kagoshima Jazz Festival as well as the Aspen Music Festival and School.

In line with their upbringing, Kebra-Seyoun is able to give prominence to the dance qualities in all forms of music. Exhibiting their versatility, Kebra-Seyoun has collaborated with esteemed improvisers and composers such as Jon Batiste, at Carnegie Hall, and Tyshawn Sorey, at the New England Conservatory. Kebra-Seyoun was also featured in “Slugs’ Saloon” at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, an interactive installation created by famed jazz musician and composer Jason Moran.

Currently, in addition to their solo career, Kebra-Seyoun Charles is a passionate chamber musician. Playing with groups like East Coast Chamber Orchestra, A Far Cry, Palaver Strings, and the Sphinx Virtuosi afford Kebra the opportunity to showcase their musicianship while still playing within an ensemble. A prime example of this was their tenure on the 2019 Emmy award-winning Broadway production “Hadestown”.

In 2016 and 2019 Kebra-Seyoun Charles was the winner of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra’s concerto competition. Kebra was also the winner of the NAACP’s 2016 ACT-SO concerto competition, the 2021 Southern Illinois Young Artist Competition, and the 2021 International Music Organization competition. They have also been featured by the National Sawdust, National Arts Club, Performance Today, YoungArts, From the Top, Bass Players for Black Composers, the American Music Talent Competition, and the National Library of Congress. From 2016-2020, they were the principal of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s double bass section. This included performances in Boston’s Symphony Hall, Harvard’s Sanders Theatre, Vienna’s Mozarteum, Berlin’s Konzerthaus, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. Kebra-Seyoun has thrice played as a fellow of the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra.

LaVonté L. Heard

Heard is a highly acclaimed vocalist known for his versatility in both Classical and Gospel music. His powerful tenor voice has earned him praise from audiences around the world, with performances alongside prestigious orchestras and ensembles in China, Europe, South America, and the United States. Heard has graced renowned concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center, as well as many concert halls across the globe.

Beyond his performing career, Heard is deeply passionate about providing children with access to the arts. A devoted educator, he has taught music in the Lansing School District and served as its first Arts Program Development Specialist. He is also a sought-after clinician, conducting masterclasses globally to inspire and reach youth from diverse backgrounds. In 2019, Heard founded the Transcendence Vocal Arts Institute, which has since expanded to become the Transcendence Performing Arts Centers, Inc., “Where Dreams Come to Thrive,” a network of schools and studios based in Lansing, MI. Transcendence Performing Arts Center’s mission is to be a gateway to performing arts possibilities globally.

Heard’s students have been awarded Grammy Awards and nominations, Emmy Awards, and have consistently been heard in major venues across the United States and abroad. His dedication to arts education and passion for nurturing young talent have made him a respected figure in the arts community both as a performer and mentor.

Isaiah Iny-Woods

Isaiah Iny-Woods is enrolled in the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s (SFCM) Pre-College program, where he studies with Eric Chin, violinist of the Telegraph Quartet, SFCM’s Quartet in Residence. In 2023, Isaiah had the honor of being chosen for SFCM’sTelegraph Quartet Chamber Music Intensive. In 2024, Isaiah’s quartet was selected as one of four quartets to showcase a piece from "50 for the Future: The Kronos Learning Repertoire" and work with the Kronos Quartet, as part of the concert series "Kronos Music: The Future is Now."

Isaiah began studying violin in 2013 in Crowden Community Music Center’s Suzuki program. He studied with Goran Berg, and was a member of the Sycamore Strings Chamber Orchestra for over 5 years. He has participated in five two-week long Chamber Music Workshops at the Crowden Music School. During these sessions, he studied with Evan Price and with members of the following chamber ensembles: Telegraph Quartet, Alexander Quartet, the Delphi Trio, and the Aizuri Quartet.

Rainel Joubert

Cuban-born violinist Rainel Joubert commenced his studies at the age of seven under the guidance of Maria de los Angeles Verdecia at the Manuel Saumell Conservatory in La Habana.

Joubert's gained international acclaim when he collaborated with esteemed Cuban pianist Ernán López-Nussa on a tour to Spain. His performances showcased Cuban melodies and jazz in UNICEF-sponsored concerts dedicated to supporting Cuban schools.

Rainel is a founding member of both the Orquesta de Cámara de La Habana and the Children’s Symphony Orchestra of Cuba. He was also a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba under Maestros Ivan del Prado and Enrique Pérez Mesa. In 2004, he graced the Latin American Youth Symphony Orchestra, delivering performances in La Habana and Caracas under the baton of Claudio Abbado and assistant conductor Gustavo Dudamel.

Joubert holds a Golden title from the Instituto Superior de Artes (ISA). In 2004, he became the Associate Concertmaster of the Opera and Ballet Orchestras. Rainel secured the second prize and the Prize for the Best Interpretation of Cuban Music at the Union de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba competition in 2006.

Joubert participated in renowned music festivals and master classes, where he played for luminaries such as Gidon Kremer, Erick Grossman, the Borromeo String Quartet, and Prof. Paul Kantor.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Shannon Thomas, Joubert emerged as a laureate in the 15th Annual Sphinx Competition, leading to inclusion in the Sphinx Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. Joubert is a proud recipient of the 2016 Mpower Grant.

Currently, Rainel serves as the Assistant Concertmaster with the San Antonio Philharmonic. Additionally, he holds the role of Concertmaster for the Young People Concerts and Family Concerts. Joubert also served as the Concertmaster for the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra during the 27th Annual Sphinx Competition.

Joubert has performed as a soloist with the Houston Symphony in various occasions. He also serves as a Community-Embedded Musician with this organization.

Loki Karuna

Loki Karuna (formerly Garrett McQueen) is a bassoonist who has performed with orchestras including the Detroit Symphony, Knoxville Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He’s been heard as both a performer and host on local and nationally syndicated radio programs including "Performance Today" and “Music Through the Night” and has continued his work as a public radio producer and broadcaster creating series including The Sound of 13, Gateways Radio, and Noteworthy Classical in partnership with institutions across the United States.

Away from the airwaves and performance stages, Loki is a thought leader at the intersections of contemporary culture, western classical music, and racial equity, offering guest lectures, facilitating training sessions, and leading dialogues with collaborators including the Gateways Music Festival, the Sphinx Organization, the Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater, the San Francisco Symphony, Cornell University, the Peabody Institute, Yale University, and the Manhattan School of Music. In the press, Loki has been noted as not only a "classical agitator", but also "a Black talent in public media that you may not know but should". In 2021, the New York Times noted his podcast, TRILLOQUY, as “required listening”.

Loki holds music degrees from the University of Memphis and the University of Southern California in Bassoon Performance. In addition to working as a musician, arts administrator, and media producer, Loki maintains professional affiliations with the American Composers Forum, the Black Opera Alliance, the Gateways Music Festival, the Cedar Cultural Center of Minneapolis, and the Lakes Area Music Festival.

Loki is a practitioner of Nichiren Buddhism, supporting the Washington Heights chapter of the Soka Gakkai International in New York City.

Paul Laraia

Acclaimed by The Strad for his "eloquent” and "vibrant" playing, violist Paul Laraia is an active soloist, chamber musician, and new music proponent. In competition, he was awarded First Prize in the 13th Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, First Prize in the 14th National Sphinx Competition, and Gold Medal with High Distinction at the fifth Manhattan International Music Competition.

As an internationally acclaimed soloist, Laraia has performed with major orchestras such as the Pittsburgh Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Filharmonica de Bogotá, New Jersey Symphony, Nashville Symphony, New Haven Symphony, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and has been a featured soloist at London's Wigmore Hall, the Shalin Liu Performance Center, the 40th International Viola Congress, and at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Since 2013, Laraia has been a member of the Grammy Award-winning Catalyst Quartet, which has held residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Chamber Music Northwest in Portland, Oregon, and SF Performances in San Francisco.

Paul has worked directly with many of the leading voices in composition such as Jessie Montgomery, David Ludwig Serkin, Gabriella Lena Frank, Richard Danielpour, Jimmy Lopez, and Todd Machover. He also maintains a close artistic partnership with Taiwanese composer Shiuan Chang, with whom he is crafting new work calling for peace in our troubled times.

Laraia completed his studies at New England Conservatory under Kim Kashkashian and the Glenn Gould School in Toronto under Steven Dann has been Professor of Viola at the Boston Conservatory of Music since 2023.

Cyrano Jett Rosentrater

Cyrano Jett Rosentrater, age 16, is a Philadelphia based violinist-composer pursuing the creation of authentic musical experiences. Cyrano attends the J.R. Masterman HS and is a Primavera artist, first violinist of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, recipient of the SPHINX MPower Grant in 2022, and the Marian Anderson Grant for Young Artists in 2018.

Cyrano studies violin with principal violinist Kimberly Fisher, of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He began violin studies at age 4 with Scott Wagner, and piano at 5 with Dr. Ariane Alexander. Cyrano currently studies composition with Dr. Thomas Weaver at the Curtis Institute. He studies voice with Dr. Timothy Renner; Cyrano serves as music director and arranger for the J.R. Masterman "Sweet Sixteen" SSAATTBB a cappella ensemble. Additionally, Cyrano is the founding violinist of the Tres Voces Piano Trio.

He has had violin masterclasses with Hilary Hahn, David Kim, Curtis Stewart, Melissa White, and Domenic Salerni, and composition masterclasses with Jessie Montgomery, Ketty Nez, James M. Stephenson, and Thomas Whitman. Also, Cyrano serves as a substitute for the DePue Brothers Band bluegrass ensemble on their "Christmas Grassical" tours.

Cyrano, the 2023-24 MTNA PA State Senior Performance String Division winner, has served as concertmaster for various youth orchestras, including Philadelphia All-City (HS/middle school). Cyrano won first prize in the Charleston International Music Competition - Contemporary Division, performing his own composition. Cyrano is an alum of SPA Curtis and Juilliard, performing in a recital at Morse Hall.

Cyrano's music has been performed in the Koussevitsky Music Shed (Tanglewood), Steinmetz Hall (Orlando), and Finlandia Hall (ISME World Conference, Helsinki).

Cyrano enjoys studying poetry. Last year, he received a Scholastic Silver Key for his poem "So Classical Music is Dead". Cyrano always wishes to be curious, never stop learning, and to inspire emotion in his audiences.

Jaime Sharp

Jaime Sharp (she/they) is a Black queer nonprofit leader and classically trained vocalist residing on the stolen territory of the Three Fires People and members of the Kickapoo, Peoria, and Myaamia tribes. She strives to evolve organizational culture by challenging structural exclusion and disrupting the pipeline to executive leadership through the instillment of knowledge and access to adequate resources and mutual aid. Jaime stands firm in the belief that anti-racism is not possible without dismantling White supremacy culture and reaching Black liberation across all communities of the global majority. They are currently the Program Manager for Grantmakers in the Arts, a national association for arts & culture funders, and are the founding director of Cultivart, an online resource hub for emerging Black and Brown arts administrators. Passionate about community involvement, they are on the steering committee for the LGBTQ+ Network at OPERA America and the Chicago Chapter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. Additionally, she serves on associate boards for the Chicago Chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professional Network, Lyric Opera of Chicago Young Professionals, Chicago Symphony African American Network, and Chicago Philharmonic. Jaime is an alumnus of several arts and culture fellowship programs including A.R.T./Harvard University (Arts & Culture Management Program), National Arts Strategies/University of Pennslyvania (Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy), Women of Color in the Arts (Leadership Through Mentorship), artEquity (BIPOC Leadership Circle), Association of Arts Administration Educators (EDI Research Fellow), OPERA America (Opera Leaders of Color and Leadership Intensive, Turn the Spotlight Fellowship, The Dallas Opera (Hart Institute for Women Administrators), and Tom O’ Connor Consulting Group (All Rise Initiative). They have previously worked for Opera NexGen, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Black Opera Alliance, University Musical Society, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

www.jaime-sharp.com