Lawrence - Kansas City - Topeka - Manhattan
Meet the Musicians
Evan Flynn, Violin
Event Coordinator
Violinist Evan Flynn is an established collaborative artist, chamber musician, and educator. She is the prizewinner of multiple MTNA chamber music competitions and has performed extensively throughout the Midwest and Germany, notably with the Illinois Symphony, Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, and Eutiner Festspiele Orchester. Ms. Flynn has received training from renowned artists including the Pacifica Quartet, Miami Quartet, Parker Quartet, Arianna Quartet, Jupiter Quartet, Fry Street Quartet, and Sunho Kim, among others. She has participated in festivals as a performer including Midwest Young Artists, Madeline Island Chamber Music, and UW-Madison Summer Music. Ms. Flynn holds Master of Music degrees in Music Theory and Performance from the University of Kansas. Her academic interests include synesthesia-based audio and visual arts and post-tonal theory.
Erin Wood, Harp
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Erin Wood joined the faculty of University of Kansas in 2011, having previously taught at University of Nevada Reno, Indiana University Southeast, and the Arts Institute in New Albany Indiana. She has served as the principal harpist of the Reno Chamber Orchestra and the Utah Festival Opera. Erin has enjoyed performing as a soloist and chamber musician for the Seventh World Harp Congress in Prague, the American Harp Society Summer Institute in Los Angeles, and the Harp Carnivale in New Orleans. She was a prize winner in the Prix Renie and National Society for Arts and Letters. In 2014 Erin was elected to serve on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the American Harp Society. Erin studied with Susann McDonald at Indiana University where she earned Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Harp Performance as well as being awarded the Performer's Certificate.
Wesley Snell, Harp
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Wesley Snell is a native of Kansas City and received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance from The University of Missouri-Kansas City. Currently, she performs with the Kansas City Ballet Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera, Starlight Theater Orchestra, St. Joseph Symphony as well as keeping a busy free-lance schedule. She enjoys teaching harp and has approximately 25 students. Wesley has recorded with several ensembles, including the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Chorale, Heartland Men's Chorus and solo artists Kimberly Lord, Tom Jacobs, and Wes Winters. She joined Mannheim Steamroller in Omaha, NE for the filming of their "Christmas in the Aire" video. The sound track was released as the Mannheim Steamroller "Christmas Live" CD. Wesley has performed Live on stage with Wayne Newton, Victor Borga, the Who, Judy Collins, Lucy Arnez, Frank Sinatra Jr, Steve Lawrence & Edie Gorme, and on more than one occasion with Johnny Mathis, The Moody Blues, Doc Severenson, Mannheim Steamroller, and Josh Groben. With the opening of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in September, 2011 Wesley was delighted to perform in the Lyric Opera of Kansas City's presention of "Turandot" in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre as well as the Grand Opening of Helzberg Hall.
Jiwon Choi, Piano
Dr. Jiwon Choi’s performances have spanned many venues throughout the United States, South Korea and Italy. She was invited to perform in the inaugural event of the 2017 Seattle International Piano Competition and Festival and world premiere compositions at the 2013 International Beethoven Festival in Chicago. She has also joined Italian Operatic Experience as a coach in Urbania, Italy. She has won awards in national and international competitions including: First Prize of the 2014 American Protégé International Competition, marking her debut at Carnegie Hall, First Prize of Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition, and Puerto Rico International Collaborative Piano Competition, and she was selected as a Finalist in the professional division of The American Prize national competition.
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Choi holds a DMA in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Kansas, where she served as Graduate Teaching Assistantship and a faculty at the University of Kansas Community Music School. She received her MM at Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and her BM at Dong-Ah University in South Korea.
She is currently collaborative pianist and coordinator of collaborative piano at Northwest Missouri State University.
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Shupei Wang, Violin
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Shupei Wang is a violinist and educator who has performed with the Kansas City Symphony, Wichita Symphony, and Des Moines Symphony. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Violin Performance from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where she was awarded the Concertmaster Fellowship. Shupei has also taught young musicians through Harmony Project KC, Sprouts KC, and the University of Missouri.
An active performer and dedicated teacher, she is passionate about sharing her love of music and guiding students to achieve their fullest potential. Shupei lives in Overland Park with her husband, their dog, and their newborn baby boy.​
Daniel Yung, Cello and Piano
Daniel Yung grew up in Kansas City where he started playing piano, cello, guitar, percussion, bass, and whatever else he could get his hands on. He holds Bachelor degrees in both piano and cello from Truman State University as well as a Masters in Cello Performance from University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). In addition to teaching and freelancing, Mr. Yung works as the accompanist of choirs for Pleasant Hill Middle and High School. He has recently been involved in groups of many varieties such as the Westwood Ensemble, Midwest Chamber Ensemble, St. Joseph Symphony, his low string trio; No Treble, an indie folk rock band; Times and Places, and his new jazz combo; Legerdemain, in which he plays some keys, bass, and drums.
Larry Hernandez, Cello
Larry Hernandez started playing cello at the age of 9 through his elementary school’s strings
program. He earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Cello Performance from the University
of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory, studying under Michael Mermagen. Other
influential teachers of his include Carter Enyeart, Alexander East, Amir Eldan, Emilio Colón,
and Amit Peled. Larry has performed throughout the United States at festivals such as, Puerto
Piano and Strings, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Miami Music Festival (MMF) in Miami Beach,
Florida, the Hunter International Music Festival in Hunter, New York, the Innsbrook Music
Festival in St. Louis, and a Fellow/Coach at the Frostburg Summer Music Academy in
Maryland.
Hernandez has played in the UMKC Conservatory Orchestra (as principal cello), Saint Joseph
Symphony, Topeka Symphony Orchestra, Springfield (MO) Symphony, Kinnor Philharmonic
(acting principal), and the MMF Symphony and Opera orchestras. He is the former cellist of the
UMKC Graduate Fellowship String Quartet, 2020-21. He has performed as a soloist at Kauffman Center’s Helzberg Hall, playing Saint-Saën’s “The Swan.” Hernandez was a prize winner in the 2020 Associazione Napolinova World Cello E-Competition. He has performed in master classes for Hans Jørgen Jensen, David Finkel & Wu Han, Michael Stern, Zlatomir Fung, Michael Mermagen, Amit Peled, Eckart Runge, Keith Robinson, Nathan Cole, and Emilio Colón. He also performed in the string orchestra alongside the Eagles as part of their 2022 Hotel California tour. Larry is passionate about outreach and is proud to be a Cello Teaching Artist at Harmony Project-Kansas City, a non-profit music program for underserved children in Kansas City,
Missouri. He also is a mentor for Akojopo, a Chicago based non-profit that provides musical
resources to musicians living in Nigeria.
Andrew Bonci Jr., Viola and Guitar
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Andrew S Bonci Jr was born and raised in the Kansas City Metro Area and attended Shawnee Mission North High School, where he began his musical journey with viola and guitar in the school orchestra and jazz ensemble. He holds two degrees from the University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance; a Bachelor of Arts in Music (2018) and a Master’s of Music in Viola Performance (2021). During his time at the Conservatory he was under the tutelage of Scott Lee, but also had the opportunity to study with such professors as Joe Genualdi, Benny Kim, and Carter Enyart. Andrew has been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to play viola in on-stage orchestras with bands and touring acts coming through the Kansas City and St Louis area. These bands/artists include Evanescence, Lindsey Sterling, The Hanson Brothers, and The Eagles. Most recently, Andrew has earned a section viola chair in the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and looks forward to playing symphonic works! Andrew has had an extensive career playing guitar in the Kansas City metro, playing with local bands/collectives as a recording studio session musician, and musical theater pit orchestras – from The Barn Players to The University of Kansas Theater Department. He has been teaching privately for eight years, during which he has had the joy of assisting young musicians reach their fullest potential.
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Sora Park Shepard, Piano
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Pianist, Sora Park Shepard is a collegiate educator, church keyboardist, and collaborative artist. After graduating from Hanyang University in Seoul, South Korea, she moved to the United States to continue graduate studies, receiving a Master’s degree from Western Illinois University and an Artist Diploma from the conservatory at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. While in the U.S., Shepard has found success as a soloist, performing several concertos with regional orchestras and additionally was awarded first place in both the American Prize competition and the Artist Presentation Society Competition in St. Louis. On demand as a collaborative artist, she has performed for several university and professional ensembles, and is a current member of Soom Soloist Ensemble in Atlanta, GA. When not playing and teaching piano, Sora enjoys running, weight lifting, tending her plants, and spending time with her cat, Mimsey, and her husband, Matthew.
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Alla Wijnands, Violin
Violinist Alla Wijnands holds a Master’s Degree & Artist Diploma from the Saint Petersburg State Conservatory in Russia and prior to that, she studied at the Special Music School for Gifted Children, Polevskoy City Music School in Sverdlovsk, Russia. Ms. Wijnands was a founding member of the Saint Petersburg String Quartet and as such, participated in international concert tours, including 45 U.S states and Lincoln Center in NYC, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Philharmonic Hall of Saint Petersburg (Russia), Wigmore Hall in London (UK), and many others. Alla has an extensive experience performing with various symphony and chamber orchestras such as Concert Master of Leningrad Chamber Orchestra, 1st Violin Section of Israeli Symphony Orchestra of Rishou Lezion, and Concert Master of Miami City Ballet. Ms. Wijnands began as a violin teacher more than 30 years ago as an Assistant Professor of Violin at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. Later she taught at the Beif Barbier Conservatory of Music in Tel Aviv, the Saint Petersburg International Summer Academy, and has given chamber music and solo violin masterclasses around the world. Currently, Alla Wijnands resides in Kansas City, Missouri, enjoying performances as substitute with the Kansas City Symphony, Tulsa Symphony, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, Omaha Symphony and others. In addition, she holds a teaching position at the Kansas City School of Music including teaching violin and viola, performing with various chamber ensembles.
Diyorbek Nortojiev, Cello
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Originally from Uzbekistan, Diyorbek's musical journey began over a decade ago at the prestigious Glier School of Music in Tashkent, where he honed his craft under celebrated mentors such as Dadabaeva Nigora and Jakhangir Ibragimov. His talent has gained international recognition, notably in 2024, Diyorbek was honored as the recipient of the Undergraduate Scholarship from the Kansas City Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. In 2018 when he showcased his skills at the IV S. Knushevitsky International Cello Competition in Saratov, Russia, and secured 1st prize at the II "Istedod" International Music Competition in Tashkent that same year. In 2017, he also earned 3rd prize at the A. Jubanov International Competition in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Diyorbek has continued refining his artistry through participation in masterclasses with distinguished musicians such as Na Mula and Suren Bagratuni. While passionate about solo cello repertoire, he also finds great joy in collaborating with chamber ensembles and orchestras.
Angela Diaw Violin/Viola
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Angela Diaw earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in violin performance as well as a Master’s in education. She is in her eighth year of teaching as the orchestra director and strings teacher for the Kansas City Kansas School District. She enjoys teaching and believes that everyone is capable of learning how to play an instrument. She has performed with the Salina Kansas Symphony, Omaha Symphony, and Lincoln Symphony. As a freelance musician Mrs. Diaw has performed with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, James Ingram, Patti Austin, Frank Sinatra Jr., Rod Stewart, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Mannheim Steamroller, Janelle Monae, Lindsay Stirling, Evanescence lead singer Amy Lee, and the Eagles. She has toured China with the Mantovani Orchestra and maintains her own private studio. When she's not teaching, Diaw enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children.
Sarah Lyons, Piano/Organ
An Illinois native, Dr. Sarah Lyons holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Organ Performance from Western Illinois University. She moved to the Kansas City area in 2011 to pursue her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Kansas. Lyons serves as Director of Music and Organist at Parkville Presbyterian Church, and is the Accompanist at Park Hill South High School. She is also the Education Team Leader for the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Andrew Monson, Viola
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Andrew Monson is a music educator, violist, and electric bassist in the Kansas City area. As a violist, he has performed with the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, Midwest Chamber Ensemble, and Taneycomo Festival Orchestra and is a member of the Crossroads Quartet. Mr. Monson teaches middle and elementary level strings in the Blue Valley School District and maintains a private studio. He enjoys playing electric bass in jazz combos and as a church musician. Mr. Monson holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Missouri and his Master's degree in Music Education from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.
Alberto Racanati, Piccolo Trumpet
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Alberto Racanati is a genre-bending musician, producer, and composer originally from Bari, Italy, now established in Kansas City. His musical journey started at age 11 when he learned to play his first notes on the trumpet. From Bari, he continued his studies in Gdansk, Poland, then moved to the United States and finally arrived in Kansas City in 2016. His music blends his background as a classically trained trumpet player with jazz, beat culture, and electronica, shaped by his immigrant experience.
Under the moniker "Alber", he released three full-length albums, supported by an active presence onstage all over the country. As a composer, Alberto has written a variety of works on commission, from chamber music to multimedia performances. As a performer, he is active as a sideman, bandleader, and orchestral player in numerous genres from jazz to classical and beyond.
John Livingston, Piano
John Livingston has worked extensively as a collaborative pianist, getting his start at the age
of 13. Since then, he has had a continuous stream of collaborative experiences ranging from
choirs to musical theatre, to college instrumental lessons and recitals, and more.
In 2009 at the age of 18, Mr. Livingston partnered with a local community theatre company,
Pentacle Theater, in their production of “My Fair Lady”. Hooked by this initial foray into
musical theater, Mr. Livingston continued to work with Pentacle Theater on 6 of their
following musical productions. During this partnership, his talents were developed as both a
rehearsal and performance pianist for musical theater. Beyond this work, John continued to
strengthen his reputation as an accompanist, working with local middle and high school
choirs. Notably, he accompanied West Salem High School’s choir in their 1st place
performance in Oregon State High School Choir competition in the year 2013.
Being accepted to the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2013, John studied Piano
Performance under the highly sought after tutelage of Dr. Robert Weirich, earning his
Bachelor of Music degree (cum laude) in 2017. During his undergrad John worked closely
with singers from all the voice studios which culminated in being asked to play Stravinsky’s
famously difficult aria “No Word from Tom” from The Rake’s Progress at commencement
ceremony in the Kauffman Center. John was subsequently accepted into the Master’s program
at UMKC and was awarded one of the Opera Accompanying graduate assistantship. During
his time at UMKC, along with all the work with singers, John also incorporated extensive
instrumental accompanying, playing for lessons and recitals for cellists, violinists, oboists,
trombonists, and more.
In recent years, John has also developed a relationship with the Midwest Chamber Ensemble
in Kansas City and has played on many of their concerts since 2020. John is also a founding
member and principal accompanist of Choral Spectrum, a LGBTQ and supporting choir which
is the first of its kind in Kansas City.
Along with other members from the opera community of Kansas City, John became a
founding member of Dramatic Voices Midwest, an opera company based in Kansas City
which was formed to provide more opportunities for dramatic singers to have opportunities
that are few and far between otherwise. Through the first two seasons, John played the entire
score for Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde and Die Walküre, the second opera from
Wagner’s epic four-part Ring Cycle.
Besides his undergrad work with Dr. Robert Weirich, John has had masterclasses with
esteemed teachers including Gilbert Kalish, Alon Goldstein, and Margot Garret. John
completed his Master’s degree at UMKC in 2019, having studied with the 2013 Van Cliburn
third prize winner, Sean Chen.
John is currently the full-time accompanist at the Pembroke Hill School.
Jesse Henkensiefken, Cello
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A Kansas native, Jesse Henkensiefken performs regularly as a cellist and conductor. He serves as the Program Manager for Harmony Project KC and is a Mid-America Performing Arts Alliance co-founder. He was the Director of Orchestras & String Studies, String Division Director and International Music Festival Director at Kansas Wesleyan University from 2014-2019, and served as the Salina Symphony Assistant Conductor during the same time. He has additional experience performing as the Manhattan School of Music Contemporary Opera Ensemble Assistant Conductor from 2012-2014, and was the Ars Viva Chamber Orchestra Music Director from 2009-14.
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Henkensiefken has concertized throughout Asia, Latin America, and the United States, having performed alongside artists including Clive Greensmith, Steven Doane, Christina Bouey, Tatiana Tessman, and Mark O’Connor, to name a few. He has studied conducting at both the Manhattan School of Music in NYC and at the University of Kansas. In 2015, he had the privilege of traveling to the Tchaikovsky State Moscow Conservatory in Russia, where he had further training under the direction of Anatoly Levin. His other mentors include George Manahan, David Gilbert, Nikolai Uljanov, Paul Vermel, Leonard Slatkin and Kurt Masur.
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As a cellist, Henkensiefken was a Sorbel Award Winner at the Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Competition in 2011, and has been principal cellist for orchestras including Ensemble du Monde (NYC), the Empire State Sinfonia (Brooklyn, NY) Kansas City Philharmonia (Parkville, MO), and the Salina Symphony (Salina, KS). In addition, Henkensiefken has made solo appearances with the Sine Nomine Chamber Orchestra, Lawrence Chamber Orchestra, West Coast Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Manheim Steamroller, Ensemble de Monde and the KWU String Orchestra. During the 2006-2007 season, he was a substitute cellist for the New World Symphony. In 2010, Henkensiefken completed his D.M.A. in Cello Performance at the University of Kansas.
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Kristin Newbegin, Soprano
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Dr. Kristin Newbegin is a Kansas City–based soprano, educator, and vocal artist celebrated forher versatility and dynamic musicianship. She has performed with acclaimed ensembles andcompanies including the Grammy Award–winning Kansas City Chorale, Lyric Opera of KansasCity, Des Moines Metro Opera, Te Deum, Opera 180, Opera for the Young, KC Vitas, KantoreiKC, The Meadowlark Project, and NewEar Contemporary Music Ensemble.Alongside her performing career, Kristin is the founder of Newbegin Music, a voice studiooffering private and group instruction, membership programs, and creative resources forsingers. She has previously served on the voice faculties of Missouri Western State University,Central Methodist University, Benedictine College, North Central Missouri College, and HaskellIndian Nations University. Her students have earned recognition in regional and nationalcompetitions and perform on stages across the country.Kristin holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Minnesota and Master ofMusic and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in voice from the University of Kansas.
Photo credits: Janis Porietis, Jerry Wang Photography, Cassidy Drury Photography