Hoff-Barthelson Music School

Honors Program Recital
2026-01-23 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-24 14:30 - 15:30, 2026-01-30 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-01-30 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-31 14:30 - 15:30, 2026-01-31 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Student recital featuring students enrolled in the HBMS Honors Program.
The Honors Program at Hoff-Barthelson Music School offers an enriching opportunity for students who demonstrate exceptional musical talent, commitment, and a strong desire to grow. Open to students age 12 and older—though exceptionally gifted younger students may be considered—the program provides an elevated experience that deepens artistic development through advanced study and performance.
Learn more about the Honors Program here.

Cello Master Class with Ronald Lowry
2026-02-01 13:00 - 15:15 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Ronald Lowry is an active performer in many of Boston’s leading musical organizations. Called a “superb cellist” by the Boston Globe’s Richard Dyer, he is the principal cellist of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and the Boston Ballet Orchestra. Former principal cellist of the National Symphony of Costa Rica, the Handel and Haydn Society, and the Harvard Chamber Orchestra, Mr. Lowry performs frequently with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and with the Boston Pops. As a soloist, he has been featured with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and the Boston Ballet Orchestra on several occasions, as well as the Concert Arts Orchestra of Boston, the National Symphony of Costa Rica, the New England Symphony Orchestra, and several other orchestras in the greater Boston area. Mr. Lowry graduated with honors from Indiana University and the New England Conservatory.
Master Classes at Hoff-Barthelson are open to the public to observe free of charge.

Flute Master Class with Emi Ferguson
2026-02-01 14:00 - 16:15 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Emi Ferguson is on a mission to shake up classical music. Whether playing modern or historical flutes, singing, composing, or speaking about music, she brings centuries of music to life with an adventurous spirit and a fresh perspective. Her performances, ranging from Baroque masterpieces to brand-new commissions, are anything but predictable, blending historical performance with a fearless, modern edge.
A 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, Emi Ferguson is celebrated for her dynamic artistry as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborator. She performs with leading ensembles including AMOC*, Ruckus, the New York New Music Ensemble, the Manhattan Chamber Players, and serves as principal flute of the Handel and Haydn Society. As music director of Camerata Pacifica Baroque, she curates innovative programs that bring a fresh lens to Baroque repertoire.
Her chamber music collaborations are shaped by residencies and performances at major festivals such as Marlboro, Lucerne, Ojai, Bach Virtuosi, and June in Buffalo, experiences that have refined her instinct for musical dialogue and exploration. Emi’s performance of Amazing Grace at the 10th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Ground Zero—alongside Yo-Yo Ma, Paul Simon, and James Taylor—was broadcast worldwide and is now part of the 9/11 Museum’s permanent collection.
Her genre-defying discography includes Amour Cruel, which spent four weeks on the Billboard charts, and Fly the Coop, her collaboration with Ruckus, which debuted at #1 on iTunes Classical and earned high praise from The New York Times. She has appeared at TEDx, on The Discovery Channel, Netflix’s Explained, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and is a host of WQXR’s Young Artists Showcase as well as co-author of Iconic Composers.
Emi made Juilliard history as the first student to earn Undergraduate and Graduate degrees with Scholastic Distinction, followed by a Graduate degree in Historical Performance as a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow.
As an educator, she has served on the faculties of The Juilliard School, the Bach Virtuosi Festival, and the University at Buffalo, and is widely sought after for masterclasses. Born in Japan and raised in London and Boston, she now lives in New York.
Master Classes at Hoff-Barthelson are open to the public to observe free of charge.

HB Artist Series
2026-02-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
The HB Artist Series showcases the artistry of Hoff-Barthelson’s distinguished faculty. Presented in Scarsdale, these concerts offer audiences an intimate encounter with exceptional performances, underscoring the School’s enduring commitment to musical excellence and cultural enrichment in Westchester County.
Program
Menuet Antique – Maurice Ravel
Suite Antique for Flute and Piano – John Rutter
Prelude
Ostinato
Aria
Waltz
Chanson
Rondeau
Donna Elaine, flute
Rie Matsumoto, piano
Kreisleriana, Op. 16 – Robert Schumann
Äußerst bewegt
Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch
Sehr aufgeregt
Sehr langsam
Sehr lebhaft
Sehr langsam
Sehr rasch
Schnell und spielend
Pam Goldberg, piano
Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25 – Johannes Brahms
Allegro
Intermezzo: Allegro ma non troppo — Trio: Animato
Andante con moto
Rondo alla Zingarese: Presto
Nurit Pacht, violin
Daniel Panner, viola *
Peter Seidenberg, cello
Katsura Tanikawa, piano
Purchase tickets here.
Program and artists are subject to change.
View flyer here.
* Guest artist

Compose Yourself! Project Submission Deadline
2026-02-14
The annual Compose Yourself! Project Workshop is a unique and special opportunity for students to share their compositions with visiting professional composers/teaching artists and receive feedback.
Submissions are due by February 14, 2026.
Download the submission form here.
The Compose Yourself! Project Workshop will be held on Saturday, February 28, from 1:00-5:00 pm.

February Recess
2026-02-16 - 2026-02-22
February Recess – The School is closed for regularly scheduled lessons and classes.

Compose Yourself! Project Composition Master Class
2026-02-28 13:00 - 17:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Each year, the Hoff-Barthelson Composition Master Class invites young composers to step into the spotlight. Directed by Dr. Derek Cooper in partnership with Copland House, this highlight of the season offers students an extraordinary opportunity to present their original works and receive thoughtful, professional feedback from celebrated, award-winning composers through the HB Compose Yourself! Project. This year’s composers are Haralabos (Harry) Stafylakis and Max Grafe.
Master Classes are open to the public to observe free of charge.
Haralabos (Harry) Stafylakis is a New York City–based, JUNO-nominated composer from Montreal whose music blends classical tradition with the intensity of heavy metal. Critics have described his work as “dreamy yet rhythmic” (The New York Times) and “ferociously expressive” (Times Colonist), marked by visceral energy and bold harmonic language. He is composer-in-residence with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and co-curator of the Winnipeg New Music Festival. Stafylakis has collaborated with leading classical and metal artists and ensembles worldwide. His album Calibrating Friction (New Amsterdam Records) received a 2024 JUNO nomination, alongside major honors from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, ASCAP,
and SOCAN.
Max Grafe is a composer whose music harnesses modernist vocabularies to create striking, dramatic, and narrative impact. Described by Gramophone as featuring “jagged declamations and muffled filigree,” his works have been commissioned by ensembles including the New York Philharmonic and presented at festivals such as Tanglewood and RED NOTE. Grafe is a founding member of ICEBERG New Music, and his compositions appear on recordings by major ensembles and soloists. He has received numerous honors from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, BMI, and ASCAP. Grafe teaches at Montclair State University and the Kaufman Music Center and is Composer in Residence at Kinhaven Music School.
Pictured: Haralabos (Harry) Stafylakis
View flyer here.

Vocal Master Class with Janna Baty
2026-03-07 14:00 - 16:15 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Described by The Boston Globe as having “a rich, viola-like tone” and singing with “a rapturous, luminous lyricism,” mezzo-soprano Janna Baty enjoys a versatile career performing with opera companies, orchestras, and at festivals around the world as a soloist, chamber musician, and recitalist.
At the Yale School of Music, Baty directs the undergraduate voice lessons program and has often appeared in recitals as a soloist and in collaboration with other Yale School of Music faculty members. She has also been a featured performer at the Yale Summer School of Music/Norfolk Chamber Music Festival.
A specialist in contemporary music, Baty has worked alongside many celebrated composers on performances of their music. She is an alumna of Oberlin College and the Yale School of Music.
Master Classes at Hoff-Barthelson are open to the public to observe free of charge.

HB Artist Series
2026-03-20 19:30 - 21:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
The HB Artist Series showcases the artistry of Hoff-Barthelson’s distinguished faculty. Presented in Scarsdale, these concerts offer audiences an intimate encounter with exceptional performances, underscoring the School’s enduring commitment to musical excellence and cultural enrichment in Westchester County.
Program
Menuet Antique – Maurice Ravel
Suite Antique for Flute and Piano – John Rutter
Prelude
Ostinato
Aria
Waltz
Chanson
Rondeau
Donna Elaine, flute
Tomoko Uchino, piano
Four Songs – Gabriel Fauré
Les berceaux, Op. 23, No. 1
Le secret, Op 23, No. 3
Mandoline Op. 58, No. 1
Après un rêve, Op. 7, No. 1
Andrea Saposnik, mezzo soprano
Andrew Marino, guitar
Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano, Op. 45 – Louise Farrenc
Allegro deciso
Andante
Scherzo, Vivace
Finale, Presto
Donna Elaine, flute
Peter Seidenberg, cello
Joan Forsyth, piano
Purchase tickets here.
Program and artists are subject to change.
View flyer here.

¡Olé! A Salute to Spain
2026-03-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Rye Country Day School, 3 Cedar Street, Rye, NY, 10580, United States
Hoff-Barthelson’s Youth Orchestra Mid-Winter Concert Celebrating 150 years of Manuel de Falla
Dr. Leandro Gazineo, Director of Orchestral Programs
Join us at the Rye Country Day School Performing Arts Center for an inspiring evening of orchestral music featuring the Festival Orchestra under the direction of Leandro Gazineo, and the Young People’s Symphonette and Chamber Orchestra led by Robert Schwartz.
Also featuring two winners of the Second HBMS Concerto Competition
Nicky Vurchio, piano and Melody Dong, violin
Performing works by Georges Bizet, Manuel de Falla, Enrique Granados, Pablo de Sarasate,
as well as J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, Dmitri Shostakovich, Antonio Vivaldi, and others.
General Admission: $15; HBMS Students: Free of charge
Purchase tickets here via Eventbrite.

View flyer here.

Piano Master Class with Victor Cayres
2026-03-22 13:00 - 15:30 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Pianist Victor Cayres has earned praise for concerts with the Sine Nomine string quartet and as soloist with Boston Pops, Orchestre des Jeunes de Fribourg in Switzerland, and Brno Philharmonic in the Czech Republic. He has been a guest artist at Banff Center for the Arts in Canada, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Universidade de São Paulo, University of Connecticut, Claflin University, Wesleyan University, Western Washington University, Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory and State University for Arts and Culture.
He has recorded for Albany, Centaur, Navona, and Parma Records, and frequently performs in Brazil, Europe, South Korea, and in the United States, including Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Preston Bradley Hall, Boston’s Symphony Hall and Jordan Hall. His concerts have been broadcast live at Brazil’s TV Cultura channel, Boston’s WGBH 99.5 All Classical, and Chicago’s WFMT Fine Arts Radio. Mr. Cayres currently serves as Lecturer at Boston University, Co-Director for Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Piano Program, and Faculty at New England Conservatory Preparatory School and Rivers School Conservatory.
Master Classes at Hoff-Barthelson are open to the public to observe free of charge.

Flutes of Spring
2026-03-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Bronxville Public Library, 201 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY, 10708, United States
A spring concert presented by the Hoff-Barthelson Music School Flute Club under the direction of Donna Elaine and the Adult Flute Choir under the direction of Joseph Piscitelli.
Performing works by Albinoni, Fauré, Elgar, Purcell, Sparke, Chamberlain, Boismortier, Caliendo, and others.
Admission is free of charge.
View flyer here.

Family Concert
2026-03-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Each year, Hoff-Barthelson Music School invites families to share in the joy of making music together at our Annual Family Concert. Students are joined by siblings, parents, grandparents, cousins, and extended family members for an evening that celebrates music-making across generations.
One of our most cherished community traditions, the Family Concert offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere filled with joyful performances and meaningful musical connections.
To reserve a place on the Family Concert program, please speak with your teacher or your child’s teacher. The deadline to sign up is Saturday, March 14, 2025. For additional information, contact April Johnson.

Spring Recess
2026-03-30 - 2026-04-05
Spring Recess – The School is closed for regularly scheduled lessons and classes.

Elaine Stamas Chamber Music Residency
2026-04-12 13:00 - 14:30 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
The 2026 Elaine Stamas Chamber Music Residency offers HBMS student ensembles the chance to perform for and receive coaching from musicians of the New York Philharmonic. These esteemed artists bring their deep expertise in ensemble playing, helping young musicians refine their technique, enhance their musicianship, and develop a deeper understanding of musical style.
This year’s coaches include:
Lisa Kim, violin
Anna Rabinova, violin
Matthew Christakos, cello
Mindy Kaufman, flute
Hanna Kim, piano
Coaches are subject to change.
The Master Classes are followed by a chamber music concert by musicians from the New York Philharmonic at 3:15 pm.

Chamber Music Masterworks with Musicians of the NY Philharmonic
2026-04-12 15:15 - 16:30 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Join us for a thrilling afternoon of chamber music performed by musicians from the New York Philharmonic as part of the School’s Elaine Stamas Chamber Music Residency.
Earlier in the day, HBMS student ensembles participated in the Residency, receiving coaching from these world-class musicians. Each half of the program will be preceded by a performance by a student ensemble selected from the Residency participants. The concert will start at 3:15 pm.
General admission is $40; HBMS students may attend free of charge.
Purchase tickets here.
Program:
Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67 (1944) Dmitri Shostakovich
Andante – Moderato
Allegro con brio
Largo
Allegretto – Adagio
Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) Astor Piazzolla
Primavera Porteña (Buenos Aires Spring)
Invierno Porteño (Buenos Aires Winter)
Lisa Kim, violin
Matthew Christakos, cello
Hanna Kim, piano
Performers and program subject to change.

Student Composer's Recital
2026-04-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Student Recital featuring music composed by participants of the Compose Yourself! Project and HBMS Composition classes under the direction of Derek Cooper.
Part of The Music of Our Time Festival.
View Festival flyer here.

Composer Collaborations Student Recital
2026-04-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Students perform works by living composers whom they have worked directly with during the preparation of their pieces. Through coaching sessions with the composers themselves, the performers gain unique insight into the music and bring these contemporary works vividly to life.
Part of the Music of Our Time Festival.
View Festival flyer here.

HB Artist Series
2026-04-17 19:30 - 21:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
The HB Artist Series showcases the artistry of Hoff-Barthelson’s distinguished faculty. Presented in Scarsdale, these concerts offer audiences an intimate encounter with exceptional performances, underscoring the School’s enduring commitment to musical excellence and cultural enrichment in Westchester County.
Program
California Suite for Flute and Piano (2021) – Kian Ravaei
I. Least Bell’s Vireo
IV. California Black Rail
Donna Elaine, flute
Katsura Tanikawa, piano
A.D.H.D. – Derek Cooper
Daniel Spitzer, clarinet
Peter Seidenberg, cello
Andrew Marino, guitar
A Selection of Original Jazz Works – Rolf Sturm
Winter Solstice
Rain’s End
Green Arches
Rolf Sturm, nylon string guitar, electric guitar
Dean Johnson, acoustic bass *
Fuzzy Bird Sonata – Takashi Yoshimatsu
I. Run, bird
II. Sing, bird
III. Fly, bird
Daniel Spitzer, clarinet
Tomoko Uchino, piano
Prelude – Gary Philo
Burlesque – Robert Pollock
Joan Forysyth, piano
William Anderson, guitar, banjo *
Saans (Breath) 2017 – Reena Esmail
April Johnson, violin
Peter Seidenberg, cello
Tomoko Uchino, piano
Purchase tickets here.
Program and artists are subject to change.
*= guest artist
View flyer here.

The Soviets: 1922-1988 Student Recital
2026-04-18 14:30 - 15:30 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
This recital explores music written in the Soviet Union between 1922 and 1988, a period marked by extraordinary artistic achievement amid profound political constraint. Featuring works by leading Soviet composers, the program highlights the depth, drama, and expressive power that emerged from this complex chapter of musical history.
Part of the Music of Our Time Festival.
View Festival flyer here.

1976-Present Student Recital
2026-04-18 16:00 - 17:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
This recital celebrates music written from 1976 to the present, highlighting the diverse voices and styles that have shaped contemporary classical and crossover repertoire. Featuring works by composers such as John Williams, Philip Glass, Astor Piazzolla, Vincent Persichetti, Ian Clarke, and Yiruma, the program reflects the rich variety of musical expression from the late twentieth century to today.
Part of the Music of Our Time Festival.
View Festival flyer here.

Women at the Millennium: 1976 - Present Student Recital
2026-04-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
This recital celebrates the creativity and expressive range of women composers whose works have shaped the musical landscape from the late twentieth century to today. Featuring music by composers including Lori Laitman, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Hilary Tann, Christine Donkin, Andrea Casarrubios, and others, the program highlights distinctive voices writing at the turn of the millennium and beyond.
Part of the Music of Our Time Festival.
View Festival flyer here.

Micro Commissions Project Student Recital
2026-04-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
Now in its second year, the Micro-Commissions Project is an innovative collaboration between Hoff-Barthelson Music School and the Manhattan School of Music. Co-directed by Peter Seidenberg and Reiko Füting, Chair of Composition at MSM, the initiative pairs ten HBMS students with undergraduate composers from MSM to create brand-new works tailored to each student’s instrument and level.
Part of the Music of Our Time Festival.
View Festival flyer here.

Jazz and Poetry: Spring 2026
2026-04-19 14:30 - 16:00 | Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmsted Road, Scarsdale, NY, 10583, United States
The Scarsdale Public Library and Hoff-Barthelson Music School invite you to a Sunday afternoon of poetry and jazz exploring the theme of “milk and tears”—the sweet and the difficult, joy and sorrow held side by side. As spring brings renewal, creativity, and brighter days, this program reflects the ways poetry and jazz offer flexibility, empathy, and comfort in times of uncertainty.
Enjoy an engaging program of readings and music that is at once playful and uplifting, while also honest and thought-provoking. Together, these works remind us that joy and struggle often arise from the same source—and that both are essential to what sustains us.
The event features local Scarsdale poets alongside the Hoff-Barthelson Music School Adult Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ed Palermo.

Flute and Viola Clubs Music of Our TIme Concert
2026-04-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, 10583, United States
The Junior Flutes, Flute Club, and Adult Flute Choir, along with the Viola Club, perform works composed between 1976 and the present.
Part of the Music of Our Time Festival.
View Festival flyer here.
