- Inspiring the next generation of musical artists around the world.
Overview
The Aspen Music Festival and School is the premier classical music festival and school in the United States, noted both for its concert programming and its musical training of young-adult music students. The Simms/Mann Family Foundation knows how important it is for young musicians to experience transformational music created by world-class teachers and peers. In 2000, the Foundation endowed a Piano Chair at the Aspen Music Festival and School. The Chair is awarded to a member of the Aspen piano faculty for special recognition of teaching prominence. This gift also supports 2 Aspen Music Festival and School piano students annually.
Desired Impact
The Simms/Mann Family Foundation gift helps the Aspen Music Festival and School attract the best and brightest musicians from around the globe. For over 2 decades, the Foundation has given over 50 young musicians the opportunity to attend the Aspen Music Festival and School. These students enjoy 8 weeks of intensive study with 120 artist-faculty representing renowned music schools, conservatories, and professional orchestras. During this time, students play alongside the great concertmasters and principals of orchestras, learn from accomplished artists, and attend performances from more than 100 guest artists.
Current Piano Fellows
Youlan Ji
2022 Piano Fellow
Youlan moved to New York to attend the Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division, studying under Yoheved Kaplinsky. Youlan was the First Prize Winner of The 2018 New York International Piano Competition. Pianist Youlan Ji, born...
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Jiacheng Xiong
2022 Piano Fellow
Under the tutelage of Robert McDonald, Xiong is now a well-known fixture at many festivals and competitions. Xiong enjoys performing and sharing his music with others. Born in Nanping City, Fujian China, Jiancheng Xiong’s life...
View BioPast Piano Fellows
Michael Shinn
2004
Liany Farinas
2004
Yuan Tian
2005
PuoChi Huang
2005
Jose Menor
2006; 2007
Esther Shin
2006; 2007
Dariya Bukhartseva
2008
Daniel Walden
2008
Steven Lin
2009; 2010
Hanbo Liu
2009; 2010
Silvan Negrutiu
2011
Hyun Jung Kim
2012
Amanda Gessler
2012
Hyung-Do Kim
2013
Carmen Knoll
2013
Taek Gi Lee
2014
Tsotne Tsotskhalashivili
2014
Qixuan Fan
2015
Jiacheng Xiong
2015; 2016
Dongxu Jin
2016; 2017
Jonathan Heifetz
2017
Elliot Wuu
2018
Eyul Esme Bolucek
2018
Micah McLaurin
2018
Harmony Zhu
2017; 2018; 2019
Yuval Hen
2019
Daniela Liebman
2019; 2021
David JeongMin Kim
2021
Umi Garrett
2021
Endowed chairholders
Ann Schein
Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute
Yoheved (“Veda”) Kaplinsky
The Juilliard School
John O’Conor
Belvedere College
Choong Mo Kang
The Juilliard School
Richard Aaron
The Juilliard School
Gabriel Chodos
New England Conservatory
John Perry
University of Southern California
I’m so excited and honored to learn from Professor Kaplinsky and the many incredible musicians both in my studio and throughout the entire community here.”
