Spanning Boundaries: A conversation with CMPI mentor James Sanders
Chicago-born-and-based violinist James Sanders has drawn inspiration from his mother’s Dominican heritage along with his classical pedigree to create a…
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Celebrating the musical contributions of liberty, love, and Black Americans
Dear Friends and Family of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative, It seems like so much has changed since I wrote to you at the end of 2020: COVID vaccines are…
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My audition breakthrough? Take a break!
CMPI Viola Fellow Bryce Kayser has had an eventful start to 2021. At the end of January, he performed with Chance the Rapper on CBS’s Late Show with Stephen Colbert.…
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The DOs and DON’Ts for Zoom Mock Auditions
Last month, CMPI hosted a series of Live, Over Zoom! Mock Auditions. The senior woodwinds and brass played for trumpet professor Leah Schumann from VanderCook College of Music, flute professor…
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Faculty Feature: William Buchman
Bill Buchman is an example of the career success and longevity possible in classical music, and that there are many paths one can take to get there. Bill has worked…
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Know a Fellow: Eric Bahena
CMPI Bassoon Fellow Eric Bahena "Make sure you start your college applications early," advises Eric Bahena, a senior bassoon fellow with the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative. To date, Eric has…
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Know a Fellow: Miriam Kessler
CMPI Harp Fellow Miriam Kessler Sophomore Miriam Kessler is particularly unique when compared to other CMPI fellows -- she is CMPI’s only harpist! Ironically, she chose the harp at age…
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New instruments for CMPI Fellows!
New instruments for CMPI Fellows! As we get ready to usher in a New Year, several CMPI students from the 2020-2021 cohort have already used their instrument stipend to purchase…
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A conversation with CMPI mentor Kevin Gupana
Kevin Gupana distinctly remembers when he first got serious about the oboe. It was his freshman year of high school, at the annual holiday assembly. “The full orchestra was onstage,…
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Santa’s come early: Here’s your December CMPI newsletter!
Dear Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative community, Can you imagine a holiday season without music? From popular songs to church choirs to roaming carolers—and even some of those earworm commercial jingles—these…
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Know a Fellow: Zachary Allen
CMPI Oboe Fellow Zachary Allen CMPI fellows are truly extraordinary, in music and in life, as you will see in this Q & A with Zachary Allen. Zach is a…
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Know a Fellow: Noah Briones
During the summer break, CMPI Violin Fellow Noah Briones kept himself busy and active while staying at home. In the two summers prior to joining CMPI, Noah participated in Birch…
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Faculty Feature: Martine Benmann
Fostering Musicality: CMPI Faculty Member Martine Benmann CMPI Faculty Member Martine Benmann Cellist and pedagogue Martine Benmann has been immersed in music-making for quite literally her entire life. “Although my…
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Introducing CMPI Faculty Member Orit Carpenter
Free your mind and the breaths will follow A screen grab of CMPI Performance Psychologist Dr. Orit Carpenter, from her summer 2020 Zoom lecture to the program’s senior fellows. “Working…
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Know a Fellow: Rafael Noriega
It’s that time of year! The weather is changing, clothing styles are back to layering, and high school seniors are stressing. Well, not too much, hopefully. The Chicago Musical Pathways…
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Know a Fellow: Nando Cordeiro
CMPI Fellow Nando Corderio CMPI trumpet fellow Nando Cordeiro takes us on his journey of the last few months, transitioning to online learning, taking trial lessons while at the same…
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Know a Fellow: Ixchel Camacho
CMPI Violin Fellow Ixchel Camacho performs as a member of the Orquesta la Tezoateca This year, CMPI seniors are adapting to the new virtual process of engaging prospective colleges. For…
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Know a Fellow: Kailie Holliday
CMPI Fellow Kailie Holliday Cellist Kailie Holliday is certainly making the most of her final year of high school. Not only is she playing in the Merit School of Music…
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Faculty Feature: Lucinda Ali-Landing
Generational Talent: CMPI Faculty Member Lucinda Ali-Landing Lucinda Ali-Landing wears many hats in Chicago’s music community — she is a violinist, educator, entrepreneur, and advocate. So it follows naturally that…
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Go Fund Them: Help finance new instruments for CMPI fellows
Four CMPI fellows, Sameer Agrawal (violin, grade 9), Abby Lopez (bassoon, grade 12), Jonathan Miller (cello, grade 9) and Oliver Talukder (oboe, grade 12), were featured on WFMT’s Introductions on Saturday, December…
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Zoomed In: CMPI offers elite masterclasses in 20-21
The fall semester has been packed with incredible masterclass performance opportunities for CMPI fellows. The busy calendar of activities launched on October 5, with a masterclass led by Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist…
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This #GivingTuesday, give the gift of music, opportunity, and access.
Dear Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative community, The holiday season is upon us! I hope everyone had a meaningful and safe Thanksgiving and/or Native American Heritage Days. I will not lament…
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CMPI Announces Inaugural Class
Seven Music Education Organizations Come Together to Support Young Musicians From Traditionally Underrepresented Communities in the Greater Chicago Area.
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Fall Kickoff: Welcome 2020/2021 CMPI Fellows
Four CMPI fellows, Sameer Agrawal (violin, grade 9), Abby Lopez (bassoon, grade 12), Jonathan Miller (cello, grade 9) and Oliver Talukder (oboe, grade 12), were featured on WFMT’s Introductions on Saturday, December…
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Know a Fellow: Ella Saputra
Sixteen-year-old violinist Ella Saputra is already well on her way toward a professional career. She has performed solo with orchestras several times, including twice with Midwest Young Artists Conservatory ensembles,…
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Alumni Spotlight: Oliver Talukder
CMPI inaugural fellow Oliver Talukder is one of only 12 musicians chosen to join the incoming undergraduate class of the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music this school year. Now a…
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Know a Fellow: Anika Veda
CMPI flute fellow Anika Veda already has amassed several musical honors, including a performance at Carnegie Hall as the winner of the 2019 American Protégé Music Talent Competition. This Halloween–October…
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CMPI Faculty Member Dr. Tanya Lesinksy Carey
Building Bridges: CMPI Faculty Member Dr. Tanya Lesinksy Carey Acclaimed cello instructor Tanya Lesinsky Carey has been helping students reach their full musical potential for decades. Her students have won…
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Virtually Proficient: CMPI Fellows offer insights on upcoming virtual recital
Recitals and gatherings at CMPI will be virtual through January, and possibly through the end of the school year. A year ago, the suggestion of a virtual recital would have…
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Read all about it! CMPI in the news, Summer 2020
CMPI received a lot of attention from the media this summer! In case you missed any of it, here are some quick links to get you all caught up… CMPI…
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Program Overview
What is CMPI? Made possible by a $3.5 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the mission of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI) is to identify and develop…
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Solo with ensemble: Fellows recall concerto experiences
For many musicians, the pinnacle of accomplishment is performing as a soloist with an orchestra. Several CMPI students have already achieved this tremendous milestone and were kind enough to share…
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Summer Reflections: CMPI Summer 2020
Summer Reflections: A look back at CMPI’s end-of-season activities Above: CMPI Fellow Julia Soto performs a socially distanced concerto with accompanist Beilin Han for the CMPI virtual recital on August…
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Alumni Spotlight: Abigail Lopez
ABOVE: CMPI alumna Abigail Lopez poses for a post-recital picture in Symphony Center’s Buntrock Hall. Recent CMPI alumna Abigail Lopez won’t need to travel far this fall to accomplish big…
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Know a Fellow: Brandon Harper
One day Brandon Harper just might compose music at the intersection of classical and jazz. The second-year CMPI percussion fellow is an elite youth musician in both genres. A recent…
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Alumni Spotlight: Amanda Perez
ABOVE: CMPI alumna Amanda Perez poses with her viola after a Fall 2019 recital. Six years ago, Amanda Perez picked up a viola for the first time. It was during…
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Welcome! A new school year, a new newsletter.
Welcome! A new school year, a new newsletter. Dear Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative Community, Greetings, and welcome to the second year of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative! As CMPI Project…
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[VIDEO] Chicago Musical Pathways Is…
In this video, Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI) fellows, parents, and mentors breakdown the components of the program and share what the pathway means to them.
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Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative fellows featured on WFMT’s “Introductions”
Four CMPI fellows, Sameer Agrawal (violin, grade 9), Abby Lopez (bassoon, grade 12), Jonathan Miller (cello, grade 9) and Oliver Talukder (oboe, grade 12), were featured on WFMT’s Introductions on Saturday, December…
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[VIDEO] CMPI featured on NBC 5/Telemundo
Two CMPI fellows, Abby Lopez (bassoon, grade 12) and Rafael Noriega (bass trombone, grade 11), speak to the impact and importance of this new initiative. Watch the video below to…
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Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative Trumpets New Leader
Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative (CMPI), the newly-established training program for talented student musicians from traditionally underrepresented communities, is proud to announce that music education veteran Adrienne Thompson will lead the…
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