About the Artists.
Pianist Michael Sheppard and violinist Jessica Tong first met at the Peabody Institute, where they studied with legendary pianist Leon Fleisher and violinist Pamela Frank respectively. After their first performance of Mozart Violin Sonatas over ten years ago, they discovered they shared a very rare singular vision in their approaches to music-making, and they have continued to collaborate ever since that first performance, presenting inventive and adventurous programs that integrate both well-loved and lesser known masterpieces for violin and piano.
Known as “a virtuosic soloist possessed of power, sensitivity, earthiness, and humor” (Whitney Smith, Indianapolis Star) with the “power to make an audience sit up and pay attention...thought- provoking for performers and listeners alike” (James Manheim, All Music Guide ), Michael was a winner of the prestigious American Pianists Association Classical Fellow Award, a designation that led to the release of a critically acclaimed solo recording by Harmonia Mundi in 2007. He gives master classes, teaches regularly and plays with some of the top singers and instrumentalists around the US; he also coaches singers, instrumentalists, and conductors, working at both the Peabody Conservatory and the Baltimore School for the Arts, sharing his love and understanding of music and the artistic process with future generations.
Jessica has garnered international acclaim as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician, having been described as an "outstanding talent" (Performing Arts in Canada) with "keen sensitivity and receptivity" (Bloomington Herald Times), who "allow[s] us to savour her sense of ardour and intensity, but never at the detriment of her tonal beauty." (ClassiqueInfo France). She has been a top prizewinner at the Eckhardt-Gramatté Competition, the Toronto Symphony, Canadian Music and Yellow Springs International Chamber Music Competitions and has served as first violinist of both the Vinca and Larchmere String Quartets, during which time she was Artist-in-Residence for the Perlman Music Program in Florida, the ProQuartet Odyssée Program in France and at the University of Evansville in Indiana. She serves as Violin Professor at the State University of New York at Fredonia, Chamber Music Director of the Composers Conference, and Co-Artistic Director of Avaloch Farm Music Institute.
Known as “a virtuosic soloist possessed of power, sensitivity, earthiness, and humor” (Whitney Smith, Indianapolis Star) with the “power to make an audience sit up and pay attention...thought- provoking for performers and listeners alike” (James Manheim, All Music Guide ), Michael was a winner of the prestigious American Pianists Association Classical Fellow Award, a designation that led to the release of a critically acclaimed solo recording by Harmonia Mundi in 2007. He gives master classes, teaches regularly and plays with some of the top singers and instrumentalists around the US; he also coaches singers, instrumentalists, and conductors, working at both the Peabody Conservatory and the Baltimore School for the Arts, sharing his love and understanding of music and the artistic process with future generations.
Jessica has garnered international acclaim as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician, having been described as an "outstanding talent" (Performing Arts in Canada) with "keen sensitivity and receptivity" (Bloomington Herald Times), who "allow[s] us to savour her sense of ardour and intensity, but never at the detriment of her tonal beauty." (ClassiqueInfo France). She has been a top prizewinner at the Eckhardt-Gramatté Competition, the Toronto Symphony, Canadian Music and Yellow Springs International Chamber Music Competitions and has served as first violinist of both the Vinca and Larchmere String Quartets, during which time she was Artist-in-Residence for the Perlman Music Program in Florida, the ProQuartet Odyssée Program in France and at the University of Evansville in Indiana. She serves as Violin Professor at the State University of New York at Fredonia, Chamber Music Director of the Composers Conference, and Co-Artistic Director of Avaloch Farm Music Institute.
Live performances.
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W.A. Mozart Violin Sonata in Eb, K. 302
(complete) Live Performance from Fredonia Guest Artist Recital Rosch Recital Hall S. Prokofiev Violin Sonata no. 1 in F Minor, op. 80 Allegro brusco Live Performance from Fredonia Guest Artist Recital Rosch Recital Hall R. Strauss Violin Sonata, op. 18 Improvisation: Andante cantabile Live Performance from Fredonia Guest Artist Recital Rosch Recital Hall |
C. Saint-Saens Violin Sonata no. 1 in D Minor, op. 75
Allegro agitato-Adagio Live Performance from Fredonia Guest Artist Recital Rosch Recital Hall R. Schumann Fantasiestuecke, op. 73 Zart und mit Ausdruck Lebhaft, leicht Rasch und mit Feuer Live Performance at Music in the Valley Concerts K. Szymanowski Mythes, op. 30 (complete) Live Performance from Cathedral Concerts at the Rosary |
Photos by Monika Ackland, F.J. Sarmiento and Roberto Testi.
Copyright © 2021 Jessica Tong.
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2021 Jessica Tong.
All Rights Reserved.