Have you ever felt like there’s a part of you that’s just dying to come out? Like... a pull, or a longing for something? Like there’s this place you’ve never actually been, but when you find it, it feels like home?
The Way to Becoming is a concert exploring this very idea, featuring music written by Nadia Boulanger, Florence Price, Rebecca Clarke, and Billie Eilish, interwoven with original pieces by Elizabeth Derstine. Through these works, Liz and her collaborators explore the moments of joy, fulfillment, and enrichment, alongside the heart-wrenching challenges and trials that come with navigating one’s unique path.
with:
Aspen Barker, violin
Simone Cartales, viola
Liz Chen, voice
Allie Lawn, cello
Alexander Smith, violin
Rosalyn Taylor, cello
This event is free for all to attend, in-person and via livestream (a livestream link will be emailed to all registrants). Get tickets here!
About the artists:
Elizabeth Blosser Derstine is a Boston-based pianist and composer. Her playing and writing styles have been informed by her foundation as a classical musician, touring and recording as a pop artist, and spending copious amounts of time in nature as a record-setting trail runner and hiker. Liz is pursuing a dual Master of Music degree in Collaborative Piano and Composition at Longy School of Music of Bard College, studying with Eri Nakamura (piano) and Alexandra du Bois (composition). She is a Collaborative Piano Fellow and recipient of the Patricia Ostrander and Presidential scholarships.
Liz Chen is a multifaceted, empathetic, and deeply curious Boston-based listener, teacher, artistic projects creator, collaborative pianist, and vocalist who uses music to bring awareness to the complex issues affecting society today. Her upcoming projects include Dear Universe: Meditations on Letting Go, To Share a Song, Songs from a Quiet Place, and Disjointed. Her experience as an audience participant in Bobby McFerrin’s live audience improvisation continues to shape her art. She strongly believes that music shouldn’t be limited to professionals and genre hierarchies; instead, she aims to cultivate safe spaces for all individuals to develop their own creative expressions. She currently runs her own private studio where she mentors over 30 young musicians of varying backgrounds.
Allie Lawn - I’ve been a classically trained cellist since age of 3. Dropped out of college to join a rock band, that went really well. Took a music hiatus and have found myself back. So, there it is, here we are and I’m absolutely thrilled I get to be here <3
Aspen Barker started her journey with music when she was in 4th grade, at an after school strings music program in Miami. Inspired by her opportunity to play alongside the New World Symphony and Amernet String Quartet, Aspen decided to continue to pursue her music career in New Orleans. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at Loyola University in New Orleans and Master of Music in Violin Performance at Longy School of Music of Bard College. She has studied with Amy Thiaville, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenburg, Paula Majerfeld and Karla Donehew Perez.
Because of her beginnings in community music programs, Aspen has dedicated her time to volunteering at similar organizations that aim to bring music to all, such as Miami Music Project, Make Music Nola, Boston Strings Academy and El Sistema. Now a permanent Boston resident, Aspen works full-time as a music teacher, bringing her dedication to accessible music throughout the city. Aspen has performed with multiple ensembles, like the Reading Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Uncaged, Palaver Strings, and Mass Opera. She is a permanent member of the Du Bois Orchestra. She has worked with many artists in her career including Michael Tilson Thomas, Joel Smirnoff, David Effron, Andy Kozar as well as members from Aizuri Quartet, INTERWOVEN, Horszowski Trio, Trio Gaia and A Far Cry.
In Fall of 2022, Aspen co-founded GAIA Quartet, a string quartet that serves to inspire young female musicians and innovate the music industry. GAIA Quartet was awarded Graduate Fellowship Quartet in Residence at Longy School of Music of Bard College, working closely with department chairs Alexandra Du Bois and Ralph Farris.
Simone Cartales, a dedicated violist and educator based in Boston, passionately advocates for under-represented voices in the realm of music. She is a founding member of the GAIA Quartet, an all-women string ensemble committed to spotlighting overlooked voices. Simone's orchestral and solo performances span international venues such as Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall and Dublin's National Concert Hall. She has collaborated with diverse ensembles like Palaver Strings and Bill Banfield’s “Imagine Orchestra,”. As a faculty member at Merrimack Valley Community Music School and Lexington Community Education, Simone imparts her profound love for music, believing in the uniqueness of every student's musical journey. Simone holds an M.M. in Viola Performance from Longy School of Music of Bard College and a B.M. in Viola Performance from Ithaca College.
Alexander Smith is a Boston-based violinist with a passion for chamber music, opera, and new music. Previous experience includes positions in the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and Fargo-Moorhead Opera, as well as participation in the North Star Chamber Music Festival and Dakota Chamber Music. An important thread throughout his work is a focus on highlighting underrepresented voices through creative and exploratory programming.
Alexander is a violin student from the studios of Josh Henderson (Longy School of Music, Cambridge MA) and Sonja Bosca-Harasim (Concordia College, Moorhead MN). He is also affiliated as a student member of Chamber Music America.
Rosalyn Taylor, a cellist and teaching artist based out of the Boston area, is committed to advancing quality music education and fostering inclusivity in classical music through her artistry-led performances. Rosalyn is a founding member of the GAIA Quartet, an all-women string quartet who share a passion for bringing light to the music of historically underrepresented composers. Currently, they hold the position as the Graduate Fellowship Ensemble at the Longy School of Music of Bard College. The quartet has collaborated on performances with the Horzowski Trio and INTERWOVEN. Rosalyn’s chamber music education has included mentors from award-winning ensembles such as Catalyst Quartet, Aizuri Quartet, and ETHEL.
Born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, Rosalyn graduated with her Bachelor’s in Music Performance from Washburn University. From 2017-2022, Taylor held the position of principal cellist with both the Washburn Symphony Orchestra as well as the Washburn String Orchestra under conductor Silas Nathaniel Huff. She studied cello with Erinn Renyer, pupil of Edward Laut and Janos Starker. Rosalyn was president of the Washburn University Cello Association, which was awarded honors by the Kansas Music Educators Association in 2022. The cello ensemble was also featured in a Regional Emmy Award winning music video shot by WIBW news in 2018.
Rosalyn holds the position of Cello Teaching Artist at El Sistema Somerville, where she encourages not only musical skill development, but also the exploration of diverse artistic expression. She ensures each student’s educational experience is enriched with a sense of belonging and creative empowerment.
Currently, Rosalyn is completing her Master’s in Performance at the Longy School of Music of Bard College where she studies cello with Sphinx Medal of Excellence Winner Christine Lamprea.