About
M.U.S.i.C. (Musical Upcoming Stars in the Classics) is a non-profit organization committed to providing intimate performance opportunities for emerging, world class musicians in Northeast Ohio and beyond. Founded in 2007, M.U.S.i.C has hosted over 150 events and now runs about twelve chamber music concert experiences per year. M.U.S.i.C. finds venues, arranges concerts, provides programs, publicity, and refreshments, and pays performers. Through its activities, M.U.S.i.C. provides enjoyment for audiences, helps launch new musical careers, introduces novel performance venues, and expands the audience for chamber music. M.U.S.i.C. aims to enhance Northeast Ohio’s reputation as an international capital of musical excellence.
M.U.S.i.C. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. All donations are tax deductible, and your support is appreciated! To help support M.U.S.i.C, click here!
Click here to view M.U.S.i.C.’s Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion statement
M.U.S.i.C is run by a group of dedicated individuals committed to furthering the arts in Northeast Ohio, including:
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Jodi Kanter
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Michael Bailis, President
Mehmet Gencer, Vice-president
Frank Buck, Treasurer & Secretary
Victor Beyens
Faye D’Amore
Raffaele Di Lallo
David Freno, CFP®
Maureen Garnett
Dr. Andrew Goldberg
Joseph Hensel
Raymond Kolcaba
Bridget Richard
Robert Villarreal
ARTISTIC ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Philip Highfill, Oberlin Conservatory Music Faculty Emeritus
Alexander Kostritsa*, Piano, Doctor of Musical Arts from Cleveland Institute of Music
Filip Lazovski*, Violin, Kansas City Symphony
Jung Eun Oh*, Soprano, Doctor of Musical Arts from Cleveland Institute of Music
John Simmons*, Pianist & Vocal Coach, Cleveland Institute of Music Faculty
Peter Takács*, Pianist, Oberlin Conservatory Music Faculty
Brian Thornton*, Cellist, The Cleveland Orchestra
*Current or Former M.U.S.i.C. Performer
What makes all the work worthwhile is to see the many young musicians who have gone on to have successful careers. I take all of our musicians to heart – and they become friends.
A review of 2023
Unique programs presented by M.U.S.i.C. throughout the year: 14
Number of individual performance opportunities provided: 175
Number of unique musicians employed: 54
Total attendance of our programs: 900
Individual musicians who received help from our “Musician Assistance Fund: 22
The “Musicians Assistance Fund”, a grant opportunity for our performers, was created and funded in 2021. It continues to provide support to our performers for needs such as travel expenses to professional auditions, instrument repair, festival application fees, professional photos, and recordings.
“Stars in the Classics helps identify and support the great performers of tomorrow. This series is one of the gems of Northeast Ohio.”
“After thinking about the brilliance of the program, I recounted how impressed — as usual! — with the amazingly talented musicians, but also how imaginative your programming has always been. The eclecticism of the diverse array of wonderful composers, as well as how much you’ve accomplished in such an aesthetic program. It always give me great pride to be part of the board and experience how much talent goes into these productions!”
