Eastern Music Festival Announces New Faculty For The 2022 Season

Eastern Music Festival has announced two new faculty artists for the 2022 summer study season: JIJI (two-week Classical Guitar Summit, July 16 - July 30) and Santiago Rodriguez (five-week Piano Program, June 25 - July 30). Rodriguez will also be a featured artist with the Eastern Festival Orchestra on a Saturday performance during the summer season, date to-be-announced.

"It is a rare yet wonderful opportunity for EMF to add new faculty artists to our roster," said EMF executive director Chris Williams. "We are fortunate to have many dedicated faculty with years of service to EMF, but it is equally exciting when we have an opportunity to add new, excellent teaching artists," added Williams. The Festival's acclaimed faculty artists return each summer to guide and nurture the next generation of classical music students and also perform in over 65 performances and events over the five-week summer season.

Joining EMF for the 2022 Festival season are:

JIJI (classical guitar) is an adventurous artist known for her virtuosic performances that feature a diverse selection of music, ranging from traditional and contemporary classical to free improvisation, played on both acoustic and electric guitar. Through her impeccable musicianship, compelling stage presence, and constant premieres of new musical works, JIJI's intriguing programming solidifies her reputation as a 21st-century guitarist.

Recent highlights encompass a wide array of venues, including Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall, Zankel Hall/Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, 92nd Street Y, Moss Arts Center, Green Music Center, National Art Gallery, National Sawdust, Miller Theater, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and Purdue Convocations. JIJI is currently an assistant guitar professor at Arizona State University.

Santiago Rodriguez (piano) has performed internationally with leading orchestras as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. Rodriguez' vast repertoire of concertos and recital programs reflect his great versatility and musical interests. Commanding a repertoire of over 65 concertos, he has performed concertos of Bach, Bartók, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Gershwin, Liszt, Schumann, Franck, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff over his 35-year performing career. One of today's foremost interpreters of the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff, Rodriguez has performed all of the composer's major piano works in concert.

Rodriguez also enjoys a distinguished reputation as a teacher and master-clinician. In 1980, he was a member of the Piano Division at the University of Maryland, where he held the rank of Professor and Artist-in-Residence. Beginning in September 2009, he accepted the position of Professor and Artist-in-Residence at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami. Rodriguez has presented master classes at many major music schools and national/state teacher's conferences in the U.S. and abroad and has been actively involved in the outreach programs of almost every musical organization for which he has performed. Santiago Rodriguez holds a master's degree from The Juilliard School, where he studied on full scholarship as a pupil of Adele Marcus, and he completed his undergraduate studies magna cum laude with William Race at the University of Texas-Austin.

Planning is already underway for EMF's 61st season, to be held June 25 - July 30, 2022, on the campus of Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. Students interested in attending EMF's summer study programs can learn more and apply online at easternmusicfestival.org/study. Deadline to apply is February 22, 2022. EMF recently celebrated a safe and successful conclusion to its 60th anniversary season on July 31, 2021.

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