Jan Halloran, clarinet, has been an instructor of clarinet and chamber music at Boston Conservatory since 2017. Principal clarinetist of Boston Lyric Opera, Halloran appears regularly with many of Boston’s preeminent ensembles, including Modern Orchestra Project, Odyssey Opera, Boston Philharmonic, and Emmanuel Music. Halloran holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, and earned her Master of Music degree from Boston University. Learn more about Halloran.
Andrew Mark, cello, is a professor of cello at Boston Conservatory and serves as a faculty member at New England Conservatory’s preparatory school and Walnut Hill School for the Arts. From 1988 to 1991, Mark served as a U.S. Artistic Ambassador, giving recitals and master classes throughout Europe, Asia, Central America, and South America. Over the years, Mark’s teaching excellence has been recognized by esteemed organizations, including the Foundation for the Advancement of String Education and the American String Teachers Association (Massachusetts Chapter). Learn more about Mark.
Aleksandr Polyakov, piano, has been an instructor of piano at Boston Conservatory since 2017. Polyakov is the winner of more than 20 international competitions, including third prize at the ninth International Liszt Competition (Netherlands), second prize at the sixth International Liszt Competition (Germany), and first prize at the Steinway Society Competition (Boston). In addition to his work as a pianist, Polyakov has an international conducting career, having worked with 17 orchestras as guest conductor, and has led frequent opera and vocal collaborations. Learn more about Polyakov.
Owen Young, cello, currently serves as an associate professor of cello at Berklee College of Music and has been a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since August 1991. A frequent collaborator in chamber music concerts and festivals, Young has been featured as a concerto soloist with numerous orchestras. Having appeared at Tanglewood, Aspen, Banff, Davis, Sunflower, Gateway, Brevard, and St. Barth’s music festivals, Young has frequently performed with singer-songwriter James Taylor, including in the televised concert James Taylor Live at the Beacon Theatre. Learn more about Young.
Ashleigh Gordon, viola, has recorded with Switzerland’s Ensemble Proton and Germany’s Ensemble Modern; performed with Grammy-award winning BMOP and Grammy-nominated A Far Cry string ensemble; and appeared at the prestigious BBC Proms Festival with the Chineke! Orchestra. Gordon is a cofounder, artistic/executive director, and violist of Castle of our Skins, a Boston-based concert and educational series devoted to celebrating Black artistry through music. Along with receiving a Master of Contemporary Music degree from IEMA, Gordon received degrees in viola performance from New England Conservatory and Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music. Learn more about Gordon.
Caroline Pliszka, violin, has been a regular substitute player with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops Orchestra since 2002, and has been a member of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute violin faculty since 2010. She has served as concertmaster of the Houston Ballet Orchestra, the New World Symphony, the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, the New England Conservatory Orchestra, and the Shepherd School of Music Chamber Orchestra. Pliszka holds a Master of Music from New England Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, cum laude. Learn more about Pliszka.
