Manhattan Moods

Acclaimed for his dazzling technical command, expressive artistry, and deep musical sensitivity, Stanislav “Stas” Venglevski has earned international recognition as a master of the bayan — a type of classical Russian accordion. A native of the Republic of Moldova, formerly part of the Soviet Union, Stas is a two-time First Prize winner of the national bayan competition in Moldova.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Music from the Russian Academy of Music in Moscow, where he studied under the legendary Russian bayanist Friedrich Lips. In 1992, Stas immigrated to the United States, where he has since established himself as a performer, composer, conductor, arranger, entertainer, and teacher.

Stas's extensive repertoire includes classical, contemporary, and ethnic music from around the world, along with many original compositions. He has toured as a soloist throughout the former Soviet Union, Canada, Europe, and the United States, and has performed with major symphony orchestras across both Europe and North America. His notable collaborations include appearances with Doc Severinsen, Steve Allen, and on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion.

Since 2016, Stas has served as the Artistic Director of the Houston Accordion Orchestra Retreat, and in 2021, he was named Artistic Director of A World of Accordions Museum in Superior, Wisconsin. A dedicated leader in the accordion community, he is a former President of the Accordionists and Teachers Guild (ATG) and continues to serve on its board.

Most recently, Stas joined the faculty of the Music Department at the University of Wisconsin–Superior, where he shares his passion for the bayan and accordion with the next generation of musicians.

Kate Lee began studying piano at the age of 4 under the guidance of Dr. Anna Ouspenskaya and Frane Rusinovic, and studies music theory with Fedor Ouspensky. Her musical development has been marked by a series of impressive performances and honors at both national and international levels.

In 2019, Kate received the Judges’ Distinction Award (Plaque Trophy) in the American Protégé International Concerto Competition, as well as First Place in the American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music. These achievements led to her debut performances at Weill Recital Hall and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall.

In 2020, she won First Place in the Forte International Music Competition & Festival, further establishing her promise as a rising young pianist.

Her success continued in 2022 with:

• First Place in the American Fine Arts Festival Concerto Competition

• An Honorable Mention in the William Knabe International Piano Competition

• An Honorable Mention and the iClassical Academy Excellence Award from the Global Sound Espressivo Competition

• A return performance at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, as First Place winner of the American Protégé International Piano & Strings Competition

In addition to these accomplishments, Kate has earned awards from other esteemed competitions, including:

• Glory International Modern & Contemporary / Romantic Music Competition

• YMIC Metropolitan Music Festival

• Great Composers Competition series

Through her years of study, Kate has developed a passionate, focused, and enthusiastic approach to music. Her commitment to steady practice has nurtured both expressive performance skills and analytical thinking, making her a standout among her peers.

Gvantsa Butskhrikidze was born in 2002 in Kutaisi, Georgia, and began her violin studies at the M. Balanchivadze Musical School, in the school's Orchestra Department. Early in her musical journey, she was awarded a scholarship to the Art Academy and earned First Prize in a national competition, where she was also recognized as the Judges' Favorite.

Gvantsa is a prize-winning violinist at several international competitions, including a First Prize and Grant Award at a prestigious contest in Turkey, and First Place at the “Find Your Star” competition. She has given three solo recitals and has appeared as a special guest performer in concerts across various regions of Georgia.

Her orchestral experience includes performing with the Sinfonietta Orchestra, and she is a First Prize winner of the International Contest of Young Musicians. In 2019, Gvantsa participated in the American Protégé International Competition, winning First Prize, which led to her Gala performance at Carnegie Hall.

In 2021, she won First Prize in the O. Taktakishvili International Music Competition, further establishing her as one of Georgia’s most promising young violinists.

Gvantsa currently studies at the Mikeladze Central Music School under the guidance of Professor Manana Kantaria, continuing to develop her artistry and technique at the highest level.

Gong Qian Yang is a versatile and visionary composer whose music reflects the modern classical style of the 21st century. His compositions span a wide range of genres, including choral works, film scores, television and radio themes, gaming music, soundscapes, and large-scale symphonic pieces such as the Symphonic Poem "Nature and Me" and "Dawn – Awakening." His music is known for being natural, uplifting, easy to listen to, and deeply inspirational.

As a composer, producer, and publisher, Yang has released seven original albums, with more on the way:

• Sonic Poem

• Sonic Spring by Gong Qian Yang

• Sonic Wave by Gong Qian Yang

• Lean on Me

• Music for Yoga and More

• Sonic Fusion

• Space and Stars

The album Space and Stars reflects Yang’s intimate connection with nature — inspired by the sounds and essence of birds, forests, seashores, waves, wind, the night sky, moonlight, and twinkling stars.

An accomplished violinist, Yang is a two-time First Prize winner of the Starling International Scholarship Foundation in the United States. He studied with the legendary Prof. Dorothy DeLay and Prof. Kurt Sassmannshaus at the Aspen Music Festival and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where he earned his Master's Degree in Music. His earlier studies included mentorship from Kathleen Lenski and Prof. Robert Lipsett in California.

Yang’s experience at CCM also enriched his path as a composer. He studied composition with Joel Hoffman and was deeply influenced by Gerhard Samuel — a noted conductor and composer who had studied with Paul Hindemith and Serge Koussevitzky. During his time at CCM, Yang had the rare privilege of performing on Prof. Samuel’s Gagliano violin, which further shaped his understanding of sound and expression.

Even while enjoying success as a soloist and concert artist, Yang maintained a strong focus on composition and music production. Drawing inspiration from a vast repertoire and the traditions of Western classical music, he has crafted a unique voice rooted in emotional depth, natural harmony, and spiritual connection to the universe. Much of his music emerges from moments of reflection during travel — for example, humming melodies on the road to Nashville or feeling his heart sing while driving through the Appalachian Mountains.

Yang believes that music should radiate infinite life energy, glorifying the beauty of the universe and celebrating the spirit of humanity within it.

His albums are available on platforms including Apple iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon MP3, Tencent Music, Netease Music, Verizon, Nokia, MySpace Music, Tradebit, Napster, Emusic, and more. His music has been well received in the U.S. and internationally, known for its ability to reach and touch listeners on a deeply personal and emotional level.

Ayla began studying piano and violin at the age of three and made her orchestral solo debut at six, performing the Berkovich Piano Concerto with the Tucson Civic Orchestra. The following year, she performed Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 1 with both the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra and the Tucson Repertory Orchestra during their tour in Japan. In 2022, she performed Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra at age 10, followed in 2023 by Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with Orquestra do Algarve of Portugal under the baton of maestro Maurizio Colasanti.  

She has participated in prestigious music festivals, including the Cleveland Institute of Music Young Artist Seminar, Chopin Festival in Poland, Philadelphia International Music Festival, Heifetz PEG, Colburn Piano Seminar, Sima Classics in Poland, and the Piano Concerto Festival, where she studied with renowned teachers, gave concerts and appeared as a soloist with orchestras.  She also enjoys performing at the annual Tucson Folk Festival.

Ayla is a top prizewinner of numerous national and international competitions, including the Chopin International Piano Competition (Hartford, CT), WPTO Spain International Piano Competition, Sound Espressivo Competition, Frantz Liszt Center International Piano Competition, Charleston International Music Competition, and several local concerto competitions. She is a member of the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra and currently studies piano with Dr. Kyungsun Choi and violin with Dr. Laura Tagawa. 

Outside of music, Ayla enjoys playing chess and taking dance classes.

Maestro David Wroe is Music Director of the New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Principal Conductor at the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice (NY), and a regular guest conductor with L’Orchestre Régional de Normandie in France. A frequent presence on international stages, he has conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Saint Louis Symphony, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, L’Orchestre National de Lille, New York City Opera, New York City Ballet, and leading orchestras across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Formerly Assistant Conductor to Seiji Ozawa at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Wroe led performances at Tanglewood, Symphony Hall, and collaborated on recordings with Jessye Norman and Itzhak Perlman. His operatic leadership includes positions at Opera Delaware, Oper der Stadt Heidelberg, and Opera Teatro Gratticielo in New York.

He has recorded with L’Orchestre National de Lille (TransArt label) and conducted broadcasts for the Austrian Broadcasting Authority (ORF). In the crossover space, he has performed with artists such as Kristin Chenoweth, Mannheim Steamroller, Joan Rivers, and Jackie Evancho.

A committed educator, Wroe has held positions with NYU, Montclair State University, and Brown University, and led youth programs for the Boston Symphony and Taipei Symphony. Honors include the Seiji Ozawa Fellowship at Tanglewood, finalist in the Leonard Bernstein Conducting Competition, and a U.S. Congressional citation for contributions to the arts. He holds degrees from Manchester University (UK) and Northwestern University, and studied with Gustav Meier and Victor Yampolsky.