Principal flutist of the Houston Symphony. Faculty, Moores School of Music. She received her bachelors degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in 1983 as a student of Robert Willoughby. She continued her studies with Thomas Nyfenger at the Yale School of Music until winning the position of 2nd flute with the Houston Symphony in 1985. In 1991 she was named Principal Flute. She appears regularly as a soloist with the orchestra. Recently she performed the Mozart concerto in G with music director Hans Graf. In 1993 she recorded the same concerto with Christoph Eschenbach and the Houston Symphony for the IMP label. She performed the world premiere of Bright Sheng’s Flute Moon, commissioned by the Houston Symphony, in a concert broadcast on PBS. She has a lso appeared with harpist Marisa Robles and baroque specialist Nicholas McGegan. Aralee has toured extensively throughout Europe and Japan, and performed at Chicago’s prestigious Ravinia Festival as a member of the Houston Symphony Chamber Players, often in collaboration with Christoph Eschenbach at the piano. www.araleedorough.com
Jesus Morales is one of the most renowned Cuban marimbists. Born
into a family of musicians, Mr. Morales began playing the
marimba professionally at the age of six. Mr. Morales is known
not only for his artistic mastery of the marimba, but also for
his counterpoint creations achieved through technical exercises
and resources, transforming the marimba into a polyphonic
instrument of unimaginable heights. A resident of Mexico since
1992, Mr. Morales has appeared as a soloist with the National
Symphonic Orchestra, Cuba and Coyoacàn Symphonic
Orchestra, Mexico, among others. He is the recipient of numerous
awards and prizes, including the National Cultural Award and the
Havana Medal from The Cuban Ministry of Culture.
With the perfect combination of extraordinary gifts, technique,
talent and inspiration, Leonel Morales is widely recognized as
one of today's most brilliant and successful pianists.
He shows the beauty of sound with an assured technique
and great dynamics that never pass the limits. (La Libre
Belgique) Cuban-born Morales now resides in Spain, performing
music by great Spanish composers with orchestras across Europe.
In addition to his performances, Morales is often invited to
participate as a jury member for many international piano
competitions and is president of the jury for the International
Piano Competition "Spanish Composers" that takes
place annually in Madrid. www.leonelmorales.com
Faculty, The Hartt School and New York University; former
member, Houston Symphony; former principal, Indianapolis, New
World Symphony and Schleswig-Holstein Orchestra; former section,
Radio-Sinfonie Orchester Berlin, Baroque Orchester Berlin;
Plymouth String Quartet; recipient, Prix Mercure; prize winner,
Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, William Primrose Viola
Competition; recital and solo appearances, Merkin Hall, Lincoln
Center, and the Salzburg Mozarteum; recordings, Opus One and
Modern Masters. www.ritaporifis.com
