Cassatt String Quartet will return in person to the basin with its local nonprofit educational program Cassatt in the Basin! (CIB) for the first time in two years, from May 16 – 21.
It does so with a new formation: violinist Muneko Otani and second violinist Jennifer Leshnower welcome two new members, violist Rosemary Nelis and cellist Gwen Krosnick.
Joined by guest bassist Dr. Mark Morton, associate professor of Bass at Texas Tech University, the Cassatts will teach Permian and Odessa High School students, give master classes during orchestra period, and coach chamber music groups. You can find the detailed schedule on the CIB website, https://www.cassattinthebasin.net/events.
Cassatt in the Basin, founded in 2005 by Leshnower, a native of Odessa and member of the Cassatt String Quartet, has mentored and sponsored many talented young musicians from the basin who have since pursued professional music careers.
The alumni stay in close touch with the Cassatt Quartet members, who continue to support their musical evolution. Violinist Dominque Valenzuela studied with CIB when he was in junior high. With continued support from the Cassatts, he is now heading to Juilliard NYC for a second masters of music degree.
Sam Weaks, a pianist, and songwriter received sponsored piano lessons and his first-ever songwriting lessons through CIB, and in fall 2022 will attend Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Jay Abrera, piano, attended masterclasses with five-time Grammy-nominated pianist Ursula Oppens through CIB and is currently in his junior year studying with Oppens at Brooklyn College. Through CIB funding, bassists Aiden Almendarez, a freshman at Permian High, and Isaac Sanchez, a sophomore at Texas Tech, are both studying with Morton currently.
