On March 16, 2023, the TMM Florence Price Orchestra was the curtain opener for Capital Philharmonic, Trenton’s local professional orchestra, at the Patriots Theater of the War Memorial Ballroom. This is an imperative partnership as part of training our budding musicians to work with the professionals within their own community. This is an ongoing collaboration with Capital Philharmonic and our students will perform with them again on March 16 2024. In 2017, When composer Julian Grant was TMM Chairman, he had the idea of writing a piece for the orchestra as a gift, constructed of and infused with ideas from the students. After some training, maturity, and tweaks of the original version rehearsed with the composer himself, we were finally ready to take on a composition of its difficulty. We dusted off the “Julian Grant composition” folder and began learning it and preparing for performance. On May 26, 2023, TMM premiered Julian Grant’s Lopsided Sonata. It was a full circle moment, demonstrating tenacity and growth as students displayed the prowess to play at the experienced level required for such a piece! This past July, Cindy Lorenzana, TMM violin student, was accepted into the 2023 Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles National Festival (YOLA), an organization similarly invested in community youth development through music. This feat didn't come without tribulations given that this was Cindy's third year auditioning for a coveted spot in this summer program. Cindy’s determination is not only a testament her resilience but a nod to how much she has developed under the tutelage of Trenton Music Makers. Cindy was flown to Los Angeles from Newark Airport, spent a one-week residency rehearsing and preparing at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA and finished the festival with a performance at Walt Disney Hall under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel.
Meet our Artistic Director, Melissa Niño A Venezuela native, Melissa grew up with the renowned music method originated in Venezuela El Sistema. At the age of 6, she was selected by Professor Emil Friedman to join the prestigious school Colegio Emil Friedman in which she was trained in violin, chamber music and orchestra. She participated at the Juan Bautista Plaza violin competition at the age of 14 and is a former member of the Virtuosis de Caracas ensemble. Melissa is an alumni of the world recognized institution Interlochen Centre for the Arts in Michigan, USA and a former member of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and The World Orchestra. A graduate of Indiana University South Bend and Arizona State University, she is the founder of the TrèsFemme Trio, a chamber music ensemble that performed unknown compositions by women composers that debuted in the Veranos de la Villa Festival in Spain. Apart from the classical world, Melissa has collaborated with artists from other genres such as BB King, Marc Anthony, The Monomes among others. In addition to performing, Melissa has a remarkable pedagogical career teaching violin, chamber music and orchestra in countries including USA, Spain, Singapore and Hong Kong. Niño is the Co-founder of El Sistema Hong Kong and is also one of the first El Sistema inspired educators to launch an orchestra program for the elderly population of Hong Kong.
“ Besides playing an instrument, what are you learning?” “I am gaining the capability to learn to teach, to be a leader and be an inspiration.”
Angel, Age 14 (Violin)
CAPITAL HARMONY WORKS | ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23
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