2021 Artists
CORVUS
CORVUS is the resident contemporary music ensemble for the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival (FSAF) and led by two New-York-based performers with deep Alaskan roots: Andie Springer (violin) and Katie Cox (flute). Each year they enlist other accomplished performers to create a dynamic chamber ensemble which presents concerts in Fairbanks , as well as outreach events in rural communities of interior Alaska. Each summer, CORVUS's premiers new works from composers of FSAF's program Composing in the Wilderness. This year CORVUS is excited to be collaborating with Wild Shore New Music to bring live music to Homer at Bunnell Street Arts Center!
CORVUS is the resident contemporary music ensemble for the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival (FSAF) and led by two New-York-based performers with deep Alaskan roots: Andie Springer (violin) and Katie Cox (flute). Each year they enlist other accomplished performers to create a dynamic chamber ensemble which presents concerts in Fairbanks , as well as outreach events in rural communities of interior Alaska. Each summer, CORVUS's premiers new works from composers of FSAF's program Composing in the Wilderness. This year CORVUS is excited to be collaborating with Wild Shore New Music to bring live music to Homer at Bunnell Street Arts Center!
2021 CORVUS MEMBERS
CHARLES AKERT, cello
Charles Akert has been described by Toronto’s Ludwig Van as “a performer with great sensitivity to the music, and an understated virtuosity.” Born in Alaska to Swiss parents, Mr. Akert's career as a cellist began at age 5. Since then he has enjoyed a varied career as soloist, chamber musician and “rock star”. His performances have ranged widely: from Carnegie Hall to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. He has collaborated with numerous artists, from violist Kim Kashkashian to indie bands The Family Crest and Father John Misty. After completing degrees at the University of Northern Colorado and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he was awarded residencies at the Banff Centre, the Aspen Music Festival, and Carnegie Mellon University. In 2011, he won first prize at the Plowman Nation Chamber Music competition as a member of the Nexus String Quartet. As a teacher of both cello and chamber music, Mr. Akert has served as guest faculty at the Kinhaven School of Music, at the Blue Lake Festival, and at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. He is a regular guest artist and core member of the Trinity Alps Chamber Music Festival.
Charles Akert has been described by Toronto’s Ludwig Van as “a performer with great sensitivity to the music, and an understated virtuosity.” Born in Alaska to Swiss parents, Mr. Akert's career as a cellist began at age 5. Since then he has enjoyed a varied career as soloist, chamber musician and “rock star”. His performances have ranged widely: from Carnegie Hall to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. He has collaborated with numerous artists, from violist Kim Kashkashian to indie bands The Family Crest and Father John Misty. After completing degrees at the University of Northern Colorado and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he was awarded residencies at the Banff Centre, the Aspen Music Festival, and Carnegie Mellon University. In 2011, he won first prize at the Plowman Nation Chamber Music competition as a member of the Nexus String Quartet. As a teacher of both cello and chamber music, Mr. Akert has served as guest faculty at the Kinhaven School of Music, at the Blue Lake Festival, and at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. He is a regular guest artist and core member of the Trinity Alps Chamber Music Festival.
JESSICA BERGEN, bassoon
Bassoonist Jessica Bergen is an active performer throughout the tri-state area, and regularly appears with ensembles such as the Society of Musical Arts Orchestra, Ridgewood Concert Band, Livingston Symphony Orchestra, and the Garden State Opera, along with Alaska’s Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Orchestra. A passionate educator for over ten years, her philosophy focuses on providing students of all levels the unique skills which allow for higher levels of performance and expression through music, in hopes of bringing deeper meaning to students’ lives and broaden children’s artistic horizons. Currently Director of Bands and Choirs of Benjamin Franklin Middle School the Teaneck, NJ Public Schools, she has created an expanding and thriving music program during her seven year tenure at the school. She regularly showcases the talent of these young musicians in new and different ways, seeking out and creating new performance opportunities, including chamber music concerts, festival competitions, film festival openings, and other school and community events. Though her primary instrument is bassoon, she also maintains an active private teaching studio where she teaches piano, flute, and clarinet as well. She was the featured bassoon soloist in the "Students and Teachers" concert with the Montclair State University Wind Symphony, conducted. Jessica She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the John J. Cali School of Music in Montclair State University, where she is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Conducting Performance.
Bassoonist Jessica Bergen is an active performer throughout the tri-state area, and regularly appears with ensembles such as the Society of Musical Arts Orchestra, Ridgewood Concert Band, Livingston Symphony Orchestra, and the Garden State Opera, along with Alaska’s Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Orchestra. A passionate educator for over ten years, her philosophy focuses on providing students of all levels the unique skills which allow for higher levels of performance and expression through music, in hopes of bringing deeper meaning to students’ lives and broaden children’s artistic horizons. Currently Director of Bands and Choirs of Benjamin Franklin Middle School the Teaneck, NJ Public Schools, she has created an expanding and thriving music program during her seven year tenure at the school. She regularly showcases the talent of these young musicians in new and different ways, seeking out and creating new performance opportunities, including chamber music concerts, festival competitions, film festival openings, and other school and community events. Though her primary instrument is bassoon, she also maintains an active private teaching studio where she teaches piano, flute, and clarinet as well. She was the featured bassoon soloist in the "Students and Teachers" concert with the Montclair State University Wind Symphony, conducted. Jessica She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the John J. Cali School of Music in Montclair State University, where she is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Conducting Performance.
JOE BERGEN, percussion
Joe Bergen is a musician, educator, and arts administrator whose work focuses on creating and developing music communities from the ground up. Joe is best known as a founding member and Co-Artistic Director of Mantra Percussion, Inc., a multifaceted performing arts organization based in the New York metro area. Joe is also the music director at the Luis Muñoz Marín School for Social Justice in Newark, NJ reintroducing the entire music program to the school teaching band, orchestra, choir, music technology and general music to grades Pre-K through 8th.
Joe Bergen is a musician, educator, and arts administrator whose work focuses on creating and developing music communities from the ground up. Joe is best known as a founding member and Co-Artistic Director of Mantra Percussion, Inc., a multifaceted performing arts organization based in the New York metro area. Joe is also the music director at the Luis Muñoz Marín School for Social Justice in Newark, NJ reintroducing the entire music program to the school teaching band, orchestra, choir, music technology and general music to grades Pre-K through 8th.
KATIE COX, flute
Originally from Fairbanks, Alaska, Katie Cox is a flutist, arts administrator, and educator. From August 2015 to June 2020 she was the Program Manager for Exploring the Metropolis running two residency programs, the EtM Con Edison Composer Residencies and the EtM Choreographer + Composer Residencies. She is currently the Executive Director and founder of Redtail Artist Residencies, a composer and dance residency program in Queens, NY and Executive Director and Co-Founder of Wild Shore New Music. As an active contemporary musician, Katie has performed with contemporary ensembles in New York such as Transit, Contemporaneous, Ensemble Signal, Experiments in Opera, Little Opera Theatre of NY, Opera on Tap, and Numinous. She is a member of the contemporary music collective Hotel Elefant, and of Corvus, the resident new music ensemble for Composing in the Wilderness and the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. She has worked with composers John Luther Adams, Richard Carrick, Conrad Winslow, Anna Clyne, Carlisle Floyd, Joseph C. Phillips, Leaha Villareal, and Mary Kouyoumdjian among others. As an educator Katie has taught flute privately for over twenty years and is a trained teaching artist working for Little Orchestra Society since 2014 working in the New York City public school system and libraries. She currently teaches flute privately at St. Luke’s School in Manhattan.
Originally from Fairbanks, Alaska, Katie Cox is a flutist, arts administrator, and educator. From August 2015 to June 2020 she was the Program Manager for Exploring the Metropolis running two residency programs, the EtM Con Edison Composer Residencies and the EtM Choreographer + Composer Residencies. She is currently the Executive Director and founder of Redtail Artist Residencies, a composer and dance residency program in Queens, NY and Executive Director and Co-Founder of Wild Shore New Music. As an active contemporary musician, Katie has performed with contemporary ensembles in New York such as Transit, Contemporaneous, Ensemble Signal, Experiments in Opera, Little Opera Theatre of NY, Opera on Tap, and Numinous. She is a member of the contemporary music collective Hotel Elefant, and of Corvus, the resident new music ensemble for Composing in the Wilderness and the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. She has worked with composers John Luther Adams, Richard Carrick, Conrad Winslow, Anna Clyne, Carlisle Floyd, Joseph C. Phillips, Leaha Villareal, and Mary Kouyoumdjian among others. As an educator Katie has taught flute privately for over twenty years and is a trained teaching artist working for Little Orchestra Society since 2014 working in the New York City public school system and libraries. She currently teaches flute privately at St. Luke’s School in Manhattan.
ALEX LORE, saxophone
Noted by the New York Times as a saxophonist who is “...making the connections among about 70 years’ worth of contemplative, articulate and light-toned players”, saxophonist and composer Alex LoRe's playing and compositions are influenced by a variety of genres ranging from European classical music through today’s most influential artists on both the jazz and popular music scenes. LoRe has released three albums—“Dream House” (2014) and “More Figs and Blue Things” (2016) on acclaimed saxophonist Greg Osby’s Inner Circle Music label, and most recently "Karol" (2019) on Challenge Records International. LoRe's playing and compositions have been praised by The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, Jazzwise Magazine (UK), and more. Originally from Tarpon Springs, Florida, LoRe holds a bachelor's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music and a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Alex is a Vandoren Performing Artist and is on teaching staff at the New School College of Performing Arts in Manhattan. He currently lives in Brooklyn.
Noted by the New York Times as a saxophonist who is “...making the connections among about 70 years’ worth of contemplative, articulate and light-toned players”, saxophonist and composer Alex LoRe's playing and compositions are influenced by a variety of genres ranging from European classical music through today’s most influential artists on both the jazz and popular music scenes. LoRe has released three albums—“Dream House” (2014) and “More Figs and Blue Things” (2016) on acclaimed saxophonist Greg Osby’s Inner Circle Music label, and most recently "Karol" (2019) on Challenge Records International. LoRe's playing and compositions have been praised by The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, Jazzwise Magazine (UK), and more. Originally from Tarpon Springs, Florida, LoRe holds a bachelor's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music and a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Alex is a Vandoren Performing Artist and is on teaching staff at the New School College of Performing Arts in Manhattan. He currently lives in Brooklyn.
MARA MAYER, clarinet
Mara Mayer is a clarinetist and bass clarinetist based in NYC. She performs with contemporary music ensembles including the Nouveau Classical Project, Curiosity Cabinet, and Contemporaneous. Mara also performs and records music across a variety of other genres including with the Mexican big band Banda de los Muertos, with synth pop artists GABI and Ziemba, in her experimental duo Feral Children, and previously as part of the Broadway show The Great Comet. Mara is founder and curator of a monthly performance series in NYC called Home Audio that features experimental music, dance, and visual art. Recent residences include the Avaloch Farms New Music Initiative and Earthdance E|Merge. Mara holds degrees in Music Performance from the Eastman School of Music and Brain and Cognitive Science from the University of Rochester.
Mara Mayer is a clarinetist and bass clarinetist based in NYC. She performs with contemporary music ensembles including the Nouveau Classical Project, Curiosity Cabinet, and Contemporaneous. Mara also performs and records music across a variety of other genres including with the Mexican big band Banda de los Muertos, with synth pop artists GABI and Ziemba, in her experimental duo Feral Children, and previously as part of the Broadway show The Great Comet. Mara is founder and curator of a monthly performance series in NYC called Home Audio that features experimental music, dance, and visual art. Recent residences include the Avaloch Farms New Music Initiative and Earthdance E|Merge. Mara holds degrees in Music Performance from the Eastman School of Music and Brain and Cognitive Science from the University of Rochester.
ANDIE TANNING, violin
Andie Tanning is a violinist and performer. She is the cofounder and musical director of Wild Shore New Music, now in its eighth year as Alaska’s premier new music festival. She released her debut album, “Dandelion,” in December 2018. Steve Dollar of the National Sawdust Log writes, “The stylistically diverse Dandelion is not only a scrapbook of Tanning’s experiences and influences, but also an open and always surprising collaboration with composers and video artists whose spirits are illuminated through the violinist’s intrepid musicianship and exploratory nature.” She has toured internationally as a company member of the New York City Players, has served as a multi-instrumentalist in theater groups Object Collection and New Paradise Laboratories, was the fiddle player in the musical, The Snow Child, by John Strand, Georgia Stitt and Bob Banghart, and was a violin sub in the Broadway revival of Oklahoma!. Ongoing musical collaborations include a duo with guitarist James Moore and the minimalist rock band Thee Reps. Her album with James Moore, “Gertrudes,” was released on New World Records in 2016. She has performed at LA Opera, The Kitchen, The Pompidou, and Carnegie Hall. Tanning is faculty at Larchmont Music Academy and St. Lukes School. Her work has been reviewed by the New York Times, New Sounds Live, and The Wall Street Journal.
Andie Tanning is a violinist and performer. She is the cofounder and musical director of Wild Shore New Music, now in its eighth year as Alaska’s premier new music festival. She released her debut album, “Dandelion,” in December 2018. Steve Dollar of the National Sawdust Log writes, “The stylistically diverse Dandelion is not only a scrapbook of Tanning’s experiences and influences, but also an open and always surprising collaboration with composers and video artists whose spirits are illuminated through the violinist’s intrepid musicianship and exploratory nature.” She has toured internationally as a company member of the New York City Players, has served as a multi-instrumentalist in theater groups Object Collection and New Paradise Laboratories, was the fiddle player in the musical, The Snow Child, by John Strand, Georgia Stitt and Bob Banghart, and was a violin sub in the Broadway revival of Oklahoma!. Ongoing musical collaborations include a duo with guitarist James Moore and the minimalist rock band Thee Reps. Her album with James Moore, “Gertrudes,” was released on New World Records in 2016. She has performed at LA Opera, The Kitchen, The Pompidou, and Carnegie Hall. Tanning is faculty at Larchmont Music Academy and St. Lukes School. Her work has been reviewed by the New York Times, New Sounds Live, and The Wall Street Journal.
