Ensemble Connect

Ensemble Connect "Fun, fearless, and effing great." -Time Out New York

Created in 2007 by Carnegie Hall's Executive and Artistic Director Clive Gillinson and The Juilliard School's President Joseph W. Polisi, Ensemble Connect is an inspirational collective of young professional musicians who are fellows in a two-year program that supports them in building careers as top-quality performers, innovative programmers, and dedicated teachers who fully engage with the communities in which they live and work. Ensemble Connect includes music performance at the highest level, partnerships with New York City public schools, residencies at Skidmore College, opportunities to perform in a variety of community settings, and a robust commitment to professional development.

09/01/2026

Christopher Rouse’s “Rotae Passionis” inspired the title for January’s Up Close concert curated by Marin Alsop, who knew the composer well. According to Alsop, this work is “a metaphor for the injustices that we continue to perpetuate against each other and a reminder that maybe it’s time to stop.”

This performance featured flute, piccolo, and alto flutist Cameron Cullen; clarinet, E-flat clarinet, and bass clarinetist Anoush Pogossian; percussionist Oliver Xu; pianist Joseph Vaz; violinist Laurel Gagnon; violist Abby Smith; cellist Elena Ariza; and conductor Marin Alsop.

Watch the full work: https://youtu.be/B7_DmsstHbU?si=puhWOeaZKb1BkjyU

08/25/2026

This clip from “Up Close: Rotae Passionis,” curated by Marin Alsop, spotlights Jennifer Higdon’s “Book of Brass.” This special work, split up into four movements—Ramp Up, Acrostic, Glide & Fade, and Punch It Up—features horn player Will Sands, trumpeters Grace O’Connell and Brian Olson (alum), trombonist David Seder, and bass trombonist and guest Zachary Haas.

Watch: https://youtu.be/hFxtmahFSHo

08/18/2026

In “Up Close: Rotae Passionis,” Artistic Partner Marin Alsop curated a program focused on new music. In this clip, trumpeter Grace O’Connell, horn player Will Sands, trombonist David Seder, and pianist Joseph Vaz present Emma Lou Diemer’s Quartet for Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, and Piano.

Watch the full work: https://youtu.be/9Nj1B-gAV1A

08/11/2026

Ensemble Connect Up Close performances are amazing opportunities to experiment with new ways to present concerts and work with incredible guest artists. In January, Marin Alsop curated an Up Close performance with Ensemble Connect as part of her 2025–2026 Perspectives series.

In this clip, listen as violinists Laurel Gagnon and Coco Mi, violist Abby Smith, and cellist Elena Ariza perform Jessie Montgomery’s “Strum.”

Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/51ZtCPFRIfs?si=aPNIVc48rXbljqqT

After 23 years, we’re wishing our incredible director Amy all the best as she begins her next chapter❤️It’s been such a ...
08/02/2026

After 23 years, we’re wishing our incredible director Amy all the best as she begins her next chapter❤️

It’s been such a joy to learn from her, laugh with her, and celebrate everything she’s built throughout her time at Carnegie Hall.

Amy, we are so grateful to be part of your last cohort with EC. Thank you for all the passion, care, and expertise you’ve brought to this program. You will be missed! 🥹

07/30/2026

Hear from George Lewis, the composer of “Broke,” which was premiered by Ensemble Connect earlier this year at Skidmore College. It was an incredible opportunity to work with a living legend!

Watch the full behind-the-scenes video: https://youtu.be/Js4kiuSexeM?si=36gTJdVFaH_XUl_Q

07/22/2026

Last, but not least, is a clip from the world premiere of George Lewis’s “Broke,” filmed at Skidmore College in February. This powerful performance includes flutist Cameron Cullen, clarinetist Nicole Martin, trumpeter Grace O’Connell, trombonist David Seder, and pianist Joseph Vaz. We were thrilled that George Lewis himself was able to join us for the residency and performance—an experience we’ll never forget!

Watch the full performance here: https://youtu.be/DhB9uTxxYZA?si=cXP39E6WZ4gRZVYW

We are beyond proud of our very own Coco Mi, who is joining the world renowned Poiesis Quartet! Although we are so sad t...
07/16/2026

We are beyond proud of our very own Coco Mi, who is joining the world renowned Poiesis Quartet! Although we are so sad to not have Coco back with Ensemble Connect next year, we could not be more excited for them to start this amazing chapter. If you’ve met Coco or have heard them play, you know firsthand the sincerity, excitement and joy that they exude.

Please enjoy these pictures of some of our favorite memories with Coco from this past season 🥰✨ With love and light, stay vigilant and enjoy every matcha that comes your way 🍵❤️

07/08/2026

Today’s Skidmore College concert clip is an iconic work by Scott Joplin arranged for string quartet—“The Entertainer.” This performance features violinists Coco Mi and Laurel Gagnon, violist Abby Smith, and cellist Elena Ariza.

Watch the full performance here: https://youtu.be/miTLbvZzrM0?si=f2sRhhr4Cti0zD8b

07/01/2026

Next up in our musical walk down memory lane is a performance of Ives’s String Quartet No. 1, “From the Salvation Army.” Enjoy this clip featuring violinists Coco Mi and Laurel Gagnon, violist Abby Smith, and cellist Elena Ariza.

Watch the full performance here: https://youtu.be/9b6eAsjQAUw?si=jdluzCJNawmOJL-4

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