07/17/2026
Our annual jazz concert is tomorrow-Sunday, 7/19!
The Stephanie Chou Jazz Ensemble blends Chinese musical influences with Western jazz and pop to create a unique and vibrant cross-cultural sound. Bandleader and composer Stephanie Chou has been called “one of New York’s most socially relevant and ambitious jazz talents” by New York Music Daily, with her work earning wide recognition.
“A seamless blend of styles…creative and mesmerizing throughout, as it traverses sounds both old and new….Chou’s performance never wavers, and is a delight throughout.”
– Broadway World
“A stunning work that…shines light on a dark chapter of history.” – DownBeat
Featuring:
Stephanie Chou, voice, alto saxophone
Andy Lin, erhu, viola
Hyuna Park, piano
Matt Aronoff, bass
Ronen Itzik, drums
Stephanie Chou studied classical piano for 15 years, started playing saxophone at age 10, and singing at age 24. She holds a BA in Mathematics from Columbia University and completed graduate studies in Music Composition at the City College of New York. Chou has received grants and commissions from the American Composers Forum, Chamber Music America, New Music USA, Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, OPERA America, New York State Council on the Arts, and more. As an educator, Stephanie has presented masterclasses on blending culture and music, as well as the intersections of math and music.
Taiwanese-American violist and erhuist (Chinese violin), Dr. Andy Lin, is recognized as one of the most promising and active performers who specialized in both western and eastern instruments. Andy is the artistic director and co-founder of the New Asia Chamber Music Society.
An award-winning jazz pianist, Hyuna Park’s musical universe connects New York’s vibrant jazz tradition while embracing her Korean and classical roots. She was the 2018 winner of the International Women in Jazz (IWJ) festival and has performed at notable venues including the Kennedy Center, the Dizzy Gillespie Auditorium, and at the UN and other embassies.
Bassist Matt Aronoff studied at Carnegie Mellon University, then graduated with a Master's in Music from Manhattan School of Music. He is a highly sought-after acoustic and electric bassist whose first album as a bandleader, “Morning Song”, was named one of the best albums of 2022 by DownBeat magazine.
After completing degrees at Berklee College of Music and Florida State University, drummer Ronen Itzik became an in-demand session musician and sought-after recording artist in New York City. He has incorporated his knowledge of diverse musical styles into performances at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Blue Note, and at jazz festivals in Spain, Israel, Germany, Korea, Belgium, Colombia, Canada, and Ukraine.
