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Presenter of the Voice Masterclass |
Presenter of the Piano Masterclass |
Mr. Christopher Brewer is a distinguished music educator, director, and liturgical musician, serving as the Owner and Artistic Director of The Music Note. With a commitment to excellence in both private and community music education, Mr. Brewer leads a staff of 32 professional musicians and manages instruction for over 500 students in private voice, instrumental lessons, and ensemble training. He is also a seasoned voice teacher, handbell ensemble director, and choir conductor, dedicated to fostering both musical artistry and community participation through music.
His students have earned top honors in national and international competitions including The International Youth Music Competitions - IYMC, The Charleston Music Competition, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). They have been featured on NPR, received collegiate scholarships, and secured leading roles in musical theater productions. In addition to his work with The Music Note, Mr. Brewer has faithfully served the Diocese of Pittsburgh as Director of Music Ministry and Organist for various parishes and schools, where he continues to support and elevate sacred music traditions. Mr. Brewer studied under a distinguished group of mentors, including Mrs. Donna Kinsey, Mrs. Glenda Gray, Ms. Janis-Rozena Peri, Dr. Nicholas Perna, Dr. Kyoung Cha, Dr. William Haller, and Mr. William Whitesides. He is an active member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, the American Choral Directors Association, and Handbell Musicians of America. He is also the founder of Amputee Musicians in the Pittsburgh Community, a groundbreaking initiative supporting differently abled artists through inclusive music education and performance opportunities. |
Bucharest-born pianist, composer and educator, Cristiana Achim is recognised as a standout talent of her generation. Graduating with First Class Distinction in 2024 from the esteemed Royal College of Music in London, under the tutelage of Professor Nigel Clayton, she earned a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Performance degree. She was a recipient of the C. Bechstein Scholarship and the holder of the Help Musicians Postgraduate Awards. She is now a Trustee of the Talent Unlimited Charity.
Most notably, Cristiana has been awarded the 2023 London Symphony Orchestra Conservatoire Scholarship, amplifying her musical studies with performing opportunities and mentorship throughout the 2023-2024 concert season. Cristiana performed under the baton of Gianandrea Noseda, Sakari Oramo, Sabin Pautza, John Andrews and Constantin Grigore with orchestras such as London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Camerata and Trinity Orchestra. Renowned for her exceptional solo and chamber performances, Cristiana has received laurels from various international music competitions, such as the ‘Youth Music International Competition’, New York, Norah Sande 2022 Awards', ‘Intercollegiate Piano Trio Society’ Competition and the 'Andrew Downes' Music Competition. In addition, she achieved the distinction of being a semifinalist in the prestigious ROSL 2023 Music Competition. Her performances have graced esteemed venues across the UK and internationally, including the DiMenna Centre for Classical Music, New York, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Bechstein Hall in London or the Romanian Atheneum in Bucharest. Cristiana’s repertoire is diverse, encompassing classical, contemporary, jazz, and folk music. She has a particular affinity for Romanian folk music, which she has explored in her piano solo compositions since 2019. In addition to her performing career, she is passionate advocate for music education. Cristiana served as a Benedetti Foundation Music Ambassador, contributing to creative projects alongside violinist Nicola Benedetti. She is also a Visiting Piano Teacher at City of London Freemen’s School and at the World Heart Beat Music Academy. In 2024, she founded Piano-Travel, an online platform connecting pianists with global music events and budget-friendly travel resources for which she was awarded the RCM Accelerate Scheme prize which further supports her entrepreneurial project. |
