Irving S. Gilmore School of Music

Juliet White-Smith is an accomplished violist, an engaging and dynamic teacher, and an expert string pedagogue. With performing and professional teaching careers spanning over three and a half decades, she has performed in solo, chamber and orchestral settings throughout the United States and on tour in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Toronto native Andrew Rathbun is widely esteemed as one of the most creative and accomplished saxophonists, composers and bandleaders of his generation. Voted as a “Rising Star” in the 2018 and 2022 Downbeat Critics Polls  and recording steadily as a leader since the late 1990s, he has documented his stirring original music with an array of extraordinary lineups, featuring the talents of such greats as Kenny Wheeler, Billy Hart, George Garzone, Phil Markowitz and Bill Stewart.Originally hailing from Cos Cob, CT, jazz pianist, organist, and accordionist Gary Versace is one of the busiest and most versatile musicians on the international jazz scene, often featured in bands led by musicians such as John Scofield, Maria Schneider, John Abercrombie, Anat Cohen, Al Foster, Regina Carter, Ellery Eskelin, Ray Anderson, Rich Perry, John Hollenbeck, Ralph Alessi, Kurt Elling, Madeleine Peyroux, Matt Wilson, Brad Shepik, Ingrid Jensen and many others.

TAK is a mixed-quintet committed to musical exploration and experimentation and dedicated to commissioning new works and direct collaboration with composers and other artists. The group has performed internationally at IntACT Festival (Thailand), Music Current Festival (Ireland), Cluster Festival (Canada), Harpa Concert Hall (Iceland), and the Delian Academy (Greece), among many others, and enjoys an active schedule of domestic touring in the U.S.Members of TAK include Laura Cocks (flute), Madison Greenstone (clarinet), Charlotte Mundy (voice), Marina Kifferstein (violin), and Ellery Trafford (percussion).

Mexican bassoonist Carlos M. López (WMU faculty) began his studies at the School of Music of the National Autonomous University of Mexico before obtaining degrees from The Joyce and Henry Schwob School of Music and the University of Iowa, where he was the teaching assistant for the bassoon studio. Carlos has won prizes in numerous solo and chamber music competitions across Mexico and the United States. He served as second bassoon of the Lagrange Symphony Orchestra (Ga.) and has performed with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Columbus Symphony Orchestra (Ga.), Columbus Ballet Orchestra (Ga.) in the United States and UNAM Philharmonic and IPN Symphony in Mexico City.

Under conductor Bruce Uchimura, the University Symphony performs orchestral masterworks, features internationally recognized and WMU faculty soloists, and collaborates with the WMU Grand Chorus and Department of Dance to present their season in Miller Auditorium and the Dalton Center Recital Hall. Orchestra members perform with WMU opera and musical theatre productions, and the orchestra has performed at high schools, colleges, and various performance venues throughout Michigan.Concert will feature Stulberg Silver Medalist Zekai Chen, Violin Soloist.Bruce Uchimura, Music Director.