Irving S. Gilmore School of Music

The Capitol Quartet is widely considered among the most exciting chamber ensembles performing today. Its members are Christopher Creviston, Joseph Lulloff, David Stambler, and Henning Schröder (WMU faculty member).

Iris Xiaoyu Liu is a bass trombonist from China, currently finishing her DMA degree at the University of Iowa, where she also served as a teaching assistant in the trombone area. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing, and a Master’s degree from Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University with Denson Paul Pollard. Iris is making history as the first female bass trombonist from China to pursue a doctoral degree. Alongside her studies, she is a low brass instructor at Grinnell College and Central College at Iowa State, actively contributing to the development of young musicians in the brass community.

Robert DiLutis is currently professor of clarinet at the University of Maryland, School of Music, College Park. Making his Carnegie Hall Recital debut in 1989, Mr. DiLutis has also performed as a featured soloist with ensembles such as the San Antonio Symphony, Baton Rouge Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Recently Mr. DiLutis toured with the New York Philharmonic on its historic trip to Pyongyang, North Korea.

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.