At the end of last week’s performances of two orchestra and strings concerts, the Upper School Orchestra and Virtuosi welcomed two world-class guest artists and one composer to their class. MICDS hosted violinist Jennifer Choi and pianist Kamilla Arku, along with their guest, composer and MICDS parent of an alum Fred Onovwerosuoke P’22, as part of the Intercultural Music Initiative (IMI). IMI is an initiative that highlights “music by lesser-known composers, particularly those of African descent, and other racial/ethnic minority backgrounds, alongside familiar, comparative repertoire from pre-Baroque through contemporary literature. IMI artists often lend their professional expertise to advocacy issues relating to music education, and diversity and to developing a more culturally inclusive music curriculum in schools and colleges. [Their] programs offer a unique concert experience and help integrate new musical works by lesser-known composers into existing performance repertoire.”
Learn about these three esteemed and talented guests from their distilled bios below:
Jennifer Choi is a critically acclaimed and adventurous violinist who has established a dynamic career by transcending traditional boundaries between solo performance, chamber music, and improvisation, becoming a sought-after collaborator for contemporary composers and performing in prestigious venues worldwide. With a strong classical foundation, she fearlessly explores experimental jazz and avant-garde music, premiering and recording works by notable composers and collaborating with a diverse range of musicians and ensembles, while also dedicating herself to music education through workshops, masterclasses, and outreach programs, and her extensive discography showcases her wide-ranging talent, including performances on the esteemed 1718 ‘Firebird’ Stradivarius.
Liberian-Norwegian pianist Kamilla Arku draws on her diverse background as inspiration for her work as a performer, educator, and scholar. She has recently performed for the Royal Opera House, the Lyric Opera House of Chicago, Chamber Music at Lincoln Center, the African Concert Series, and MoMA PS1. Kamilla is the founder and Director of Music for Liberia, a nonprofit which supports education in Liberia, and also recently joined Madonna’s Celebration Tour as a piano coach and teacher. Kamilla has been published in Women and Music: A Journal of Gender and Culture, and looks forward to publication in Cambridge University Press in 2025. She is currently a PhD student in musicology at New York University.
Fred Onovwerosuoke (“FredO”), a multiple award-winning composer born in Ghana to Nigerian parents and now based in the US, has extensively researched African music traditions across over 30 countries, identifying a wealth of untapped musical resources that heavily influence his compositions, which are further informed by his global travels and a distinct African sensibility. His comparative research extends to musical “Africanisms” in the American Deep South, the Caribbean, and South America, and his diverse musical knowledge spans from European classical masters to various traditional music. In 1994, he founded the St. Louis African Chorus, now IMI, to promote African choral music and works by underrepresented composers of African descent. Onovwerosuoke’s compositions have been featured in various media, and his published works, including “Songs of Africa” and “Twenty-four Studies in African Rhythms,” are widely acclaimed, establishing him as a significant figure in bringing African-influenced art music to a global audience, alongside his active role as a board member, composer-in-residence, guest conductor, and speaker.
In Brauer Auditorium, the guest artists performed several beautiful duets, including:
Elfentanz by Florence Price
- Herero
- Rooster
- Ngulu
- Duniya
- Udje
- Pende
- Ne Nkansu
The music captivated our students. “I thought it was amazing how the duo was able to stay in sync during the complex rhythms of African folk dance and capture its vibrant feel using such non-traditional instruments,” shared Siboney Oviedo-Gray ’26.
“Jennifer Choi and Kamilla Arku performed a breathtaking series of pieces for us. Their professionalism and musicality left us all in awe, and their ability to convey such strong emotions through their music was simply amazing!” adds Lucas Cheng ’27. “This experience draws a parallel to our goals in Virtuosi class, where we strive to become better musicians and collaborate effectively.”
Next, FredO joined Choi and Arku for a Q-and-A. “We were privileged to have renowned composer FredO join us. Jennifer and Kamilla performed several of his works, and hearing insights directly from him was a unique opportunity. He was not only inspirational but also approachable, answering our questions thoughtfully,” elaborates Lucas. They discussed their work cultivating new music and championing the work of underrepresented composers while students asked a variety of meaningful questions.
One student asked FredO how he found inspiration. He shared that he finds inspiration by traveling the world and apprenticing with musicians in genres he doesn’t know. “Never stop learning,” he shared. Another asked why the guests chose to be musicians. FredO answered, “I trained as an electrical engineer and I could make good money doing that, but music kept calling to me, and I realized that if I didn’t compose, the world would never get music by FredO.” Jennifer said, “I love the social aspect and how music connects everyone around the world.” Kamilla stated, “I simply can’t think of anything more beautiful. That’s what makes it fun—it’s the music itself and it’s actually living the music together.”
Other questions asked were about how playing music from different cultures has impacted them as artists and as people. Kamilla talked about how it was rare to play music composed by women or people of color earlier in her musical career. “Music can touch more people’s lives by being more inclusive and by having more viewpoints,” she said, now having played a lot of music from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Jennifer dove into how her travels have helped paint a clearer understanding of the music she plays since she can see what the composers saw and connect more deeply with the music. “Music is so cool in that way as it brings the past forward,” she explained. “I think of time not really linearly, but just…with us.”
At times, FredO had everyone on their feet, stomping along to unique beats and rhythms. He explained how we think in patterns–and there are 1,600 different rhythm patterns in Africa. In India, there are thousands of patterns (called ragas). He shared, “Modern composers have the challenge to be able to help modern musicians interpret new rhythms and new patterns.” He counted off different patterns for the class to really give the idea of a new pattern they could try to catch on to as musicians. “When new people come into our community, that should be an opportunity to learn something different.”
Thank you to Dr. Jo Nardolillo, JK-12 Arts Department Chair and Orchestra Director, for inviting such esteemed guests to the Brauer stage! A big thank you to Jennifer, Kamilla, and FredO for sharing your outstanding musical journeys, inspirations, talents, and knowledge with us. How fascinating to hear your music and your stories!