FEATURED ARTISTS

The New York Times commends Robert Auler’s playing for its “extraordinary rhythmic clarity and expression.” American Record Guide cites his “elegant tone and uncanny sense of voicing.” The Charlotte Observer writes that Auler handles “technical and virtuosic concerns with aplomb.” Auler’s playing has also been described as “...

The New York Times commends Robert Auler’s playing for its “extraordinary rhythmic clarity and expression.” American Record Guide cites his “elegant tone and uncanny sense of voicing.” The Charlotte Observer writes that Auler handles “technical and virtuosic concerns with aplomb.” Auler’s playing has also been described as “beautiful” (Fanfare), “superb,” (Ann Arbor News) “stunning” (LaPorte Herald-Argus) “first-rate” (Cincinnati News-Record), “truly electrifying” (Champaign-Urbana News- Gazette) and “a knockout.” (Syracuse Post-Standard.)

Auler has won first prize in national and international piano competitions, including the Society of American Musicians and the Stravinsky Awards. Auler has performed on six continents, including performances throughout the United States, Canada, Argentina, Venezuela, Germany, Austria, Holland, France, Denmark, the Czech Republic, China, South Africa and New Zealand. Notable venues include Carnegie Hall, Teatro Colon, and Shanghai Symphony Hall.

Auler has performed in notable summer music festivals including the Aspen Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, the Monadanock Festival, the Michigan City Chamber Music Festival, the Saugatuck Chamber Music Festival, Nantucket Musical Arts Society, and Festival A Tiempo Caracas (Venezuela).

He has collaborated with composers such as Steve Reich, Aaron Jay Kernis, Carter Pann, and George Tsontakis, and with world-class ensembles such as the Ying Quartet, MIRO Quartet and Sybarite5.

Auler is also the founder and executive director of Laveck Concerts, a recital series that brings world-class classical music to an underserved portion of upstate New York.

Auler records for Albany Records, performs frequently with Society for New Music, and Syracuse Symphoria, and serves as Professor of Piano at the State University of New York (Oswego). He and wife Tara have a 4-year old daughter, Katie, and a 1-year old daughter, Caroline.

Auler is the 2016 winner of SUNY Oswego’s President’s Award for Scholarly and Creative Activity.

Stephen Salem is currently in his twelfth year as a music educator at Liverpool High School, in Liverpool, NY, where he conducts the LHS Symphonic Band, Stage Band, Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, and teaches SUNY OCC Music Theory. During his time at Liverpool High School, Mr. Salem has also conducted ...

Stephen Salem is currently in his twelfth year as a music educator at Liverpool High School, in Liverpool, NY, where he conducts the LHS Symphonic Band, Stage Band, Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, and teaches SUNY OCC Music Theory. During his time at Liverpool High School, Mr. Salem has also conducted the Concert Band, served as the Brass Caption Head of the LHS Marching Band, and has conducted several musical theatre productions. Ensembles under his direction have been selected to perform at the NYSSMA Winter Conference as well as the NAfME Eastern Division Conference. Additionally, Mr. Salem has frequently lead clinics on low brass pedagogy, including at the NYSSMA Winter Conference featuring the LHS Tuba
Euphonium Ensemble.

Mr. Salem is in frequent demand as a guest conductor for All-Counties and Honor Band Festivals. In addition to teaching at Liverpool, Mr. Salem is also currently serving as the interim conductor of the Symphoria Youth Orchestras. As a conductor, Mr. Salem has been featured in a variety of festivals including the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, the Oregon Summer Conducting Institute, the Nordic Masterclass for Conductors in Denmark with the South Jutland Symphony, and the International Conducting Workshop and Festival in Czech Republic with the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic. Mr. Salem has also led Symphoria in educational concerts. In addition to teaching and conducting, Mr. Salem frequently performs on tuba with musical groups including the Central Winds, the Auburn Chamber Orchestra, Symphoria, the Utica Symphony, and the Misty Cove Brass Quintet as well as on bass trombone with the Central Winds Jazz Ensemble.

Mr. Salem graduated from the University of Florida with a Master’s Degree in Instrumental Conducting and from Syracuse University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. His conducting teachers include David Waybright and John Laverty, as well as supplemental studies with Jorma Panula, Larry Rachleff, and Donald Schleicher. Mr. Salem is a member of several professional organizations including the New York State School Music Association, the National Association for Music Education, Onondaga County Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 78. Mr. Salem resides in Liverpool with his wife Anna, daughter Amelia, and son Jonah.

Jessica Kline Tumajyan is the orchestra director at Christian Brothers Academy where she teaches string lessons, music theory, and conducts the CBA orchestras. She holds a bachelor of music in Viola Performance from Syracuse University and has been the viola instructor at Le Moyne College since 2014.

As ...

Jessica Kline Tumajyan is the orchestra director at Christian Brothers Academy where she teaches string lessons, music theory, and conducts the CBA orchestras. She holds a bachelor of music in Viola Performance from Syracuse University and has been the viola instructor at Le Moyne College since 2014.

As a former full time violist with Symphoria, Mrs. Tumajyan still performs actively on violin and viola. Ms. Tumajyan performs with the Binghamton Philharmonic, Tri-Cities Opera, Clinton Symphony, Syracuse Vocal Ensemble, Schola Cantorum, and is a member of the Fenimore Chamber Orchestra. Mrs. Tumajyan is completing her MM in Music Education from Ithaca College.

Mrs. Tumajyan is also actively involved in student coaching and adjudication and has recently adjudicated the Friends of Chamber Music Youth Chamber competition, Vermont All State auditions, and NYSSMA solo festival. She recently assisted with the Onondaga County JH all county festival, and conducted the Oswego Senior High All County concert. Mrs. Tumajyan was the co recipient (with her husband) of the 2022 Tiffany Award for outstanding contributions to music and music education in Central New york.

Mrs. Tumajyan lives in Manlius with her husband (a violinist), her son Sebastien, and their cat Snowball. She enjoys reading, traveling, nature walks, and of course, music.