Presenting

2026 Masterclass Participants

About Cascade Conducting

With the motto of "Excellence through Equity," Cascade Conducting is dedicated to bringing world- class musical education to talented and diverse musicians from the US and around the world.  Conceived by Paula Madrigal, Sarah Ioannides, and Teo Benson in 2017, Cascade Conducting is officially a program of Orquesta Northwest, a 501(c)3 non-profit.

Since 2018, Cascade Conducting has given out 30 full tuition scholarships equaling more than $90,000 to exceptional young conducting and composing students, with a focus on engaging talented BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) musicians who may not have access to traditional avenues or opportunities.

Gaining truly international status, the Orchestral Masterclass has welcomed conductor's from England, Australia, Iran, China, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Israel, and Ecuador.

A unique pedagogical philosophy has formed the mission of Cascade Conducting, which seeks to provide a unique map for navigating the world of music and conducting, and to find balance between the demands of the business, and the preservation of one’s individual musicianship as a necessity to achieve excellence.

In 2020, in a partnership with Symphony Tacoma, Cascade Conducting teamed up with Symphony Tacoma composer in residence, and now Dean of the School of Music at Julliard, David Serkin Ludwig, to create the first Cascade Composers Workshop with David Ludwig, and culminated in the performance of "The Final Conquest" presented by Symphony Tacoma.  Now in it's 4th full year, the Cascade Composers Workshop has welcomed composers from around the US and the World including composers from Venezuela, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Israel.  

In 2022, Cascade Conducting added a Choral Conducting Masterclass, led by Director of Choral Activities, and Music Director of Symphony Tacoma Voices, Dr. Geoffrey Boers.  This year's Choral Conducting Masterclass is comprised of 13 talented and emerging choral conductors from all across the US and Canada.  

The Orchestral Masterclass with Sarah Ioannides, Third Annual Choral Masterclass with Geoffrey Boers, and fourth Annual Cascade Composers Workshop will run from June 15th- June 21st, 2026, giving participants from each class the opportunity to learn from all of the faculty and disciplines at the Eighth Annual Cascade Conducting Masterclass with Sarah Ioannides. 

Programs

Composers Premiere of New Works 

Cascade Conducting & Composers Workshop

Composers Reading Session

World Premiere Performances

Shining Sea (World Premiere).......................................Oliver Ellsworth

Conductor: Quinn Mason

In reflecting on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, I was immediately drawn to the vast and uniquely varied natural landscape of this country as inspiration. As the title might suggest, Shining Sea focuses on the natural beauty found in and around the two coasts of the United States. I wanted the piece to evoke feelings of the natural beauty surrounding the coasts that makes this country so special. The title, Shining Sea, is taken from the last lines of Katherine Lee Bates’ anthem “America the Beautiful”: …from sea to shining sea.

Weltschmerz (World Premiere)..................................,..Bryan Chiang

Conductor: Jinhee Park

Mountain Wanderings (World Premiere).....................Griffen Collins

Conductor: Hannah Moreno

Mountain Wanderings muses on a sort of peace found when one is lost. It is partly inspired by the meadows of Mount Rainier National Park, and it attempts to gaze at unfamiliar landscapes through a child’s eyes. Through interruptions, cloudy visions, and illusions of purpose, the piece evokes an optimistic view of a fearful situation and finds solace in an unfamiliar place. 

Little Dances (World Premiere)....................................Amara Farah

Composer and Conductor: Amara Farah

“Little Dances” is a lighthearted piece embodying a celebration of identity and life. I was inspired by a song that my father frequently sang to me growing up, "Imani Sate'e" ( إيماني ساطع ), which speaks of perseverance in dark times and looking forward to brighter days ahead. I included a melody, which is similar to the song, throughout the piece, and I composed joyful music around it to inspire feelings of dance and celebration. 

But... Harbor Remains (World Premiere)...................Runchen Li

Conductor: Faith Foster

Yove (World Premiere)................................................Nicole Balsirow

Conductor: Jarred Kennedy

Yove, or Йови in Kalmyk, is the imperative form of “to go” in English. It’s the need to move or a command that someone would say. The piece carries this momentum using Kalmyk folk tunes, instrument combinations, evoking the steppe, and culminates in a final lurch after the will is imposed on the ensemble. 

Petit Rondeau (World Premiere)................................Isaiah Saranow

Conductor: Ariadna Benitez Talavera

Scherzo (World Premiere).........................................Zachary Landress

Conductor: Matilda Goldie

Scherzo is a playful, energetic work whose humor comes from its efficiency and playfulness. A

solemn, brooding introduction ironically gives way to music built on jest, momentum, and

musical optimization.

The word ‘scherzo’ literally translates from Italian as “joke.” In music, the term is used to

describe works that possess a playful, mischievous, or lighthearted character.

The scherzo as a musical form developed during the late eighteenth century, coinciding with the

founding and early history of the United States. Like our nation, Scherzo takes a traditional

Western form and reimagines it for the modern world. It embraces inherited conventions while

interpreting them through musical modernity.

Cascade Composers Sinfonietta

Daniel Ott, Director of the Composers Workshop

Tonight's performance features the world premiere readings of eight new works created by composers participating in the 2026 Cascade Conducting & Composers Workshop. These performances represent the culmination of a week of collaboration among composers, conductors, and musicians dedicated to the creation and performance of new music. 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)

Regina Coeli in C Major, K. 276 (321b)

Conductor: Paula Madrigal

Vesperae Solennes de Confessore in C Major, K. 339

(Solemn Vespers of a Confessor)

Dixit Dominus

Conductor: Joshua Rodriguez

Confitebor tibi Domine

Conductor: Joshua Rodriguez

Beatus vir 

Conductor: Gus Labayen

Laudate pueri Dominum / Laudate Dominum 

Conductor: Andrew Sanchez

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)

Requiem in D Minor, K. 626

Introitus: Requiem aeternam / Kyrie

Conductor: Thien-An Truong

Sequentia: Dies irae / Tuba mirum

Conductor: Rachelle Randeen

Sequentia: Rex tremendae / Recordare 

Conductor: Elliot Weeks

Sequentia: Confutatis / Lacrimosa

Conductor: Karen Porter

Offertorium: Domine Jesu Christe / Hostias 

Conductor: Omaris Torres-Frey

Sanctus / Benedictus 

Conductor: Cliff Reilly

Agnus Dei

Conductor: Molly O'Donnell

Communio: Lux aeterna / Cum sanctis tuis

Conductor: Jordan Nylander

Overture No. 2, Op. 24 

Louise Farrenc (1804–1875)

Conducted by Matilda Goldie

Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune

Claude Debussy (1862–1918)

Conducted by Ariadna Benitez Talavera 

Tres Danzas Españolas (Three Spanish Dances)

Enrique Granados (1867–1916)

I.  Conducted  by  Kassey  Castro
II.  Conducted by Hannah Moreno
III.  Conducted by Faith Foster

Ballade for Flute and Orchestra, Op. 288

Carl Reinecke (1824–1910)

Mary Jensen, flute

Conducted by Gabriel Ferreras

Intermission

Octet for Wind Instruments

Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)

I. Sinfonia, conducted by Alyson Rake
II. Tema con variazioni, conducted by Jarred Kennedy
III. Finale, conducted by Faith Foster

Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 17

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893)

I. Andante sostenuto — Allegro vivo, conducted by Jinhee Park
II. Andantino marziale, quasi moderato, conducted by  Garrett  Makosky
III. Scherzo: Allegro molto vivace, conducted by  Sydney  Kincaid
IV. Finale: Moderato assai — Allegro vivo, conducted by Quinn Mason

Overture to Der Zigeunerbaron (The Gypsy Baron)

Johann Strauss II (1825–1899)

Conducted by Amara Farah