Press Release: American Youth Symphony to Give One-on-One Concerts at ESMoA

(September 15, 2020 Los Angeles, CA) – After months of patrons experiencing music and art at home, American Youth Symphony (AYS) and ESMoA have partnered to bring back the live music experience with intimate one-on-one concerts on September 26th between 5:00-7:00pm.

Held on the rooftop of ESMoA in Downtown El Segundo, one musician will perform for one audience member. There will be a succession of four 1:1 performances, each 15 minutes long played by AYS Principal Cellist, Alex Mansour and AYS violinist, Ani Sinanyan. Please visit https://www.aysymphony.org/1on1/ for more information.

This project is inspired by Marina Abramovic’s “The Artist is Present” 2010 performance at MoMA and the Stuttgart State Opera and the SWR Symphony Orchestra’s 1:1 performances at the Stuttgart Airport in Germany this May. AYS and ESMoA are committed to reimagining concert experiences during the pandemic period, to foster connection during this isolating time.

“The core of AYS’ mission is to nurture the talents of our young musicians and a commitment to making the orchestral experience available to all,” said Tara Aesquivel, AYS Executive Director, “We are grateful for this partnership with ESMoA, which will allow us to continue sharing the healing experience of live music.”

This event is by invitation only, though each performance will be recorded and compiled into a short film to be released at a future date. 

AYS and ESMoA are taking health and safety seriously and following CDC and LA County recommendations for in-person events. Guests, staff, and musicians will follow COVID-19 safety regulations as part of AYS’ event guidelines.

About the Artists

Alex Mansour, Principal Cello

Alexander Mansour is a composer, pianist, and cellist from Los Angeles, California. His music is fascinated with the lyricism of romantic expression, dramatic juxtaposition of disparate harmonies, and dynamic narrative structures. As a cellist, Alex serves as principal of American Youth Symphony, and has joined the New York String Orchestra Seminar for their Christmas concerts at Carnegie Hall. He has also appeared on  NPR’s “From the Top”. He has studied with Katinka Kleijn (CSO), and during an exchange in London, with Richard Lester (Royal College of Music). Visit his website to learn more about his past projects, https://www.alexmansourmusic.com/

Ani Sinanyan, Violin

Ani Sinanyan is a young violinist and winner of many competitions born into a family of musicians. In April of 2010, Ani was a finalist of the Youth Talent Festival and performed in the Carnegie Weill Recital Hall in New York City. From 2013-17, she was the concertmistress and solo violinist of the Verdugo Young Musicians Association. In the summer of 2018, Ani was the Principal Second Violinist of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Institute at Whistler. She is in her second year with American Youth Symphony and attends UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, Music Major in Violin Performance. She hopes to become an accomplished musician and professional violinist.

About American Youth Symphony
Founded in 1964 by renowned conductor Mehli Mehta, the American Youth Symphony inspires the future of classical music by training the next generation of professional musicians and building new audiences for orchestral music. AYS presents ambitious seasons that feature thoughtful programming of exceptionally high quality, covering a breadth of symphonic music, including beloved classics, film scores, chamber works, and contemporary pieces. AYS is committed to reflecting the diversity of Los Angeles in its programming, representing artists and composers of all genders, generations, and ethnicities. AYS is also committed to equity within the orchestra, by holding blind, free auditions, and by paying musicians instead of charging tuition. AYS concerts are presented for free or low cost, at world-class concert halls and local community venues alike, with the goal of welcoming anyone who is interested to enjoy this beautiful art form. https://aysymphonyorg.dream.press/

About ESMoA

ESMoA is an art laboratory located in El Segundo, California and it is run by artlab21 Foundation. Our mission is to Spread the Spark of Creativity through the display and education of visual arts. ESMoA functions as a catalyst for creative thinking offering unique Experiences. The Experiences – our word for exhibition/exhibit – present a variety of media, including sculpture, painting, works on paper, performances, and photography. https://esmoa.org/