The Music Institute of Chicago Academy Celebrates 20 Years!

Cellist Gabriel Cabezas is a sought-after soloist, collaborator, and chamber musician praised for his artistry, charisma, and versatility across classical and contemporary repertoire. Named one of The Washington Post’s “Composers and Performers to Watch,” he has appeared with leading orchestras across the United States and premiered numerous works by today’s foremost composers. Gabriel is widely recognized for his creative partnership with composer Gabriella Smith, including Lost Coast, their acclaimed album inspired by climate change, named one of NPR Music’s “Favorite Albums of 2021.” He is a member of the groundbreaking chamber ensemble yMusic and co-founder of the string group Owls, both known for innovative collaborations and new music projects. As a studio musician, Gabriel has recorded with artists including Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, and John Legend. A recipient of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, he studied at the Curtis Institute of Music under Carter Brey.

"I consider myself exceptionally fortunate to have begun my musical training in such a nurturing and encouraging environment. Coming from a small town with limited diversity, being around so many gifted peers early on was both inspiring and deeply influential for me. The teachers, masterclasses, chamber music experiences, and lasting friendships shaped me into the musician I am today. In retrospect, it’s remarkable how rare it was to grow within a setting that felt so secure and uplifting, especially in a field so often shaped by competition."

Violist Arianna Smith is an internationally recognized performer celebrated for her captivating artistry and expressive versatility. Praised for her “ability to move from soft and sultry to all around smiles,” she has appeared at leading venues including the Kennedy Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Chicago Symphony Center, the Philharmonie de Paris, Paris National Opera, and Bozar in Brussels. Her performances have been featured on NPR’s From the Top, WFMT, KUSC, and France Musique. An accomplished chamber musician, Arianna has collaborated with renowned artists including Steven Isserlis, Christian Tetzlaff, Vadim Repin, James Galway, and the Ébène Quartet. She is the founder of the award-winning Mona Quartet, an ensemble dedicated to championing women composers. Arianna studied at the Paris Conservatory with Jean Sulem, the Colburn School with Paul Coletti, and began her musical training in Chicago with Roland and Almita Vamos and Marko Dreher. She currently performs across Europe and the United States.

"My time there culminated in some of my most exciting milestones of my pre-conservatory life. Hans Jensen, with whom I continued studying at the Academy, was exactly the teacher I needed at that moment. He pushed me to be my absolute best, insisting on a rigorous technical foundation and encouraging me to open up the most expressive and personal parts of my playing. His teaching, words of advice, exercises still guide me in my work today. With Hans' guidance, I won a competition that allowed me to perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It was truly a dream come true, made even more unforgettable by sharing a dressing room with Yo-Yo Ma during those few days...My time at the Academy was full of formative experiences, a lot of learning, and friendships. I'm grateful to have been part of this environment that fosters these moments, supporting young people as they discover what it really means to be a musician. "

Cellist Johannes Gray is an internationally acclaimed artist and prizewinning performer who made his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 14. A laureate of major international competitions, he is a multiple prizewinner of the International J.S. Bach Competition in Leipzig and recipient of awards including the Pablo Casals Award, Fischoff Chamber Music Competition Gold Medal, and Verbier Festival’s Prix de l’APCAV. His solo career has taken him to leading venues and festivals across four continents, including the Berlin Philharmonie, Lincoln Center, Ravinia, Verbier, and the Cello Biënnale Amsterdam. Johannes performs regularly with pianist Anastasiya Magamedova, with whom he won third prize at the 2025 European Chamber Music Competition. Trained by renowned pedagogues including Hans Jørgen Jensen, Frans Helmerson, and Ivan Monighetti, Johannes has lived in Paris since 2015 and has served as assistant professor at the Scandinavian Cello School since 2024.

"I was 9 years old when I became part of the inaugural class of The Academy at MIC, and it ended up shaping so much of who I am as a musician today. Spending almost every Saturday from ages 9–17 at Ravinia, it became such a staple of my childhood and some of my most formative musical memories were made there. From theory class with Mr. Setapen, to my private lessons with the Vamoses, to the chamber coachings that eventually led us to Fischoff, every part of my experience at the Academy helped shape me both musically and personally.

Being surrounded by such a high level of playing from such a young age constantly inspired me and pushed me to grow alongside my peers...The Academy gave me an incredibly strong technical and artistic foundation and fostered a deep love for collaboration and music-making that I still carry with me today. I’m incredibly grateful to have grown up there and to celebrate 20 years of such a special program." 

Praised by The New York Times as “stunning,” violinist Adé Williams is an award-winning soloist celebrated for her vibrant artistry and strong connection with audiences. A 2023 Stradivari Society recipient, she has performed with leading orchestras including the Philadelphia and Cleveland Orchestras, the Detroit and Pittsburgh Symphonies, and the Buffalo Philharmonic. After making her solo debut with the Chicago Sinfonietta at age six, Adé went on to earn numerous competition prizes and make appearances at the White House, Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall. An active recitalist and chamber musician, she has collaborated with ensembles including the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and Sphinx Virtuosi, while also championing contemporary works and living composers. Dedicated to education and community engagement, she teaches, presents masterclasses, and leads outreach initiatives for young musicians. She graduated with honors from the Curtis Institute of Music where she studied with Ida Kavafian and served as concertmaster of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra in the 2018-2019 season. 

Pianist Daniel Szefer is a Polish-American artist recognized for his expressive performances, competition success, and commitment to music education. Introduced by the Chopin Foundation of the United States at age ten, he has since appeared as a soloist and chamber musician across North America and Europe. His honors include top prizes at the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition, and the Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Piano Competition, where he received the Szymanowski Prize. Daniel has performed at Chicago Symphony Center and with ensembles including the Calgary Philharmonic and Lira Ensemble Orchestra. An active chamber musician, he has collaborated internationally through the Walden Trio and participated in festivals and academies in Canada, Mexico, Norway, and the United States. He earned degrees from the University of Calgary and Northwestern University, studying with Krzysztof Jablonski and James Giles. Passionate about equitable access to the arts, Daniel also served as a Teach For America corps member and educator.