Dialogue on Disability

German-born bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff

In 1988 his career took off when he won the ARD International Music Competition and earned praise from the late lyric baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau.

curly haired gentleman in grey sport coat and vest sitting in front of large wood and stone fireplace

American composer Tobias Picker

When Tobias was just a child, he developed Tourette Syndrome, a condition that causes thousands of uncontrollable physical tics every day.

Conductor, educator, researcher, and consultant standing on podium conducting an orchestra of youth

American conductor and educator Dr. Jason Noble

Noble’s conducting aspirations were nearly shattered when leading classical figures told him he would never have a real conducting career due to his neurological disorder.

Young woman with red curly hair, leans elbows on table, curled hands cupping her face, turquoise background

Singer & actress Ana Karenža, 2024 Lotte Lenya Competition Winner

Watch the April 2024 Lotte Lenya Competition winning performance by Ana Karenza at Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music.

Young man in black sweater standing before a table of books, math graph, cello & music stand

Australian Cellist & mathematician Matthew Mack

Smiling young Asian man in black suit sitting at Steinway piano bench

American classical pianist Joshua Mhoon

In October 2024, Joshua Mhoon was the featured pianist in the Gateways Music Festival, held at the Eastman School of Music. Watch a video with his father when they appeared on the Tamron Hall Show.

Young man with glasses and brown shirt sitting on Steinway piano bench, hands clasped and smiling

American pianist Jonathan Biss

Biss believes that honesty is an absolute priority for an artist; otherwise, all the technique, listening and understanding in the world amounts to little.

Crystal Sellers Battle, associate dean of equity and inclusion, director of The George Walker Center for Equity and Inclusion in Music, and professor of Music Leadership, photographed in Miller Center, Eastman School of Music on Sept. 23, 2022.

Arts Features

Crystal Sellers Battle has music you should hear

Steve Johnson

Eastman professor Crystal Sellers Battle opens the George Walker Center Recital Series this Wednesday with music celebrating her Black heritage.

British pianist Nick van Bloss

British pianist Nick van Bloss, is one of only a few concert pianists in the world diagnosed with severe, non-swearing Tourette Syndrome.

British composer and conductor John Rutter

Composer and conductor John Rutter is beloved among choral singers all around the world for his church music and other choral pieces including a large number of Christmas carols.