ABOUT THE COMPOSER

ERICH STEM

Noted for music that is "sophisticated and intriguing" (The Washington Post), Erich Stem has developed an expansive repertoire encompassing symphonic projects, chamber music, and interdisciplinary collaborations, earning distinction for a musical style described as “unique and beautiful”(Boston Theatre Review) and one that “breaks minimalism apart” (A Closer Listen).

​Stem integrates music with other art forms in recent works like Shenandoah, a piece for orchestra commissioned by James Madison University that premiered in 2022 alongside a film featuring Louisville Ballet dancer, Ashley Thursby. This collaboration brought together music and movement to explore the rich natural beauty and history of the Shenandoah Valley. Similarly, Kayak for Marimba, Vibraphone, and Orchestra, commissioned by National Symphony Orchestra percussionist Scott Christian and conducted by David Neely, further explores the experience of being connected to nature. Throughout his career, groups such as the Minnesota Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and many others have performed Stem’s orchestral works across the United States.

ABOUT THE ALBUM

re:CONNECT was made possible by a consortium commission featuring the La HERmandad duo (Carrie RavenStem and Adria Sutherland, clarinets) and other artists (see consortium members below). The work received its world premiere at the 2023 International Clarinet Association's 50th Anniversary "ClarinetFest" in Denver, Colorado. The music addresses the conference's theme, "unity" by exploring the four stages of separation and togetherness experienced by many during the 2020 COVID pandemic.

KRISTINE DIZON

Dr. Kristine Dizon is a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow (2024–2026) at Concordia University, Montréal, and the Carlos Miguel Prieto Conducting Fellow at OAcademy Conservatory. She is an accomplished clarinetist, conductor, and educator, as well as the Founder of The Modern Artist Project and the Music & Language Learning Center.

Her debut album, An American In Paris, was praised as “a delightful escape into the realm of timeless beauty and artistic expression” (Anna Roach), while her duet album Two of a Kind with Radovan Cavallin showcases “excellent performances” that explore new dimensions of clarinet music (Osiris Molina).

​Dizon will soon release Unheard Voices, a CD featuring works by French women composers. She recently won second place at the International Clarinet Association’s Research Competition for her study “Gender and Power Dynamics in Québec and French Female Clarinet Compositions.”

She holds a PhD from the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, an advanced conducting certificate from Conservatorio Svizzera Italiana, and degrees from Berklee College of Music and École Normale de Musique de Paris. Dizon performs on Silverstein Ligatures.

RADOVAN CAVALLIN

Radovan Cavallin, born in Zagreb, Croatia, in 1969, is an acclaimed clarinetist known for his expressive style and technical mastery. He began his studies at the Academy of Music at the University of Zagreb, becoming their youngest student, and later attended the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, winning First Prizes in both Chamber Music and Clarinet.

​Cavallin has performed over 400 solo concerts worldwide, appearing with prestigious orchestras such as the Zagreb Philharmonic, Sinfonia Varsovia, and the Dubrovnik Symphony. As a soloist, he has toured with Sting and recorded for labels including Croatia Records and BMG Arte Nova.

Cavallin is also the founder of multiple chamber ensembles and serves as Artistic Director of several international festivals. Currently, he is Principal Clarinet of the Orquesta Filarmónica de Gran Canaria and Professor of Clarinet at the OFGC Academy.

He is endorsed by Selmer, Backun, Silverstein, and D’Addario for his instrument and accessories.

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