On April 7, 2026, Young Concert Artists returned to Jazz at Lincoln Center for their 65th Anniversary Gala. This year’s celebration honored Carter Brey, Principal Cellist of the New York Philharmonic, and Anne-Marie McDermott, pianist and Artistic Director of Bravo! Vail Music Festival.
The evening was opened as usual, with introductory remarks from Host and Auctioneer Kevin Joyce. “It is my honor to be with you as the MC and later on as the gentle-but-persuasive guide to philanthropic excellence. In this venue we get to partake in an artistic, musical experience that is, to put it mildly, not available in stores, not available anywhere except here tonight in the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center. It is an evening and moment to savor.”
“Good evening and welcome,” began company president Daniel Kellogg. “For 65 years, YCA has played a singular role in the life of classical music, identifying extraordinary young musicians and then helping them take the first steps towards major international careers. Their success relies on more than on their artistic excellence, it also requires a community who believes in their incredible potential, a community who believes in the essential role that music plays in our world.
Tonight we are especially proud to honor two remarkable artists and treasured YCA alumni Carter Brey and Ann McDermott. Both are celebrating important milestones this season: Carter will retire after 30 years as Principal Cellist of the New York Philharmonic, and Ann-Marie will step down after 16 seasons as Artistic Director of Bravo! Vail Music Festival. They are shining example of what’s possible through a career that begins with YCA.
Now, as we celebrate this milestone year, we are also looking ahead towards expanding our reach and and strengthening our ability to support young artists at the highest level. The work of YCA is possible because of all of you, your belief in these artists, your commitment to this mission, and your presence here tonight.”
Kicking off the program that night was Smetana’s ‘Rondo in C Major’ played by pianists Chaeyoung Park, Ying Li, Albert Cano Smit, and Zhu Wang. This selection featured a jaunty, lighthearted energy as the material flowed from a running texture into firm, boisterous chords, skillfully balanced between the eight hands across two pianos.
Following this was the ‘Andante, ma moderato’ from Brahms’ ‘String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op. 8’ played by violinists Paul Huang and Lun Li, violists Ida Kavafian and Steven Tenenbom, and cellists Carter Brey and Rafael Figueroa. The ensemble outlined the swift and refined measures with an eloquent, virtuosic flair across this section as the texture gentled into more lyrical passages. The result was a beautiful series of moments to savor this calm expressivity as it tapered to its conclusion.
Third on the bill was Czerny’s arrangement of the ‘Allegro Assai’ from Mozart’s ‘Piano Concerto in D Minor, K. 466.’ This number saw McDermott joined by noted YCA artists like flautist Anthony Trionfo, violinists Bella Hristova and Risa Hokamura, violist Nokuthulia Ngwenyama, cellist Benett Tsai, and double bassist Marguerite Cox. The ensemble was in excellent form as they highlighted the vivacious quality of the section through its nuanced textures.
“This is beyond just a special evening for me personally. I can’t describe how deeply meaningful this honor is for me. When I think back to, as Susan Wadsworth mentioned, I was accompanying a lot of people for the YCA auditions, Susan took me aside and said ‘Why don’t you audition?’ and I did. I was lucky and I won, and it started me off on a career that has allowed me to do what I am completely in love with every day of my life. That thanks really goes to Susan Wadsworth and YCA; I don’t whether I would have made it without that boost of confidence, her nurturing, lifting me up, I can tell you so many stories about Susan, but what I will say is that every story related to her was a lesson learned and some wisdom gained for me. During those years as a young artist, you may not think anyone is paying attention to you, but YCA has established such a gravitas over the past sixty-five years, really because of its track record of artists I’m humbled to be amongst. As the years have gone by, it has meant more and more to me, and I have devoted more of my time to mentoring. To me, hanging out in a room with 10 young pianists, there’s no greater joy… It really strikes me in this busy world, there has never been a more important time for all of us to be helping to identify, foster, nurture, love, and give confidence to young people in this world.”
Next up was the ‘Allegro Scherzando,’ from Rachmaninoff’s’ ‘Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19.’ This piece made for an enchanting showcase from this year’s honorees as Brey joined McDermott for initially-lighthearted measures which filled with great emotional sentiment and dynamic weight across its arc.
Bringing the program to a close was the ‘Pezzo in forma di sonatina’ from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48.’ This beautifully-refined selection was opened with great warmth before the strings continued with an utterly romantic theme so emblematic of the composer’s style. Featuring all artists seen earlier, this work made for a charming and highly-elegant finale.
The concert itself was expertly delivered, and drew from a fine selection of classical excellence. Having attended the galas on and off for a few years, I can always expect artistry of the highest level. Within recent years, there was usually one or two slots within the program which would feature an innovative twist on a more traditional work, such as the original dance piece by Charles Riley set to Saint-Saens’ ‘The Swan’ in 2024. While I was a little disappointed to see a relatively orthodox program, it was nonetheless an enjoyable experience thanks to the respective talents of the artists.
As the years go on, YCA continues to provide world-class support and guidance to emerging musicians, with the proceeds of this evening’s concert and auction going towards funding this longstanding mission. Audiences and patrons of classical music can always look forward to splendid artistry from the roster of YCA.