RMF Program Booklet 2021

FACULTY CONCERT SERIES
July 10 - 25, 2021
AN
INCIDENTAL
COMEDY
Featuring
Student Alumni
Megan Hagel,
Cello
July 10 @ 7PM
July 11 @ 12PM
LIFE’S
A WALTZ
Featuring
Student Alumni
Jasmyn Dua,
Violin
July 17 @ 7PM
July 18 @ 12PM
A CERTAIN
FATE
Distinguished
Guest Artist
Hagai Shaham,
Violin
July 24 @ 7PM
July 25 @ 12PM
2021 Faculty Artists
Katie Smirnova, Violin | Brett Walfish, Viola
Ismar Gomes, Cello | Matthieu Cognet, Piano
Sheng-Yuan Kuan, Piano
CHAMBER MUSIC
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An Incidental Comedy
Saturday, July 10 th • 7 PM • Meier Hall at Black Hills State University
Sunday, July 11 th • 12 PM • Holy Cross Chapel at Terra Sancta
Piano Trio in B-Flat Major, Op. 11 “Gassenhauer”
L.v. Beethoven
I. Allegro con brio (1770-1827)
II. Adagio
III. Tema con variazioni: Allegretto
Brett Walfish, Viola • *Megan Hagel, Cello
Matthieu Cognet, Piano
Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49
F. Mendelssohn
I. Molto Allegro agitato (1809-1847)
II. Andante con moto tranquillo
III. Scherzo
IV. Finale
Katie Smirnova, Violin • Ismar Gomes, Cello
Matthieu Cognet, Piano
* 2020 Outstanding Musician Award
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Life’s A Waltz
Saturday, July 17 th • 7 PM • Meier Hall at Black Hills State University
Sunday, July 18 th • 12 PM • Holy Cross Chapel at Terra Sancta
Danse Macabre in G Minor, Op. 40
C. Saint-Saëns
(1835-1921)
Duo in A Minor “Lebensstürme”, Op. 144, D. 947
F. Schubert
for Piano Four-Hands (1797-1828)
Matthieu Cognet, Piano • Sheng-Yuan Kuan, Piano
String Quartet No. 2 in D Major
A. Borodin
I. Allegro moderato (1833-1887)
II. Scherzo Allegro
III. Notturno
IV. Finale: Andant - Vivace
Katie Smirnova, Violin • *Jasmyn Dua, Violin
Brett Walfish, Viola • Ismar Gomes, Cello
* 2020 Outstanding Musician Award
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A Certain Fate
Saturday, July 24 th • 7 PM • Meier Hall at Black Hills State University
Sunday, July 25 th • 12 PM • Holy Cross Chapel at Terra Sancta
Trio Élégiaque No. 1 in G Minor
S. Rachmaninoff
(1862-1918)
*Hagai Shaham, Violin
Ismar Gomes, Cello • Matthieu Cognet, Piano
Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34
J. Brahms
I. Allegro non troppo (1833-1897)
II. And`ante un poco adagio
III. Scherzo : Allegro
IV. Poco sostenuto - Allegro non troppo - Presto non troppo
*Hagai Shaham, Violin
Katie Smirnova, Violin • Brett Walfish, Viola
Ismar Gomes, Cello • Matthieu Cognet, Piano
*Distinguished Guest Artist
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Board of Directors
Brett Walfish - President, Executive Director, and Co-Founder
Dr. Katie Smirnova - Secretary, Artistic Director, and Co-Founder
Dr. Duane Abata - Professor of Mechanical Engineering, SDSM&T
Jacqueleen Baker - Educator and Philanthropist
Scott M. Schutz, Esq. - Litigation Attorney at Schutz Law
Steven Benn, MD - Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology,
Monument Health, Rapid City Hospital
Dr. Christopher Hahn - Assistant Professor of Music, BHSU
Philip Setzer - Violinist, Emerson String Quartet
:22:44 PM
Dr. Alevtina Smirnova - Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Applied
Biological Sciences, SDSM&T
Advisory Board
Daniel Heifetz - Founder of the Heifetz International Music Institute
Hagai Shaham - Violin Professor at the Buchmann-Mehta School of
Music at Tel Aviv University & Stony Brook University in New York.
Ann Setzer - Violin Professor Juilliard Pre-College & DePaul University
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Displaying a dazzling combination of technical
brilliance and a uniquely profound musical personality,
Hagai Shaham is internationally recognized as one
of the astonishing violinists who have emerged from
Israel. Hagai Shaham began studying the violin at age
of six and was the last student of the late renowned
Professor Ilona Feher. He also studied with Emanuel
Borok, Arnold Steinhardt and the Guarneri Quartet.
First prize winner of ARD Munich, Ilona
Kornhaouser competitions, Clairmont Awards, and scholarships from the
American-Israel Cultural Foundation.
As a soloist he has performed with many of the world’s major orchestras,
including the English Chamber Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, RPO, Royal
Liverpool Philharmonic, RTE Ireland, Belgian National, Taipei, Singapore
and Shanghai Symphonies, SWF Symphony Orchestra, Czech Radio and
philharmonic, Slovak Philharmonic, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires and the Israel
Philharmonic Orchestra under Zubin Mehta.
Hagai Shaham recorded for Hyperion, Decca International, Chandos,
Biddulph, Naxos, Classic Talent and AVIE. He now records regularly for
Nimbus, where his CDs received critical acclaim.
Hagai Shaham is a member of the Shaham-Erez-Wallfisch trio. The
trio performs on major stages including London’s Wigmore and Amsterdam’s
Concertgebouw. They recorded several albums for Nimbus Records, including
the complete Beethoven trios.
Hagai Shaham is professor at the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at
Tel Aviv University and an Artist in Residence at Stony Brook University, New
York. He gives masterclasses around the world at prestigious institute such as
Heifetz, ISA (Austria), Kuhmo and Casals Festivals.
Together with his colleague, violinist Ittai Shapira, he is co-founder of
The Ilona Feher Foundation.
French Pianist Matthieu Cognet is an active soloist and
sought-after chamber player who performs extensively in
Europe and the United States. He has appeared in major
venues and festivals, including Weill Hall at Carnegie
Hall, the Cultural Institute of Chicago, the Rushmore
Music Festival, SD, the Festival Memphis in May, the
Saint Georges Music Festival (Guadeloupe), and the
Prades and Pianissimes Festivals (France).
Matthieu Cognet is a laureate of the Concours Musical de France, the
Bloomington Travel Grant, Stony Brook Concerto, New York Forte and Entraide
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Française Competitions. He has been a soloist with the Charleston Symphony
Orchestra, the Stony Brook University Orchestra, Indiana University Orchestra,
and the Paris Sorbonne Orchestra. His recital and chamber music performances
have been featured on Radio France, Italian Rai and Chicago WMFT Radio
broadcasts.
Dr. Cognet received degrees from the Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris–
CNR, the University of La Sorbonne in Paris, the Royal Conservatory of Brussels
and Indiana University. In May 2017, he graduated with his Doctor of Musical
Arts degree from Stony Brook University, under the guidance of Professor Gilbert
Kalish. In addition to his performing activities, Dr. Cognet released his own
arrangement of Maurice Ravel’s La Valse for piano solo under the label Lauren
Keiser/Hal Leonard Publications. He is also the Artistic and Master Class Director
of the French-American Piano Society. He has released two albums “Debut
Recital” in 2011 and “Mit Humor” in 2019, under the label Odradek Records for
the latter, with excellent reviews (Gramophone Magazine). He is currently a Staff
Pianist at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he currently lives.
Praised for her “admirable technical finesse and expressive
flair” (Baltimore Sun), pianist Sheng-Yuan Kuan has
garnered enthusiastic receptions for her solo and chamber
music performances at the Kennedy Center, Weill Recital
Hall, Taiwan National Concert Hall, Musikverein in
Vienna, and various music festivals and concert series
throughout the US. Sheng-Yuan’s collaborations with
renowned musicians such as Nobuko Imai, Stefan Jackiw,
Stephen Taylor, Espen Lilleslatten, Richard Stolzman,
Keng-Yuen Tseng, Chad Hoopes, members of the Parker
Quartet and Apollo Trio, Sir Angel Romero, Time for
Three, and Latin Grammy Award winning flautist Nestor
Torres, reflect her passion in making chamber music of eclectic styles.
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Sheng-Yuan relocated to America to further her
music education. She holds a D.M.A. degree from the Peabody Conservatory, M.M.
degree from Yale School of Music, and B.M. degree from the Manhattan School
of Music, studying with famous pedagogues like Boris Slutsky, Peter Frankl, Scott
McCarrey and Constance Keene. She obtained awards at competitions worldwide,
including the 13th Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna (Best Female Pianist
Award, 2009), the 12th Taipei Chopin International Piano Competition (3rd Prize,
2008), Corpus Christi International Competition in Texas (2nd Prize, 2008), New
York Kosciuszko Chopin Piano Competition (3rd Prize, 2003), and BYU-Hawaii
Concerto Competition (Winner, 2000). She was also the recipient of Honolulu
Morning Music Club Scholarship, Peabody Institute of Music’s Career Development
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Currently a resident in south Florida, Sheng-Yuan performs regularly as a member of
A’s Duo, Con Brio Ensemble, Scherzo Trio, Trio Rodin, and South Florida Chamber
Ensemble. She serves as piano faculty at the Heifetz International Music Institute as
well as staff collaborative pianist and adjunct keyboard instructor at Lynn University
Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton, FL.
Dr. Ismar Gomes is a chamber musician, recitalist,
baroque cellist, and orchestral player. Recent performance
highlights include recitals as a member of Duo Sorolla
on distinguished concert series across the United States,
as well as collaborations with members of the Pittsburgh
Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Emerson,
and the Johannes Quartets. He is a member of the Virginia
and Richmond Symphonies and frequently performs with
the Baltimore Symphony. As a baroque cellist, Dr. Gomes is
a member of Mélomanie and is a regular guest with several
early music ensembles. He previously served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Cello
at Luther College and currently serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Cello at
Gettysburg College. Dr. Gomes has presented masterclasses at institutions including
Georgetown, Towson, and Duke Universities. Past faculty appointments include
the Cleveland Institute of Music Summer Chamber Music Festival, StringFest at
Merkin Hall, the Performing Arts Institute, and the Three Bridges Festival. Ismar
attended the Peabody Conservatory, studying with Alison Wells and Amit Peled.
Previous teachers include Marc Johnson and Clive Greensmith of the Vermeer and
Tokyo Quartets. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Stony Brook
University, under the tutelage of Colin Carr.
Dr. Katie Smirnova, Co-Founder and Artistic Director
of the Rushmore Music Festival, has received her
Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Violin Performance
from the Stony Brook University under the mentorship
of Hagai Shaham and Philip Setzer of the Emerson
String Quartet. An avid teacher, Dr. Smirnova currently
maintains a private teaching studio in Rapid City and
Spearfish.
Throughout the year, Dr. Smirnova enjoys
performing with the South Dakota Symphony
Orchestra and the Rushmore Concert Artists, a touring group of the Festival’s
Artist Faculty. She has also previously enjoyed collaborating with organizations
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such as the National Music Museum in Vermillion SD, San Diego Ballet,
Stowe Tango Music Festival, Moscow Ballet, Bel Cantanti Opera Company,
Stony Brook Chamber Ensemble, Groupmuse, among others. In addition to
performing in various chamber ensembles and performance halls throughout
the United States, she places a strong value on community outreach benefiting
local schools, food shelters, veterans’ hospitals, senior living centers, libraries,
and other similar venues. Dr. Smirnova has previously received her Bachelor and
Master of Music degrees in Violin Performance from the Peabody Institute of
the Johns Hopkins University under the tutelage of Victor Danchenko. Prior
to attending Peabody, she studied with Dr. Ann Setzer at the Juilliard School
Pre-College Division.
Highly interested in child psychology and the early music learning process, she
has studied violin pedagogy with Rebecca Henry at the Peabody Institute and
completed a two-year long-term Suzuki teacher training certification at the
School for Strings in New York City.
Violist, Brett Walfish, Co-Founder and Executive
Director of the Rushmore Music Festival, has performed
as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United
States, Ireland, Italy, and Israel. His concerts have taken
him to Tel Aviv Opera House, the National Music
Museum, the Historic Blackfriars Theatre and Carnegie
Hall, among others. Praised by the conductor David
Effron for a warm sound full of a “myriad of colors,”
Brett is an expressive and charismatic performer. He has
collaborated with world-renowned artists including Philip
Setzer, Atar Arad, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Stephan Barratt-Due, Annie Fullard, Michael
Klotz, Rudolf Koelman, Misha Vitenson, Hector Del Curto, and Hillel Zori. He has
also performed with the highly acclaimed conductorless chamber orchestra, A Far
Cry, as well as the New World Symphony.
Mr. Walfish is a devoted teacher of violin, viola, and chamber music, and has
studied string pedagogy with the legendary Mimi Zweig at the Indiana University
and completed a two-year long-term Suzuki teacher training certification at the
School for Strings in New York City. He frequently travels across the United States
for guest masterclasses and teaches privately through the Professional Violin Studio
in Rapid City and Spearfish. His primary mentors include Lawrence Dutton of
the Emerson String Quartet, Nicholas Cords of the Brooklyn Rider Quartet, and
Martha Katz and Atar Arad of the Cleveland Quartet. Mr. Walfish holds a Master of
Music degree and a Graduate Diploma in Viola Performance from the New England
Conservatory, as well as a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University Jacob’s
School of Music. `
23

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The Annual Chamber Music
Competition is sponsored by the
Bruce J. Heim Foundation
The 2021 Annual Chamber Music Competition is sponsored by the Bruce
J. Heim Foundation. The Bruce J. Heim Foundation was established in 1986
to provide financial assistance to causes that will help people, especially
young people with potential for academic or artistic excellence. The
programs supported should allow participants to achieve their full potential.
The Foundation hopes that financial assistance will allow the recipients
to improve, develop, and concentrate on their talents. As a beneficiary of
grant funding, the Foundation trusts that recipients will be encouraged at
an appropriate time in their lives to emulate the help they received through
their own support and involvement with philanthropic causes.
25

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Want to make a difference?
Each supporter of the Rushmore Music Festival plays a fundamental
role in enriching the lives of our students and audiences alike,
empowering our communities, and transforming them into
vibrant, robust cultural landscapes. In 2021, the Festival’s Faculty
and Students will perform 11 concerts in 5 different venues around
the Black Hills! We would be honored to have you join us in our
cause as we continue to make a difference.
Become a part of Our Community!
27

28
Thank You
To all of our Patrons and Sponsors
Founder ($10,000+)
Diane Copty
Darrel and Jacqueleen Baker
Brett Walfish & Dr. Katie Smirnova
Presenter ($5,000 - $7,500)
Dr. Alevtina Smirnova
Sponsor ($2,500 - $4,999)
Sen. Stanford and Lynda Clark Adelstein
Madhu Kumar
William Vance
Bursch Travel
South Dakota Arts Council
Bruce J. Heim Foundation
Influencer
($1,000 - $2,499)
Duane and Karen Abata
Chris Johnson and Caroline Sharp
Dr. Steven and Jo Benn
Patricia Fish
Jim and Connie Green
Mike and Susan Jubie
Sarah Rogers
Jason and Darby Smiley
Harvey and Missy Walfish
Black Hills State University
City of Rapid City Investment Grant
& Rapid City Arts Council
Patron ($500 - $999)
Dr. Ashkok Kumar
Cindy and Moshe Levi
Mathieu Petitjean
Traci Pink
Ernest Reinhold
Margaret Mitchell Wilcox
Terra Sancta Retreat Center

Supporter
($250 - $499)
Rosalie Aslesen
Brian Eberhard
Gloria Herman
Michael Huxford
Amy Lantis
MB Kelly
Sean and Juliann McAloon
Ryan Rubbelke
Jim and Maureen Skavdahl
Dr. Alla Smirnova
Lesa Walter
Teresa Wood
Slingsby and Huot Eye Associates
Enthusiast
($100 - $249)
Melissa Bailey
David Ban
Trever Cook
Bruce Dresner
Greg and Amy Erlandson
Eric Fuehrer
Leanne Heikes
Dee Hoyer
Michael Huxford
Carol Johnson
Charlene and Michael Kass
Howard Leavitt
Stan Levin
Mary McGowan
Matt Naasz
Kelly Pereira
Traci Pink
Ronald Rosen
Steven Trinkle
Joshua Zabatta
29

ENTHUSIAST
$100
Acknowledgment - Your name listed in Program Book.
Time Capsule - Season poster autographed by all RMF Faculty Artists.
Don’t Miss a Beat - Multi-Concert Season Pass for two.
VIP Access - Complimentary glass of wine at all of our summer season concert receptions.
Musician's Pass - Enjoy “A Day in the Life of an RMF Student” with a guest - experience the RMF magic!
Prime Real Estate - VIP Reserved Seating for one Festival Season - Let us know your favorite seat in the house!
Artist’s Pass - Exclusive access to observe our faculty chamber music rehearsals.
*2021-2022 Sponsor Level Exclusive: Name-a-Musician's Chair
Give tribute to your family name or anyone you wish to honor by naming a Wenger chair in our new facility.
Entertain in Style - Bring out your favorite RMF Artist to present a private concert for you and your guests in
your home, business, or a Black Hills venue of your choosing!
*2021-2022 Presenter Level Exclusive: Name-a-Practice Cabin
Give tribute to your family name or anyone you wish to honor by naming an 8x10 Practice Cabin.
A Weekend Getaway - Family reunion or company retreat, enjoy a private getaway for up to 24 people on the
new grounds of the Rushmore Music Festival, 15 minutes from Mt. Rushmore!
*2021-2022 Benefactor Level Exclusive: Name-a-Rehearsal Cabin
Give tribute to your family name or anyone you wish to honor by naming a 12x12 Rehearsal Cabin.
A Musical Dedication - Work with the Artistic Director to choose and program your favorite chamber music
piece on our Faculty Concert Series. Be a part of the rehearsal process and introduce/dedicate the work on stage.
Receive a professional recording of the work for a keepsake or personal use.
*2021-2022 Founder Level exclusive: Name-a-Teaching Studio Cabin
Give tribute to your family name or anyone you wish to honor by naming a 12x20 Teaching Studio.
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RMF Donor Levels and Benefits_2021.indd 2

AST SUPPORTER
$250
PATRON
$500
INDIVIDUAL
RECOGNITION LEVELS
INFLUENCER
$1,000
SPONSOR
$2,500
PRESENTER
$5,000
BENEFACTOR
$7,500
FOUNDER
$10,000+
31
3/2/2021 12:02:41 AM

Thank You to our Corporate Sponsors
& Granting Organizations
D A R B Y D A R K - S M I L E Y
S m i l e Y o u ' r e H o m e
Tinder Box
Since 1828
This project is partially funded by the City of Rapid City through the Arts Investment Grant,
managed and dispersed by the Rapid City Arts Council.
South Dakota Arts Council support is provided with funds from the State of South Dakota,
through the Department of Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts.