Festival Napa Valley 2021 Playbill

BIOGRAPHIES SOPHIA BACELAR Cuban-Chinese cellist and interdisciplinary artist Sophia Bacelar has been acclaimed for her expressive musicianship and disruptive, exploratory spirit. Her work has been featured in renowned venues ranging from Carnegie Hall, Le Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, and the Berliner Philharmonie to La Fondation Louis Vuitton, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and nightclubs and art galleries worldwide. As the awardee of the Juilliard School’s 9th Annual Leo B. Ruiz Recital, she will give her Carnegie Hall debut in 2021. Other accolades include second prize at the Berliner International Competition, second prize at the Janigro International Competition, and the Mondavi Center’s Career Development Award. Often recognized for her idiosyncratic and fluid style, she has been dressed for events and performances by various global luxury. As a GEWA Official Artist, she custom painted a cello case for her partnership. She and her Havashu, Cuba, split time between New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

STEVEN BANKS Steven Banks is the first saxophonist to earn a place on the Young Concert Artists roster in its 60-year history, capturing first prize at the 2019 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. Banks has performed as a soloist with the Durham and North Carolina Symphonies, and he regularly gives recitals at universities and on music series across the United States. In addition to solo work, Banks has an ongoing relationship with the Cleveland Orchestra, and he appears on a Naxos recording as baritone saxophonist of the award-winning Kenari Quartet. As a jazz performer, he has played alongside musicians affiliated with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Buddy Rich Big Band, and Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Banks is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in music education, and as an assistant professor of saxophone at Ithaca College, he makes a concerted effort to ensure that all music students feel supported in their studies.

ARAN BELL Aran Bell joined ABT Studio Company in September 2014, joined the main Company as an apprentice in May 2016, and became a member of the corps de ballet in March 2017. He was promoted to Soloist in September 2019 and to Principal Dancer in September 2020. Bell’s awards include the Hope Award at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York City in 2009 and 2010, followed by the Junior Grand Prix in 2011, Grand Prix at the Milan International Ballet Competition in 2010, the Premio Positano in 2011, the Premio Amalfi Young Talent Award in 2012, Gold Medal at Tanzolymp Berlin in 2012, Gold Medal and Audience Choice Award at Rieti International Ballet Competition in 2012, the Premio Roma Jia Ruskaja in 2012, and the Premio Capri Danza 73