Lisa Ruth Niemeier

Val Caniparoli's versatility has made him one of the most sought-after American choreographers internationally. He has been most closely associated with San Francisco Ballet, his artistic home for over 50 years, and has the distinction of being a full-time continuous dancer with San Francisco Ballet from 1973-2023.

Texu Kim is a Korean-American composer who transforms unconventional sources - ranging from every day encounters to overlooked human stories - into sophisticated, culturally grounded works infused with clarity, wit, and nuance.

After the release of his debut album, “Reflections on Debussy” in 2012, Laurens Patzlaff was dubbed “Master of the art of improvisation” by the Deutschlandfunk. He currently serves as the Professor of Piano Improvisation at the University of Music, Freiburg, Germany.

Recognized by the San Diego Tribune for her “luscious tone” and by Opera Wire for her “secure silvery high notes,” Tasha Koontz is an artist garnering attention from coast to coast and internationally.