Meet the Artists
Anastasia: A Ballet Reimagined with Rochester City Ballet
May 9, 2025: 7:00pm | May 10, 2025: 2:00pm | May 11, 2025: 12:00pm & 4:00pm
Callahan Theater at Nazareth University
Juliana athayde, Co-Artistic Director, Violin
Concertmaster of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra since 2005, Juliana Athayde is celebrated for her “power and precision” and “melting lyricism”. She has premiered multiple violin concertos written specifically for her, including works by Allen Shawn, Jeff Tyzik, and Roberto Sierra. As a passionate chamber musician, she’s performed with such artists as Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Gauthier Capuçon, and Michael Tilson Thomas, and currently serves as Co-Artistic Director of SCMR alongside her husband, RPO Principal Oboist Erik Behr. Athayde is Associate Professor of Violin at the Eastman School of Music and a regular faculty member at the New World Symphony. She spends her summers performing at the Sun Valley Music Festival and teaching at the National Orchestral Institute, and Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra. Athayde plays on an 1845 J.B. Vuillaume violin and a Jean Dominique Adam bow from the same era.
Rebecca Christainsen, viola
Rebecca Christainsen joined the RPO in 2022 after graduating from Williams College with degrees in music and chemistry. A passionate chamber musician, they’ve performed at Lincoln Center, Bargemusic, and the Verbier Festival. Rebecca’s musical voice blends classical training with contemporary curiosity, shaped by early studies at the San Francisco Conservatory and a diverse performance background that includes new music, orchestral, and collaborative works. Their 1980 viola by Hiroshi Iizuka is a fitting match for their expressive artistry.
Ahrim Kim, cello
RPO Principal Cellist since 2015, Ahrim Kim has earned acclaim for her commanding presence and lush tone. An award-winning soloist, she has performed with the Boston Pops and Houston Symphony, having graced the stages of Alice Tully Hall and the Salzburg Mozarteum. As a dedicated educator, she coaches chamber music at the Bowdoin International Music Festival. Trained at The Juilliard School and New England Conservatory, she has appeared as a chamber musician at the festivals of Bowdoin, Yellow Barn, Chesapeake Chamber Music, and Marlboro.
Benjamin Krug, cello
RPO cellist Benjamin Krug is known for his expressive performances and dedication to community engagement through music. He is a founding member of the Salaff String Quartet (which serves as SCMR’s Outreach Ambassadors) and has appeared at summer festivals including Aspen, Tanglewood, and Chautauqua. A former boy soprano with the American Boychoir, Krug is a committed educator who teaches Suzuki cello and enjoys combining his passion for chamber music with outreach initiatives.
Jeanelle Thompson, violin
Principal Second Violin of the RPO, Jeanelle Thompson has nearly two decades of orchestral experience. She has played on some of the world’s most prestigious stages—from Carnegie Hall to the Philharmonie de Paris—and performed nationally and internationally with the Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, and Minnesota Orchestra. A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, Jeanelle maintains a private violin studio in the Rochester area.
Joshua Newburger, viola
Joshua Newburger, Principal Violist of the RPO, has built a wide-ranging career spanning live performance, touring, and studio recording. Previously a member of the Pacific Symphony in Orange County, he maintained an active studio career and recorded for major film and TV productions including Star Wars, The Lego Movie, The Mandalorian, and American Dad. He has toured internationally with the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra and teaches orchestral repertoire to violists at the Eastman School of Music. Josh received his B.M. in violin from the New England Conservatory as a student of Nicholas Kitchen and obtained his M.M. in viola from Yale, where he studied with Ettore Causa.
IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are available exclusively through Nazareth University's box office. Seating is reserved and tickets are required for all attendees including children and students.
Please note: This event is not part of SCMR's series subscriptions or flex packs.
With Deepest Gratitude
This magical collaboration between RCB and SCMR would not be possible without the extraordinary generosity and community spirit of our sponsors. Their support brings music and movement to life, nurtures artistic excellence, and helps us share the joy of performance with audiences of all ages.
