Strathmore AIR Hasan Imam Hamdani, guitar – Strings Across Continents
$32
- Hasan Imam Hamdani, guitar
- Manik Khan, sarod
- Erin Murphy Snedecor, cello
- Kimia Hesabi, viola
- Celaya Kirchner, violin
- Nataly Merezhuk, violin
Experience the magic of cross-continental collaboration with guitarist and composer Hasan Imam Hamdani as he performs original compositions that traverse the musical landscapes of South Asia and West Africa. Joined by renowned sarod player Manik Khan, Hamdani weaves together ancient traditions and modern innovations, accompanied by a string quartet featuring Erin Murphy Snedecor (cello), Kimia Hesabi (viola), and Celaya Kirchner and Natalia Merezhuk (violin). Spanish composer Daniel Osiewala's string arrangements tie together this unique musical journey.
About Strathmore Artist in Residence (AIR) Program
A flagship program of Strathmore's Institute for Artistic and Professional Development, the Artist in Residence (AIR) program was created in 2005 to support artists as they transition to professional careers. Since its inception, the program has mentored 106 musicians ages 16 to 32. Every year, a class of six is chosen after a competitive selection process. Strathmore's AIR benefit from the support of mentor musicians, participate in professional development seminars, and are offered extensive performance opportunities throughout the 10-month program.
https://www.strathmore.org/community-education/artist-in-residence-program/About Hasan Imam Hamdani, guitar
Hasan Imam Hamdani is a composer and guitarist who leads the collaborative global music ensemble Imam Collective. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in production and guitar performance from Berklee College of Music. His mentors include Indian classical sarod master Alam Khan, South African guitarist Derek Gripper, and blues musician Jeff Lockhart. Hamdani has performed worldwide and is a passionate educator, conducting workshops and directing ensembles throughout the DMV. He is excited to participate this year in Silkroad's Global Musician Workshop. Originally from Pakistan, Hamdani now resides in Elkridge.
https://www.hasanimamhamdani.com/About Manik Khan, sarod
About Erin Murphy Snedecor, cello
Erin Murphy Snedecor is a collaborative cellist who strives to forge new paths for interdisciplinary and multi genre art. Her work spans the realms of classical, contemporary, pop, rock, electroacoustic, and folk, and she would be hard pressed to pick a favorite.
Erin is a founding member, cellist, and music director of Balance Campaign, a contemporary sextet dedicated to the collaboration, commissioning, performance of works by new and lesser heard voices of modern music. She is also the cellist and Co-Director of earspace, a North Carolina-based ensemble that curates multisensory programs in unexpected venues.
In addition to her work in classical composed music, Erin is known for her ability to perform with any ensemble of rock, folk, pop, bluegrass, and whatever-you-can-think-of in between. In 2009, Erin joined forces with Annapolis indie rock band Pompeii Graffiti, appearing on 3 studio albums and performing in local and touring performances. She is also half of the indie/folk duo Black Rhinoceros, and a writer and performer of classical electronica quartet DoubleSpeak. In 2019, Erin collaborated with Glade Dance Collective as part of Capital Fringe Festival under her solo moniker, Zooxanthellae, to compose and perform the music for their work, Oizys in the Waiting Room. Her first eponymous EP was released in May 2021 with Off Latch Press.
Erin is a 2023 Strathmore Artist in Residence, as well as a proud graduate of Ithaca College and University of Maryland, College Park. She lives in a little blue house in Brentwood, Maryland with her husband, Matt, their dogs Arthur and Crosby, and far too many house plants.
https://www.erinmurphysnedecor.com/About Kimia Hesabi, viola
Dr. Kimia Hesabi is a violist, educator, and administrator currently residing in the D.C area. Hesabi is the the Co-Director of Education and Engagement at the National Philharmonic, where she co-creates programs, opportunities, and community initiatives that are centered around artistic, educational, and social impact.
Kimia is an active performer in the USA and has performed in various prestigious concert halls across the country as well as her home country Iran. An active chamber musician, Ms. Hesabi is the founder of Yasna Ensemble. This ensemble performs contemporary compositions and arrangements that are inspired by Middle Eastern classical and folk music. Hesabi has performed with several orchestras and ensembles in the Middle East such as the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, Iranian National Orchestra, and the Tehran Philharmonic, and is an active performer in the USA as both a concert violist, and chamber musician. In her DMA dissertation project, "Viola from Iran: Continuing and Expanding the Trajectory of a Rich Cultural History," Ms. Hesabi has performed, researched, and recorded an album of several commissioned and premiered works for viola by composers from the Iranian diaspora.
https://www.kimiahesabi.com/