Promoting young artists since 1973
Meet the Omega Ensemble
Since its inception in 1973, The Omega Ensemble has passionately supported young artists across New York City, Long Island, and New England. In 1978, pianist and founder, Doris Konig took the helm as Artistic Director, a role she embraced until her retirement in 2026. Throughout the past 48 remarkable seasons, Omega has showcased 211 extraordinary artists, including 28 who have earned the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant Award.
Many of these artists have become Concertmasters of such orchestras as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra. Several have become Principals of major orchestras such as the Cleveland Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and the Seattle Symphony. Others have become members of renowned string quartets including the Juilliard, Emerson and Orion String Quartets, while many have won major competitions around the world (see Alumni Page).
"It doesn't get any better than this."
Michael Tree, The Guarneri String Quartet
Presenting and Supporting the
Next Generation of World Class Artists
“...the Cleveland Orchestra first became interested in me as a candidate for their principal cello position after watching and hearing a few of my performances with the Omega Ensemble... The Omega Ensemble can offer young artists exposure that is critical to their ultimate success.”
— Mark Kosower, Principal Cellist, Cleveland Orchestra
“One of the first opportunities I had after graduating from Juilliard was performing with Omega and getting paid for it! I am so grateful that Omega hired me, which was an important part of the beginning of my career, as it was for many artists who now have very successful careers in the music world.”
— Frank Huang, Violinist, Concertmaster New York Philharmonic
“These collaborations and performance opportunities were an important part of my development, as they have been for countless other young musicians over the past 37 years.”
— Joseph Lin, First Violinist, Juilliard String Quartet, 2011–2018
“The Omega Ensemble is an oasis to our fatigued, weary souls. Although your mission is to help young artists, your music also helps to mend and lift our spirits. Many blessings to you Omega!”
-A Friend of Omega
Kevin Zhu
Daniel Hass
Jeremiah Blacklow
The mission of the Omega Ensemble is provide financial support and performance opportunities to exceptional young musicians who have already garnered recognition in the field. They are featured in both solo and chamber music concerts alongside skilled pianists. Selected pianists bring extensive experience in chamber music, providing an ideal platform for these talented musicians to shine.
Alumni Honorees
The Omega Ensemble proudly celebrates a unique and extraordinary aspect of our legacy: Over the years, we have showcased eight remarkable artists who have gone on to achieve significant acclaim in the larger music world, and were honored to recognize these talented individuals in a special benefit concert. These exceptional artists graced our stage between 1991 and 2009, leaving a lasting impact on our community and the music scene.
Ayano Ninomiya
Violinist, Winner of the Walter Naumburg International Competition
Frank Huang
Violinist, Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
David Kim
Violinist, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra
Mark Kosower
Cellist, Principal Cellist of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra
Joseph Lin
Violinist, First Violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet
2011-2018
Axel Strauss
Violinist, Guest Concertmaster at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Eugene Drucker
Violinist, First Violinist of the Emerson String Quartet
Timothy Eddy
Original Cellist of the Omega Ensemble, Founding member of the Orion String Quartet
Additional Distinguished Alumni
Robert Chen
Violinist, Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Rafael Figueroa
Cellist, Principal Cellist of the Metropolitan Opera
Erin Keefe
Violinist, Concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra
Frank Almond
Violinist, Concertmaster Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Efe Baltacigil
Cellist, Principal Cellist Seattle Symphony
Please See Alumni Page For Additional Omega Alumni
Past Concerts:
A VALENTINE CONCERT
February 10th, 2025
6:00PM
The Kosziusco Foundation at the Van Alen Mansion
6:30 PM Reception
7 PM Concert
with
Nathan Meltzer, violin
Bethany Bobbs, cello
Maxim Lando, piano
Program:
BEETHOVEN
Celo Sonata No. 4, Op. 102, No 1
I. Andante - Allegro vivace
II. Adagio - Allegro vivace
WIENAWSKI
Fantasy on Themes from ‘Faust,’ Op. 20
RAVEL
Piano Trio in A minor
I. Modéré
II. Pantoum (Assez vif)
III. Passacaille (Très large)
IV. Final (Animé)
Season Opening Concert
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
6:30 PM
The Kosziusco Foundation at the Van Alen Mansion
6:30 PM Reception
7 PM Concert
with
Nathan Meltzer, violin
Bethany Bobbs, cello
Maxim Lando, piano
Program:
BRAHMS
Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100
I. Allegro amabile
II. Andante tranquilo - Vivace
III. Allegretto grazioso (quasi andante)
PROKOFIEV
Cello Sonata in C major, Op. 119
I. Andante grave
II. Moderato
III. Allegro, ma non troppo
BEETHOVEN
Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97 “Archduke”
III. Andante cantabile, ma però con moto
IV. Allegro moderato
Spring 2024
Sunday, MAY 19TH, 2024, 3 PM
FREE ADMISSION
SPRING CONCERT
The Rogers Memorial Library
91 Coopers Farm Road
Southampton, NY 11968
with
Jeremiah Blacklow, violin
Sebastian Stoger, cello
Maxim Lando, piano
Program
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847): Piano Trio in D minor, Opus 49
I. Molto Allegro Agitato
II. Andante con moto tranquillo
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856): Adagio and Allegro, op. 70
George GERSHWIN (1898-1937): “It Ain’t Necessarily So” from Porgy and Bess
(transcription by Heifetz/Goodman/Stoger)
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827): Sonata No. 7 in C minor for Violin and Piano, Opus 30 No. 2 I.
Allegro con Brio
IV. Finale; Allegro; Presto
A VALENTINE CONCERT
Monday, February 5th, 2024
The Kosciuszko Foundation
at the Van Alen Mansion
15 East 65th Street
6:30 PM Champagne Reception
7 PM Concert
Tickets:
Benefactor $100 • Patron $75 • Regular $50
with
Ayano Ninomiya, violin
and
Kevin Zhu, violin
Daniel Hass, cello
Yannick Rafalimanana
Program
Works by Ysaÿe, Debussy, Rachminoff
October 18th, 2023
7 PM
The Kosciuszko Foundation
at the Van Alen Mansion
15 East 65th Street
6:30 PM Champagne Reception
7 PM Concert | Tickets: $50
Artists:
Kevin Zhu, violin, Zlatomir Fung, cello, David Fung, piano
Program:
BEETHOVEN: Piano Trio Op. 70 No. 1 in D Major
I. Allegro vivace e con brio
III. Presto
TCHAIKOVSKY: Sérénade mélancolique, Op. 26, for violin and piano
Valse-Scherzo, Op. 34, for violin and piano
Rococo Variations, for cello and piano
50th Anniversary Concert, February 13, 2023
When:
6:00-8:30 PM
Where:
The Kosciuszko Foundation
15 East 65th Street, New York City
Artists:
Kevin Zhu, violin
Sebastian Stoger, cello
Yannick Rafalimanana, piano
Program:
Schubert: Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 99 for Piano, Violin and Cello
I. Allegro moderato
II.Andante un poco mosso
Dvorak: Silent Woods “Klid” in D-flat Major, Op. 68
For Cello and Piano
Chopin: Polonaise Brillante in C-Major, Op. 3 transcribed for Cello and Piano by Maurice Gendron
Brahms: Hungarian Dances Nos. 1 - 5, WoO 1 transcribed for Violin and Piano by Joachim
I. Allegro molto
II. Allegro non assai – Vivace
III. Allegretto
IV. Poco sostenuto – Vivace
V. Allegro – Vivace
Chopin: Nocturne Op. 9, No. 2 in E-flat Major for Violin and Piano transcribed by Sarasate
gary, at the Liszt Academy after graduating from Harvard University and The Juilliard School. Ayano performed with Omega from 2004 to 2009.