The Colburn School Reveals 2024/25 Colburn Artists Roster 

Among the new artists include Ray Ushikubo, Mert Yalniz, and Quartet Integra

Founded in 2012, Colburn Artists is an in-house management program for students of the Colburn School at the outset of their professional careers. The program is designed to prepare them to work with industry leaders and artist managers. 

The 2024/25 season roster of Colburn Artists comprises the Quartet Integra string quartet, violinist and pianist Ray Ushikubo, conductors Aleksandra Melaniuk and Mert Yalniz, and pianist Ryota Yamazaki. 

Alongside their individual performance studies, the artists will receive personalized career advice and training, communications guidance, plus support on repertoire development, interview preparation, and social media presence. 

Quartet Integra has been a prize winner at the 2022 ARD International Music Competition and won first prizes at the 2021 Bartók World Competition and at the 2019 Akiyoshidai Music Competition. The group’s upcoming performances include over 20 concerts across several Japanese cities.

A 21-year-old Japanese-American pianist and violinist, Ray Ushikubo made his orchestral debut at age 10 with the Young Musicians Foundation Orchestra and conductor Teddy Abrams. Among his accolades include the Davidson Fellow Laureate Award, Young Steinway Artist, and winning the Hilton Head International Piano Competition, Aspen Music Festival, and School’s Piano Concerto Competition.

Polish conductor Aleksandra Melaniuk has worked with the London Symphony Orchestra as a semi-finalist of the 17th Donatella Flick Conducting Competition and is one of the winners of the 2023 Das Kritische Orchester. Currently, she is a Britten-Pears Young Artist and a Salonen Fellow in the Negaunee Conducting Program at Colburn Conservatory, during which she will assist conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen.

This season, the Turkish-German conductor, pianist, and composer Mert Yalniz will make his debut with the NDR Radiophilharmonie in Hanover and also become a Salonen Fellow. His recent performances include those with Uniorchester Leibniz, Braunschweiger Kammerorchester, Göttinger Symphonieorchester, Deutsches Juristenorchester, Beethoven Orchester Hessen, and La Tempesta.

Japanese pianist Ryota Yamazaki is a recent third prize and junior jury prize winner of the 64th Busoni International Piano Competition. He has appeared with the Cleveland Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, and Virtuoso Youth Orchestra, among others.

These new rostered artists will join Colburn Artists Alumni including Aubree Oliverson, Simone Porter, and VC Artists Viano String Quartet and the Calidore String Quartet. 

“Being selected for the Colburn Artists management program is an acknowledgment of the exceptional talent and dedication of these musicians,” said Colburn School’s President and CEO Sel Kardan in a press release. “Their inclusion in this roster signifies a significant milestone in their journey, posed to enhance their careers as soloists and chamber musicians. The Colburn Artists program is unique in its comprehensive approach, combining individualized career development with unparalleled performance opportunities. Our program not only nurtures exceptional musical talent but also equips artists with the professional skills needed to thrive in today's competitive landscape.”