Live Music in the Urban Artifact Reliquary!
Free Entry with a recommended donation of $10-20
Performers
Luis Umbelino, Clarinet
Nikki Wei, Piano
----Program----
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano in E-flat Major, Op.167 Camille Saint-Saëns
(1835-1921)
I . Allegretto
II . Allegro animato
III . Lento
IV . Molto allegro
Première Rhapsodie for Clarinet and Piano Claude Debussy
(1862-1918)
Intermission
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, FP.184 Francis Poulenc
(1899-1963)
I . Allegro Tristamente
II . Romanza
III . Allegro con fuoco
Blues From An American in Paris for Clarinet and Piano Gershwin/Gauldi
----Bio----
Luis Umbelino (Clarinet)
--
Luis Umbelino is a Brazilian clarinetist known for his dynamic performances and commitment to
artistic growth. His musical journey began at the age of eight at the Santa Cecília Musical
Society in Sabará, where he first learned the fundamentals of music. Later, he completed a Basic Course in Music with an emphasis on clarinet at the Clóvis Salgado Foundation’s Artistic Training Center (now CEFART) in 2011, studying under professors Walter Alves and Ney C. Franco.
In 2016, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music (Clarinet) from the Federal University of
Minas Gerais, Throughout his career, Luis has performed with the Minas Gerais Symphony
Orchestra since 2014 and served as a clarinet instructor at CEFART in 2017, 2018, and 2020.
Between 2018 and 2019, Luis further refined his skills at the Conservatoire de Nice in France,
where he completed the Cycle 4 Spécialisé Perfectionnement under the guidance of Prof. Michel Lethiec. He continued his studies at the Academia de Orquestra da Filarmonica de Minas Gerais from 2021 to 2023, deepening his musical knowledge and performance expertise with professor Marcus Julius.
In 2023, he began his Master’s degree at the University of Cincinnati, where he studies under renowned clarinet professors Pavel Vinnitsky and Joe Morris. His academic journey has been
complemented by participation in prestigious music festivals across Germany, France, and
Brazil, where he has collaborated with world-class musicians and broadened his artistic vision.
Since 2023, he has maintained a fruitful collaboration with pianist Nikki Wei, exploring new
repertoire for clarinet and piano. This partnership has led to numerous exciting performances and a deepening of his artistic expression.
With a passion for both performance and teaching, Luis Umbelino continues to push the
boundaries of clarinet music, blending classical traditions with contemporary influences. His
evolving career reflects his dedication to both his instrument and the music community.
Nikki Wei (Piano)
--
Pianist Nikki Wei is known to have a powerful, yet thoughtful approach to making music, while
communicating sensitivity and warmth through a diverse range of classical and modern
repertoire.
Wei’s origins are culturally diverse. Born in Sydney, she also lived in Singapore, Xi’an, Beijing
and Shanghai as a child. She started here musical journey with Professor Wu Yuan at the Primary School affiliated to Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China. Wei continued her
development at the Middle school affiliated Shanghai Conservatory with Professor Zhou Fan
before returning to Beijing to study with Professor Wang Chun.
To further expand her education and world views, Wei moved back to Australia to study with
Glenn Riddle at the Victoria College of the Arts Secondary School. Wei received her Bachelor of
Music degree from Monash University under the tutelage of Kenji Fujimura. She then moved to
Toronto, where she accepted a full scholarship to study with renowned artist John Perry and
David Louie in the Artist Diploma Program at The Glenn Gould School of The Royal
Conservatory of Music. She received her Master of Music in Piano Performance from University
of Toronto under the guidance of Enrico Elisi. Wei is currenting pursuing her Doctor of Musical
Arts at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, she studied with Awadagin
Pratt, and is now studying with Polina Bespalko.
Nikki Wei has received numerous awards and have performed extensively world-wide. Notable
awards include: first place at The Internationaler Klaviersommer Cochem, first place at The
South Eastern Music Festival, winner of Jascha Spivakovsky Piano Competition, and a Finalist
of Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition. Wei was also featured in a soon-to-be-released
documentary detailing the life of Grammy nominated artist Awadagin Pratt.
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