Did you know that Thomas Mesa, joining us for Grand Panorama in November, is the recent recipient of a Sphinx MPower scholarship? Learn more about Mr. Mesa below!
The Sphinx MPower Grant
The Sphinx Organization recently announced the recipients of the 2021 MPower Artist Grants; competitive scholarships designed to empower alumni of Sphinx programs to achieve their career objectives in classical music. This year, 13 deserving artists were selected to receive a total of $100,000.
MPower Grants differ based upon the scope, need, and nature of each competitive application, with the average award amounting to $10,000. Thomas Mesa, 2021-22 MSO Symphony Season guest artist is a 2021 recipient of the MPower grant, and has participated in the Sphinx Competition, Sphinx Virtuosi, and Sphinx Symphony Orchestra. Mesa’s MPower project includes a partnership with PARMA Recordings and pianist Michelle Cann to record a cello/piano “Call for Scores” album of new music by Black and Latinx composers. Read about all of the winners’ projects on the Sphinx website. Learn more about Thomas Mesa‘s appearances with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and subscribe to the 21-22 Symphony season now.
Biography
Thomas Mesa, Cuban-American cellist, has established himself as one of the most charismatic, innovative, and engaging performers of his generation. He was the winner of the $50,000 First Prize in the 2016 Sphinx Competition; the Thaviu Competition for String Performance (Chicago, 2013); The Astral Artists 2017 National Auditions; and the Alhambra Orchestra Concerto Competition. He has appeared as soloist with major orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, The Cleveland Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
Highlights for the 2021/2022 Season include the world premiere of Jessie Montgomery’s Divided for solo cello and orchestra (on tour) at major venues across the U.S., a concerto premiere by Andrea Casarrubios with Indianapolis Symphony, premieres in recital by Carlos Simon and Stephanie Ann Boyd, and multiple recording projects released on all streaming platforms.
Recently, Thomas was the featured cover story on Strings Magazine, September/October, 2020
In the Fall of 2021, Thomas will be the cello professor at The Conservatory of Music at Purchase College (SUNY)
Courtesy of https://thomasmesacello.com/.
Thomas Mesa will be performing Dvořák’s Cello Concert on November 12, 13, and 14, 2021. If you’d like to purchase tickets to “Grand Panorama” or any other 2021-2022 Season concerts, tickets are on sale now.