Join us as the Sylph Chamber Orchestra presents: "Spring Sylph Chamber Music"

NADINE SCHARMAN, (flute) whose family ties include the illustrious name of Emanuel Feurermann, began her piano studies at the age of eight and flute studies at ten. She holds a degree from SUNY at Purchase and has studied with flutists Julius Baker, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Thomas Nyfenger and Gerardo Levy. At twenty-two she was a semi-finalist in the Naumburg Competition and subsequently performed the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto under Oscar Shumsky’s direction. A versatile artist, Ms.  Scharman has performed extensively in styles ranging from classical to jazz in the U.S. and in the Cote d’Azur of France. She has played at Carnegie Weill Hall, Merkin Hall, Caramour Music Festival and other venues in the New York area. The New York Times praised her as, “An unusually fine artist” and recognized “her musical phrasing and secure finger work.” Julius Baker has referred to Ms. Scharman as, “A most gifted flutist who will have a tremendous career.” She has been seen with the Soh Young Ensemble a 5 piece group for voice, cello, piano, flute and drums. She currently is of the Long Island Philharmonic children’s educational outreach program with her flute, and rainbow troupe with Chasing Rainbows in her children’s book performed as an interactive musical “Chasing Rainbows In Me”. Her C.D. and book “Chasing Rainbows In Me” is available on line at Authorhouse.com, and can be ordered from all bookstores. She is an experienced coach for instrumentalists of all levels and ages. She is also an occupational therapist. 

ANN ZALKIND, (piano) Following a notable New York debut at Town Hall, Ann Zalkind has performed in the US and Europe to critical acclaim. The New York Times especially noted her genuine poetic gift, knowledge of musical styles, clarity, precision, thoughtful deliberation and temperament. Ann Zalkind has performed on the ‘distinguished artist series at the 92nd Street Y Kaufman Auditorium. She has also performed at Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall-Weill Recital Hall and with members of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at Merkin Hall and with members of the New York Philharmonic at Bargemusic. She. has accompanied the Hempstead select choir at Carnegie Hall. She has been soloist with The Baltimore Symphony, The Albany Symphony and The Atlantic Chamber Players. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Graduate School and University Center of the City of New York. She has been on the faculties of Peabody Conservatory, Skidmore College, the Waterville Valley Music Festival in NH and the Hempstead School District. She is the author of A Study of Catalan Composer Federico Mompou’s (1893-1987) Música Callada, Edwin Mellen Press, 2002, What Matters Most: A Memoir, 2019, Waiting For The Light to Return and The Four of Us available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles. 

BERNADETTE LAFOND, recently returned to the opera stage and classical music after a long hiatus during which she has been raising a family and working as a speech pathologist.  She appeared as Dorabella in Cosi fan tutti at Indianapolis Opera, Opera Memphis, and The San Louis Obispo Mozart Festival; as Hansel in more than 150 performances of Hansel and Gretel all over North Carolina, with Opera Carolna; and as Mercedes in Carmen on the main stage at Opera Carolina.  The San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival engaged her three summers running; she appeared there as Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro.  She also performed roles with The New York City Opera, Dallas Lyric Opera, Queens Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Delphi Theatre in NYC, and The Rome Festival.  In recent years, she has been performing music from Bach to Rachmaninoff with the Union City Chamber Players. She appeared as the Third Lady in Mozart’s The Magic Flute with Opera Theatre of Montclair in 2013 and was thrilled to be part of OTM’s first fully staged production, Nabucco.