Today’s Daily Joy is all about firsts.
Composer George Walker was the 1st African American graduate of the Curtis Institute, and the 1st African American musician to solo with the Philadelphia Orchestra. In this video, FTT’s first all-sibling string quartet is playing Walker’s “Lyric” for strings.
San Francisco, CA The Stars Aligned Siblings appear on Show 398, airing April 19, 2021. They will also perform a Virtual Concert on March 24, 2021.
Stars Aligned Siblings is a family quartet comprised of Dustin (14/violin), Starla (13/cello), Valery (11/violin), and Colin (8/viola) Breshears. Stars Aligned Siblings is taught in the Heifetz tradition of chamber playing by Ayke Agus, violin protégé and accompanist of the legendary, Jascha Heifetz. Additionally all four siblings attend the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Pre-College Division and The Crowden School. They are recipients of From the Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award.
They have toured internationally at festivals and events in the United Kingdom, Argentina, Mexico, and in the United States. They have appeared on NBC TV’s Little Big Shots with host Steve Harvey and on ITV’s Little Big Shots in the U.K. They have performed as soloists and as a quartet at Iguazú en Concierto Festival in Argentina and at Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado in Mexico. In the United States they have performed on Michael Cerbelli’s The Hot List, San Francisco Conservatory of Music Gala, Festival Napa Valley, Bear Valley Music Festival, MTAC State Convention banquet, Presidio concert series in San Francisco, National Guild for Community Arts Education Conference, and for Steinway Society sponsored outreach to local schools in their community.
Stars Aligned Siblings have won numerous awards in chamber music, including 1st Place Chicago International Music Competition – Amateur Division, 1st Place & Outstanding Gold Medalist Award of U.S. Open Music Competition, 1st Place U.S. International Music Competition, 1st Place MTAC VOCE State Finals, 1st Place DVC-HNU Strings Competition, and 1st Place Sacramento Chamber Music Society Competition. In addition to their chamber music awards, the siblings have also received 1st Place in numerous solo competitions, and have performed individually as soloists with over ten different orchestras since the ages of six.
Since quarantine the Stars Aligned Siblings have performed virtual concerts in Paris, Argentina, and have performed on programs hosted by Christopher O’Riley and Gil Shaham. They recently won 3rd place in the Piero Farulli International Competition for Young String Quartets where they also received the youngest ensemble award.
Music has the unique ability to bring joy to our lives – especially in the hands of young people. Daily Joy is a reminder of music’s power to uplift, inspire, and unite.
Daily Joy is a project of From the Top. It began in the very early days of the Covid-19 pandemic and continues today to offer a much-needed respite from the anxiety and worry that we encounter in the world.
From the Top is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the stories and artistry of young musicians through media and leadership programs. Learn more.
From the Top is grateful to the Richard K. Lubin Family Foundation for their generous support of Daily Joy.
Have questions? Email us at info@fromthetop.org.
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Daily Joy is a program of From the Top, an independent non-profit organization that relies on support from individuals. Your support will help ensure From the Top's work of celebrating the joy, talents, and stories of extraordinary young musicians.