Join us for a riveting concert Friday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m. featuring flautist Anastasiya Squires and pianist Giacomo Franci!
Anastasiya Squires, flute
Since beginning her flute studies at the age of four and winning her first international competition at the age of seven, Anastasiya Squires (Ganzenko) has blossomed into a young artist with continued successes in international performance venues and competitions. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees (cum laude)from the National Music Academy of Ukraine (named after Tchaikovsky) in her native Ukraine. Mrs. Squires received her post-masters Solo Performance Diploma, under the tutelage of Richard Graef (former Associate Principal Flute of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra), Mimi Tachouet (Lyric Opera Orchestra), and Eugenia Moliner (Cavatina Duo) at the Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University.
Anastasiya is a recent winner of the Aeolian Classics Emerging Artists Competition. As a part of her winnings, she performed numerous recitals at various venues in Illinois, and has had her debut CD produced on Aeolian Classics. Her recent CD, currently in final editing, will be released in 2024 by Petrichor Records.
She has appeared as concerto soloist and recorded with numerous orchestras, including the Lviv Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic of Ukraine, the Symphony Orchestra of the National Music Academy of Ukraine, the Lviv Chamber Orchestra, and Illinois orchestras. Special honors include performances for the President of Austria, the Ukrainian Minister of Culture, the Prime
Minister of the State of Kuwait, and at the Palace of Wilanow, Poland.
Recent winner of the Luminarts Cultural Foundation Classical Music Fellowship, the CCPA Concerto Competition and the Evanston Music Club Scholarship Competition, Mrs. Squires also counts among her many competition credits Grand Prizes at International Competitions in Europe and numerous national competitions in her home country. She was invited to be a member of the jury for the 2020 Luminarts Competition and was a finalist in the 2022 Petrichor International Solo Competition. In January of 2021, Anastasiya had the distinct honor of performing on the Dame Myra Hess Concert
Series in Chicago, broadcast on WFMT. In 2023 she won the progressive musicians, resulting in a concerto performance at Carnegie Hall with the New York Chamber
Players.
Giacomo Franci, Pianist and Conductor
Giacomo Franci, a distinguished Maestro Pianist, not only founded The New York Chamber Players in 2004 but also serves as its Artistic Director and Conductor. His musical journey has been marked by remarkable achievements and international acclaim.
During the 2010-11 season, Franci was honored to be elected as Guest Maestro of Escuela de Direccion de Orquesta in Cordoba, Spain. However, it is his unparalleled expertise as an interpreter of Aaron Copland's music that truly sets him apart. This reputation was solidified by his world premiere recording "The Complete Edited Piano Works by A. Copland," released by Fone’ Classics, which garnered widespread acclaim.
In 2000, Franci performed at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, for the centennial celebration of Copland's birthday, earning rave reviews for his stellar performance. He further cemented his status with the release of "Igor Stravinsky: The Complete Published Piano Works" in December 2010, praised by Audio Review Magazine.
Continuing his musical journey, Franci embarked on recording "The Complete Piano Sonatas by Beethoven" in 2016. Despite his demanding schedule, he finds time to share his expertise with aspiring musicians at The Tribeca Music Studio in New York City.
Franci's concert career began in Italy, where he graced renowned venues such as Teatro Comunale “Guglielmi” and Teatro San Filippo di Torino. He has since become a sought-after soloist, captivating audiences across the globe with his virtuosity.
His dedication to musical excellence led him to study under esteemed mentors, earning accolades and scholarships along the way. Over the years, Franci has been featured as a soloist with prestigious orchestras worldwide, showcasing his versatility and passion for music.
In addition to his remarkable performances, Franci has been featured in esteemed radio programs hosted by David Dubal, as well as various television shows. His inclusion in the Cambridge Who's Who Registry further underscores his status as one of the most accomplished professionals in the U.S.