Who Are The Friends?
One of the premier organizations of its kind in the nation, The Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City has inspired lives championing and exploring the Art of Chamber Music for nearly fifty years. We present the world’s leading artists in beautifully curated performances, advocate for creative and engaging programming, provide educational initiatives reaching deep into our community, and work tirelessly to be a good partner in strengthening the cultural life of Greater Kansas City and beyond.
The Friends Behind the Friends
Dmitri Atapine, DMA
Artistic Co-Director
-
Described as a cellist whose “playing is highly impressive throughout" (The Strad), DMITRI ATAPINE has appeared at leading venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Zankel and Weill Halls at Carnegie Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, and the National Auditorium of Spain. He regularly preforms with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and is a frequent guest at festivals including Music@Menlo, Chamber Music Northwest, La Musica Sarasota, Cactus Pear, Pacific Music Festival, Aldeburgh, and Aix-en-Provence.
Mr. Atapine's many awards include top prizes at the Carlos Prieto International Cello, and the Premio Vittorio Gui chamber competitions. His recent engagements included collaborations with such distinguished musicians as Cho-Liang Lin, Paul Neubauer, David Finckel, Ani and Ida Kavafian, Wu Han, Bruno Giuranna, David Shifrin, the St. Lawrence and Miró quartets. Mr. Atapine’s recordings, including a world-premiere of works by Lowell Liebermann, can be found on the Naxos, Albany, Urtext Digital, BlueGriffin and Bridge record labels.
Mr. Atapine holds several directorships, among them Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City, Apex Concerts, Young Performers at Music@Menlo and Ribadesella Festival. Cello professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, Mr. Atapine holds a doctorate from the Yale School of Music where he was a student of Aldo Parisot.
Hyeyeon Park, DMA
Artistic Co-Director
-
Described as “a pianist with power, precision, and tremendous glee” by Gramophone, pianist Hyeyeon Park is highly in demand at the most prestigious venues, concert series, and festivals around the world. She is a frequent guest with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Chamber Music Northwest, Emerald City Music, Kumho Chamber Society, etc. Hyeyeon regularly performs at Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Seoul Arts Center, where she was named Artist of the Year. Prizewinner of numerous international competitions such as Oberlin, Hugo Kauder, Corpus Christi, Maria Canals, Ettlingen, and Prix Amadèo, she directs Apex Concerts as well as the Young Performers Program at Music@Menlo. Recently named the artistic co-director of Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City, she holds a masters from Yale University and a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University.
Brett Robison, DMA, MBA
Executive Director
-
Email: Brett@ChamberMusic.org
Dr. Brett Robison brings over ten years of experience as an executive director of performing arts organizations and over twenty-five years of experience as a music educator and performer to The Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City. Robison was most recently the executive director of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and has a passion for nonprofit leadership in the arts. During his tenure with the Topeka Symphony, he increased individual giving and grant revenue by over fifty percent and oversaw substantial growth in the youth programs.
Through his years of leading, teaching, mentoring, and inspiring students and music lovers of all ages, he has found clarity in understanding that his passion for music performance, music education, community building, and empowering others best serves the greater good through formal leadership and administrative roles. Robison founded the music nonprofit organization, Scottsdale Musical Arts and served as its artistic and executive director. He and his wife, Jennaya Robison, also facilitate the Summer Music Conference at Zephyr Point on Lake Tahoe, Nevada. As a church musician, Robison has served congregations throughout the Midwest and Southwest as choir director and music director. Robison is currently the choir director at Trinity Lutheran in Mission, Kansas.
Robison’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in music from Luther College, a Master of Music in conducting from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Business Administration from Viterbo University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Arizona. Robison lives with his family in Overland Park, Kansas.
Mikaela Garrett
Marketing Manager
-
Email: Mikaela@ChamberMusic.org
Mikaela came to the Friends of Chamber Music in 2021 with 15+ years in marketing, communications and graphic design experience. Her work experience includes the Folly Theater, Wonderscope Children’s Museum, Kansas City Repertory Theater, Illinois Arts Alliance and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. As a lifelong supporter of non-profit arts, Mikaela believes in the power that the arts have to transform communities, create necessary conversations and build bridges. When Mikaela is not busy creating intriguing content and beautiful designs for the Friends, she can be found teaching ballet at a local dance studio, walking her two giant golden doodles or spending time with her husband and two children.
Alix England
Box Office Manager
-
Email: BoxOffice@ChamberMusic.org
Phone: (816)-766-1096
Hours: Tue-Fri, 10AM-5PMAlix England is our Box Office Associate. Alix attended the University of Missouri, where she double majored in English and Film Studies, minoring in Art History. During this time, she worked on feature films and has been credited on IMDb for her work. She also studied abroad in London, and interned for the literary magazine, The Missouri Review. After receiving her degrees, Alix worked for the Kansas City Symphony before working in higher education administration with MCC and UMKC. Alix joined the Friends of Chamber Music in June of 2022 and is excited to continue her career in arts and administration. Growing up with a family of musicians, she started playing the bassoon at age 10 and has performed with bands and orchestras across Kansas City. Alix loves all the arts that Kansas City has to offer, like going to the Nelson-Atkins museum, singing in local choirs, and attending dance classes around the city.