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
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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
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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
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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.
Edward Sien
Director of Philanthropy
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Email: Ed@ChamberMusic.org
Edward Sien is a development professional with over two decades of experience supporting diverse cultural, humanitarian, and social service nonprofit organizations. His enduring passion for classical music led him to significant roles at The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and, most recently, Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Additionally, Ed has been a dedicated advocate for contemporary music, serving on the board of Metropolis Ensemble, a New York City-based organization devoted to nurturing emerging composers and musicians, since its inception.Originally from New York City, Ed has embraced his new home in Kansas City, where he delights in the city's vibrant arts scene. He is thrilled to be part of the Friends of Chamber Music community and looks forward to experiencing great music with its audiences. When not attending musical events, he can usually be found spending time with his husband and son or on the tennis court.
Mikaela Garrett
Marketing Manager
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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.
Janell Peterson
Director of Operations
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Email: Janell@ChamberMusic.org
Janell Peterson has a wide breadth of industry experience gained by working over 20 years in event and volunteer management roles in the Kansas City area. She found her passion in nonprofits and has worked to further the goals of various arts, education, and healthcare organizations during her career. Janell specializes in event management and organizational logistics, with a special aptitude for process improvement and creative problem-solving.She also enjoys utilizing her experience and talents to coordinate creative retreats for her business - WestWind Creative. Janell and her husband Brandon love to tackle home remodeling projects together and are currently rebuilding a vintage camping trailer to use on adventures with their two sons. She is delighted to be a part of the Kansas City arts community and enjoy beautiful music with The Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City patrons, staff and volunteers.
Photo credit: Hallie Fry
Gray Robison
Patron Services Associate
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Email:BoxOffice@ChamberMusic.org
Phone:(816)-766-1096
Gray Robison is our new Patron Services Associate. Gray is majoring in health sciences at the University of Missouri Kansas City. Gray also has extensive experience in social media development and was recently contracted by a national performing arts organization to improve their social media content and impact. Gray has sung in choirs for most of their life and is passionate about music. Gray is excited to work with the Friends this season and looks forward to helping our patrons with their box office questions and orders.
Jackie Lee
Young Artist Project Director
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Email: Jackie@ChamberMusic.org
Jackie Lee is a distinguished violist celebrated for his artistic excellence and commitment to music education. A recipient of numerous accolades, Mr. Lee has earned top prize awards in the Cleveland Institute of Music Concerto Competition, the Ekstrand Competition, and the National Viola Competition of Taiwan.
As an active and passionate chamber musician, Mr. Lee was a member of the Satori Quartet, the recipient of Takács Graduate Quartet Fellowship and Residency at the University of Colorado Boulder. The Satori Quartet was appointed Young Artist Quartet-in-Residence at the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, and was invited to perform at esteemed festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival and the Bravo Vail Music Festival. The quartet also engaged in extensive outreach, reaching over 2,500 students across more than a dozen schools in Colorado. Additionally, Mr. Lee has participated in fellowships with the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival and the Juilliard String Quartet Seminar.
A dedicated and distinguished teacher, Mr. Lee was recognized by the Music Teachers National Association for his work with the Kammer Trio, which earned the silver medal at the 2011 MTNA National Chamber Music Competition. His students have been accepted into leading conservatories, such as The Juilliard School, Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, Colburn Conservatory, Indiana University, Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, and others. Many of his students have also garnered prizes in national and international competitions and have secured fellowships at major music festivals, including Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Juilliard String Quartet Seminar, and McGill International String Quartet Academy.
Mr. Lee is the Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Heartland Chamber Music Festival at JCCC (2009–2024) and has served on its faculty. His teaching credentials also include teaching at the youth programs of the Aspen Music Festival, Bravo Vail Music Festival, Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, and Taiwan National Institute of Arts Summer Chamber Music Academy.
Mr. Lee holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Viola Performance, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Audio Recording Engineering from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts in Viola Performance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance.