American Young Artists Association Presents “Moments in Time” — A Cross-Genre Evening of Chamber Music, Jazz, and Opera in New York City

New York, NY — January 15, 2026 — The American Young Artists Association (AYA), a New York–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization, presented Moments in Time on Thursday evening, January 15, 2026, at its Upper East Side venue in New York City. The concert brought together chamber music, jazz, and opera in a thoughtfully curated program that traced musical expression across eras, styles, and artistic voices.

The evening opened with selections by jazz icon Charlie Parker, featuring Yardbird Suite (1946), performed by pianist William Schwartzman, whose interpretation highlighted the work’s rhythmic vitality and harmonic sophistication. Schwartzman also presented his original composition It’s Been Cold This Spring, offering a contemporary perspective that bridged improvisation and compositional clarity.

The program continued with Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet in C major, Op. 33, No. 3 (“The Bird”), performed by the Karuna Quartet. Known for their expressive depth and refined ensemble dialogue, the quartet delivered a performance marked by elegance, wit, and stylistic precision. The ensemble is comprised of violinists Sophia Werner and Nicole Yun, violist Erin Emi Nishi, and cellist Isabelle Nichols.

Vocal selections featured soprano Tasha Koontz, whose performances of “Vissi d’arte” from Tosca by Giacomo Puccini and “Marietta’s Lied” from Die tote Stadt by Erich Wolfgang Korngold brought operatic intensity and lyric richness to the evening. Koontz was joined by collaborative pianist Nicholas Alexander Kaponyas, whose sensitive musicianship and refined partnership anchored the vocal repertoire.

Moments in Time reflected AYA’s mission to present high-caliber artistic programming that connects audiences with diverse musical traditions while fostering dialogue between classical and contemporary forms. The concert highlighted the organization’s commitment to curatorial excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful cultural exchange.

Founded in New York, the American Young Artists Association is dedicated to supporting artists and producing performances that uphold artistic integrity and accessibility. Through concerts, educational initiatives, and cross-disciplinary projects, AYA continues to serve as a platform for artistic voices and creative exploration.

For more information about the American Young Artists Association and upcoming programs, please visit
www.americanyoungartists.org

Media Contact:
American Young Artists Association
info@americanyoungartists.org