Robert Koenig is widely considered one of today’s foremost pianists in the industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and esteemed cache to the University of California Santa Barbara in his role as Professor of Collaborative Piano. Wish a noted career that spans more than four decades, Robert’s collaborations with high-profile artists and chamber ensembles in prestigious venues across the globe has solidified his standing as an invaluable partner and resource to musicians near and far. From coast to coast and throughout Asia and Europe, in concert and on tour, he regularly performs at such venues as New York’s Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Washington’s Kennedy Center, Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, Tokyo’s Suntory Hall, London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Amsterdam’s Het Concertgebouw. He has collaborated with many of this generation’s most renowned musicians, including Augustin Hadelich, Hilary Hahn, Ida Kavafian, Zuill Bailey, Sara Sant’Ambrogio, Miro String Quartet, and members of the Tokyo and Juilliard String Quartets. Of significance is Robert’s frequent partnership with legendary late violinist Aaron Rosand, as well as his 30-year collaboration with renowned violinist Elmar Oliveira.

Todd Moellenberg is a pianist and artist based in Los Angeles. He specializes in both classical and contemporary repertoire, and has been featured in performances with Wild Up, Piano Spheres, Monday Evening Concerts, Hear Now, Los Angeles Philharmonic, PARTCH Ensemble, The Industry, and actress Laverne Cox. He has worked closely with composers Czaya Chernowin, Roger Reynolds, Yiheng Yvonne Wu, Rand Steiger, Bunita Marcus, Thomas Meadowcroft and Xavier Beteta, with recordings released on Deutsche Grammophon, Sideband, and Petrichor. His creative work encompasses composition, video, poetry, and performance art, and has been featured by Conrad Tao, Ryan Nestor, Autoduplicity, Music for Your Inbox, Meaningless Work, Weirdo Night, and Dogstar Orchestra. Todd received his DMA in contemporary piano performance at UC San Diego, under the mentorship of Aleck Karis. His dissertation demonstrates how the work of Ravel and Jean Barraqué can generate poetic forms and structures for durational performance. He currently lectures and instructs piano at UC Riverside.

Meghan (Martineau) Umber serves as Chief Philharmonic Officer for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where she oversees all concert programming and media. While leading the full programming team, Umber specializes in the curation and design of the LA Phil’s iconic orchestral presentations at Walt Disney Concert Hall and Hollywood Bowl, in close partnership with Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel. Umber joined the LA Phil during the inaugural Walt Disney Concert Hall season in 2003/2004, and she has held multiple positions in both Artistic and Development for the organization.

Umber currently serves as a Board Member for the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and has served previously as a Board Member for the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. She guest lectures and moderates events throughout the US, including at USC, UCLA, Juilliard, American Composers Orchestra and League of American Orchestras. A native of Minnesota, Umber earned her music degree from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

CAMERON AKIOKA 25, born in Los Angeles, California, is earning her Doctor of Musical Arts at Northwestern University, studying with James Giles. She won the 2025 Musicians Club of Women Competition: Senior Division Gold Medal and the 2022 Seattle International Piano Competition: Silver Medal. She recently performed as soloist with the Downey Symphony.

AUGUST BAIK 19, born in Seattle, Washington, is earning his bachelor's degree at New England Conservatory (NEC), studying with Stephen Drury. He won the NEC Piano Honors Competition in 2024 and The Sherer International Violin and Piano Competition in 2022. He recently participated in the Honens International Piano Competition Quarterfinals.

CHARLES BEROFSKY 24, born in South Bend, Indiana, is earning his “Excellence in Performance” (doctoral) degree at Hochschule für Musik und Theater München in Germany, studying with Antti Siirala. He won 1st Prize at the 2024 Campillos International Piano Competition and 3rd Prize at the 2022 New York International Piano Competition.

MIN JOO YI 31, born in Daegu, Korea, is earning her Doctor of Musical Arts at Peabody Conservatory of Music, studying with Yong-Hi Moon. She won the Jury Discretionary Prize at the 2024 Gurwitz International Piano Competition. She has performed with the University of Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra and Orchestre Mélo'dix de l'Université Paris Nanterre.