Our Mission
At Musaics of the Bay, we believe interdisciplinary collaboration among visual artists, composers and performers of all backgrounds and ages is a generative way to foster connections and heal divides between cultures and communities. In this spirit, we strive to enrich the Bay Area and beyond through the facilitation of unique artistic collaborations that empower artists through in-depth creative partnerships..
We further this mission by presenting live and recorded performances, workshops and masterclasses with top-tier local and international artists; commissions inspired by art of all types; and fostering young talent through our Workshops and Residency Programs.
*Musaics of the Bay is committed to its focus on racial justice and equity. We make every effort to empower BIPOC artists of all types through commissions and transformative artistic partnerships.
Milestones
During the height of the pandemic in 2020-2021, Musaics commissioned over 75 new works of music by composers inspired by community-submitted art pieces in a project called The Stay-at-Home Symposium. These works were premiered virtually by instrumentalists around the world. The Symposium enlisted the collaborative efforts of over 100 artists - including composers, classical instrumentalists, jazz instrumentalists, improvisers, poets, filmmakers, painters, photographers and more - over the course of 18 months.
In January 2022 Musaics launched the first of its ongoing Residency Programs, bringing together a select group of composers, performers and visual artists to Berkeley for the purpose of encouraging creative connection, collaboration, and the creation of new works.
In August 2024 Musaics kicked off “Growing Songs,” a multi-year project in which Persian singer and activist Mahsa Vahdat & composer Atabak Elyasi collaborate in the creation of 10 new songs for voice and ensemble, bridging Persian and Western musical and cultural traditions.
A Message From The Artistic Director
After a whirlwind few years of virtual programming, we’re excited to bring the energy of artistic connection and collaboration back into the Bay Area’s joyous homes and cultural spaces, where we celebrate with the enthusiastic members and supporters of our community.
Our first inaugural Residency Program brought together 10 instrumentalists and composers, emerging and established, for intensive workshops, group dinners, composer peer review sessions, the premiere of 5 new works of music, and a culminating recording session.
In the coming years, we aspire to continue building momentum and support for these special creative collaborations, bringing together aspiring young artists and established professionals to learn, create and grow together.
Stay tuned for more exciting artistic collaborations and gatherings in the Bay Area community!
Audrey Vardanega | Musaics of the Bay
About The Directors
Audrey Vardanega
Founder | Artistic Director
Pianist Audrey Vardanega is passionate about providing emerging artists with opportunities to determine their own careers by creating new artistic communities, collaborations and sustainable networks.
Christos Vayenas
Director of Curation
A pianist/composer, writer and impresario, Christos specializes in innovating the way people perform, present and experience live artistic performances.
The Board
Thomas Chen is an investor and board member in enterprise. An East Bay native, Thomas believes in the power of enriching communities through music and cultural activities.
Sharona Barzilay was trained as a biologist and served for many years as a school administrator and teacher. Now retired, she is better able to indulge her lifelong passion for classical music and is thrilled to support the mission of Musaics.
Christophe Rimann, an East Bay Native, is currently a Business Analyst at McKinsey and Co. in San Francisco. Christophe received a B.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University and his M.Eng also in Computer Science from Cornell University, where his research focus was on blockchain. Christophe is passionate about skiing, cooking, and entrepreneurship.
Audrey Vardanega has performed as a solo pianist and chamber musician across the United States, China, and Europe. Audrey received her B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University and her M.M. in Piano Performance at Mannes under the tutelage of Richard Goode. Audrey is passionate about cooking, traveling, and creating engaging musical collaborations.
Milad Yousufi is a pianist, composer, conductor, poet, singer, painter and calligrapher. Yousufi’s work is deeply inspired by his country and culture. Yousufi is under Simone Dinnerstein’s mentorship and considers Dinnerstein as one of his great inspirations.Yousufi has graduated from Mannes School of Music in spring 2020 and currently pursuing masters degree in composition under Dr. Dalit Warshaw's mentorship at Brooklyn College.
Meina Xu worked closely with the late Maestro George Cleve to create the Mozart Youth Camerata in 2011. She is on the Board of Directors of San Francisco’s Old First Concerts and enjoys cooking and classical music.
Isabella Salaverry Rosekrans was born and raised in California. She was a stay at home parent who volunteered in her children’s school as well as a local hospital and eventually in both men’s and women’s prisons.
ADVISORs
Simone Dinnerstein is an American pianist. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, son and dog, less than a mile from the hospital in which she was born. Simone has a distinctive musical voice. The Washington Post has called her “an artist of strikingly original ideas and irrefutable integrity.”
Non-Discrimination Statement:
Musaics of the Bay does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, economic status, nationality, religious affiliation or age.
Our Partners
Press
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Snapp Shots: Oakland pianist’s project takes collaboration to the next level
Musaics of the Bay Artistic Director Audrey Vardanega on the Stay-at-Home Symposium | February 10, 2021
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The “Stay-at-Home Symposium” on KALW 92.1, “Revolutions Per Minute”
Musaics of the Bay Artistic Director Audrey Vardanega Joins Sarah Cahill for a Conversation about the Symposium | January 31, 2021
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“Audrey Vardanega’s Musical Path Was Both Destined and Deliberate:” Lily O’Brien
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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“Wynton Marsalis, Eugene Wright, Ken Burns & More:” Matthew Micucci
Symposium Artist Ben Rosenblum’s Program “The Death and Rebirth of Hope” featured in JAZZIZ Magazine | January 2, 2021
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“What to do this Weekend: Nov 26-29” by Cristina Schreil
Musaics of the Bay’s “Stay-at-Home Symposium” Featured in The Nob Hill Gazette | November 23, 2020
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“What to do this Weekend: Nov 5-8” by Cristina Schreil
Musaics of the Bay’s Virtual Season Premiere Featured in The Nob Hill Gazette | November 4, 2020
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“What to do this Weekend: Oct 8-11” by Cristina Schreil
Musaics of the Bay’s “Stay-at-Home Symposium” Featured in The Nob Hill Gazette | October 6, 2020
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“The New Intimacy of Pandemic Performance” by Cristina Schreil
Musaics of the Bay’s Live Pandemic Performances Featured in The Nob Hill Gazette | October 3, 2020
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“The Sit List: Support your arts community, be entertained…” by Minhae Shim Roth
Musaics of the Bay’s “Stay-at-Home Symposium” Featured in Berkeleyside | July 10, 2020
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“‘Musaics of the Bay’ Play Mozart and Schubert” by Jeffrey Freymann
Musaics of the Bay’s Concert with Nigel Armstrong, Tanya Tomkins, and Audrey Vardanega Featured in Classical KDFC’s “State of the Arts” | March 5, 2020
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“Snapp Shots: Grown piano prodigy Vardanega returning:” Martin Snapp
Musaics of the Bay’s 2019 Season Premiere Featured in The East Bay Times | September 5, 2019
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WQXR Young Artists Showcase
Musaics of the Bay featured on WQXR’s Young Artists Showcase | January 2024