The Astralis Chamber Ensemble is an innovative and dynamic ensemble performing with much acclaim across the globe. Through creative programming and presentations on the works performed, Astralis aims to make classical music more accessible and for audiences to make a lasting connection to the music. These award-winning musicians represent decades of experience performing across many of the world’s major venues and notable concert series. Another focus of the ensemble is to support the development of the arts through new compositions and reach communities of all backgrounds through music. The Astralis Chamber Ensemble is an innovative and dynamic ensemble performing with much acclaim across the globe. Through creative programming and presentations on the works performed, Astralis aims to make classical music more accessible and for audiences to make a lasting connection to the music. These award-winning musicians represent decades of experience performing across many of the world’s major venues and notable concert series. Another focus of the ensemble is to support the development of the arts through new compositions and reach communities of all backgrounds through music.

Angela Massey’s album has been described as “beautiful and enchanting, the performances on this CD are magical!” by Jeanne Baxtresser, former principal flute of the NY Philharmonic. As a soloist, she has been a featured artist with the Tryon Concert Association, Kosciuszko Foundation (NYC), Artist Series (Tallahassee), and internationally in England, France, Germany, Italy, Romania, and Switzerland. Massey serves as Artistic Director and founder of the Astralis Chamber Ensemble performing over sixty recitals each year. She holds flute positions with the Southwest Florida Symphony, Venice Symphony, and teaches at Florida Gulf Coast University. She was awarded prizes in the Alexander and Buono Competition, Frank Bowen Competition, Myrna Brown Competition, and Gheorghe Dima International Competition in Romania. Her instructors have been Alberto Almarza, Jeanne Baxtresser, Martha Kitterman, and Brooks de Wetter-Smith. She received degrees in flute performance from Carnegie Mellon University, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and UNC at Chapel Hill.

Taiwanese violinist Yu-Ming (Andrew) Ma began his musical studies at the age of five. As a soloist, he has been selected to perform concerti with orchestras, including the SiungSong Orchestra in Taiwan and the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra. His chamber music experience includes performing at the Kneisel Hall chamber music festival, Taos School of Music, and Music@Menlo as an international performer. In February 2020, Andrew performed at Tongyeong International Music Festival in Tongyeong Korea as a guest artist, invited by noted violinist Jinjoo Cho. During the course of his musical training, Yu-Ming’s teachers have included Todor Pelev, Ivan Zenaty, Jinjoo Cho, Jan Sloman, and Jaime Laredo. Currently, Andrew holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Cleveland Institute of Music and a Master’s Degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Rice University studying under the tutelage of Paul Kantor.

Laura Usiskin enjoys a versatile career as a cellist and educator. Her playing has taken her to concert halls throughout the United States and Europe, including the Kennedy Center, Palazzo Chigi Saracini, Alice Tully Hall, Weill Hall, Zankel Hall, Merkin Hall, Miller Theatre, and Barge Music. While completing an Artist-In-Residency with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, Usiskin founded the Montgomery Music Project, an El Sistema strings program in Montgomery, Alabama that has given intensive string instruction to hundreds of low-income children. Usiskin is a member of the Bayberry String Quartet and ensemble vim. She has served on the faculty of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is a devoted private teacher. Usiskin graduated from Columbia University cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Behavior, The Juilliard School with a Master of Music, and Yale University with a Doctor of Musical Arts.

Dr. Alexandra Snyder Dunbar is an award-winning harpsichordist, pianist, and pedagogue. At Juilliard, she received a full scholarship as a resident in the prestigious C. V. Starr Fellowship in the Doctoral program. Dr. Dunbar received a Masters of Music in Harpsichord Performance at Juilliard and a Bachelor of Music in Piano from Manhattan School of Music. Solo performances with orchestra include with Orchestra 54, Dorian Baroque Orchestra, The Memphis Chamber Music Society, The Symphony of Westchester, and The Chamber Orchestra of New York. Dr. Dunbar performed with The Dryden Ensemble, the Foundlings Ensemble, The New York Philharmonic, and the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra. Dr. Dunbar is on the music faculty at the University of North Georgia, and Interlochen Arts Camp, and maintains a private teaching studio and busy performance calendar. Currently, she serves as organist at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia, and is co-artistic director for Amethyst Baroque Ensemble.