The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS, VA (VR) — Garth Newel Music Center opens its summer season on June 20 with a special Emerging Artist Alumni concert featuring Trio Laval, an ensemble formed by former Emerging Artist fellow Jordan Bartel alongside cellist Sarina Zhang and pianist Sean Terada Yang.
The performance marks the latest installment of Garth Newel’s Emerging Artist Alumni Series, a program designed to reconnect audiences with former fellows as they continue to build vibrant professional careers and innovative artistic projects.
Selected from a competitive proposal process, Trio Laval will present “Nights,” a thoughtfully curated program exploring how composers across centuries and cultures have interpreted the emotional, literary, and symbolic dimensions of nighttime.
“From Schubert’s warm and genial Notturno to the emotionally complex and turbulent journey of Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht, the night may subvert traditional images that view darkness as an encroachment on the light of day,” the ensemble shared in its proposal.
The June 20 concert will feature works by Florence Price, Franz Schubert, Prach Boondiskulchok, and Arnold Schoenberg, weaving together themes of transformation, reflection, intimacy, and emotional discovery. Audiences can expect a deeply immersive experience shaped by literature, poetry, memory, and personal storytelling.
Trio Laval formed at the University of Michigan after faculty mentor Amy I-Lin Cheng encouraged the three musicians to collaborate. Following an intensive first recital together, the ensemble quickly discovered a unique artistic chemistry that would become the foundation of the trio’s identity.
“The chamber music program at Michigan really fostered exploration and collaboration,” said Bartel. “We had opportunities to work across styles, disciplines, and artistic perspectives, and those experiences continue to shape how we build programs today.”
The ensemble’s name itself emerged spontaneously during a coaching session, when cellist Sarina Zhang jokingly selected the town of Laval from a map of France at the suggestion of professor Richard Aaron. The name immediately stuck.
Beyond the music itself, Trio Laval’s work frequently incorporates extra-musical inspirations including literature, visual art, cultural traditions, and even neuroscience. Their “Nights” program reflects the trio’s shared fascination with the emotional and creative possibilities that emerge after dark. “The night hosts more liberty, honesty, and intimacy than the daytime,” said pianist Sean Terada Yang. “It’s a space where people can express themselves more freely.”
In addition to discussing their artistic inspirations, the trio’s interview with Garth Newel also touches on late-night practice sessions, cross-cultural storytelling, and — perhaps unsurprisingly for a close-knit ensemble — their beloved cats.
The June 20 performance begins at 5 p.m. and will be followed by Garth Newel’s signature buffet picnic dinner.
Tickets and reservations are available through https://www.garthnewel.org/#summer2026.
About Garth Newel Music Center:
Amid the splendor of Virginia’s Highlands on a century-old estate, Garth Newel is unmatched as a setting to connect with the world’s greatest chamber music. Audiences come from around the world to experience inspiring live performances, deliciously creative meals, and exceptional hospitality in an intimate environment shared by artists and audiences.
Garth Newel’s concert series are anchored by the full-time ensemble-in-residence, the Garth Newel Piano Quartet (Teresa Ling, violin; Fitz Gary, viola; Isaac Melamed, cello; and Jeannette Fang, piano), and regularly features renowned guest artists. Executive Chef Josh Elliott leads the culinary team in providing gourmet meals and catering.
Founded in 1973, Garth Newel Music Center is Virginia’s only year-round live chamber music venue, presenting concerts, cooking demonstrations, and other events. Its programs include the Allegheny Mountain String Project, Emerging Artist Fellowship Program, Music in the Schools, an annual Amateur Chamber Music Retreat, and an international composition competition. Named a “Best in Virginia” Music Venue and Wedding Vendor by
Virginia Living magazine, Garth Newel offers facilities rentals and catering. Lodging is available on-site and at nearby inns, B&Bs, and vacation rentals.
For more information about concerts, venue rental, catering, lodging, and programs, visit GarthNewel.org or call 540-839-5018.
