ANTHONY DE MARE is one of the world's foremost champions of contemporary music. He pioneered the genre of the speaking-singing pianist nearly 25 years ago with the premiere of Frederic Rzewski’s groundbreaking De Profundis, and his versatility has inspired the creation of over 60 new works by distinguished artists including Meredith Monk, David del Tredici, Paul Moravec, Aaron Jay Kernis, Fred Hersch and Jerome Kitzke. With Liaisons he has added another 27 composers to the list of those he has commissioned, and another 36 compositions to the contemporary piano repertoire. Since his 1986 debut with Young Concert Artists, de Mare's performances have spanned five continents and 25 countries; his discography includes twenty recordings on Innova, Koch (E1) and CRI/New World and ECM Records. Mr. de Mare is a Steinway artist and serves as Professor of Piano on the faculties of Manhattan School of Music and New York University. anthonydemare.com
STEPHEN SONDHEIM is widely acknowledged as the most innovative and influential composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. Accolades include eight Tony Awards including one for Lifetime Achievement (more than any other composer), an Academy Award, a Pulitzer Prize, a special Olivier Award, a National Medal of Arts and multiple Grammy and Drama Desk awards. His best-known works as composer and lyricist include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods. He wrote the lyrics for West Side Story and Gypsy and composed film scores for Stavisky, Reds and Dick Tracy among others. His collected lyrics with attendant essays were published by Knopf in two volumes: "Finishing the Hat" (2010) and "Look, I Made A Hat" (2011). Sondheim.org
RACHEL COLBERT is an independent producer, development consultant, and project manager for artists and cultural organizations in New York City.