A special feature of Usdan’s program is each student’s attendance at Usdan’s daily series of Festival Concerts. These are presented by distinguished artists of the world, and past performers include Yo-Yo Ma, James Galway, Tokyo String Quartet, Emanuel Ax, Canadian Brass, André Watts, the Heath Brothers, New York City Ballet, the Limon Dance Company, and stars of Broadway shows.

Tokyo String Quartet

The Tokyo String Quartet has captivated audiences and critics alike since it was founded 40 years ago. Regarded as one of the supreme chamber ensembles of the world, the Tokyo Quartet-Martin Beaver and Kikuei Ikeda (violins), Kazuhide Isomura (viola) and Clive Greensmith (cello)-has collaborated with a remarkable array of artists and composers, built a comprehensive catalogue of critically acclaimed recordings and established a distinguished teaching record. Performing over a hundred concerts worldwide each season, the quartet has a devoted international following across the globe.

The Chameleons

The immensely talented Keith Berger and Sharon Diskin have performed as a Mime Theatre duo since 1985 delighting a wide range of concert audiences in North America and Europe. Noted for their exciting performance style and professional discipline, Sharon and Keith have been enthusiastically received by audiences and critics alike at theatre venues ranging from New York City’s, La Mama, to L.A.’s, Disney Concert Hall, from the world renown Edinburgh Arts Festival in Scotland to world cruises that have brought them to such far reaching places as Romania, Istanbul, and The Ukraine.