Violinist Leonid Sushansky has been praised for his “gorgeous tone” (The Washington Post) and described as “astonishing” by The New York Times. As a soloist, he has performed with more than 25 orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic, Berlin Chamber Orchestra, and Aspen Chamber Orchestra. A frequent recitalist and chamber musician, his appearances include performances at Bargemusic (NYC), the Kennedy Center, Leipzig Gewandhaus, and Berlin Philharmonie.

Sushansky began violin studies with his mother, Rimma Sushanskaya, and later became a scholarship student at Juilliard under Dorothy DeLay. At age 15, he debuted with the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta. He also studied with Isaac Stern and completed graduate work at the University of Maryland with Daniel Heifetz and the Guarneri Quartet.

He has premiered works by composers such as Lowell Lieberman and collaborated with violinist Dylana Jenson. As an educator, he has taught at the Levine School of Music, University of Mary Washington, and the Academy of Fine Arts. His students have gone on to top conservatories and youth orchestra leadership roles.

As founding Artistic Director of the National Chamber Ensemble, Sushansky is known for curating engaging, accessible programs that connect with diverse audiences across the Washington, D.C. area.

Najin Kim is a versatile violinist and dedicated orchestral performer, currently serving as Assistant Principal Second Violin of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. She has also performed as Associate Concertmaster of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and appeared with the National Philharmonic, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and at the Washington National Cathedral.

A graduate of the Juilliard School, Kim studied under the legendary Dorothy DeLay. She continued her training at Yale University with Syoko Aki and at the Peabody Conservatory with Herbert Greenberg. While at Yale, she was a winner of the Woolsey Hall Concerto Competition. Her other honors include the Mary Graham Lasley Scholarship Award and first prize in the Baltimore Music Club’s competition.

Kim has performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center, and has been featured at festivals such as Aspen, Spoleto (Italy), Chautauqua, and Bowdoin. As a soloist and chamber musician, she has appeared across the U.S. and in her native South Korea, where she was invited to serve as guest concertmaster and soloist for the Korean Chamber Ensemble.

She is a founding member of the Lab Piano Trio, which regularly performs throughout South Korea and the U.S. Known for her expressive style and chamber music sensibility, Kim is equally at home in contemporary and traditional repertoire.

Violinist Hanbing Jia has built an international career as both soloist and chamber musician, with performances across the United States, Europe, and China. He has appeared with orchestras such as the Baltimore Symphony, China Philharmonic, and Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra. Known for his refined tone and sensitive interpretations, Jia has captivated audiences in major venues throughout the United Kingdom, Spain, Austria, and beyond.

Jia was a founding member and first violinist of the Ming-De Quartet, which received high honors at the China National Jinzhong String Quartet Competition. With the ensemble, he performed at numerous state and international events, including a featured performance for Polish President Bronisław Komorowski. He was also featured at the prestigious International Violin Masterclass in Austria and has collaborated with numerous chamber ensembles in both North America and Asia.

A prizewinner at the Hong Kong International Arts Platform and other competitions, Jia continues to pursue musical excellence through performance and education. He has worked closely with world-class artists and has served as concertmaster for academic and professional ensembles.

Jia received his Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, where he studied with Herbert Greenberg. He previously graduated with distinction from Renmin University of China, where he studied with Ke-Qiang Sui.

He currently performs with the National Philharmonic and Delaware Symphony Orchestra and is active in the Washington, D.C. area’s chamber music scene.

Violist Jennifer Ries is a versatile performer and educator whose career has included orchestral, chamber, and solo appearances across the United States. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, she returned in 2004 after nine seasons with the Kansas City Symphony, where she served as assistant principal violist and a featured soloist. Ries studied at the Oberlin Conservatory and earned a Master of Music degree in chamber music from the San Francisco Conservatory, where she was awarded a full scholarship and served as graduate teaching assistant. Her primary teachers include Jeffrey Irvine and Isadora Schwartz, and she received additional training at Tanglewood, Aspen, and the National Repertory Orchestra. As a student, she performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York String Orchestra Seminar under Jaime Laredo. She was a rotating principal violist with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas, where she worked closely with leading orchestral musicians from major symphonies around the world. During her time in the Midwest, Ries performed with the Minnesota Orchestra and was on the faculty of the University of Minnesota School of Music. Now based in the D.C. region, Ries performs regularly with the National Philharmonic and the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. She is also a member of the acclaimed Beau Soir Ensemble, a flute–viola–harp trio dedicated to expanding the chamber repertoire and reaching new audiences.

Russian-born cellist Vasily Popov maintains an active international performing and teaching career. He has appeared in many of the world’s great concert halls, including venues in Berlin, Paris, Moscow, Tokyo, and New York. Equally at home as a soloist and chamber musician, Popov has performed with orchestras and ensembles across Europe, Japan, and the United States. His interpretations are known for their warmth, expressive phrasing, and technical refinement.

Popov has been honored in several prestigious competitions, including prizes from the Russian National Cello Competition and the International Shostakovich Competition. He has recorded for labels such as Arte Nova (BMG) and Melodia, and his performances have been broadcast internationally. His studies included mentorship from legendary cellists Natalia Gutman and Daniil Shafran, and he holds an Artist Diploma from the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München (Munich).

A passionate advocate for music education, Popov currently serves on the faculty of the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. He is also Artistic Director of the Levine Chamber Orchestra and has mentored numerous young musicians who have gone on to conservatories and competitions around the world.

Popov frequently collaborates with other musicians in chamber music projects and has premiered new works for cello and ensemble. His extensive repertoire spans from baroque to contemporary, and he is known for infusing his performances with both intellectual depth and emotional nuance.

He performs on a fine 19th-century French cello, generously donated by Stephen and Susan Low.

T. Alan Stewart is Principal Bass of the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra and an active performer in the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore region. His playing is marked by a rich tone, technical agility, and deep musical insight, earning him positions with the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, and many regional ensembles.

Originally from North Carolina, Stewart began his musical training at the North Carolina School of the Arts and later completed his studies at Arizona State University under the mentorship of renowned double bassist S. Daniel Swaim. His early promise was recognized with a prestigious fellowship to the National Symphony Orchestra, where he performed under the direction of Mstislav Rostropovich and worked closely with the orchestra’s principal players.

Stewart’s orchestral experience includes national and international tours with the NSO and the New World Symphony, with appearances across Europe, Asia, and South America. He has also performed with the National Philharmonic, Alexandria Symphony, and the Eclipse Chamber Orchestra. His work encompasses a wide range of repertoire, from classical masterworks to contemporary compositions.

In addition to performing, Stewart is a dedicated teacher and mentor. He maintains a private studio and has worked with young bassists in school and pre-college programs throughout the region. His students have been accepted into major music schools and have won placements in local youth orchestras.

Stewart is admired by colleagues and students alike for his calm presence, technical mastery, and thoughtful musicianship.

Pianist Natasha Dukan began her musical studies in her native city of Split, Croatia, where she won numerous national competitions. After appearing at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, she went on to win first prize in an international piano competition in Stresa, Italy the same year.

Ms. Dukan received a full scholarship to study with Julian Martin at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, MD. She earned a Graduate Performance Diploma and was immediately admitted (on full scholarship) to the prestigious Artist Diploma Program which she completed in two years.

In the Washington area, Ms. Dukan has appeared in the Church of the Epiphany Tuesday Concert Series, Croatian Musical Heritage Series and the Inter-American Development Bank Cultural Center Summer Concerts. She has performed in the metro area at the Fairfax Concert Series in Fairfax, VA , the Ars Viva Concert Series at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD and as a soloist with the Trinity Chamber Orchestra, Washington, DC. Ms. Dukan has also performed at the American Liszt Society Festival in Hamilton, Canada and Texas Festival of Young Artists in Plano, TX.

Natasha Dukan is a three-time recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council Individual Performer's Grant, and she is a member of the piano faculty at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gaithersburg, MD.Her passion for sharing music with audiences of all ages continues to define her career as a performer and educator.

Nancy Peery Marriott is a celebrated lyric soprano and a lifelong supporter of the arts. Her distinguished performance career includes appearances at the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, Strathmore, and the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Known for her elegant tone and expressive artistry, she has captivated audiences across the United States and abroad.

In addition to her artistic accomplishments, Mrs. Marriott has dedicated decades to championing music and education. Her generous support has empowered countless cultural organizations, including the National Chamber Ensemble, to grow and thrive. She is also recognized for her philanthropic leadership in healthcare and community development.

For her outstanding contributions to the performing arts and her passionate commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians, Nancy Peery Marriott is the recipient of the National Chamber Ensemble Arts Champion Award.

Lynda Carter is an Emmy-winning actress, singer, and advocate best known for her groundbreaking role as Wonder Woman in the iconic 1970s television series. Her portrayal made her a pop culture legend and a symbol of strength and empowerment for generations of viewers.

In addition to her television career, Carter is an accomplished vocalist who has performed with symphony orchestras across the U.S. and released several albums blending jazz, pop, and blues. Her work as a voice actor in video games like The Elder Scrolls series further showcases her versatility.

Offstage, Carter is a committed humanitarian, actively supporting veterans, cancer research, and children's health causes. She continues to be celebrated for her grace, eloquence, and enduring cultural impact.

As guest host of this evening’s National Chamber Ensemble concert at the Kennedy Center, Carter brings her signature warmth and lifelong love of the arts to the stage.