Our Story
From modest beginnings to the largest chamber music program in NYC
Alaria was founded in 1983 at the Mannes School of Music. It was originally conceived as a program to welcome musicians who didn’t quite fit into the New York professional scene, yet wanted to play chamber works together. It evolved into a unique melding of amateur and professional musicians, and for nearly 30 years was the Ensemble in Residence at the Mannes Extension Division.
Since 2011, Alaria has been an independent non-profit organization and has found a new home at the spacious PianoPiano studios, just steps away from Lincoln Center. Over the years Alaria has developed a loyal following, and has become not only the largest chamber music program in NYC, but a real destination for true music lovers.
“I really enjoy the program and the opportunities for high standard music making and performance”
Our Teaching Program
At the core of the teaching staff are the Alaria artists. They are joined by highly regarded NYC musicians with a strong commitment to teaching. Within a pressure-free environment, all participants are treated seriously and encouraged to improve their skills.
Participants are matched according to their skill level and because they interact with the rotating coaching staff, they greatly benefit from a variety of approaches and get individual help with their instruments. All the students will also have an opportunity to attend Alaria’s celebrated series at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall and see all the artists in concert.
“The program makes a real effort to pair musicians with music at an appropriate level. The coaches each teach from a different perspective, which is a real strength of the program.”
The Alaria Chamber Ensemble Artists
Yuri Vodovoz, violin
Tzu-En Lee, violin/viola
David Oei, piano
Julian Schwarz, cello
The Alaria Chamber Ensemble, in its 40-year history, has established itself as one of the premier chamber ensembles in New York City. Besides appearing annually at their celebrated Weill Hall series, the ensemble artists are at the core of the Alaria teaching program. In addition to their appearances at Carnegie Hall and Bargemusic N.Y., the Ensemble has performed at the Emilia Romagna Festival in Italy, the Ljubljana Festival, Slovenia, and other venues around the world.
Since its inception, Alaria has been dedicated to promoting new music. The group has commissioned and premiered numerous works by both well-known and less established composers. In 2007, Alaria, in collaboration with Peter and Lucy Frank, established the Goberman Prize for Young Composers at the Mannes School of Music. The prize was awarded 2007-2012.
Alariana, Ursula Mamlok (1985)
My American Shtetl, Debra Kaye, text Bel Kaufman (2007)
Flute Quartet (after his Clarinet Quartet), Krzysztof Penderecki (2008)
The Shooting of Dan McGrew, Andy Teirstein (2009)
Trio “La Boca,” Daniel Brewbaker (2010, commissioned by Heather Marcus)
New Works Commissioned and Premiered by Alaria
Canciones del Jardín Secreto, Antón García Abril (2010)
“Alaria” Piano Trio, Peter Schickele (2011)
Four Music Videos, Paul Schoenfield (2012)
“For Alaria” Piano Trio N2, Eric Ewazen (2022, commissioned by Heather Marcus)
Piano Trio No.3 “The Alaria,” Steven Christopher Sacco (2024)