Hermitage Piano Trio – April 9, 2026

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Hermitage Piano Trio

Location: Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex

Time: 7:00 PM

Now entering their second decade, the United States-based Hermitage Piano Trio has solidified its place as one of the world’s leading piano trios, garnering multiple GRAMMY® Award nominations and receiving both audience and press accolades for their performances that The Washington Post singled out for “such power and sweeping passion that it left you nearly out of breath.”

The Trio, founded in 2011, is a champion of immense repertoire ranging from the works of the great European tradition to more contemporary American pieces. Hallmarks of the Hermitage Piano Trio are their impeccable musicianship, sumptuous sound and interpretative range, which have led to demand for many repeat performances. They have appeared on major chamber music series and festivals in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Miami, Washington, D.C., Tucson, Portland (OR), Tulsa, San Diego, Anchorage, Corpus Christi, Newport (RI), Winnipeg, Montréal, San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), Seoul (Korea), St. Thomas (Virgin Islands) and many others. Expanding their musical horizons, the Trio has recently started performing Piano Quartet repertoire with the award-winning violist Jordan Bak. In addition to their extensive touring engagements, the Trio is involved in educational and outreach projects.

Recent and upcoming performances include Friends of Chamber Music Portland, Buffalo Chamber Music Society, Newport Classical, VCU Arts, Chicago Chamber Music Society, ArtPower at UC San Diego, Concord Chamber Music Society, Friends of Chamber Music Miami, Harvard Musical Association, Ladies’ Morning Musical Club (Montréal), Corpus Christi Chamber Music Society and other notable series.

Hermitage Piano Trio began its multiple-album recording deal with Reference Recordings, debuting its CD titled “Rachmaninoff,” which featured Sergei Rachmaninoff’s two trios and his unforgettable Vocalise. Echoing many enthusiastic reviews of the “Rachmaninoff” recording, The Strad lauded the Trio’s “outstanding playing in intense, heartfelt performances,” and American Record Guide praised that “the Hermitage wants to burst forth with passion, to let the whole world know! I am really glad that someone can still play that way in our utterly unromantic age.” Their second album, “Spanish Impressions,” has the Trio exploring the rich and diverse musical heritage of early 20th century Spanish composers, including works by Arbós, Turina, Cassadó and Perelló. The album received broad critical acclaim, with Gramophone praising the Trio’s “impeccably dovetailed phrasing and hair-trigger rhythmic unanimity,” and Stereophile noting “the Hermitage Piano Trio sounds right at home with the color and verve of this music.” The Trio’s third album is scheduled for release in Spring 2025 and is titled “Dvorak’s Circle.”

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Emlyn Johnson

Emlyn currently serves as Creative Director of Pro Musica. Emlyn’s background as a classically trained flutist, educator, and presenter eventually led her to Missouri, where she taught in the music department at Missouri State University and was the Executive Director for Pro Musica from 2021 – 2023. She is the co-director of the American Wild Ensemble and performs regularly around the state and beyond, and is an adjunct instructor of Flute at UMKC Conservatory in Kansas City, MO. Emlyn holds a doctorate from the Eastman School of Music and holds additional degrees from Eastman and the University of Michigan. She is responsible for creative and artistic aspects of Pro Musica and guides the selection process of concerts, reporting to the Board of Directors

Joani Zibert

Joani serves as the incoming Executive Director of Pro Musica, bringing more than 17 years of executive leadership experience across nonprofit governance, arts education innovation, K-12 and postsecondary education development, public and private funding strategy, legal compliance, and organizational growth. A nationally recognized school founder and non-profit executive, she has secured millions in public and private funding, built high-performing organizations from the ground up, and guided boards through periods of transformation, scale, and long-term sustainability at the local, state, and national levels.

Joani is the founder and former Board President of Doral Academy of Nevada, where she led the creation and expansion of an arts-integrated school system now serving over 5,000 students, transforming community frustration over the loss of arts education into an award-winning model of creative excellence.

Originally from the 4-States area, with Slovenian grandparents, she has worked nationally gaining a professional background that includes serving in varying roles including President of nonprofits, Director of Operations, Director of Law & Policy, Director of Grants, Director of Marketing, and senior executive advisor roles. Joani is known for aligning missions with measurable impact while bridging vision, governance, and execution. Her work is rooted in the belief that the arts are not an accessory to education or community life, but a catalyst for connection, economic vitality, and generational change.

As Executive Director of Pro Musica, Joani brings a bold, forward-focused approach centered on organizational excellence, financial sustainability, expanded community engagement, and the elevation of Pro Musica’s role as a cultural cornerstone. She leads with clarity, courage, and collaboration while committed to honoring Pro Musica’s legacy as we build the next chapter with strength and momentum.