https://carnegieart.org/event/winter-exhibition-celebration/ About the Musicians
André Solomon (Flute)
André Solomon (he/him) is originally from Methuen, MA and currently based in Pittsburgh, PA by way of Syracuse, NY. His academic ventures earned him a Bachelor of Arts in Flute from Syracuse University and a Masters of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University concentrating on Community Engagement. With both degrees, André hopes to enforce social justice for the arts; a belief that the arts are not frivolous but a necessary component of human development. Being a person of color in the Arts world, both as an artist and arts manager, he desires to provide opportunities for people of the majority to visualize representation. As a musician, André has kept a daily practice regime, maintained a social media presence, enrolled in lessons with Sarah Steranka, participated in music ensembles (i.e. Carnegie Mellon University’s Chamber Ensemble and City Flutes), co-led a chamber ensemble, shared resources that pertain to the music community, and serves on the board of the Merrimack Valley Community Music School. Being classically trained and a dabbler in jazz, the music community in Pittsburgh has allowed him to explore his versatility as he has stepped into contemporary pieces from the late 20th and 21st centuries. He recently won the 2023 National Flute Association’s Adult Amateur Competition with his two recorded pieces: Alfredo Casella’s Barcarola et Scherzo Op. 4 and Allison Loggins-Hull’s Homeland. As one of the winners, he was a part of the National Flute Association’s 2023 Fall virtual series where he performed Alonso Malik Pirio’s piece, Sonata for Flute and Piano and was interviewed live.
Aaron Basskin (Drum Synthesizer, Loop Station)
Aaron Basskin is a multi-instrumentalist and producer. After first receiving his degree in Religious Studies from University of North Carolina Asheville in 2015, Basskin moved to Kathmandu, Nepal, where he spent three-and-half years pursuing his Master’s in Translation, Textual Interpretation, and Philology at The Rangjung Yeshe Institute. It was there, under the renowned tutelage of scholar Kashinath Nyaupane, that he learned to read and chant Sanskrit. While abroad, Basskin took opportunities to steep himself in Indian classical music by attending devotional concerts held on full moons at the ashram in Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. Now living in Pittsburgh, PA, Basskin enjoys writing and performing in a myriad of styles. His musical interests lie at the intersection of jazz, electronic, and hip-hop, with an emphasis on a hybrid sound design consisting of live performances as well as loops.
Trē Seguritan Abalos (Flutes)
Trē Seguritan Abalos (they/she) is a Filipinx sound artist, improviser, and flutist from San Jose, CA, currently based in Pittsburgh, PA. They are happiest co-facilitating the Open Improvisation Lab held by the Pittsburgh Sound Preserve and often seen in GLO-TREE, a freely-improvised duo with Gloria Mwarage/GNM. Trē’s playing is rooted in Western classical study with Alberto Almarza at Carnegie Mellon University and inflected with jazz, particularly Sam Rivers whose music she recently performed and recorded in the Dylan Zeh quartet with Derek Bendel and Ross Antonich. Their practice is influenced by sound artists and field recordists Susie Ibarra and Jake Landau. They collaborate frequently with artists from electronic musicians BusCrates and Adam Kantz to movement and spoken word artists.
Stephen Chin (Tabla)
Stephen Chin (they/them) is a multi-instrumentalist based in Pittsburgh, PA. They studied music and Computer Science at Cornell University with a musical focus on jazz and jazz composition. They have performed for jazz greats such as Terri Lyne Carrington and Ingrid Jensen. Their fascination with Indian classical music began in high school when they were attracted to the improvisation frameworks and musical theory involved. Although they can be most often seen around Pittsburgh playing electric bass in various groups, they have also spent years focusing on various percussion instruments such as tabla, drum set, and flamenco cajon.