The Definiens Project has performed at the Fresno New Music Festival twice now.
Both performances were riveting and entertaining – stand outs at both festivals.
-Dr. Ken Froelich, Director Fresno New Music Festival
Mission and Purpose
The mission of the Definiens Project is to build new and diverse classical music audiences by providing innovative chamber music performances and educational music programs. Showcasing new music by living and local composers is a primary goal. We create opportunities for the public to discover and enjoy chamber music, not only for its power to inspire imagination, but also its ability to create shared experiences that build community. Our vision is that classical music appreciation and creation is accessible to all people.
Our programs strive to transcend the stereotype of classical music as an exclusive art form reserved for the elderly, “educated†and upper classes. We passionately believe that music, regardless of genre, belongs to everyone. Our primary strategy in reaching our mission is to bring classical music to the public. We offer fun, interactive, and inventive classical music concerts in intimate, easy to access, community settings such as libraries, galleries, parks, art centers and churches. All of our performances provide artistically excellent classical music for free or minimal cost. This is in sharp contrast to typical classical music performances that are generally longer in length, very expensive to attend, and take place in formal, and often intimidating, concert venues.
Musicians
Diana Morgan, flute
Ryan Zwahlen, oboe and English horn
Jennifer Stevenson, clarinets
Michael Kreiner, bassoon
Sakura Tsai, violin
, cello
Stephen Pfeifer, bass
Jeanette Louise Yaryan, piano
Education Programs
Our Education Programs consist of our Musical Adventures (interactive musical stories for children and their families) and University Residency Program.
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History
The Definiens Project, 501(c)3 non-profit chamber music organization, was founded in 2001. A group of seasoned classical musicians who passionately believe that all music, belongs to all people created Definiens. The organization was founded on the basic premise that chamber music, in particular, has the potential to be shared, understood, and loved by a broader audience than traditionally regarded. Since its inception, we have implemented new approaches to performance in a range of non-traditional venues including the Jazz Bakery, the Culver Hotel, Club Tropical, local art galleries, private homes, churches, libraries, and coffee houses. These performances have developed into regular concert series in multiple local communities, including Culver City, Long Beach, South Pasadena, and West L.A. We have attracted hundreds of people who have never previously attended a chamber or classical music performance; many are now regular audience attendees and chamber music enthusiasts.
For the last five years, The Definiens Project has developed its Education Program, which includes our University Residency Programs that was initiated at UCLA in 2006. Our Musical Adventures Series, interactive musical stories for children and families, has won multiple grants allowing us to perform in numerous Los Angeles communities, libraries and schools at no cost to the families.
Please contact us to sponsor a program, concert, or Musical Adventure! Or, you may make a donation!
Staff and Board Members
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Other Ensembles
The Vientos Trio acts as a resident ensemble of The Definiens Project and performs most of our Musical Adventures.
Definiens Chamber Players is a small branch of The Definiens Project in Portland, OR. This group creates programs utilizing music from all time periods with a special emphasis on the contemporary period and living composers.
Ryan Zwahlen, President of the Board
Jeanette Louise Yaryan, Treasurer
Jenni Brandon, Secretary
Oliver Mayer, Board Member
Michael Kreiner, Program Manager