Summer Evenings of Music with Jessie Chang, Ling Yan, Martha Aarons, Lev Polyakin

Week of June 6, 2026

Outdoor Concert
Sunset Serenade with Jessie Chang, piano, and Martha Aarons, flute

Ensemble Concert
Piano, Cello, Flute & Violin  Quartet
Jessie Chang, Ling Yan, Martha Aarons, Lev Polyakin

Jessie Chang is an accomplished pianist who has received top honors in more than thirty prestigious national and international competitions, including numerous first prizes. She is the first pianist to win four gold medals at the U.S. Open Music Competition.  A highlight of her career includes an appearance at the Blossom Festival with The Cleveland Orchestra.  She has also been featured at Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium, Pasadena’s Ambassador Auditorium, and before an audience of 28,000 at Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.  Jessie has performed with numerous orchestras, including the San Diego Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, Westchester Philharmonic, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra, and the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra.has received top honors in more than thirty distinguished piano competitions of national and international stature, including various first prizes.

 

Ling Yan is a cellist and dedicated music teacher who began her studies at age six with her father. She later trained at the Tianjin Conservatory and the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, earning top prizes in both China and the United States, including first place in the La Jolla Young Artists Competition. She went on to receive her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Boston University, where she studied with Leslie Parnas.  Ling has performed widely as a soloist and orchestral musician, serving as principal cellist with several Colorado ensembles, including the Boulder Philharmonic and Colorado Ballet Orchestra, and performing with orchestras in California such as the Pacific Symphony and Long Beach Symphony. She has appeared as a soloist in both the United States and China. She is the founder and longtime member of the Harmonium Trio, with whom she has performed a diverse repertoire throughout California. Passionate about teaching, Ling is devoted to helping young musicians grow not only in technique, but also in confidence, expression, and artistry. She is also a frequent judge for string competitions.

 

Martha Aarons’ professional career began with her appointment as principal flute of the North Carolina Symphony. Subsequently she played with the Cleveland Orchestra for 25 years. After becoming a freelancer, she performed often with the Philadelphia Orchestra. During this time, she appeared as guest principal flute with the Metropolitan Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and Mostly Mozart Festival. Ms. Aarons served as Artist Faculty with the Aspen Music Festival for 19 years. Her teaching credits include the Cleveland Institute of Music, Duke University, University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill, Oberlin College, Skidmore College, Shanghai Conservatory and Eastman School of Music. She has been soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Ohio Chamber Orchestra, and with the Aspen Festival Chamber and Festival orchestras. Her first solo CD, The History of the Tango, is recorded on the Azica label and additionally features pianist Frances Renzi and Grammy-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux. Her newest release is the CD Last Silence with violinist Lev Polyakin and pianist Frances Renzi. Martha is also an avid runner and just ran her sixth consecutive Boston Marathon in April 2026!

 

Lev Polyakin was appointed co-concertmaster of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra at age 21. In that position he was regularly featured as soloist. In the U.S. he served as assistant concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra, as well as concertmaster of the American Academy of Conducting in Aspen Music Festival. Lev has won several prizes in international violin competitions, including the Beethoven Prize in Carl Flesch in London, and Gold Medal and Special Prize in Brescia, Italy. In addition to solo performances with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, he has appeared as soloist with the London Mozart Players, Royal Philharmonic, and Cleveland Orchestra. Recording credits include Melodia, BBC, National Public Radio, and Decca. He is prominently featured on an album entitled Cafe Music comprising chamber music by Paul Schoenfield, which was nominated for a Grammy. Lev has a special interest in jazz and has recorded three CDs, entitled Russian Blue, The Other Side of the Road, and Christmas Kaleidoscope. He is also featured in the recent release by Azica Records entitled Last Silence, with flutist Martha Aarons and pianist Frances Renzi.