The Austin Chamber Music Center (ACMC) has recently declared that violinist Sandy Yamamoto will take on the role of Artistic Director. She will step into the position in Sept 2024.
Frank Jenkins has also been named the new Managing Director of the Center.
A chamber musician, Yamamoto dedicated much of her professional life to performing with the Miró Quartet, touring Europe, Asia, South America, and North America.
She was among the first chamber artists to earn an Avery Fisher Career Grant. She also won the Cleveland Quartet Award, the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, and the Banff International String Quartet Competition First Prize.
Yamamoto received the Butler School of Music Teaching Excellence Award in 2016 for her teaching expertise. She currently holds an Associate Professorship at the University of Texas at Austin.
Furthermore, she often performs with the Schumann Chamber Players and the Butler Trio in Austin.
"It is a privilege and an honor to become the new Artistic Director of the Austin Chamber Music Center," Yamamoto said. "Chamber music, education, and performing are all very important in my life, and I am excited to be able to combine my passions to serve the community of Austin."
The musician shared that she looks forward to collaborating with her new team, meeting more people, and sharing inspirational music from artists worldwide. She vowed to make Austin Chamber Music Center an even bigger hub for chamber music in Austin.
Jenkins said the Center has been a driving force in the classical music scene in Austin for over 40 years. He claimed he is honored to join the impactful organization and looks forward to contributing to the next chapter of its history.
He will be the Managing Director at the Center starting on Monday, June 10.
Carl Caricari, ACMC Board President, said they are thrilled about the appointments of Jenkins and Yamamoto. He added that ACMC will have a strong and imaginative future, and they will continue to be a force in serving their community through chamber music performance, education, and community engagement.
