Philip Alejo, bass
Rie Tanaka, piano

Philip Alejo

Philip Alejo is Associate Professor of Music, Double Bass at the University of Arizona and Artist at the Bay View Music Festival. Philip collaborates regularly with harpist Claire Happel in River Town Duo, which will release a recording of new commissions in 2020, sponsored by the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Philip additionally teaches at the Arizona ASTA Bass Jams and the Richard Davis Bass Conference at the University of Wisconsin. He was recently named MusAid Teaching Artist at El Sistema, El Salvador. Philip holds degrees from Oberlin College (BA/BM), Yale University (MM), and University of Michigan (DMA).

Rie Tanaka

Dr. Rie Tanaka enjoys a multifaceted career as a performing artist, educator, and artistic director. She has been praised for her “brilliant and lyrical tone” (‘Chunichi Shimbun’ Central Japan News) and “lovely sensitivity” (Pioneer Press). Native of Osaka, Japan, Rie is a prize winner of international and national competitions in Japan and the U.S. She was the winner of the MTNA Young Artist Competition in the West Central Division, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. She also won top prizes at the Schubert Club Competition (1st), Chautauqua Piano Competition (Finalist, Commissioned Piece Award), New York Piano Festival and Competition (finalist), Rosenstock International Piano Competition (Special Judge’s Award), to name a few.