Where Are They Now

After emerging as one of Texas’s most promising young pianists and making his orchestral debut with the Houston Symphony as a teenager, Steven Dong has continued to build an impressive career in classical music. Now based in Rochester, New York, he is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music, where he studies with renowned pianist and educator Alan Chow. In addition to performing, Dong teaches piano through the Eastman Community Music School and recently won first prize at the Lewisville Lake Symphony International Piano Competition, earning an upcoming concerto appearance with the Lewisville Lake Symphony. His career continues to blend high-level performance with a growing commitment to music education.

After gaining national recognition as a teenage violin prodigy from Lubbock, Texas—including appearances on NPR’s From the Top and numerous concerto performances with orchestras across the country—Fiona Shea has continued to establish herself as a rising force in the classical music world. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in violin performance at Rice University Shepherd School of Music, studying with acclaimed violin pedagogue Kathleen Winkler. Shea previously earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Colburn Conservatory of Music. Alongside her doctoral studies, she remains active as a soloist and chamber musician and recently won the Grand Prize at the Young Texas Artists Music Competition, further cementing her reputation as one of the state’s most accomplished young classical musicians.

After earning recognition as a prize-winning young pianist from Taiwan, Wei-Yun Chang has continued to build an impressive international career as both a performer and emerging artist-scholar. A graduate of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where she studied with renowned pianist Evelyne Brancart, Chang is currently pursuing doctoral studies in piano performance while maintaining an active performance schedule in the United States and abroad. Recent highlights include solo appearances with the Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra and Indiana University orchestras following competition victories, as well as participation in the prestigious Music Academy of the West as a Solo Piano Fellow. Known for her refined artistry and expressive interpretations, Chang continues to establish herself as one of the most promising pianists of her generation.

After attracting attention as a standout young violinist in the San Francisco Bay Area and a concerto competition winner with the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, Jason Moon has continued to establish himself as one of the most accomplished emerging violinists of his generation. Following studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College program, The Juilliard School, and the Colburn Conservatory of Music, where he earned a master’s degree under renowned violinist Martin Beaver, Moon has built a career that combines solo, orchestral, and chamber music performance. A winner of the Colburn Conservatory Concerto Competition, the Ronald Sachs International Music Competition, and several other major competitions, he has appeared as a soloist with ensembles including the San Francisco Symphony and the Colburn Orchestra. He remains active on the international chamber music and festival circuit, with recent appearances at the Kronberg Academy, Music@Menlo, the Olympic Music Festival, and other prestigious programs.

After earning recognition as one of America’s most promising young violinists, Oliver Neubauer has rapidly emerged onto the international concert stage. A graduate of The Juilliard School, where he studied with Li Lin, Itzhak Perlman, and Donald Weilerstein as a Kovner Fellow, Neubauer is currently pursuing professional studies with renowned violinist Mihaela Martin at the Kronberg Academy in Germany. Since winning First Prize at the 2023 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, he has made acclaimed debuts at major venues including the Kennedy Center, Wigmore Hall, and New York’s Merkin Hall, with a Carnegie Hall recital debut scheduled as a recipient of Juilliard’s Gershen Cohen Award. Equally at home as a soloist and chamber musician, Neubauer continues to expand his international profile through performances across Europe and North America, recent recognition from the Fondation Gautier Capuçon, and selection for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s prestigious Bowers Program.

After earning recognition as one of the most accomplished young violinists to emerge from Uzbekistan, Ilkhom Mukhiddinov has continued to build an impressive career in both solo and orchestral performance. A native of Tashkent who made his orchestral debut at age seven, Mukhiddinov came to the United States to study at Park University’s International Center for Music under renowned violinist Ben Sayevich. Since then, he has won top prizes at competitions including the Hellam Young Artist Competition and the Naftzger Young Artists Auditions, while appearing as a soloist with ensembles such as the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, and ICM Chamber Orchestra. In 2025, he reached a major career milestone when he was appointed to the first violin section of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. While continuing graduate studies at Park University, Mukhiddinov has established himself as a rising orchestral and chamber musician, bringing his artistry to one of America’s leading symphony orchestras.

Born in Surgut, Siberia, pianist Simon Karakulidi began his training in the Russian piano tradition, studying at the Central Musical School in Moscow with Mira Marchenko before relocating to the United States in 2016 to continue his studies with Stanislav Ioudenitch at Park University. He later completed his Master of Music degree at the Yale School of Music, studying with Wei-Yi Yang, where he developed a strong interest in contemporary repertoire and new approaches to concert presentation.
Since graduating, Karakulidi has maintained an active international performance career while expanding his artistic work in Europe and North America. He has appeared in recital and chamber settings across multiple countries, with a focus on both core classical repertoire and contemporary composers such as David Lang and Nico Muhly. Known for his intellectual approach to programming and interest in rethinking concert formats, he continues

Following major prize successes at international competitions including the Queen Elisabeth Competition, Concours de Genève, and the Paulo Cello Competition, Canadian-born, Berlin-based cellist Bryan Cheng has established himself as one of the most compelling young artists on the international stage. He made his sold-out Carnegie Hall recital debut at age 14 and has since appeared with leading orchestras across Europe, North America, and Asia, including the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and National Arts Centre Orchestra.
Now based in Berlin, Cheng maintains an active international solo and chamber career, performing regularly at major venues and festivals such as the Elbphilharmonie, Berliner Philharmonie, Verbier Festival, and Festival Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Alongside his performance work, he continues to champion contemporary music through commissions and premieres while pursuing advanced studies at the Universität der Künste Berlin, balancing an expanding solo career with deep engagement in chamber music and cross-disciplinary projects.

Clarinetist Graeme Steele Johnson has established a multifaceted career as a performer, curator, and “musical detective,” known for projects that blend scholarship, performance, and creative programming. A doctoral graduate of the CUNY Graduate Center and former Yale School of Music student, he now performs internationally as a chamber musician and soloist while maintaining a base in Queens, New York.
Johnson is a core member of the wind quintet WindSync and appears regularly at major venues and festivals including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Ravinia, Chamber Music Northwest, and Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival. His widely acclaimed debut recording Forgotten Sounds (Delos/Outhere) and reconstruction of Charles Martin Loeffler’s long-lost octet have earned major critical recognition, including coverage in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Alongside performing, he is active as an arranger, writer, and speaker, including a TEDx talk connecting Mozart and Seinfeld, and continues to develop projects that reframe how audiences experience classical music. 

Korean cellist Chae-won Hong has built an international career as a soloist and chamber musician following early competition success, including Third Prize at the 2018 Aram Khachaturian International Competition along with the Audience and Beethoven Prizes. She has since performed across Europe, Asia, and the United States in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Rudolfinum in Prague, and Seoul Arts Center, and has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Nürnberger Symphoniker, Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, and Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
Alongside her concert career, Hong remains active in festival and masterclass settings, including programs such as the Kronberg Academy courses and other major European and international festivals, where she has worked with leading cellists including Frans Helmerson, Jens Peter Maintz, and Gary Hoffman. A graduate of the Korea National University of Arts, Indiana University, and Michigan State University, she continues to pursue a global performance career spanning solo appearances, orchestral collaborations, and chamber music engagements.

Korean-American violist Brian Hong has built a versatile career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, and arts administrator, known for his thoughtful musicianship and broad artistic interests. A graduate of the New England Conservatory and The Juilliard School—where he completed both his master’s degree and Artist Diploma as a Kovner Fellow—Hong has appeared as a soloist with ensembles including the Juilliard Orchestra, National Philharmonic, US Army Orchestra, and Springfield Symphony Orchestra, while maintaining an active presence at leading festivals such as Marlboro, Yellow Barn, Music Academy of the West, Bowdoin, and the Perlman Music Program.
Today, Hong continues to pursue a dual focus on performance and education. In 2025, he joined the faculty of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as Assistant Professor of Viola while remaining active as a summer faculty member at Kneisel Hall Chamber Music School and Festival. In addition to his teaching, he serves as Co-Artistic Director of NEXUS Chamber Music Chicago and works with Project: Music Heals Us, reflecting a career dedicated not only to artistic excellence but also to mentorship, innovation, and expanding access to classical music.

Cellist Alexander Hersh has established himself as a dynamic soloist and chamber musician, with early concerto appearances with ensembles including the Houston Symphony and Boston Pops helping launch an active international career. A recipient of major awards such as the Pro Musicis International Award and Astral Artists National Auditions, he is recognized for his versatility across solo, chamber, and contemporary repertoire.
Now based in Chicago, Hersh is co-artistic director of NEXUS Chamber Music, a festival collective dedicated to innovative programming and immersive chamber music experiences. He appears regularly at leading festivals and concert series across North America and Europe, including Marlboro, Ravinia, Caramoor, and Music@Menlo, while continuing to tour internationally as both a soloist and chamber collaborator. His work focuses on expanding the reach of chamber music through unconventional programming and close artist–audience engagement.

Violist Steven O. Laraia is a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra viola section, a position he has held since 2019, following his tenure as principal viola of the Sarasota Orchestra. He has since established himself as an active orchestral and chamber musician, performing regularly with leading ensembles and in collaborative projects across the United States.
Laraia has appeared at major festivals including Ravinia, Yellow Barn, and the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, and has toured internationally with ensembles such as Sejong Soloists, A Far Cry, and Sphinx Virtuosi. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, he is also a prizewinner of the Sphinx Competition and other national competitions, and continues to maintain a diverse performance career rooted in orchestral leadership, chamber music, and touring collaborations.

Cellist Matthew Allen was widely regarded as one of the most accomplished young American cellists of his generation. A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, he earned top prizes at numerous international competitions, including the Carlos Prieto International Cello Competition, the Stulberg International String Competition, and the Gaspar Cassadó International Cello Competition in Japan, where he also received the Audience Award. As a soloist, he appeared with orchestras throughout the United States and abroad and performed in major venues including the Kennedy Center, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and Severance Hall in Cleveland.
Although Allen is no longer active on the public concert stage, his achievements as a young artist continue to be remembered by audiences and colleagues alike. His success at an early age, combined with studies at leading institutions and participation in renowned programs such as the Kronberg Academy, Ravinia’s Steans Institute, Meadowmount School of Music, and the Perlman Music Program, established him as one of the standout cello talents of his era and remains an inspiring part of the Hellam International Young Artists’ Competition legacy.

Pianist Kyle Orth has built an active career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator, following early concerto appearances with ensembles including the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and Minnesota Orchestra, as well as international performances throughout the Americas and Europe. He is also a frequent collaborator in chamber music settings, with festival appearances at programs such as the Perlman Music Program, Ravinia Steans Music Institute, Bowdoin International Music Festival, and the Pablo Casals Festival–Académie in France.
Alongside his performance career, Orth is deeply engaged in music education and outreach, having worked with initiatives such as Cliburn in the Classroom and Musicians for the World, where he also serves as artist-faculty. Now based in the United States, he is a faculty member at Wheaton College Conservatory of Music in Illinois and continues to perform as a recitalist, chamber musician, and concerto soloist while pursuing doctoral studies at the New England Conservatory.

Violinist Siwoo Kim is an active soloist and chamber musician known for his stylistic versatility and collaborative artistry. A Juilliard graduate and former Carnegie Hall Ensemble Connect fellow, he has appeared with orchestras including the Houston Symphony, Columbus Symphony, and Staatsorchester Brandenburgisches Frankfurt, and has performed at major venues such as Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Seoul Arts Center.
Kim is also co-founding artistic director of the VIVO Music Festival in Columbus, Ohio, where he continues to play a central role in shaping innovative chamber music programming. Alongside his festival leadership, he maintains an international performance career, collaborating regularly with leading musicians and appearing at festivals across North America, Europe, and Asia. His work spans both standard repertoire and contemporary projects, including the premiere and recording of Samuel Adler’s violin concerto written for him.

Cellist Han Bin Yoon is an internationally active soloist and chamber musician known for his expressive tone and wide-ranging artistic collaborations. A prizewinner of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and the Schoenfeld International Cello Competition, he has performed as soloist with ensembles including the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and other orchestras across Europe and the United States, with appearances at venues such as BOZAR, Flagey, and the Kennedy Center.
Based in Brussels, Yoon serves as Artistic Director of the Belgium Cello Society, where he curates performances, masterclasses, and international collaborations featuring leading cellists from around the world. He also appears regularly at major festivals including Prussia Cove, Ravinia, Music@Menlo, and Yellow Barn, and continues to balance an active performance career with his work as a professor of cello and chamber music at ARTS² Royal Conservatory of Mons. 

Cellist Madeleine Kabat is a member of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra cello section, where she has been a core performer since joining the orchestra in 2015. Prior to this appointment, she held principal and assistant principal positions with ensembles including the Amarillo Symphony and Madison Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed with major orchestras such as the Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Alongside her orchestral career, Kabat maintains an active profile as a chamber musician and festival artist, performing regularly with Frankly Music in Milwaukee and appearing at festivals including Lakes Area Music Festival and Festival Mozaic. She has collaborated with artists such as Lynn Harrell, Simon Trpčeski, and Orion Weiss, and continues to appear as a guest soloist and chamber musician across the United States and internationally while also contributing to music education through teaching and masterclasses.

Clarinetist YaoGuang Zhai is principal clarinet of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and an active performer across North America and Asia, known for his versatility as both an orchestral leader and soloist. He has appeared as guest principal clarinet with major ensembles including the New York Philharmonic and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and has performed as soloist with orchestras such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.
Alongside his orchestral career, Zhai serves on the faculty of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where he teaches clarinet and mentors emerging performers. He also remains active in festival and youth orchestra work, including programs such as Interlochen and other major training initiatives, and continues to balance performing, teaching, and guest appearances with leading orchestras and chamber projects internationally.

Tenor Ben Gulley is an active concert performer known for his work with regional opera companies and concert organizations across the United States. He has appeared with ensembles including Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera in the Ozarks, Chautauqua Opera, Minnesota Concert Opera, and Cedar Rapids Opera, building a career centered on both standard operatic repertoire and concert performances.
Alongside his stage work, Gulley continues to perform in recital and orchestral solo appearances while maintaining a presence in music education and festival settings. His career reflects a focus on versatility across opera, concert, and collaborative projects, with ongoing engagements throughout the Midwest and beyond.

Clarinetist Boris Allakhverdyan is Principal Clarinet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a position he has held since 2016 following earlier posts with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the Kansas City Symphony. He is also an active chamber musician and founding member of the Prima Trio, performing regularly in recital and chamber series across the United States and internationally.
Alongside his orchestral career, Allakhverdyan maintains an active solo profile with appearances with orchestras and festivals across North America, Europe, and Asia, and is frequently featured in major chamber music venues and series. He is also a dedicated educator, serving on the faculty of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and California State University, Fullerton, and giving masterclasses at leading institutions worldwide while balancing a busy performing and teaching career.

Violinist Alexander Sprung is a member of the first violin section of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra in Hamburg, where he performs regularly in one of Germany’s leading symphonic ensembles. Trained in both the United States and Europe, he studied with Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory and later completed his Master of Music at the Hochschule für Musik “Hanns Eisler” in Berlin under Antje Weithaas.
Alongside his orchestral work, Sprung maintains an active profile as a chamber musician and festival artist, with appearances at major programs including Ravinia Steans Music Institute, Yellow Barn, Thy Chamber Music Festival, and Zermatt Festival. He continues to collaborate with leading international musicians while drawing on a broad background in European and American chamber music traditions, balancing orchestral performance with ongoing chamber and solo projects.

Cellist Paul Dwyer is Assistant Principal Cellist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and an active performer on both modern and historical cello. He also serves on the faculty of the University of Notre Dame, where he teaches cello and chamber music, and maintains a busy schedule as a chamber musician and collaborator across contemporary, classical, and historically informed performance contexts.
A founding member of ensembles including the Diderot String Quartet and ACRONYM, Dwyer appears regularly in chamber music series and festivals focused on both new music and early music performance practice. His career reflects a dual specialization in modern orchestral playing and historical performance, alongside ongoing collaborations with composers and interdisciplinary projects.

Oboist Dwight Parry has been Principal Oboe of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra since 2007, following earlier positions with the San Diego Symphony and the New World Symphony. He is also an active guest principal oboist, having appeared with major orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Alongside his orchestral career, Parry serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Oboe at the Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music and teaches and performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. He is regularly featured at festivals and educational programs such as Interlochen and international summer academies, and continues to maintain a broad performance and teaching career that spans North America, Europe, and beyond.  

Pianist Aleyson Scopel is an internationally active soloist known for his refined lyricism and strong presence in both orchestral and recital settings. A major interpreter of Brazilian repertoire, he has appeared as soloist with leading ensembles including the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, and Minas Gerais Philharmonic, alongside performances in the United States and Europe at venues such as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and Jordan Hall in Boston.
Scopel maintains a diverse international career spanning solo recitals, chamber music collaborations, and orchestral engagements across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. He is also recognized for his advocacy of contemporary and Brazilian piano music, including his acclaimed recording of Almeida Prado’s Cartas Celestes series, and continues to perform widely in both traditional repertoire and modern works while maintaining an active presence on the international concert stage.

Violist Eric Nowlin is Principal Viola of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since joining the ensemble after previous leadership roles including Associate Principal Viola of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He is recognized for his expressive sound and versatility as both an orchestral leader and chamber musician, with appearances as soloist with orchestras including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Kumamoto Symphony Orchestra, and several regional ensembles across North America.
Alongside his orchestral work, Nowlin is an active chamber musician and is a member of the award-winning New Orford String Quartet. He has appeared at major festivals including Marlboro Music Festival and the Ravinia Steans Institute, and continues to perform, tour, and teach across North America while maintaining a strong presence in both orchestral and chamber music communities.

Violinist Aleksandr Snytkin is a member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and an active performer in both orchestral and chamber music settings. Originally trained in Lithuania and later the United States, he studied at institutions including the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Malmö Academy of Music, the University of Kansas, and Southern Methodist University, developing a career that bridges European and American orchestral traditions.
Alongside his orchestral work, Snytkin remains active as a chamber musician and collaborator, performing with ensembles such as the PLUS String Quartet and appearing in a variety of festival and chamber music projects. He continues to perform internationally in solo, chamber, and orchestral contexts, with a career shaped by both guest concertmaster appearances and long-standing orchestral leadership in the United States.

Pianist Vakhtang Kodanashvili is an internationally active soloist known for his powerful technique and deep association with the Alexander Toradze Piano Studio tradition. After early competition success in the United States and Europe, he made his New York debut at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall following his win at The World Piano Competition in Cincinnati, and has since performed widely across North America and abroad.
Kodanashvili continues to appear as a soloist with orchestras and in recital across the United States and internationally, with a repertoire spanning standard concerto works and Russian and Eastern European literature closely associated with the Toradze School. A frequent festival performer, he has appeared at major venues and events throughout Europe and the U.S. In addition to his performing career, he serves as Professor of Piano and Head of Keyboard Studies at the University of Northern Iowa, where he mentors a new generation of pianists while maintaining an active schedule of solo, collaborative, and orchestral performances.

Pianist Shen Wen is an internationally active performer, educator, and advocate for contemporary music, known for her imaginative programming and commitment to expanding audience engagement with classical music. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, where she studied with Wha Kyung Byun, she has performed widely in the United States and China, appearing in major venues including Jordan Hall in Boston and leading concert halls and institutions across Beijing and St. Louis.
Alongside her performance career, Wen has devoted much of her work to teaching and mentorship, developing young pianists who have gone on to win prizes in regional, national, and international competitions. She continues to balance performance with education and new music projects, maintaining an active presence as both a soloist and collaborator in contemporary and interdisciplinary works.

Marimbist and percussionist Megan Von Dreau is an active educator and performer based in Texas, where she balances teaching, ensemble performance, and freelance work. She performs with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra and remains active as a clinician, adjudicator, and instructor throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth region and beyond.
Alongside her performance career, Von Dreau has built a significant legacy in music education, teaching at the intermediate and advanced levels and mentoring students who have gone on to succeed in regional and national competitions. A graduate of the University of Colorado and the University of Oklahoma, she continues to maintain a versatile career spanning orchestral percussion, wind ensemble performance, and marimba repertoire, while remaining closely engaged with the broader Texas music education community.

Pianist Plamena Kourtova is a pianist-scholar whose career bridges performance, research, and academic writing. She holds advanced degrees in piano performance, musicology, and ethnomusicology from Florida State University, where she completed her doctorate in 2012, and has maintained an active professional life spanning both the concert stage and academic settings.
Kourtova currently serves as a lecturer at California State University–Monterey Bay, where she teaches and contributes to music scholarship, while also working as an independent copyeditor and translator. Her career continues to center on the intersection of performance practice and musicological research, with ongoing engagement in pedagogy and academic publishing.

Pianist Tatsuya Nagashima is an internationally active concert pianist and conductor known for his expansive performance career across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Following early major competition successes in Europe, he has appeared at leading venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Musikverein in Vienna, Royal Albert Hall in London, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and major halls in Berlin, Paris, Moscow, and St. Petersburg.
Nagashima continues to maintain a global career as both pianist and conductor, performing as soloist with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Czech National Symphony Orchestra, and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his piano work, he regularly conducts orchestras in Europe and the United States, balancing dual artistic roles that span concerto performance, symphonic leadership, and international touring.

Violinist Sara Caswell is a Grammy-nominated jazz and crossover artist known for her distinctive voice in both jazz and classical idioms. A longtime DownBeat Critics’ and Readers’ Poll honoree, she performs internationally as a leader and collaborator, appearing at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, SFJAZZ, the Village Vanguard, and leading jazz festivals worldwide such as Newport, Montreal, and North Sea.
Caswell is an active recording artist and member of ensembles including 9 Horses and the Caswell Sisters Quintet, and continues to collaborate with a wide range of leading jazz and contemporary musicians. She serves on the faculty of institutions such as Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, The New School, and New York University, where she teaches jazz violin and improvisation while maintaining an active international performance and recording career.