Artistic Faculty
Richard Zielinski, Music & Artistic Director
Richard Zielinski is known for his innovative programming and versatility as both an orchestral and choral conductor. A passionate and compelling communicator, with an extensive knowledge of classical and contemporary repertoire, he also serves as music and artistic director for the Norman Philharmonic in Oklahoma and is on the music faculty at the University of Oklahoma. Zielinski is in his 17th year as artistic director of the Classical Music Festival. He is also a recipient of the Gold Medal of Achievement for his artistic achievements and musical contributions in Eisenstadt as principal conductor and artistic director of the Classical Music Festival. Zielinski has conducted extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the United States including the opening concert for the 2014 International Haydntage with a world premiere of Haydn’s Die Jahreszeiten choreographed for ballet. His professional vocal ensemble, the Richard Zielinski Singers, has recorded five CDs of music by many well known contemporary composers.
Xiaocheng Jia, Concertmaster
Xiaocheng Jia is associate professor of violin at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in China, a position she has held since 2004. This is her third year as concertmaster for the Classical Music Festival after having served two years as assistant concertmaster. A frequent soloist and active chamber musician, she has performed in recital and concert with many well known orchestras throughout China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States. In 2016 she was Visiting Scholar and Artist-in-Residence at Indiana State University, performing several collaborative recitals in the U.S., including with Trio Bella Voce, with whom she recently released a CD recording. She is active as a guest teacher and clinician and was part of the highly acclaimed Orchestra Kids program in Beijing. A recipient of several national violin competitions, Xiaocheng studied at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing for nine years before receiving her Bachelor's degree (2002) and Master's degrees (2004) in Violin Performance from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music. She is also a member of the Chinese Musician's Association.
Brian Kilp. Orchestra Manager
Originally from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Dr. Brian T. Kilp joined the faculty of Indiana State University in 1998 where he is Professor of Music. Dr. Kilp is Principal Horn of the Terre Haute and Danville (IL) Symphonies, a member of the THSO Brass Quintet, and is a busy freelance hornist Brian has performed and presented master classes inn Thailand, Singapore, China, and Vietnam. Dr. Kilp is a founding member of the the Ambassador Brass, which has toured in Vietnam, Thailand, China, Croatia, Hungary, and Austria. Brian has been Principal Horn since 2000, and is currently Orchestra Manager and Board member of the Classical Music Festival Orchestra in Eisenstadt, Austria. A champion of new music, he has commissioned over 15 works featuring or including the horn. He was appointed Visiting Guest Professor of Horn at the Shenyang and Dalian Conservatories of Music, Visiting Guest Professor at Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University in Thailand, and was awarded Honorary Doctorates from Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University and Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University.
Judy Stafslien. Collaborative Pianist
Judy Stafslien, is a Coach/Accompanist at Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where she received her degrees in piano performance and music education. Well known as a collaborative artist in the upper Midwest she has accompanied soloists and choral groups throughout the United States and Europe. Ms. Stafslien has served as a professional accompanist for the National Association of Teachers of Singing , the Metropolitan Opera District and Regional Audtions, and the Schubert Club Auditions. She has accompanied solo, choral, and chamber works for the Classical Music Festival since 1987.
Staff
Cathy Griffin, Administrative Director
Cathy Griffin, has served as the Administrative Director for the Classical Music Festival since 2008 and also serves as Executive Director of the Norman Philharmonic in Oklahoma. She has held marketing management positions with several major financial institutions in Washington and Arizona. In addition to receiving a masters degree from the University of Tulsa, she has performed with opera companies in Seattle, Phoenix, and Indianapolis.
Martin Karner, Event Coordinator
Martin serves as Event Coordinator for the Classical Music Festival, coordinating arrangements for festival transportation, tours, housing, receptions, along with many other administrative needs that occur throughout the year. Martin is employed as Event Manager at Palais Lichtenstein in Vienna and has also worked as Event Manager for the Fachhochschule Burgenland.to coordinate various events offered through the university. He has been working for the festival since 2012 and recently completed his master's degree in International Business Relations.
Piotr Szulc
Piotr Szulc, serves as assistant to the artistic director. He resides in Poland where he produces concerts throughout Europe. His work has also included producing and serving as emcee for a variety of events including international tennis tournaments, jazz festivals, artistic tours, as well as a wide range of special events for businesses. He also serves as Director of the International Festival of Choral Song in Miedzyzdroje, Poland and is a member of the Board of the Pomeranian Medical Academy Choir in Szczecin, Poland. Prior to this, Piotr was part-owner of a public relations and advertising agency for 20 years.
Susan Urbach, Administrative and Operations Support
Susan Urbach is a project consultant for the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Oklahoma, and previously where she served as Regional Director for 27 years. Being involved with the Classical Music Festival unites both her interests in business and music, having received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Vocal Performance from Oklahoma City University. She spent 16 years as a church musician conducting the Tinker Air Force Base Chapel choirs for eight years and several other Oklahoma church music programs. In addition, she worked with MIDI for Kids in their early-stage business development and also produced a CD There Was a Time, Music of Stephen Foster.