School Notes: School of Music
September/October 2025

Student pianists shine at international competition

Out of an applicant pool of 340 pianists representing 45 countries and regions, Vitaly Starikov ’26AD earned the Silver Medal at the 2025 Cliburn International Piano Competition, captivating judges with his performance of Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Carter Johnson ’23MMA, ’29DMA, also stood out, making it to the finals with a memorable rendition of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor. Both performed with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Marin Alsop ’77. 

Assistant dean will foster campus collaboration

Adriana Zabala was named YSM’s inaugural assistant dean of collaborative arts. In this new leadership role, Zabala will help foster interdisciplinary partnerships, wellness, and community engagement within YSM and throughout the broader Yale campus. The new deanship was created by Dean José García-León as part of a concerted effort to cultivate collaboration and community across the school and the university. 

Yale Symphony Orchestra director named

Conductor Elizabeth Askren has been appointed director of the Yale Symphony Orchestra and associate professor adjunct at the School of Music. Askren brings a wealth of experience as a conductor, educator, and advocate for inclusive excellence in the arts. She is widely recognized for her collaborative spirit, technical command, and a deep commitment to fostering musical growth. Her appointment follows William Boughton’s retirement after leading the YSO for the last seven years.