Make Good Noise - An Evening with the Onde Trio and the Sphinx SemiFinals
Winter 2024
“Dr. John Lewis has exhorted us all to get into trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble. So, I’d like you all to get out there. You know what to do. Make some noise - some good noise - because good trouble and good noise are really the same thing, the forceful assertion of alternatives in the face of oppression.” ​
George Lewis, Curtis Composer in Residence, 2024 Curtis Commencement
This season, the Onde Trio continues to engage audiences in the Bay Area and beyond with our dynamic chamber music, as we reflect on the power of music to build communities of care at times of uncertainty. Inspired by the ethos of “good noise,” we understand music as a necessity for building collaboration and cohesion in a fragmented world -- and we are making some good noise this season!
An Evening at the Onde Trio at the beautiful Barbro Osher Recital Hall with San Francisco City Hall in the background.
An Evening with the Onde Trio
On November 27th, the Onde Trio hosted our debut solo concert with a full house of over 100 attendees in the iconic Barbro Osher Recital Hall at SFCM’s Bowes Center. With a mix of trio and solo repertoire, the trio was delighted to share our music to such warm and energetic reception. Many stayed to enjoy great company and good treats at the after party! This concert also launched our fundraising efforts Help Onde Trio Reach New Heights. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us thus far. Every contribution will help us develop as a trio and pursue our goals. Many thanks to Isaiah Iny-Woods (violinist, Onde sibling and music photographer) for capturing the energy and musicality of the evening. ​
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28th Annual 2025 Sphinx Competition
Onde trio’s Sydney Li-Jenkins (violin) and Elan Dorman Mackenzie (cello) were honored to be selected as Semi-Finalists in the Junior division (under age 18) of the National Sphinx Competition, a competition for string players. In January, Li-Jenkins and Dorman Mackenzie travelled to Detroit for a week that included playing their solo concerto repertoire for a jury of esteemed classical musicians in the performance hall of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, performing in masterclasses, and networking in a gathering of over 1200 leaders in the musical arts field as part of SphinxConnect, the only convening dedicated to inclusion and diversity in classical music in the US. They also enjoyed spontaneous chamber music-making with friends as they spent a truly awesome week with seven other string musicians in the Junior Division from across the United States.
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Sydney and Elan were particularly inspired by a lunch discussion with Sphinx Founder Aaron Dworkin, as they discussed his career dedicated to supporting inclusion and equity in the classical music world. Dworkin discussed his new memoir Lessons in Gratitude: A Memoir on Race, the Arts, and Mental Health, shared personal stories and pro tips for aspiring musicians, and ended the convening in dialogue with Kwame Alexander, whose new book How Sweet the Sound addresses music and its role in society. Alexander reflected on the historical role of music as a form of survival as he spoke about the inspiration for his book, saying: “Music became a language for [African peoples] to connect when they could not see home or a way ahead. They saw the sea and they saw the sky … and this is where the Blues started, with optimism. Black people created music that allowed them to survive. I wanted to write a book about that.” (Kwame Alexander, Jan 25, 2025)
Wherever this finds you, the Onde Trio hopes to bring our music to you in the months ahead as we celebrate the power of music to uplift and connect.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
With good noise,
The Onde Trio
Onde Trio Masterclass with Emanuel Ax
FALL 2024
On October 26, the trio had the honor of performing Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Trio No. 5 in D Major, Op. 70, No. 1 “Ghost” for piano (and piano trio) legend Emanuel Ax at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in a Pre-College masterclass. Mr. Ax worked through matters of musical detail - as well as gave the trio big picture insights into the piece - in a dynamic hour of intensive work.
Chamber music is about communication, and yet it is awe-inspiring for the trio to know that their work on this piece will hold within it decades of expertise and nuance brought forward by Mr. Ax. They were truly grateful for the opportunity to meet Mr. Ax and for his commitment to education of the next generation of classical trio performers.
Onde Trio with Emanuel Ax after the masterclass
The trio agreed collectively, “It was an incredible experience!" The impact on them individually as musicians and as a trio is evident in their reflections:
"Mr. Ax helped with all the nitty gritty details, but at the same time, he connected the feedback to an overarching concept for the entire piece. I was nervous to play for such a well-known and respected musician, but he was very kind and incredibly patient so it was less intimidating.” (Sydney Li-Jenkins, violinist)
“His friendly and relaxed style put me at ease. I appreciated his very close attention to detail in his coaching, and will definitely incorporate his suggestions for improving my balance with the strings.” (Kamil Iny-Woods, pianist)
“Mr. Ax started out by asking us if we understood what ‘ghost’ means (in German). He then told us that it means soul (as well as a ghost). That gave me a whole new understanding of this piece.” (Elan Dorman Mackenzie, cellist)
From fortissimo to pianissimo with Emanuel Ax at SFCM
Thank you, Mr Ax!!
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