International percussionist Gloria Yehilevsky has appeared in transmedia, cross-disciplinary and traditional settings as a soloist and collaborative musician. Presenting an immersive practice with improvisation, composition, and education, her work is consistently rooted in the philosophy that music is communication. Selected as an artist with the World Percussion Group for its 2017 European tour, she appeared at prestigious institutions including Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen, Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, and Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo. She won the Italy Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International Vibraphone competition and received second prize in the Indiana Day of Percussion Marimba competition in 2017. She is a Musical Merit Foundation protégé and won the PAS/Armand Zildjian Percussion Scholarship.

Institute of Music and Silpakorn University International College in Bangkok, O's Music in Hong Kong, PianoForte Chicago, Strength & Sensitivity: Chicago, David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Cartes Blanches soirée at L'iceBergues in Geneva, Switzerland, MalletLab Summer Intensive, Big Ears Festival, Festival Ibérico de Música de Badajoz in Spain, and Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC).

gloria@gloriaymusic.comwww.gloriaymusic.com

@gloriaymusic | @gloriaymusic

"An extremely impressive percussionist... she plays with an amazing combination of technical mastery and riveting energy." - Steve Reich

Recent and upcoming performances include the International Symposium at Princess Galyani Vadhana

Above photo: Edi MayTop right: Upstream Photography

Gloria completed a Master of Music with distinction from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where she worked with Adrian Spillett, Toby Kearney, and Alexej Gerassimez, among others. She completed her Bachelor of Music degree at Morehead State University where she was a George M. Luckey Honors program scholar and was recognized as Outstanding Undergraduate in Music. She also studied at Örebro Universitet Musikhögskolan with Anders Åstrand and Daniel Berg in the winter of 2014-2015. Gloria performed with the 2013 & 2014 Santa Clara Vanguard “Jonz” front ensemble under the direction of Paul & Sandi Rennick, an influential part of her development.

Gloria is proud to endorse Black Swamp Percussion as a Concert Artist.

While living in Birmingham, United Kingdom, she was heard on BBC Radio 3 as part of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Royal Opening Gala, seen on BBC television with Millenial Percussion, and has performed in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, CBSO Centre and the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

Collaborations include Lakeshore Rush Pierrot ensemble, Enamta duo with Taiwanese percussionist Yu-Tzu Kung, interdisciplinary creations with animator Shiyi Li and bassist Aisling Reilly, as well as commissions and premieres of works by Steve Saunders, Alyssa Weinberg, Hugo Bell, Craig Davis Pinson, Alicia Jane Turner, Chris Sies, Stephanie Orlando, Matt Curlee, Guusje Ingen Housz, Wally Gunn, Erin Graham, Mattjis van Dijk, Alex Howley and Chalcedony Williams.

"Beautiful performance with great sensitivity and grace." - Matthew Lau, international percussion soloist

Above: Ian GromBelow: Ben Richards

Recital ProgramsGloria deliberately curates off-the beaten-path programming to represent the real world, contribute to the progression of new music and exposure of underrepresented artists, and challenge listeners to think critically about how music affects us emotionally, intellectually and psychologically.

"An exciting young player passionate about moving the solo percussion repertoire forward as well as seeking to challenge her audiences in new, fresh ways whilst

admirably avoiding the now well-trodden paths of the increasingly predictable notions of solo performance." - Matt King, principal percussion Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Waveshape

Modular Programs Guided Improvisation

Feeling Not ThinkingA marimba program centered on mental health. Communicating and understanding emotion is difficult for everybody: pairing the visceral music of Bach with topical contemporary repertoire, including a new work by Alicia Jane Turner, listeners are encouraged to open up and feel.

Inspired by wise words from a former mentor, this performance elicits life's long- and short-term patterns and cycles, represented in a continuous program which journeys through a dynamic waveform. Starting and ending on a high, it is an experience with the present. Two new works were commissioned for "Waveshape."

Built for travel and ready on short notice. Incorporating unique commissions, guided improvisation, and mixed media work. Can cater to various lengths of programming and various instrumentation and tech capacities.

Different every time. Repertoire intended to bridge classical practice and extemporaneous musicianship; a performance paired with and exemplifying selections from the "Guided Improvisation" clinic.

Top Left: Alexander HenshawTop Right: Gloria Yehilevsky

Bottom Left: PGVIMBottom Right: Ian Grom

Education & ClinicsAn experienced and passionate educator, Gloria has presented clinics at PASIC, universities and conservatories throughout the US & Europe, and works with students of all ages and levels. Educators are encouraged to work collaboratively with Gloria to customize opportunities for students.

Clinic offerings:

"Gloria's curiosity and passion for percussion as a creative vehicle is remarkable and rare.

Her contribution as a clinician, and performer, within a recent World Percussion

Group international University tour was invaluable. I learnt a lot through attending her educational clinics and sought to share

her expertise with my own University students, inviting her to present at the 2018 PAS UK Chapter Day of Percussion at Leeds

College of Music."

- Jason Huxtable (Maraca2 Percussion Duo,director of World Percussion Group)

Guided Improvisation: Exploring in Every Practice RoomAn endeavor to empower all musicians to improvise, complementing all types of playing. Various examples are given to suit individuals' needs, along with a discussion and demonstration of "guided improvisation" solo works suitable for recitals.Percussive Notes Preview - click here

Visual & Sound Workshopwith Shiyi LiGeared towards students in visual arts; applicable to all artists. Initiated at Silpakorn University International College in Bangkok, Thailand in a program launch exchange with Birmingham City University, this workshop encourages artists to respond to musical cues and work in varying disciplines, finding their creative voices through combining sound-making with their primary visual communication practices.

Transferable SkillsPercussionists are faced with the unique challenge of developing fluency on a very wide range of instruments. This clinic helps students formulate pathways between varying aspects of their lives into their music making, as well as approach their percussion playing with a unified musical view as opposed to a segmented technical mindset. Fostering a connection between varying musical skills, learning resources and a widened perspective will develop increased confidence and a diligent, holistic approach to learning.

Top right: WPGBottom left: Carolyn Stock-Chapin

Educational offerings, continued

University ResidenciesThese can last from one session to a few weeks, and can combine a clinic presentation, masterclass, recital, rehearsal and performance of a work with soloist and ensemble, and many other collaborative, creative and performing endeavors. Private lessons will be available, and work can be combined with improvisation and/or other departments (mixed instrumental ensembles, transmedia collaborations, work with student composers).Private LessonsBased in Chicago, IL, please contact Gloria directly for private lessons. No online lessons are available at this time, but in-person lessons can be arranged at sites when traveling.Ensemble CoachingGloria offers a fresh perspective and encourages the most musical performances in a coaching session. This can be done in a class period, and employs effective techniques ensembles will continue to utilize. With particular admiration for mixed instrumentation works, historic percussion ensemble works, and works by lesser-known and underrepresented composers. Improvisational WorkshopsLittle talking, lots of doing - the biggest barrier between ourselves and improvising is simply going for it. From elementary (primary) school students through the graduate level, everyone can improvise, and a workshop can facilitate it.Composer ReadingsHaving commissioned and supported the creation (through consortium) of dozens of works, it is clear that the performer-composer relationship is co-dependent. Gloria is comfortable offering feedback and suggestions to composers, trying revisions, all while serving the intention of the music.Recital Program DiscussionsOne of the largest barriers between contemporary music and general audiences is how we present it. Providing context through discussion and Q&A sessions allows listeners a more immersive and personal experience.Career & Business DiscussionsMoney can be tough for musicians, especially freelancers, but we can help each other by openly discussing it. Guidance on facilitating a particular project or idea, open discussion on what making a living as a musician outside of being a student looks like, web profile development, and related topics will be addressed.AssemblyIntended for a large group, these will combine performance with presentation, focus on classroom values and topics, and encourage critical discussion. These can be catered to any level and are not intented solely for musicians! A chance for everyone to experience how music relates and integrates with so many aspects of our lives.World Music PresentationsAll music is world music, yet our education leaves us with limited knowledge of music from other countries, and how those have a hidden influence in the Western world. A passionate practitioner of Cuban, Middle-Eastern, Egyptian and Brazilian styles, with eyes and ears open to non-Western cultures, these sessions can occur in a classroom or assembly, and will raise awareness.

Photo: Alexander Henshaw

Selected Projects & CollaborationsMinister of Loneliness co-created and directed with Shiyi LiA collaborative project including live music performance with animation installations and live art performances, expressing individual and communal interactions facing mental health lapses. The performers involved have personal experiences facing these challenges, and this project is here to tell these stories in an abstract yet immersive and honest way.

Click the image on the left to view live performance.

Composed by Gloria Yehilevsky, performed by Gloria Yehilevsky (percussion) & Aisling Reilly (double bass). Animation by Shiyi Li, live collage by Patrick Yang, live

illustration by Mengxia Liu.

Minister of Loneliness is in four movements:i. Series of Failuresii. Within, Without A26ciii. You're Not Watching Your Figure Are Youiv. See Me At My Best

Studio recording

Enamta Percussion DuoEstablished in England, one half from America, and one half from Taiwan: internationally acclaimed percussion duo Enamta (Yu-Tzu Kung and Gloria Yehilevsky) present a confluence of traditions combining Eastern and Western repertoire. Performances showcase a range of influences: combining works written for the duo, arrangements developed collaboratively and percussion duo classics. Enamta has performed extensively since 2017 in venues such as the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, CBSO Centre, St Martin in the Bull Ring, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Recital Hall, the LAB, Eastside Jazz Club, and Bradshaw Hall. The duo were finalists in the Italy PAS Web Competition, the Leamington Music Prize, and Orchestra of the Swan Concerto Competition.

French Suite in G Major - J. S. Bach (video link)

Piano Etude No. 6 - Philip Glassfeat. Tommy Fuller (bass) & Matthew Holmes (drums)

360-video, best viewed on smart phone

"Dynamic performer, remarkably driven and the most determined percussionist I have had the pleasure to work with."

- Adrian Spillett (CBSO Principal, Colin CurrieGroup & Quartet)

Top: Shiyi LiRight: Gloria Yehilevsky

Selected Projects & Collaborations, continuedit comes in waves Samn JohnsonA diversion from the traditional performer-composer relationship, this work manifested through several layers of collaboration and communication. The concept of the piece arose from the position it had on the recital program "Waveshape," representing the upward slope of the wave, and in one's life. All of the sounds in the electronic track (click on image for video) were derived from samples recorded by Gloria, using solely the vibraphone. They were then processed into the final track, and the performer's score was edited collaboratively in rehearsals leading up to the premiere."Formally, the piece is a series of “waves” comprised of repetitions of a simple 5-chord progression, with shifting harmonic rhythms controlled by metric cycles involving contrasting prime and composite numbers, particularly 5 and 4. These cycles are designed to push each wave forward, with harmonic rhythm accelerating as each section progresses. In the final section, the quintuplet quarter metrically modulates to become the quarter and the harmonic rhythm becomes stable. This creates a sense of resolution and freedom." - Johnson

PersistenceAlex HowleyInitially Persistance was a commission for a Guided Improvisation marimba solo, but the piece had so much potential for creativity that it became more. One version is solo marimba with tape, for which the work was arranged into a set 10-minute format. The accompaniment track was produced, recorded and edited by Gemma Whitfield, a Birmingham-based DJ, with instrumental work by Kai Chareunsy (drums), James Owston (double bass), and Steve Saunders (guitar). The marimba soloist must follow specific cues, but has freedom to improvise throughout.A live quintet rendition was premiered early 2019, including live electronics, where the idea of a soloist was removed. View the performance here.The result is an expansion of the piece: which can now be played by any ensemble of any size.

Time ContinuumRønjaAn EP of improvised music evoking the sounds of nature, reflecting the changing seasons. Veronika Tabakova directed, mixed, mastered, and edited this album of ambient music, including Gloria on vibraphone in the track "Petrichor.""The compositions aim to send the listener to a mesmerizing sound journey, going from the melodic scent of spring, through the oriental beauty of summer and relaxing charm of autumn, to the severe and windy winter." - Tabakova. Click on the image to listen.

Top: Alexander HenshawAlbum: Victoria Paeva, Maria Beleva

CompositionBorrowed RealityMarimba/vibraphone duo based on rhythms from Batá and Rumba, playing homage to these styles while taking a contemporary melodic approach. Dedicated to Christian Weaver.

Content is a Bad WordNon-traditional score for any number of players. An improvisational road-map which may be approached with as much freedom or strictness as desired. Musical ideas centered around the idea of the possibility of being "content."

Minister of LonelinessDouble bass & percussion duo with animation and live art performance. Recording of mvmt. 2.

In progress:EtymologyPercussion solo with loop pedal commissioned by Kyle Lutes. Includes speaking and questions the ability of words to communicate effectively.Just Like the EyesDouble bass solo for Aisling Reilly with animation by Shiyi Li. Examines the idea of how visual focus blurs surroundings, and the parallels in our lives.

What it Feels LikeMulti-percussion solo about the experience of depression. Photo: Edi May

Original Graphic Design: Sam Myles