Members of the Sphinx Organization's flagship performing ensemble, the Virtuosi, visited SFCM in March for a Q&A addressing issues of representation, identity, and barriers to entry in the classical music sphere. 

Jason Hainsworth, SFCM's Executive Director of the Roots, Jazz, and American Music Department, also serves as Associate Dean of Community Development at the Conservatory. Onstage with violinist Alejandra Switala and bassist Jonathan Colbert, he guided a discussion about the rigors of professional music life and how people get there in the first place. 

From left: Jonathan Colbert, Jason Hainsworth, and Alejandra Switala.

At one point, Hainsworth asked Switala and Colbert, "How can we bring more people of color into these spaces to enjoy the music that you all are making?"

"That it is a complex question," Colbert acknowledged, "but I think that you have to think of it as painting the whole picture of society. That's why it's hard to tell this complete story. You go to a museum, and there's so many exhibitions," he continued, "Some people have this one, and some people have that one, but there's many different stories that paint a complete picture. So I think our world should reflect the world that we live in: People should look and do different things so that all stories are heard."

Jonathan Colbert of the Sphinx Virtuosi.

Separately, Colbert added, "I always try and tell students to stop worrying about what someone else is doing. Focus on what you are doing, and be happy for other people's success.There's space and lanes for all of us. Also, make sure you're flexible as an artist. Do as any diferent things as you can—but focus on the fundamentals first, though!"

Bill Neri, Sphinx Organization's Director of Ensemble Advancement, says, "We are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with SFCM this season. While our visits to the West Coast have not been as frequent as we'd like, we are hopeful for continued impact through the relationships we’ve built with institutions like SFCM." 

"As a versatile ensemble of the nation's top classical artists, the Virtuosi are fortunate to have the ability to deploy their talent in settings such as higher education masterclasses," Neri continues, "as well as various community enrichment opportunities like school shows and wellness programs. Beyond the Virtuosi, Sphinx conducts programs that span the spectrum from early music education to orchestral training programs and leadership development initiatives. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with SFCM this year and hope we can return again soon."

Alejandra Switala of the Sphinx Virtuosi.

Sphinx was founded in 1991 as a competition by violinist Aaron P. Dworkin to "identify, empower, and support talented young artists and prepare them for professional careers in classical music." Since then, it's expanded to include education, commissions, and four touring ensembles.The Virtuosi, Sphinx's flagship performing ensemble, are a self-conducted chamber orchestra whose debut album, Songs for Our Times, was released on Deutsche Grammophon—as was their  most recent album, American Mirror.

Switala is a prize-winner in the Sphinx Competition as well as the Cooper International Competition and the Klein International Competition. Among Colbert's competition wins are the International Society of Bassists orchestral competition and the BassEurope orchestral competition and teaches double bass at the HBCU Morehouse College.