Edmar Castañeda Colombian-born nominated for a Latin Grammy for his album Family, is widely regarded as the preeminent jazz harp virtuoso. Since arriving in the U.S. in 1994, Castañeda has blended jazz with diverse styles, establishing the harp’s place in the genre through collaborations with musical legends like Wynton Marsalis, Bela Fleck, John Scofield, and Paquito D’Rivera. In 2021, Castañeda contributed to Disney’s Encanto, performing on the soundtrack and serving as a music consultant for the film, which features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Castañeda's technical brilliance has earned rave reviews from critics. NPR’s Fresh Air praises his "astonishing technique," noting how he juggles lead, rhythm, and bass lines while keeping the groove intact. The New York Times celebrates his "unique fingerstyle technique" and his ability to engage modern jazz while honoring his cultural roots. Moses Sumney listed Castañeda's NPR Tiny Desk Concert among his “5 Favorite” performances, saying, "Edmar restructures what we know of the harp, defiantly expanding the bounds of the instrument." In addition to seven acclaimed albums, Castañeda’s latest project, Viento Sur, features a nine-person ensemble from around the world, showcasing compositions commissioned by the American Chamber Music "New Jazz Works Grant." He has also performed with prestigious orchestras, including the Wynton Marsalis Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the São Paulo Jazz Symphony Orchestra.

Hailing from Medellín, Colombia, singer-songwriter Andrea Tierra creates an innovative fusion of popular Latin American rhythms, seamlessly blending them with the heartfelt essence of her own poetry. Each performance is a celebration of her lyrical creations, where her songs—often carrying progressive themes and political stances against global injustices—are equally matched by her expressive contralto voice. Andrea’s range spans from contemporary love ballads to new-age compositions, touching on a variety of emotional landscapes.

In her latest project, LLuvia de Amores, Andrea introduces a quartet featuring exotic instruments, including the Colombian tiple. This ensemble takes listeners on a poetic journey through Latin American rhythms such as Cumbia, Bambuco, and Joropo from Colombia; Zamba from Argentina; Lando from Peru; Bossa Nova and Samba from Brazil; and Flamenco from Spain. These diverse musical influences are further enriched by the distinct energy of New York’s vibrant musical style.

Internationally recognized, Andrea Tierra has performed across Europe, the United States, and Latin America, sharing the rich culture and traditions of her native Colombia. She has graced prestigious stages such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, and the Blue Note, and has showcased her talent at renowned festivals like WOMAD in New Zealand and Australia, Rio Loco in France, and the Montreal Jazz Festival, among others.

Birsa Chatterjee is a graduate of Oberlin College (BA, 2019) and The Juilliard School (MA, 2021), where he earned performance degrees in jazz saxophone. He regularly performs with groups such as Ulysses Owens’ Gen Y Band, the Edmar Castañeda Quartet, Bria Skonberg, the Tyreek McDole Quintet, the JAZZ HOUSE All-Stars, and Alex Laurenzi’s Water Lilies Suite. He has also had the honor of performing with NEA Jazz Master Billy Hart in his quartet. Chatterjee’s performances have taken him to prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, the Blue Note Jazz Club, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, NJPAC, The Django, and The Jazz Cruise, as well as internationally to countries like Peru, Bahrain, and India. Recently, he has been exploring new ground as a composer, blending authentic elements of Indian Classical music with jazz. His compositions have been featured at venues such as The Jazz Gallery, the AAPI Jazz Festival, the Montclair Jazz Festival, and the Jamaica Jazz Festival, and he has taken his group on tour to California. A dedicated educator, Chatterjee teaches students of all ages and skill levels. He has taught at institutions like Jazz at Lincoln Center, served as a guest speaker at The Juilliard School, and currently teaches for the renowned music education program Jazz House Kids. In addition, he teaches privately in New York City and New Jersey. 

Julian Miltenberger is a drummer, composer, and educator originally from Philadelphia, PA, and currently based in Brooklyn, NYC. Known for his distinctive style, Julian’s drumming explores the rich rhythmic traditions and dance elements of the Afro-Atlantic world, blending them with a deep commitment to listening and dynamic expression. His performances span a wide range of genres, incorporating Afro-Cuban, jazz, Latin, and world music influences, grounded in both technical proficiency and creative improvisation. Julian has performed on international stages across countries such as Uruguay, Portugal, Togo, France, Switzerland, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Canada. He has shared the stage with a diverse array of artists, including Grammy-winning musicians Edmar Castañeda, Paquito d’Rivera, and Diego Urcola, as well as renowned figures like Yosvany Terry, Manuel Valera, Samuel Torres, Fran Vielma, Xiomara Laugart, Alain Mallet, Darren Barrett, Wayne Tucker, Pamyua, Ajoyo, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. An accomplished educator, Julian is a graduate of the prestigious Harvard/Berklee dual degree program, where he studied under influential musicians such as Terri Lyne Carrington, Yosvany Terry, Vijay Iyer, Danilo Pérez, and Ralph Peterson Jr., among others. His academic and performance experiences continue to shape his versatile approach to rhythm and composition.