MESTO: Multi-Ethnic Star Orchestra: Classical and folkloric Arabic music, original music inspired by Arabic, Persian, and Eastern European musical traditions, under the direction of Dr. Nabil Azzam.
Elvis Schoenberg Orchestre Surreal: The Orchestre Surreal is a group of daring Los Angeles studio musicians, with a mission: to boldly go where no orchestra has gone before!
Just Strings: Led by guitarist John Schneider, Just Strings is explores composer Harry Partch’s custom constructed instruments, including the Chromelodeon, Kithara, Adapted Viola, 7 Bass Marimba, Diamond Marimba, Harmonic Canon, Adapted Guitars and the Cloud Chamber Bowls.
"Just Strings performs with such elegance and élan as to put one's reservations quite beyond the pale.... A delight, a treat, and, for those who care, an education (or a basis for debate)." —Fanfare
"Enthralling, as well, was the entire ensemble which has impressively mastered Partch's instruments... performances lyrical and theatrical, emphasized the musical side of a composer too often known for his quirkiness." —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times
GO: Organic Orchestra: The 20+-piece orchestra features music director and conductor Adam Rudolph surrounded by a dazzling display of woodwinds and strings, drums both rare and familiar.
"Rudolph has created a huge extended musical family that attracts musicians from across generations and genres... Recent recipient of LA Weekly’s Best World Music band of 2005, the orchestra achieved a pangaeic sound utilizing wind and percussion instruments from every corner of the globe." —Rex Butters, All About Jazz
Freshly Squeezed: Freshly Squeezed crams flutist Sarah Wass, clarinetist James Sullivan, bassoonist Sara Schoenbeck and percussionist T.J. Troy into an inspired collaboration of musical exploration. The ensemble juxtaposes contemporary classical, free improvisation and ethnic styles, creating striking unions and adventures.
Tabla Rasa: Formed in 1996 with its debut performance opening up for vocal ist Srimati Laksmi Shankar as part of the Ali Akbar College of Music Summer Music Series. They base their original and traditional compositions on the collective years of training under the guidance of tabla maestro Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. Members of the group also draw upon inspiration of master South Indian percussionists T.H. Subash Chandran and K. Sekar.