From Classical to Jazz: A Little Bit of Everything. at American Young Artists Association

New York, March 21, 2026 — The American Young Artists Association (AYA) successfully presented its cross-genre concert From Classical to Jazz: A Little Bit of Everything at Hungarian House on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, bringing together artists working across classical performance, musical theatre, and contemporary jazz.

Held at 213 East 82nd Street, the concert created an intimate yet artistically dynamic environment in which diverse musical traditions were placed in dialogue, reflecting the evolving cultural landscape of live performance today

The program was headlined by singer and actor Elio Kennedy-Yoon, a Harvard University graduate and multidisciplinary performer active in musical theatre, contemporary performance, and collaborative stage projects in New York City. His expressive stage presence and narrative-driven interpretation shaped the emotional arc of the evening.

The classical segment featured pianist Juhee Lim and violinist Eliane Menzel, whose performances demonstrated both technical mastery and poetic sensitivity. Award-winning collaborative pianist Nicholas Alexander Kaponyas joined multiple works throughout the program, contributing refined musical dialogue and structural clarity.

The jazz portion was presented by an ensemble of young musicians active in New York’s contemporary jazz scene, including saxophonist Langston Hughes II, trumpeter Miles Keingstein, pianist Caelan Cardello, bassist Eytan Schillinger-Hyman, and percussionist Beckett Miles. Their performance combined original compositions with reinterpretations of jazz repertoire, foregrounding improvisation and collective musicianship.

Jazz mezzo-soprano Olivia Manna also appeared in a crossover repertoire that reimagined selections from the Great American Songbook through a classically informed vocal approach.

The concert was initiated and supported by AYA founders Teddy Lei and Ming Zhou. Project leadership and on-site production were managed by Alison Li, Jenny Guan, and Nicholas Alexander Kaponyas, ensuring a professional artistic presentation and audience experience.

AYA expresses sincere gratitude to its partners and sponsors, including Lazell Eyewear, cultural consultancy Maison Caldwell, production team LipManTV, independent photographer Eric Wang, and wine partner Bacchus Club, whose support contributed significantly to the success of the evening.

As part of AYA’s ongoing performance initiatives, From Classical to Jazz continues the Association’s commitment to presenting artists in thoughtfully curated environments that bridge artistic excellence and contemporary cultural dialogue.