SIDE BY SIDE RESIDENCY
Learn. Collaborate. Perform. Side by Side.
About
CMC’s Side by Side Residency Program brings young musicians and professional guest artists together for a unique chamber music experience. Throughout the residency, students learn, collaborate, and perform side by side with professional musicians, experiencing firsthand the energy and connection that come from making music together.
More than a traditional masterclass or performance, the residency places students and guest artists on stage together as musical partners. Each residency brings new perspectives, musical styles, and experiences into the CMC community while building meaningful connections between generations of musicians.
Upcoming Events!
CMC Side by Side Performance
KASA Quartet • Eddie Barbash • Kyle Athayde
Saturday, October 10 | 3:00–4:00 PM
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
35 E. Stanton Ave., Columbus, OH 43214
Free & Open to the Public • Donations Welcome
Get to know our Fall 2026 Guest Artists!
Eddie Barbash
Eddie Barbash is a saxophonist known for his distinctive sound and versatility across jazz, classical, folk, and popular music. A founding member of the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Eddie currently tours with Cory Wong and can also be heard on the Oscar- and Grammy-winning soundtrack of Pixar’s Soul. His career has taken him to stages around the world, collaborating with artists across a wide range of musical styles. We are thrilled to welcome Eddie to CMC’s Side by Side Residency, where he will share his musicianship and love of collaboration while rehearsing and performing alongside our students.
KASA Quartet
KASA Quartet is an award-winning ensemble known for bringing together classical music with jazz, musical theater, folk, and pop. First Prize winners of the 2017 Coltman Chamber Music Competition, KASA has performed and taught at the Ravinia Festival, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Austin Chamber Music Center, and more. The quartet also has a special connection to CMC through CMC alumni Kyle Price and Stephanie Price, whose roots in chamber music began right here in the CMC community. This Side by Side Residency brings KASA Quartet back to CMC, where they will share their creativity, musicianship, and love of collaboration with today’s CMC students.
Kyle Athayde
Kyle Athayde is a composer, arranger, performer, and educator known for his versatility across jazz, classical, salsa, and more. He leads the acclaimed Kyle Athayde Dance Party and has composed and arranged music for ensembles including Canadian Brass and the New York Trumpet Ensemble. A multi-instrumentalist, Kyle performs on vibraphone, piano, trumpet, drums, and more, bringing a wide range of musical influences to his work. Kyle also works closely with Eddie Barbash as an arranger and pianist. We can’t wait for CMC students to experience Kyle’s energy and creativity as they rehearse and perform together throughout the residency.
Dawning Vajdi
Dawning (Welliver) Vajdi is a violinist, chamber musician, educator, and CMC alumna whose work explores the connections between music, culture, and community. During her years at CMC, Dawning performed with Quatuor Alliance, earning recognition at national chamber music competitions including the Fischoff, Saint Paul String Quartet, and Discover National Chamber Music competitions. Today, she performs with the award-winning Sileo Quartet and is passionate about bringing rarely heard and underrepresented music to new audiences. This residency marks a special homecoming as we welcome Dawning back to CMC for our Side by Side Residency, returning to the community where she once performed as a student to now make music alongside the next generation of CMC musicians!